Pneumatic Rain Shield with X-Frame for Vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automotive rain shield systems are inefficient, require complex installation, and have a poor external appearance due to the need for separate components and motors, making them difficult to manufacture and install, while also exposing users to rain, especially the elderly, handicapped, or those with heavy loads.
Innovation Solution
An automotive rain shield system utilizing an air compressor and tubes that expand like a tent, with an X-shaped frame for effective rain protection, automatically deploying and retracting using an air compressor, and a door sensor for convenient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a motor is used to operate the rain shield, then the rain shield can be automatically operated, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the motor-driven mechanical system with a pneumatic system using an air compressor and flexible hoses. The air compressor inflates the rain shield to deploy it and deflates it to retract, eliminating complex mechanical linkages and control mechanisms while achieving automatic operation through simple pneumatic control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter from mechanical rotation (motor) to pneumatic pressure (air compressor). By controlling the pressure state of the flexible rain shield through inflation and deflation, the system achieves automatic deployment and retraction with simpler control, reducing overall device complexity
2Strength
If a separate frame box is manufactured and mounted on the vehicle roof, then the rain shield can be supported, but the installation complexity increases and the external appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the support structure and rain shield into a unified flexible system. The X-shaped frame is incorporated within the flexible rain shield assembly rather than being a separate mounted component, allowing the entire system to be installed as one unit on the vehicle door, simplifying installation while maintaining structural support capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible rain shield material that can support itself when inflated, eliminating the need for a rigid separate frame box mounted on the roof. The flexible membrane, when pressurized with air, gains sufficient structural integrity to block rain effectively, and can be easily installed on the vehicle door without complex mounting procedures
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the rain shield is made large to provide adequate protection, then the rain protection effectiveness improves, but the size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic inflation to create a large, lightweight rain shield. The flexible membrane, when filled with air, expands to provide adequate rain protection area without requiring heavy materials. The air pressure maintains the shield's shape and protective coverage while keeping the system lightweight
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining a lightweight flexible membrane with an internal X-shaped support frame and pneumatic system. This composite design provides sufficient structural strength and rain blocking capability while minimizing weight, as the flexible material itself is very light and the air pressure provides additional structural support
4Ease of operation
If the rain shield is made to retract completely for storage, then the portability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the air compressor to both deploy and retract the rain shield through simple inflation and deflation cycles. The flexible membrane naturally collapses and packs into a compact form when air is removed, providing easy storage without complex mechanical retraction mechanisms. The same pneumatic system that deploys the shield also handles retraction, maintaining simplicity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system efficiently deploys and retracts a rain shield, providing effective rain protection, minimizing size and weight, reducing fuel consumption, and simplifying installation, while improving user convenience and protecting both drivers and vehicle interiors.
Implementation Method 1
an air compressor that injects and sucks air to operate a rain shield; a shield module including a lift tube that operates an X-shaped frame so that the rain shield like a tent expands, by expanding when the air compressor injects air into the lift tube
Implementation Method 2
when air is injected into the tubes by an air compressor, the tubes are unrolled and the rain shield operates, while when the air is sucked, the rain shield is stowed
Data Source
AI summary
An automotive rain shield system including: an air compressor that injects and sucks air to operate a rain shield; a shield module including a lift tube that operates an X-shaped frame so that the rain shield like a tent expands, by expanding when the air compressor injects air into the lift tube, and a rain shield tube that expands when the air compressor injects air into the rain shield tube so that the rain shield like a tent expands; an external switch that inputs a signal for making the air compressor inject air, outside a vehicle; and a door sensor that senses a door of the vehicle closing so that the air compressor returns the rain shield by sucking the air.