Retractable Enclosure Panels for Open-Air Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing open-air vehicle enclosure panels are difficult to install and deploy, require modifications to the vehicle, and are cumbersome for multi-seater cars, especially for users who are physically challenged or lack dexterity.
Innovation Solution
Custom-designed brackets that attach to pre-existing roof supports, allowing for rapid installation of partitioned or non-partitioned panels that can be mechanically or motorized for easy deployment and retraction, reducing the need for multiple panels and manual handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional enclosure panels are installed on open-air vehicles, then protection from elements is provided, but installation requires vehicle modifications and is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure system is divided into multiple individual panels rather than a single large cover. Each panel can be independently installed and removed, eliminating the need for complex vehicle modifications while providing comprehensive protection from elements.
Solution Approach 2:
A track system is introduced as an intermediary component between the vehicle and the enclosure panels. The tracks are mounted to the vehicle body and provide a standardized interface for panel installation, simplifying the overall installation process without requiring direct modifications to the vehicle structure for each panel.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple panels are used to enclose multi-seater cars, then complete coverage is achieved, but manual deployment becomes cumbersome and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure panels are designed to be dynamically deployable and retractable along the track system. This dynamic capability allows users to easily open or close panels as needed without manual folding or complex fastening operations, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining complete weather protection when closed.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional throw-over covers are used, then complete vehicle coverage is provided, but unnecessary weight and cost are added
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single large throw-over cover that covers the entire vehicle including the roof, the system uses segmented panels that only cover the necessary side and rear openings. This eliminates the unnecessary weight of covering the roof area while still providing complete protection from wind, rain, and cold.
Solution Approach 2:
The roof covering portion is extracted and removed from the enclosure system. Since most vehicles already have roofs, the enclosure panels focus only on protecting the open sides and rear, reducing overall weight and material cost while maintaining adequate elemental protection.
Data Source
AI summary
Mechanically or powered activated, retractable, partition-able enclosure-panels with or without custom brackets for any style open-air-vehicle having roof structures, including cars and boats, is taught. The partition-able enclosure panels for a driver's side, passenger's side, or rear opening of an open-air car, each include two or more partition-sections, and a rotatable spindle, where each of the partition-sections is designed to be attached to and detached from an adjacent partition-section, and each of the partition-sections is fixedly or non-fixedly attachable to the rotating spindle, so that when the partitions are attached to each other and the spindle is rotated all partitions are controlled by said rotating spindle and when the partitions are detached from each other, only the fixedly attached partition is controlled by the rotating spindle providing for deployment or un-deployment of either a panel or a partition-section. A roof or roof-support with built-in panel supporting devices is also taught.