Removable Rear Window Panel Latches for Single-Person Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing convertible tops require removal of heavy components, necessitating multiple people or special equipment, which is cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A two-piece window system with a removable glass panel featuring L-shaped rotatable latches that engage with receivers to form a graspable handle, allowing easy detachment and vibration attenuation, facilitating single-person operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hard convertible top is used, then weather protection is provided, but the component becomes very heavy requiring multiple people or special equipment for removal
Solution Approach 1:
The window system is divided into a fixed panel and a removable panel. The fixed panel remains installed to maintain structural integrity and weather protection, while only the smaller removable panel needs to be detached for open-air driving. This segmentation allows the system to provide weather protection when needed while enabling easy removal of a lightweight component for open-air operation.
2Ease of operation
If a removable panel system is used, then ease of removal is improved, but the device complexity increases due to retention features
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple retention features are combined into a single grasping operation. The retention features include at least one latch and one clamp that can both be actuated by gripping a single portion of the removable panel and applying force in one direction. This merging of retention mechanisms allows easy removal without requiring complex individual operations for each retention feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention features are designed to be actuated by a universal grasping motion. A single graspable portion on the removable panel serves as the interface for all retention features, allowing the user to engage or disengage multiple retention mechanisms simultaneously through one hand motion. This multi-functional design simplifies the user interface while maintaining secure attachment.
3Ease of operation
If the removable panel is made lightweight, then single-person operation becomes possible, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The window system is divided into a fixed panel and a removable panel. The fixed panel remains installed to maintain structural integrity and weather protection, while only the smaller removable panel needs to be detached for open-air driving. This segmentation allows the system to provide weather protection when needed while enabling easy removal of a lightweight component for open-air operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The window system uses glass panels that provide high strength-to-weight ratio. The removable panel can be made of glass or other lightweight yet strong materials that maintain structural integrity while being light enough for single-person handling. The fixed panel provides additional structural support to the overall window system.
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
Enables efficient and single-person removal of the rear window panel, improving ease of use and reducing the need for heavy lifting, while maintaining structural integrity and weather protection.
Implementation Method 1
each of the rotatable latches include a vibration attenuation feature at the first end that, when the first end of the rotatable latch is engaged with the receiver, attenuates vibrations experienced by the window system during operation of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle including a vehicle body including a movable body attached thereto. The movable body defines an opening configured for receipt of a window system. The window system includes a fixed panel that is fixed to the movable body, a removable panel that is configured to be attached to and detached from the fixed panel, and a plurality of retention features that are configured to attach the removable panel to the fixed panel. The plurality of retention features each include a rotatable latch attached to the removable panel that is configured to engage with a receiver to attach the removable panel to the fixed panel. Adjacent rotatable latches are configured to rotate in a direction toward each other to disengage from the receiver and mate with each other to collectively form a graspable handle to remove the detach the removable panel from the fixed panel.