Modular Retractable Door Assembly for Open-Air Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing open-air vehicle covering devices are not easily deployable or stowable, lack versatility across different vehicle frame structures, and require complex access, making them impractical for quick weather protection.
Innovation Solution
A modular retractable door assembly for open-air vehicles that includes independently deployable and stowable doors and rear panels, which hingedly and slidably articulate between a deployed position to cover openings and a stowed position inside a roof enclosure, using a subframe and upper hinge members that attach to existing roof support members without altering the vehicle, allowing for easy installation and operation by one person.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If hard and canopy covers attach to the back of the open-air vehicle's roof portion and frame section, then protection from wind, rain, and damp weather conditions is provided, but the covering devices are difficult to access and deploy quickly when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The covering device is divided into multiple independent door panels (first door, second door, third door, fourth door) that can be deployed and stored independently. Each door panel can be accessed and operated separately, allowing quick deployment of individual sections without requiring the entire covering system to be accessed from the rear.
Solution Approach 2:
The door panels are designed with dynamic movement capabilities through hinge members and sliding mechanisms. The panels can transition between stored positions (within the roof enclosure) and deployed positions (covering the openings), enabling rapid response to changing weather conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If canopy base member geometry is changed to mate with different open-air vehicle frame structures, then versatility across vehicle types is improved, but the structural complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The door panels are designed with universal mounting capabilities that can accommodate different open-air vehicle frame structures. The hinge members and mounting mechanisms are configured to work with various frame geometries without requiring custom base members for each vehicle type, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system incorporates adjustable and adaptable connection points that can accommodate different frame structures. The hinge members and support structures are designed to flexibly mate with various frame geometries, allowing the same door panel assembly to be installed on different vehicle types without complex custom fabrication.
3Volume of moving object
If doors and rear panels are designed to stow inside the roof enclosure, then space utilization is improved, but the deployment mechanism becomes more complex requiring both hinging and sliding articulation
Solution Approach 1:
The covering system is segmented into multiple independent door panels that can be stored within the roof enclosure. Each panel operates independently with its own hinge and sliding mechanisms, allowing compact storage while maintaining operational simplicity for each individual panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The door panels are designed to nest within the roof enclosure when not in use. The panels can be stored in a compact configuration inside the roof structure, utilizing the available space efficiently while maintaining access to the deployment mechanisms.
4Ease of operation
If the covering device is designed for quick one-handed operation, then ease of operation is improved, but the structural simplicity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The door panels are designed with self-latching and self-releasing mechanisms that can be operated with a single hand. The hinge members and sliding mechanisms incorporate features that automatically engage and disengage, allowing users to deploy or store the covering without requiring complex manual manipulation or two-handed operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular retractable door assembly for open-air vehicle and method of articulation during stowage and deployment. The assembly is operable with an open-air vehicle to selectively cover and uncover the passenger side openings of the vehicle with doors and rear panels that pivot and slide inwardly and outwardly to selectively cover passenger side openings in the vehicle, and stow away in a roof enclosure. Two doors and two rear panels hingedly articulate between a deployed position covering the passenger openings; and a stowed position stowed on a pair of stacked rails inside a roof enclosure. The door and rear panel operate independently of each other. Multiple upper hinge members allow the doors and rear panels to pivot about a longitudinal roof support members of the vehicle. The door and rear panels slide in and out of the roof enclosure along traversing roof support members inside the roof enclosure.