Convertible Roof Panel Segmentation for Solo Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing convertible roofs for vehicles are cumbersome and complex to connect, especially for single-person operation, requiring significant time and effort in wet weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, compact convertible roof design featuring a supporting frame with arched portions and engagement means, including pins and handles, that allows easy connection to the vehicle body, facilitating quick and solo operation by an occupant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional convertible roof with side members and covering canvas is used, then the roof can close the passenger compartment, but the connection operations become complex and time-consuming for single-person use
Solution Approach 1:
The convertible roof is divided into two independent panels (first convertible roof panel and second convertible roof panel) that can be connected separately to the vehicle body. Each panel has its own engagement means, allowing the user to connect them independently rather than handling one large complex structure, significantly reducing the complexity and time of connection operations for single-person use
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement means (pins, hooks, eyes) are pre-positioned on the panels and vehicle body in specific locations. The pins are designed to be inserted through aligned holes and secured with hooks and eyes that are already in place, eliminating the need for complex assembly steps during connection and enabling quick solo installation
2Reliability
If engagement means with multiple components are used to secure the roof, then the connection is reliable, but the operational complexity increases for single-person use
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple engagement functions are merged into a single integrated pin component. The pin serves as both the insertion element and the locking element when combined with the hook and eye mechanism. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components the user must handle and assemble, simplifying the operation while maintaining reliable connection through the combined action of pin-hook-eye assembly
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex locking mechanisms that require multiple steps to engage, the design uses a simple pin insertion method where the pin itself becomes the locking element when secured by the hook and eye. The reliability comes from the inverted approach of using a simple geometric shape (pin) combined with complementary features (hook and eye) rather than a complex mechanical latch system
Data Source
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AI summary
A road vehicle (1): provided with a coachwork (2); an interior compartment (3), delimited by a windscreen (4) supported by a frame (5); and a convertible roof (8), which can be connected to the coachwork (2) for closing, at the top, the interior compartment (3) and is provided with a covering cloth (11) comprising two side beams (17) at respective side ends; and a supporting frame (12), which can be mechanically connected to the coachwork (2) for supporting the covering cloth (11); each side beam (17) is provided with: a rigid side panel (18), which rises in cantilever fashion from a rear end of the side beam (17) and, in the position for closing the interior compartment (3), is set substantially vertical; and engagement means (19) for connecting the covering cloth (11) to the frame (5) and for connecting the two side panels (18) to a portion of the coachwork (2) that delimits the interior compartment (3) at the rear and at the sides.