Vehicle Roof Hatch Quick Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roof hatch designs for vehicles, such as buses, face challenges in providing a rapid and cost-effective means to release the lid during emergencies while allowing for maximum material flexibility and maintaining hermetic sealing.
Innovation Solution
A roof hatch system featuring a frame with a mobile lid connected via an opening and closing system, incorporating a quick release mechanism utilizing a main control cable and R-clips, which can be easily actuated by handles to release the lid from the frame without damaging it, allowing for easy replacement and customization of lid materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a quick release system is arranged inside the lid with handles fitted on the inner face, then the lid can be released rapidly without damage, but the lid material choice is restricted and completely transparent lids cannot be made
Solution Approach 1:
The quick release mechanism is extracted from the lid and relocated to the frame structure. The release handles remain accessible from inside the vehicle, but the mechanical components (cable, R-clips, pivoting levers) are mounted on the frame rather than embedded in the lid. This allows the lid to be made from any material including completely transparent glass without compromising the release mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
A main control cable acts as an intermediary element that transmits the release force from the handles to the R-clips that secure the lid. The cable runs through guide channels in the frame, allowing flexible force transmission without requiring direct mechanical connection between the handles and the lid retention system.
2Speed
If breakable material like tempered glass is used for the lid with a mallet release system, then rapid removal is possible, but the lid must be replaced whenever shattered and material choice is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the traditional approach by making the retention mechanism (R-clips, cables, levers) replaceable rather than the lid itself. The lid becomes a durable, long-lasting component that can be made from expensive materials like transparent glass, while the simple mechanical release components serve as the disposable elements that may wear or fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The release mechanism changes from a force-applied-to-lid system (mallet striking) to a force-applied-to-retention-system (handles pulling cables). This parameter change in the release approach allows the lid to remain intact while the retention mechanism is actuated, enabling use of non-breakable transparent materials.
3Ease of operation
If a quick release system with handles inside the lid is implemented, then the lid is saved from damage during release, but the mechanism complexity increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The release mechanism is segmented into independent modular components: handle assemblies, cable sections, R-clip retainers, and pivoting levers. Each component is simple in itself but together they provide the quick release function. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance compared to a monolithic complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism uses spring-loaded pivoting levers that automatically return to the locked position after release actuation. The spring tension provides self-service functionality, eliminating the need for motors, sensors, or complex control systems while maintaining reliable rapid release capability.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A roof hatch for vehicles, having a frame (2), a lid (3), an opening and closing system (7) having brackets (8) fixed to the lid (3) and respective cranks (11), each of which is mounted in rotatory manner on the frame (2) and has an arm (13) connected to the respective bracket (8) by means of a pin (16) which engages a terminal seat (14) of the arm (13) and a slit (15) of the bracket (8) and is withheld in the terminal seat (14) by means of a split pin (17), and a quick release system of the lid (27-30), which has a main cable (27) normally stretched along a path (P) extending along part of the frame (2), at least one handle (29, 30) coupled to the main cable (27) and mounted mobile on the frame (2) to extract a section of main cable (27) from the path (P), secondary cables (35, 36) coupled to the split pins (17), and rods (33) for transferring the movement of the main cable (27) to the secondary cables (35, 36) so as to remove the split pins (17) from the terminal seats (14).