Roof and Rear Box Interface for Aerodynamic Vehicle Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle roof and back boxes are bulky, aerodynamically inefficient, and increase fuel consumption, while providing limited space for additional capacity and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle apparatus comprising a roof box and a back box connected by a rearward and upward extension interface, allowing for a longer roof box and higher back box without excessive size, with features like adjustable mounting, wind deflectors, and removable components for improved aerodynamics and space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the roof box is made longer to provide sufficient sleeping length and the back box is made higher to maximise headroom, then the overall combination becomes excessively long or excessive high, but the connection interface extends rearwardly and upwardly to balance these conflicting requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The connection interface extends not only rearwardly but also upwardly, transitioning from a horizontal arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration. This allows the roof box to be longer without proportionally increasing the overall length of the combination, as part of the connection occurs in the vertical dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for adjustable and removable connection interfaces, enabling the configuration to be dynamically modified. The roof box and back box can be separated or reconfigured, allowing optimization of either length or height depending on the specific use case.
2Quantity of substance
If known roof and back boxes are used, then additional carrying capacity is provided, but they are aerodynamically inefficient and significantly increase fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The connection interface is designed with curved, aerodynamic surfaces that guide airflow smoothly between the roof box and back box. This reduces turbulence and drag compared to traditional boxy connections, improving fuel efficiency while maintaining carrying capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus provides multiple functions: carrying capacity through the boxes, aerodynamic efficiency through the streamlined connection interface, and flexibility through removable components. This multi-functionality allows the system to address both capacity and fuel consumption requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the L-shaped supporting body is used to provide sleeping and living areas, then additional capacity is provided, but it is bulky and difficult to store when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate modular components: the roof box, the back box, and the connection interface. This segmentation allows each component to be independently stored or removed, reducing storage difficulty compared to a fixed L-shaped structure while maintaining the sleeping and living capacity when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection interface is designed to be removable and reconfigurable, allowing the system to transition between assembled and disassembled states. This dynamic capability enables the apparatus to provide sleeping and living areas when needed while being easy to store or remove when not in use.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for a vehicle includes a roof box for fitting to a roof of the vehicle with a length of the roof box oriented parallel with a length of the vehicle, and a back box for fitting to a rear of the vehicle with a height of the back box oriented parallel with a height of the vehicle. The roof box and the back box abut one another along a connection interface that extends rearwardly and upwardly from a bottom of the roof box.