Retractable Vehicle Top Vertical Deployment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retractable soft tops for Jeep Wrangler and CJ vehicles face challenges in deployment due to the close proximity of rear doors to the rear compartment and the need to accommodate the vehicle's wider passenger compartment, requiring complex mechanisms to unfold and pivot without colliding with vehicle features.
Innovation Solution
A retractable and deployable top with a frame assembly that mounts to the existing belt rail, using hydraulic or electric actuators for automatic deployment, and a double breaking hinge arrangement to allow side spread, along with linkages and support bows to ensure reliable unfolding and folding, avoiding collisions with doors and roll bars.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the top is designed to retract into the rear compartment, then it provides open-top enjoyment when not in use, but the close proximity of rear doors to the rear compartment creates collision risk during deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The top is deployed in two distinct phases: first vertically upward from the rear compartment, then horizontally forward over the passenger compartment. This dimensional transition from vertical to horizontal movement allows the top to clear the rear doors during upward deployment, then position itself forward of the doors in the final deployed state, eliminating collision risk while maintaining retractability.
2Ease of operation
If the top rails are designed to pivot downward over the passenger compartment, then it covers the passenger area, but the passenger compartment width variation requires the rails to spread and narrow
Solution Approach 1:
The top rails incorporate a dynamic spreading mechanism with pivot joints that automatically adjust the rail width during deployment. As the rails pivot downward, they naturally spread to accommodate the wider rear portion of the passenger compartment, then converge as they reach the forward section. This dynamic adaptation eliminates the need for complex adjustable mechanisms while ensuring proper coverage throughout the compartment.
3Ease of manufacture
If manual deployment is used, then the top can be deployed without actuators, but it requires several minutes for complete deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical deployment with automated hydraulic or electric actuators. These actuators provide powered assistance to unfold the frame and pivot the top into position, reducing deployment time from several minutes to seconds. The actuator system integrates with the existing belt rail mounting, providing automatic deployment while maintaining compatibility with the vehicle's electrical or hydraulic systems.
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 solution enables quick and efficient deployment and retraction of the top, ensuring it clears vehicle features and provides a secure, watertight seal, while being easily stowed when not in use, with the option for manual operation in emergencies.
Implementation Method 1
The top may be deployed manually in an emergency or when actuators are not present or not used. During deployment, various brackets, linkages, accelerators, and cross bars cooperate to unfold the frame and its fabric cover and pivot it down over the passenger compartment of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
Hydraulic or electric actuators should be optionally available to incorporate into the top such that the top can be deployed and retracted automatically at the press of a button
Data Source
AI summary
A retractable top is disclosed for off-road vehicle such as Jeep® Wrangler® and CJ® brand vehicles. The top includes a frame and a fabric cover designed to cover and move with the frame. The frame includes a base plate that is secured to the belt rail surrounding the rear compartment of the vehicle. The top is deployable between a stowed configuration folded upon itself over the rear compartment of a vehicle and a deployed configuration covering the passenger and rear compartments of the vehicle. During deployment, the top unfolds in a substantially vertical direction over the rear compartment substantially to its full extent. This avoids collision with the rear doors and roll bars of the vehicle. Once so deployed, the entire top pivots downwardly into place covering the passenger and rear compartments of the vehicle.