Dual-Pivot Tower Support Assembly for Low-Clearance Top Covers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recreational vehicles face challenges in efficiently raising and lowering top covers, particularly in low clearance situations, with safety hazards and structural weaknesses during inclement weather.
Innovation Solution
A support assembly with pivoting elements that include struts and pivot joints, allowing for independent adjustment of the upper structure, reinforced by guide arrangements and positive stops, to enhance stability and safety, and actuators for top cover positioning, ensuring strength and versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional support systems are used for top covers, then the system can be simplified, but the strength and stability in both raised and lowered positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into multiple independent support assemblies, each with its own strut and pivot joint. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for strength while maintaining overall system simplicity. The top cover is also segmented into multiple sections that can be independently supported.
Solution Approach 2:
The support system uses pivot joints that allow dynamic adjustment between raised and lowered positions. The canted struts can rotate about pivot axes, enabling the system to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements while maintaining structural integrity in both extreme positions.
2Device complexity
If conventional support systems are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but safety hazards due to pinch points increase
Solution Approach 1:
Guide arrangements act as intermediary elements between the support struts and the top cover. These guide arrangements include features that prevent direct contact between moving parts, thereby eliminating pinch points while maintaining the simplicity of the overall support structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional support systems are used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to withstand lateral forces and inclement weather deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support struts are constructed using composite material structures that combine different materials to achieve both ease of manufacture and high strength. The canted struts utilize material compositions that provide resistance to lateral forces while remaining manufacturable using standard processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The canted struts are positioned at angular orientations rather than vertical or horizontal alignments. This angular configuration provides geometric strength against lateral forces from wind and waves, while the curved or angled surfaces are designed to facilitate manufacturing processes.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the top cover is made lower for protection, then protection from elements is improved, but the vertical clearance requirement worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The support system enables dynamic repositioning of the top cover between raised and lowered positions. When vertical clearance is available, the top cover can be raised for maximum protection. When clearance is limited, the top cover can be lowered while maintaining adequate support through the pivot joint mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The support assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: providing structural support, enabling position adjustment, protecting against elements, and adapting to varying clearance requirements. This multi-functionality allows a single system design to address contradictory requirements for protection and clearance.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus (100), including: a support assembly (200), the support assembly including: a lower endcap (240), an upper endcap (252), a strut (242), a lower pivot joint (244) between the lower endcap and a lower end (248) of the strut, and an upper pivot joint (254) between the upper endcap and an upper end of the strut (246). The support assembly is configured to selectively move an upper structure (400) relative to a motor vehicle (500) between an upper position via rotation at each pivot joint which increases a distance (270) between respective endcap centroids (272, 274), and a lower position via rotation in an opposite direction at each pivot joint which decreases the distance (276) between the respective endcap centroids.