Rollover Protection Locking Mechanism for Intermediate Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rollover protection systems for motor vehicles do not allow the rollover body to be locked in partially rearranged positions, making it difficult for users to convert an open vehicle roof into a closed position, especially in less severe accidents where the vehicle does not roll over, as they require complete displacement into the storage position, which not everyone can manage.
Innovation Solution
A rollover protection system with a locking unit featuring a blocking element that can be adjusted between a blocking position and an open position, allowing the rollover body to be locked in intermediate positions, and a drive device that enables immediate release in danger situations, along with a manual actuating element for adjusting the blocking element and latching element, facilitating secure locking and unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the rollover body is completely displaced into the storage position to lock it, then reliable locking is achieved, but the operation becomes difficult for users who cannot apply sufficient force
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into multiple independent elements: a latching element for securing the rollover body, a blocking element for controlling the latching element's movement, and an actuating element for manual operation. This segmentation allows the system to achieve reliable locking through the coordinated action of multiple simpler components rather than requiring a single complex force-intensive mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking element serves as an intermediary between the actuating element and the latching element. When the actuating element is operated manually, it moves the blocking element, which in turn releases the latching element to disengage from the latching strip. This intermediary mechanism amplifies the user's manual force, making it sufficient to overcome the pretensioning force of the drive unit without requiring excessive direct force.
2Speed
If a pretensioning drive unit is used to move the rollover body to the rollover position, then rapid response in danger situations is achieved, but the force required to reverse the body manually increases
Solution Approach 1:
The function of moving the rollover body is extracted from the manual operation and assigned to an automatic pretensioning drive unit (such as a spring or motor). This drive unit automatically moves the rollover body to the rollover position when needed, eliminating the need for users to apply force for the primary movement. The manual operation is reduced to simply releasing the locked position rather than moving the entire body against the drive force.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between automatic and manual modes. The pretensioning drive unit provides automatic, rapid response in danger situations by quickly moving the rollover body to the protective position. Meanwhile, the locking unit with its blocking and latching elements allows manual reversal when needed by releasing the mechanical lock, enabling the body to be moved back without requiring users to overcome the full pretensioning force.
3Device complexity
If the locking unit only allows complete displacement to storage position, then simple locking logic is maintained, but intermediate positions cannot be locked
Solution Approach 1:
The locking unit dynamically adapts to different positions of the rollover body. The latching element can engage with the latching strip at any position along its travel path, not just at the extreme storage position. This allows the system to lock the rollover body in intermediate positions while maintaining the same simple locking mechanism, providing versatility without increasing complexity.
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 the rollover body to be securely locked in positions between the rollover and storage positions, allowing for easy conversion of an open vehicle roof to a closed position, even in less severe accidents, and ensures reliable protection by allowing partial rearward displacement and locking, enhancing user convenience and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a blocking element that can be adjusted between a blocking position and an open position
Implementation Method 2
a drive device is arranged on the blocking element for shifting the blocking element from the blocking position to the open position independently of the actuating element
Implementation Method 3
a latching element that is pretensioned in the direction of a latching strip arranged on the rollover body
Implementation Method 4
a manual actuating element for adjusting the blocking element and latching element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The roll-over protection system has base body and a roll-over body (3), which is adjusted relative to the base body between a storage position and a rollover position. An actuating element (10) is provided, which is manually adjusted between an operating position and an engaged position for shifting a latching element from a locked position to an unlocked position. USE : Roll-over protection system for motor vehicles. ADVANTAGE : The roll-over protection system has base body and a roll-over body, which is adjusted relative to the base body between a storage position and a rollover position, and hence ensures simple relocation of the roll-over body from roll-over position towards the storage position and simple and reliable locking of the position of the roll-over body. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS : The drawing shows a perspective view of a locking system of a rollover protection system. 3 : Roll-over body 5 : Locking unit 7 : Notch 10 : Actuating element 23 : Receptacle.