Modular Emergency Actuating Tool for Vehicle Roofs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Emergency actuating tools for vehicles with movable roofs often lack versatility and comfort in operation, as they are typically single-purpose and inflexible, making it difficult to access and actuate multiple equipment components, especially those that are poorly accessible.

Innovation Solution

A modular, multi-piece emergency actuating tool with interchangeable tool heads and a coupling device allowing assembly and dismantling, featuring different actuating elements and materials (plastic and metal) for enhanced accessibility and adaptability, including an L-shape design with markings for concealed components and positive locking elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single-purpose emergency actuating tool is used, then the tool structure is simple, but it cannot actuate multiple equipment components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to actuate multiple equipment componentsVSAvoidtool structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The emergency actuating tool is divided into multiple separate tool heads, each designed for specific equipment components. These modular tool heads can be individually selected and combined based on the emergency situation, allowing a single tool system to handle multiple different components without requiring a complex integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tool head set is designed to provide universal functionality across different equipment components. Each tool head is engineered with specific actuating elements that can interface with various components of the movable roof arrangement, enabling one tool system to perform multiple functions that would otherwise require separate specialized tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a fixed-size emergency actuating tool is used, then the tool is easy to store, but it cannot reach poorly accessible equipment components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility to equipment componentsVSAvoidtool dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the tool into separate heads and a handle, the system allows selective assembly of only the necessary components for each emergency situation. This reduces the storage volume required compared to a fixed large-size tool, while still providing access to poorly accessible components when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tool configuration is made dynamic through the ability to assemble and disassemble different tool heads. The tool adapts its size and shape based on the specific emergency situation and accessibility requirements, rather than being constrained to a fixed dimension that must accommodate all possible scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a multi-piece emergency actuating tool is used, then accessibility to various components is improved, but assembly and dismantling requires additional time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility to equipment componentsVSAvoidassembly and dismantling time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The tool heads are pre-designed with standardized coupling interfaces that enable quick connection and disconnection without requiring complex assembly procedures. This preliminary design of the coupling mechanism allows users to rapidly assemble the necessary tool configuration during an emergency, minimizing the time loss associated with multi-piece construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If interchangeable tool heads are provided, then the tool can be customized for different components, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization for different componentsVSAvoidnumber of tool heads

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tool system is segmented into standardized modular heads that can be independently manufactured and stored. This segmentation allows for customization of the tool set based on specific vehicle requirements without requiring a completely custom-designed tool for each component, thereby managing complexity through standardization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9050716B2Emergency actuating tool

Publication Date: 2015.06.09 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG

AI summary

An emergency actuating tool for at least one equipment component which is specific to a vehicle with a movable roof arrangement, has at least one tool head for the equipment component, which tool head has an actuating element. For an alternative embodiment of the emergency actuating tool, it is provided that the emergency actuating tool has, moreover, at least one second tool head which has a second actuating element, that the emergency actuating tool is configured in multiple pieces, such that it can be assembled and at least partially dismantled, and that a third tool head with a third actuating element can be exposed by the dismantling of the emergency actuating tool.