Removable Vehicle Side Panels for Tool-Free Modular Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle body panel designs lack configurability, modularity, and functionality, particularly for SUVs, trucks, and vans, as existing removable roof systems are cumbersome and require tools, limiting customization and utility.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle removable panel system featuring removable panels with locator pins, locks, and a seal for easy engagement and disengagement with a fixed vehicle structure, allowing single-user operation without tools, and providing moisture resistance and interchangeability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If removable roof systems are implemented to increase configurability, then vehicle customization and utility are improved, but the system becomes cumbersome requiring tools and multiple users for installation
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle body panel is divided into a fixed vehicle structure and interchangeable removable panels, allowing selective replacement of individual panels while maintaining the overall structure. This segmentation enables easy removal and installation of single panels without affecting other components.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable panels are designed with universal engagement features including locator pins that fit into holes in the fixed structure, and locks that interact with brackets. These standardized multi-functional features allow the same panel design to be installed and removed repeatedly without specialized tools or procedures.
2Strength
If traditional vehicle body panels are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but configurability and modularity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The body panel system is segmented into fixed structural components and removable functional panels. The fixed vehicle structure maintains structural integrity while the removable panels provide configurability. This segmentation allows the strong fixed structure to support the interchangeable panels without compromising overall strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable panels may include transparent portions and are designed to engage with the fixed structure through mechanical features. This composite approach combines different materials and functional elements (transparent sections, locking mechanisms, sealing elements) into a single interchangeable panel unit that maintains strength while enabling configurability.
3Ease of operation
If removable panels are designed for easy removal, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of connection may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The locator pins are pre-positioned on the removable panel to align with holes in the fixed vehicle structure before engagement. This preliminary positioning ensures proper alignment and prevents misalignment during installation, maintaining both ease of operation and connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing elements are pre-installed on the removable panels to provide moisture resistance and sealing before the panel is put into service. This beforehand preparation ensures that the connection maintains reliability for weather protection without requiring complex sealing procedures during installation or removal.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple unique panel designs are created for different configurations, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The removable panels use universal engagement features including standardized locator pins, locks that interact with brackets, and common mounting locations. This universality allows a limited set of panel designs to provide multiple configurations, reducing the number of unique parts needed while maintaining high adaptability for different uses.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle removable panel system including a fixed vehicle structure and one or more removable panels configured to removably engage with the fixed vehicle structure. The vehicle removable panel system providing increased configurability, modularity, and functionality and being easily configurable by a single user without the use of tools. The vehicle removable panel system including a seal with moisture resistance and edges suitable for sealing the removable vehicle panels to other vehicle components including the fixed vehicle structure.