Flexible Door Barrier for All-Terrain Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
All-terrain vehicles face challenges in providing a protective barrier that prevents ingress and egress of objects and light while maintaining structural rigidity and allowing easy access to the passenger compartment, especially when subjected to uneven terrain and significant load and energy inputs.
Innovation Solution
A flexible barrier assembly integrated into the vehicle frame, comprising a roll cage, net, and releasable buckle assembly, which absorbs and manages load and kinetic energy inputs without compromising the vehicle's structural integrity, allowing for controlled deformation and easy access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid door frame and window structure is used to provide protection and maintain structural integrity, then the vehicle's structural rigidity and protective capability are improved, but the ease of access to the passenger compartment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The door barrier assembly transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system with multiple states. The flexible barrier member can be positioned in a closed state for protection or opened by releasing the buckle connector for access. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt between providing structural rigidity when needed and allowing easy access when required, resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If a flexible barrier member is used to allow easy access and absorb energy inputs, then the ease of operation and energy absorption are improved, but the structural rigidity and protective capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The door barrier assembly employs a flexible barrier member made of flexible material that can deform under load and energy inputs from uneven terrain. This flexible component absorbs kinetic energy while maintaining the ability to provide protection when closed. The flexibility allows the barrier to adapt to terrain variations and absorb energy without compromising its protective function, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and structural rigidity.
3Ease of operation
If a releasable buckle connector is used to enable quick access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of the protective barrier deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The door barrier assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the flexible barrier member, the buckle connector, and the frame structure. This segmentation allows the releasable buckle connector to be designed specifically for quick release functionality while the rest of the system maintains protective reliability. The connector can be easily released for access but, when engaged, provides secure attachment that ensures the barrier remains reliably closed during normal operation, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
4Reliability
If the flexible barrier assembly is designed to absorb load and kinetic energy, then the durability and safety are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The door barrier assembly merges multiple functions into a single integrated system. The flexible barrier member simultaneously provides protection, absorbs energy, and allows for easy access when combined with the buckle connector. The frame structure integrates the barrier holding portion and connector mounting portion, combining structural support with functional elements. This merging reduces overall system complexity while maintaining durability and safety, as the components work together as a unified assembly rather than separate complex subsystems.
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 flexible barrier assembly effectively prevents object ingress/egress while maintaining the vehicle's structural rigidity, absorbing energy inputs to protect the passenger compartment and ensuring easy access, thus enhancing the vehicle's durability and safety on uneven terrain.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible barrier assembly integrated into the vehicle frame, comprising a roll cage, net, and releasable buckle assembly, which absorbs and manages load and kinetic energy inputs without compromising the vehicle's structural integrity
Data Source
AI summary
A door barrier assembly for a vehicle can include a flexible barrier member such as a net, flexible plastic screen, or other barrier device located within an opening in the vehicle frame. The vehicle frame can include a front pillar member connected to a longitudinally extending roll cage member that extends in a longitudinal rearward direction of the vehicle from a top end of the front pillar member. The front pillar member can also be connected to a transverse roll cage member. The flexible barrier member can include an upper forward portion and a connector at the upper forward portion releasably attached to one of the transverse roll cage member and the longitudinally extending roll cage member at a location between the front pillar member and the longitudinally extending roll cage member.