Roof bar anchoring device alignment mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roof bars for vehicles without railings are inconvenient to install correctly, as users often struggle to align the anchoring devices perpendicular to the vehicle axis, requiring multiple adjustments and checks, making the process time-consuming and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
The roof bar design includes a hollow metal profile with longitudinal guide openings and adjustable anchoring devices that can slide and lock along the profile, allowing for easy adjustment and alignment perpendicular to the vehicle axis without pre-fixing the anchoring devices, enabling quick and convenient installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the anchoring devices are pre-fixed to the support element during assembly, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because users cannot adjust the position to achieve correct perpendicular alignment on the vehicle roof
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring devices are designed to be movable along the support element rather than fixed, allowing users to adjust their position dynamically during installation to achieve correct perpendicular alignment with the vehicle axis, then lock them in place once the optimal position is found
Solution Approach 2:
The support element includes pre-marked positions or guide features that indicate where the anchoring devices should be positioned to achieve correct alignment, allowing users to quickly set the devices without complex measurement or adjustment procedures
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple adjustment attempts are made to achieve correct perpendicular alignment, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the loss of time increases due to repeated positioning and checking
Solution Approach 1:
The support element includes pre-marked positions or guide features that indicate where the anchoring devices should be positioned to achieve correct perpendicular alignment, allowing users to set the devices correctly on the first attempt without repeated adjustment and checking
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides visual or tactile feedback through markings, guides, or alignment indicators that show users when the anchoring devices are correctly positioned perpendicular to the vehicle axis, eliminating the need for multiple trial-and-error attempts
Data Source
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AI summary
The roof bar (1) comprises a hollow support element (10) adapted to support a load and two anchoring devices (3) to the roof of a vehicle (2). The support element (10) comprises a lower surface (12) in which at least one longitudinal guide opening (13) is afforded, while each anchoring device (3) comprises: a gripping element (31) for engaging an edge of the roof, provided with a first hole (32) in which a first screw (33) is inserted; and a main body (30) which in turn comprises: a top side (36) which, in use, is placed in contact with the lower surface (12) of the support element (10); and an outer side (300) accessible to a user (U), provided with a second hole (301) that removably receives the first screw (33), screwable and unscrewable by a user (U), so as to alternatively enable said gripping element (31) to be tightened or loosened. The bar (1) comprises a coupling element (5), inserted in the cavity of the support element (10) and the main body (30) comprises a third through hole (51), afforded between said outer side (300) and said inner side (39). The coupling element (5) comprises a fourth hole (52), that can be aligned with said third hole (51), in the third and in the fourth hole (51, 52) a second screw (50) being removably inserted, which joins the main body (30) to the coupling element (5) and crosses said guide opening (13) of the support element (10).