Hitch-Mounted Rooftop Tent With Aerodynamic Shell And Utility Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rooftop tents are not aerodynamic, making them inefficient in terms of fuel consumption and are difficult to repair or adapt to various weather conditions, as they often require permanent tent fabric that cannot be easily replaced or modified.
Innovation Solution
A rooftop tent system featuring a hard shell with integrated utility rails and an articulating mechanism that allows for easy opening and closing, along with a detachable and interchangeable tent fabric system using an interconnecting member with zippers, enabling the tent to be adapted for different weather conditions and user needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing rooftop tents are attached to vehicle roof rails, then the tent can be mounted on the vehicle, but other items such as bicycles, surfboards, and skis cannot be mounted to the roof rails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the tent mounting location from the vehicle roof rails to the vehicle hatchback area, utilizing a different spatial dimension. This allows the roof rails to remain available for other items while the tent is mounted on the hatchback, resolving the conflict between tent mounting and other roof rack needs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hitch-mounted adapter as an intermediary device that connects the tent to the vehicle's existing hitch system. This mediator allows the tent to be mounted without interfering with the roof rails, enabling both functions to coexist
2Ease of manufacture
If rooftop tents have non-aerodynamic shapes, then the tent structure can be simple and easy to manufacture, but wind resistance increases and fuel efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved and aerodynamic shell designs for the tent structure, using rounded edges and streamlined shapes that reduce wind resistance. The curved geometry maintains manufacturing feasibility while significantly improving aerodynamic performance and reducing drag
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes geometric parameters of the tent shell such as length, width, height, and curvature radius to achieve better aerodynamic characteristics. By adjusting these parameters, the tent maintains structural integrity and ease of manufacture while reducing wind resistance and improving fuel efficiency
3Stability of the object's composition
If rooftop tents use permanent tent fabric affixed to the base, then the structure is stable, but the tent is difficult to repair and cannot adapt to various weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tent into separable components including the base, canopy, and interchangeable fabric panels. This segmentation allows different fabric configurations to be used for different weather conditions while maintaining structural stability through the rigid base and frame
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic, interchangeable fabric panels that can be swapped based on weather conditions. The fabric attachment system allows for easy replacement and reconfiguration, enabling the tent to adapt to various weather scenarios while maintaining structural integrity through the stable base and frame
4Ease of manufacture
If rooftop tents have fixed tent fabric, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the tent cannot be easily repaired or modified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tent fabric into separate, interchangeable panels that can be independently replaced. This segmentation simplifies repair processes as only the damaged panel needs to be replaced rather than the entire fabric, while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a fabric replacement system where damaged fabric panels can be easily removed and replaced with new or repaired panels. The standardized attachment mechanisms allow for quick discarding of damaged components and recovery of the functional tent structure
Data Source
AI summary
A tent system includes a base system, a canopy, and one or more interconnecting members. The base system includes a first base member configured to mount to a vehicle, a second base member, and a hinge pivotally attaching the first base member to the second base member. The canopy includes a flexible membrane having a membrane edge and a canopy fastener coupled to at least a portion of the membrane edge and configured to mate with an interconnecting member fastener. The one or more interconnecting members include an interconnecting member body defining a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, an attachment member, and the interconnecting member fastener attached to the interconnecting member body along the second longitudinal edge and configured to mate with a plurality of different canopy fasteners.