Movable Ceiling Roof Box System for Aerodynamic Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional roof boxes increase fuel consumption and noise due to added weight and air resistance, and require installation and storage space, while integrated roof containers offer limited storage capacity.
Innovation Solution
A roof box system integrated into the vehicle's roof with a movable ceiling element forming an interspace for the insertion element, which can be easily arranged to provide additional storage without increasing air resistance, featuring a design that simplifies handling and reduces the number of integrated elements for a more stable structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If a conventional roof box is installed on the vehicle roof, then additional storage capacity is provided, but fuel consumption increases and air resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ceiling element is designed to be movable between a first position (flush with roof) and a second position (recessed to form interspace). This dynamic configuration allows the storage capacity to be variable rather than fixed, enabling the system to adapt between providing storage space and maintaining aerodynamic efficiency. When the ceiling element is in the first position, the roof surface remains smooth and aerodynamic. When moved to the second position, it creates an interspace for the insertion element, providing storage capacity while minimizing disruption to the overall aerodynamic profile compared to conventional external roof boxes.
2Volume of stationary object
If a conventional roof box is installed on the vehicle roof, then additional storage capacity is provided, but air resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable ceiling element dynamically adjusts the roof surface configuration. In the first position, it maintains a flush, aerodynamic surface that minimizes air resistance. In the second position, it creates a controlled interspace that accommodates the insertion element while presenting a more streamlined profile to the airflow compared to traditional external roof boxes, thereby reducing the harmful effect of air resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion element is nested within the interspace formed by the recessed ceiling element and the roof base element. This nesting arrangement allows the storage capacity to be integrated within the roof structure itself rather than adding an external box, resulting in a more aerodynamic configuration that reduces air resistance while providing the required storage volume.
3Volume of stationary object
If a conventional roof box is used, then storage capacity is provided, but installation and uninstallation is required and storage space is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is merged with the vehicle roof structure itself. The ceiling element, roof base element, and insertion element together form an integrated storage solution that is permanently mounted on the roof, eliminating the need for separate installation and uninstallation operations and removing the requirement for external storage space when the roof box is not in use.
4Ease of operation
If an integrated roof container is provided, then installation is simplified, but storage capacity is limited due to roof thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic ceiling element that can move between positions creates a variable storage capacity. When in the second position, it forms an interspace that provides storage volume while maintaining the integrated appearance and simplicity of installation characteristic of roof-integrated containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion element is nested within the interspace created by the movable ceiling element, effectively utilizing the space between the roof base and the ceiling element to maximize storage capacity within the constraints of the roof structure thickness.
5Reliability
If multiple retaining structures are added to the roof, then roof box can be secured, but air resistance increases and structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining function is merged into the roof base element itself, which is an existing structural component. The insertion element is retained within the interspace by the roof base element's structure, eliminating the need for additional external retaining structures that would increase air resistance and structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In order to provide a roof box system (100) for a motor vehicle (11) which is easy to handle and which can be used in many different ways and which features an aerodynamically advantageous shape, it is proposed that the roof box system (100) shall include a roof (10) of a motor vehicle (11) which includes at least one ceiling element (13) which is installed on at least one roof base element (12) and an insertion element (18) with at least one outer wall. Pursuant to the invention, the at least one ceiling element (13) can be moved from an initial state to a receiving state so that an interspace (15) suitable for receiving the insertion element (18) is formed, and, in the receiving state, the insertion element (18) can be arranged in the interspace (15) so that the at least one outer wall of the insertion element (18) forms an outer surface (26, 27) of the roof box system (100).