Foldable Pickup Soft-Top Support Structure for Compact Retraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing soft-top support structures for pickup trucks occupy large spaces, making them inconvenient for transportation and storage.

Innovation Solution

A foldable support structure comprising an installation base frame, a hinged support frame, and a folding support rod that can be adjusted and quickly disassembled, allowing the support frame to be compactly folded and reattached, reducing space occupancy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional soft-top support structure is used, then the soft top can be supported, but the support structure occupies large space during retraction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport capabilityVSAvoidoccupied space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support rod is divided into multiple telescopic segments that can slide relative to each other. During retraction, the segments telescope into a compact configuration, significantly reducing the occupied space while maintaining the ability to extend fully for support functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The telescopic support rod segments are nested within each other during retraction, with smaller segments fitting inside larger ones. This nesting mechanism allows the support structure to occupy minimal space when not in use, while still providing full extension capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Strength

If a hard-top structure is used, then the roof is strong and stable, but it is thick and heavy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a soft-top tarpaulin supported by a telescopic rod mechanism instead of a rigid hard-top shell. This flexible film approach maintains adequate structural strength for vehicle coverage while dramatically reducing weight and thickness compared to traditional hard-top constructions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is segmented into multiple telescopic sections that can be distributed throughout the soft top. This segmentation allows the lightweight soft-top material to achieve sufficient overall structural strength through the distributed support mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the second link mechanism bypasses the entire space above the carriage, then the soft top can be retracted, but it occupies a lot of space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretraction functionalityVSAvoidoccupied space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having the support mechanism bypass the entire space above the carriage as in traditional designs, the telescopic support rod inverts the approach by collapsing vertically within the carriage space. The mechanism works by compressing the telescopic segments inward rather than extending outward, significantly reducing the volume occupied during retraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11820213B2Foldable support structure for soft high top of pickup truck

Publication Date: 2023.11.21 CHANGZHOU SUNWOOD INT TRADE CO LTD

AI summary

A foldable support structure for a soft high top of a pickup truck includes an installation base frame, a support frame, and a folding support rod. The installation base frame is fixedly connected with or integrally formed with a vehicle body. The support frame is hinged with the installation base frame. The folding support rod includes one end hinged with the support frame, and the other end fixedly connected with the installation base frame. The support frame of the foldable support structure for a soft high top of a pickup truck can be folded by the folding support rod, which occupies a small space.