Erectable Vehicle Roof Lifting Device with Gas Spring Assistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lifting devices for vehicle roofs require significant manual effort at the beginning of the opening movement, making it uncomfortable and inefficient, as the support from gas pressure springs is only noticeable after initial displacement, and hydraulic or electric actuators are expensive and require separate energy supplies.
Innovation Solution
A lifting device with a scissors-type mechanism and a gas pressure spring, where a drive means, such as a linearly displaceable pressure element, supports the opening movement by exerting a linear force on the support arm, allowing the gas pressure spring to take over and maintain the open position, reducing manual effort and energy requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a gas pressure spring is arranged at a distance from the lifting device between the frame and the roof element, then the roof element can be supported during opening movement, but significant manual effort is still required at the beginning of the opening movement before the spring takes effect
Solution Approach 1:
A drive means (such as a spring-loaded latch or cam mechanism) is pre-configured to automatically engage and provide initial lifting force when the roof element begins to open. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual effort at the start of opening, as the drive means activates automatically based on the roof's position or user initiation, before the gas pressure spring becomes effective.
2Ease of operation
If hydraulic or electric actuators are used to support the opening movement, then manual effort is reduced, but the device complexity and energy requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device uses self-service mechanisms where the drive means (spring-loaded latch, cam, or ratchet) automatically engages and provides lifting force based on the roof element's position or minimal user input. The system serves itself by utilizing the roof's own weight and position to trigger the mechanical advantage mechanisms, eliminating the need for complex hydraulic or electric actuators while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Complex hydraulic or electric actuation systems are replaced with simpler mechanical self-service mechanisms such as spring-loaded latches, cam followers, or ratchet systems. These mechanical substitutes provide the necessary lifting force through pure mechanical advantage, reducing device complexity and eliminating the need for separate energy supplies while maintaining ease of operation.
3Reliability
If the gas pressure spring is positioned to provide support, then the open position can be maintained, but the spring force is not effective during the initial phase of opening movement
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting function is segmented into two distinct phases: initial lifting provided by the drive means (spring-loaded latch or cam mechanism) and position maintenance provided by the gas pressure spring. This segmentation allows each mechanism to optimize its function - the drive means handles the energy-intensive initial phase, while the gas spring handles the stable maintenance phase, improving overall energy efficiency and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive means performs preliminary action by providing the initial lifting force needed to overcome the roof element's weight and seal friction. Once this preliminary action is complete and the roof element reaches a certain position, the gas pressure spring takes over to maintain the open position, ensuring that energy support is available when needed most during the critical initial phase.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution significantly reduces the manual effort required for opening the roof by providing initial support through the drive means and allows the gas pressure spring to automatically maintain the open position, enhancing user comfort and reducing energy costs.
Implementation Method 1
a gas pressure spring is arranged at a distance from the lifting device between the frame and the roof element
Implementation Method 2
a drive means, such as a linearly displaceable pressure element, supports the opening movement by exerting a linear force on the support arm
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A lifting device for a pop-up vehicle roof with a movable roof element, wherein the roof element can be movably mounted on a frame surrounding a roof opening of a vehicle, such that the roof element covers the roof opening in a closed position and is at least partially spaced away from the roof opening in an open position, has a lifting scissor joint mechanism with two support arms (15, 19) pivotally connected to each other at a distance from their respective ends, of which at least one pivotable support arm (15) is pivotably and linearly displaceably mounted with a first actuating end (17) on a fitting element (14) fixed to the roof element or to the frame surrounding the roof opening. A drive means is arranged on the fitting element (14) which, during an opening movement of the lifting device, assists a linear displacement of the actuating end (17) of the support arm (15) along the fitting element (14).The drive means is a gas spring (23) with a linearly displaceable pressure piston (25) which rests against the end (17) of the support arm (15) via a contact surface element.