Removable Fabric Top Coupling for Frame-Free Concave Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle designs with removable fabric tops require additional peripheral frames to achieve the necessary concave shape for the rear edge, limiting geometric flexibility and increasing complexity.
Innovation Solution
A removable top with a fabric cover, a support chassis, and a tensioning cable that assumes an arched shape with a concavity facing downwards, coupled with a coupling element that includes a gasket and a self-skinning polyurethane support, allowing the top to be securely fastened without additional frames, enabling fluid-tight insulation and flexibility in shaping the upper edge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a peripheral frame is inserted between the backrest and the gasket to achieve the concave shape, then the desired shape of the fabric top is obtained, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shaping function and the sealing function into a single integrated element. The peripheral edge of the fabric top is directly formed with the required concave geometry and incorporates the gasket as an integral component, eliminating the need for a separate peripheral frame structure while achieving both the desired shape and fluid-tight sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the peripheral frame from the system by directly forming the concave shape on the fabric top's peripheral edge itself. This removes the intermediate framing structure while maintaining the necessary geometric configuration for the arched cable arrangement.
2Shape
If the upper edge of the backrest is shaped in a concave way to accommodate the cable, then the fabric top can assume the desired shape, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of shaping the backrest in a concave manner to accommodate the cable, the patent inverts the approach by forming the fabric top's peripheral edge with the concave shape. This transfers the geometric complexity from the fixed backrest structure to the flexible fabric top, significantly reducing manufacturing precision requirements for the rigid components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state of the peripheral edge from a straight configuration to a concave configuration directly on the fabric top. This parameter change allows the flexible covering to adapt to the required arched shape without imposing strict geometric constraints on the rigid backrest structure.
3Shape
If a tensioning cable with arched shape is used to shape the fabric cover, then the desired shape is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cable attachment points and the shaping function into the fabric top's peripheral edge structure. The concave shaping of the peripheral edge directly provides the attachment geometry for the tensioning cable, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets or frames while maintaining the required arched configuration.
Data Source
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AI summary
A removable top (6) for a motor vehicle (1) is described, comprising a fabric cover (7), which can be coupled to a body (2) of the motor vehicle (1), a coupling element (30) designed to be interposed between said cover (7) and said body (2); the coupling element (30) comprises, in turn: a support (35) designed to engage a compartment (21) defined by said body (2); and a first gasket (40) defining a first peripheral edge (41) of the coupling element (30), on which the cover (7) can be arranged so as to abut against it, a second peripheral edge (45) opposite said first edge (41); the first gasket (40) delimiting a first convex region (42) of the support (35); the second peripheral edge (45) further comprises at least one first segment (47) delimiting at least one second convex region (48) of said support (35).