Removable Hardtop Storage Support via Integrated Footrests
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in safely storing removable vehicle hardtops without causing damage due to their weight and size, as existing solutions like storage racks are often expensive, space-consuming, or unavailable, and direct floor storage risks damaging seals, locating pins, and windows.
Innovation Solution
The integration of footrest cavities and pin recesses in vehicle sides and hardtops, along with extending footrests and locating pins, allows for secure alignment and protection of the hardtop during storage and installation, eliminating the need for external storage racks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a storage rack is used to support and protect the hardtop, then the hardtop is protected from damage, but the storage rack is expensive and takes up too much space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the storage support function with the vehicle body structure by integrating footrest cavities and pin recesses into the vehicle sides. The hardtop's footrests and locating pins interact with these integrated structures, merging the storage support function into the vehicle body itself rather than requiring a separate storage rack system.
Solution Approach 2:
The footrest cavities and pin recesses in the vehicle sides serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for the vehicle body, enable hardtop storage protection, and facilitate hardtop reinstallation alignment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated storage racks while achieving protection goals.
2Reliability
If a storage rack is used to support and protect the hardtop, then the hardtop is protected from damage, but the storage rack is not available at various locations
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle body's integrated footrest cavities and pin recesses provide hardtop protection functionality wherever the vehicle is located. The hardtop can be safely stored on the vehicle itself at any location without requiring external storage racks, achieving universal availability.
3Ease of operation
If the hardtop is set on a floor of a garage or other hard surface, then storage is simple, but the hardtop may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces footrests and locating pins as intermediary elements between the hardtop and the storage surface. These intermediaries distribute the hardtop's weight and prevent direct contact between vulnerable hardtop components (seals, locating pins, windows, paint) and the hard storage surface, thus protecting the hardtop while maintaining simple storage operation.
4Reliability
If footrests extend farther than locating pins, then the hardtop is protected during storage, but the alignment precision may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the alignment and protection functions into two distinct elements: footrests that extend farther for protection and weight bearing, and locating pins that provide precise alignment. This segmentation allows each element to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the hardtop mounting system have different functional qualities: the footrests are designed to extend farther for protection and weight support, while the locating pins are designed for precise alignment. This local differentiation of qualities allows simultaneous achievement of protection and precision alignment.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle with removable hardtop may include vehicle sides having footrest cavities and pin recesses through top rails. The hardtop has sides resting on the top rails, locating pins extending downward from the bottom edges into respective pin recesses, and footrests extending downward from the bottom edges, farther than the locating pins, into respective footrest cavities with greater clearance than the locating pins in the pin recesses.