Vehicle Roof Storage Assembly With Movable Load Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems for vehicles lack efficient mechanisms to safely support and move loads between storage and access positions, leading to potential shifting and user safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A storage assembly with a movable assembly and a base assembly fixedly mounted to the vehicle roof, allowing movement between load-storage and load-access positions, utilizing a linkage assembly for linear and rotational movements, and an actuator assembly for controlled movement, ensuring safe and efficient load handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a storage system is mounted to a vehicle roof to support loads, then the load capacity is improved, but the safety and stability deteriorate due to potential load shifting
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system employs a movable assembly that can dynamically transition between a retracted position (during vehicle operation) and an extended position (during loading/unloading). This dynamic positioning capability allows the system to maintain load stability during transport while enabling efficient load access when stationary, thereby resolving the contradiction between load capacity and load stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the fixed base assembly and the load. It provides a controlled interface for load transfer, ensuring that loads are securely held during movement and properly positioned for safe loading and unloading, thus improving both load capacity and stability simultaneously.
2Device complexity
If a fixed storage system is used on the vehicle roof, then the structural simplicity is improved, but the operational efficiency deteriorates due to limited load access
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is segmented into two distinct assemblies: a fixed base assembly that maintains structural simplicity and provides stable mounting to the vehicle roof, and a movable assembly that enables efficient load access. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable assembly introduces controlled dynamics to an otherwise static system. It can extend toward the vehicle side to facilitate easy load placement and removal, then retract to a streamlined position during transport. This dynamic capability significantly improves load access efficiency while maintaining relatively simple structural design.
3Ease of operation
If the movable assembly is positioned close to the vehicle side for load access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of vehicle damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable assembly is designed to extend only to a predetermined safe distance from the vehicle body before allowing load placement. This preliminary positioning ensures that loads are placed at an optimal distance for easy operation while maintaining a safety margin that prevents contact with the vehicle, thereby eliminating the risk of vehicle damage during loading operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable assembly serves as an intermediary buffer zone between the load and the vehicle body. It allows loads to be positioned close enough for easy access and manipulation while maintaining sufficient separation to prevent direct contact with the vehicle, thus resolving the contradiction between operational ease and vehicle protection.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage assembly includes a movable assembly configured to receive and support the weight of the load. The storage assembly also includes a base assembly configured to be fixedly mounted to the load-bearing portions of the vehicle roof of the vehicle. The base assembly is also configured to support movement of the movable assembly with the load, between a load-storage position and a load-access position, when the base assembly, in use, is fixedly mounted to the load-bearing portions of the vehicle roof, and the movable assembly, in use, receives and supports the weight of the load.