Retractable Vehicle Cover With Adjustable Housing And Heating Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle cover devices are limited by heating elements that warm the cover itself rather than the housing, non-adjustable height for compatibility with vehicles of different heights, and lack of interior roller wheels to easily cover the vehicle's top.
Innovation Solution
A retractable vehicle cover device with an adjustable housing, a heating element within the housing, and interior roller wheels for smooth operation, featuring a housing with adjustable feet, a windingly retractable cover, and a hook for secure engagement with the vehicle's bumper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heating elements are integrated into the cover itself, then snow buildup is prevented, but the cover material becomes complex and the heating efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is extracted from the cover and relocated to the housing structure. The housing now contains the heating element that warms the cover from the interior, simplifying the cover material while maintaining snow prevention capability through thermal conduction from the housing to the cover surface
Solution Approach 2:
The housing acts as an intermediary between the heating element and the cover. Instead of directly heating the cover, the heating element warms the housing interior, which then transfers heat to the cover, providing indirect but effective thermal protection against snow accumulation
2Adaptability or versatility
If the housing height is fixed, then the device structure is simplified, but compatibility with vehicles of different heights is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The housing transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamically adjustable one. The housing height can be modified using mechanisms such as telescoping sections, adjustable legs, or height-adjustable mounting brackets, allowing the same device to accommodate vehicles of varying heights while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is divided into adjustable segments or components. By segmenting the housing structure into adjustable sections (such as modular panels or extendable supports), the height can be customized for different vehicles without requiring a completely different device for each vehicle type
3Reliability
If the cover is made taut and tight, then protection effectiveness is improved, but the force required to install and retract the cover increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical system for tensioning the cover is replaced with a mechanical advantage system such as a crank and axle mechanism. The user turns a crank that winds the cover around an axle, using rotational mechanical advantage to gradually tension the cover to the required tightness without requiring excessive manual pulling force
Solution Approach 2:
The cover tensioning system incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities. The cover can be gradually tensioned during installation using the crank mechanism, and the tension can be adjusted during operation. The system transitions from a static, pre-tensioned state to a dynamically adjustable state, allowing optimal protection effectiveness with manageable installation forces
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 provides effective protection from elements by maintaining a temperature above 35°F within the housing, accommodating various vehicle heights with adjustable feet, and ensuring easy installation and retraction with interior wheels, enhancing usability and compatibility.
Implementation Method 1
heating element within the housing... maintaining a temperature above 35°F within the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A retractable vehicle cover apparatus for protecting vehicles from the elements includes a housing with a housing frontside having a cover aperture extending through to a housing inside. A plurality of adjustable feet is coupled to a housing bottom side. An axle is coupled within the housing inside and a crank extends through a housing right side to be in rotate the axle. A cover comprises a main cover panel coupled to the axle and a pair of side covers coupled to the main cover panel. The cover is windingly retractable and extendable around the axle. A hook is coupled to a distal end of the cover and is configured to selectively engage a bumper of a vehicle.