Roof Box with Extendable Side Cavities for Sheet Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Builders face challenges in transporting large sheet materials, such as plasterboard, in small vans, as they can become soiled or damaged due to weather exposure and storage issues, leading to increased costs and environmental impact from using larger vans.
Innovation Solution
A roof box apparatus with drainage slots, hinged components, sealable openings, and extendable secondary cavities designed to accommodate standard-sized sheet materials and elongate building materials, featuring a removable baffle and secure storage options to prevent damage and weather exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If sheet material is carried on roof racks, then it can be transported without needing a larger van, but it becomes soiled by weather or damaged when loading/unloading
Solution Approach 1:
A protective housing encloses the sheet material, creating a sealed environment that shields against weather elements. The housing acts as a rigid shell that prevents direct exposure to rain, wind, and dust while maintaining compact transport dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is divided into a base and a lid that can be separated for loading and unloading sheet material. This segmentation allows easy access to the contents while maintaining protection during transport, eliminating the need for manual handling that causes damage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sheet material is placed on the van floor, then it avoids weather exposure, but it slides around and becomes damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosed housing provides a stable, weather-protected environment while the internal structure with end plates and dividers creates a secure compartment that prevents sheet material from sliding or shifting during vehicle movement.
3Quantity of substance
If other items are stored on top of sheet material on the van floor, then storage space is utilized, but the sheet material cannot be removed without first removing other items
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure with removable lid and internal dividers creates separate accessible compartments. Sheet material can be loaded and unloaded independently from other items stored in the housing, eliminating the need to remove upper items first.
Solution Approach 2:
Sheet material is secured in place within the housing structure before other items are stored. The pre-arranged compartmentalization allows for organized storage where the sheet material remains accessible and can be removed without disturbing other stored items.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a larger van is used to transport sheet material, then sheet material can be transported without damage, but purchase/lease costs and running costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective housing provides damage prevention equivalent to using a larger van, but the compact design allows it to be mounted on small vehicles. This eliminates the need for expensive larger vehicles while maintaining the same level of protection for sheet material.
5Object-affected harmful factors
If a larger van is used to transport sheet material, then sheet material can be transported safely, but parking difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compact housing design allows it to be mounted on small vans that can park in tight spaces, whereas sheet material would require a larger van for adequate protection. This maintains damage prevention capabilities while significantly reducing parking space requirements.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a roof box (1). Roof box (1) has a housing with a main cavity (2) for housing sheet material. The housing has front and rear end walls (4,5) and opposing side walls (6). Connection means (20) are provided to connect the housing to a vehicle. An opening (9) is provided through which sheet material can be introduced into the main cavity and one or more rollers (10) may be provided at or adjacent the opening. The side walls may extend outwardly at or adjacent the rear of the cavity. A pair of elongate secondary side cavities (12) and a front wall member may be provided on top of the main cavity to create a loading space therebetween. A rear holding plate may be removably located in one or more sets of slots provided in the elongate secondary side cavities. The elongate side cavities may be extendable.