Roof Hatch Integrated with Air Conditioning Unit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In commercial vehicles, particularly buses, the installation of additional units like air conditioning, gas tanks, and drive units on the roof poses challenges for maintenance and repair due to limited lower chassis space, leading to increased risk and effort for service personnel accessing these areas, which can result in accidents and damage.
Innovation Solution
A commercial vehicle design where the roof opening with a hatch is integrated into a functional unit, allowing easy access and control, thereby reducing the need for external maintenance and minimizing space requirements, while ensuring the roof hatch remains functional as an emergency exit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If additional units (air conditioning, gas tanks, drive units) are installed on the vehicle roof, then the usable volume in the lower chassis area is preserved, but the maintenance and repair work becomes dangerous and time-consuming due to the need for service personnel to access the roof using ladders or special frames
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an intermediate access dimension by forming a roof opening that provides direct access from the vehicle interior to the functional unit on the roof. This eliminates the need for external ladders or frames by introducing a vertical access path through the roof structure itself, allowing service personnel to reach maintenance points safely from inside the vehicle.
2Volume of moving object
If additional units are installed on the vehicle roof, then space in the lower chassis area is preserved, but the risk of accidents increases due to service personnel having to climb onto the roof
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dangerous external access requirement from the maintenance process by creating an internal access path. The roof opening allows service personnel to access functional units from the protected interior environment rather than exposing them to external hazards of climbing ladders or frames.
3Adaptability or versatility
If roof hatches are used as emergency exits, then emergency evacuation is enabled, but the maintenance access to roof-mounted functional units becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the roof opening serve multiple functions: it acts as an emergency exit for passenger evacuation and simultaneously provides maintenance access to functional units. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate access mechanisms while preserving both emergency safety and maintenance convenience.
4Ease of operation
If roof openings are created for functional units, then maintenance access is improved, but the sealing and structural integrity of the roof may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the functional unit within the roof structure by forming the roof opening around it, with the functional unit positioned within reach of the opening. This nested arrangement allows the functional unit to be integrated into the roof while maintaining structural integrity, as the opening is specifically shaped and positioned to accommodate the unit without compromising overall roof strength.
Data Source
AI summary
The vehicle has a roof (2) including a roof opening (5) closable by a roof hatch (4), and a functional unit (3) integrated in the roof. The roof opening is section-wise surrounded by the functional unit. The functional unit includes a support structure with a housing, where the functional unit is an air conditioning system. A controller for the roof hatch is coupled to the measuring, controlling and regulating unit of the air conditioning system.