Rooftop Tent Mount With Locking Quick-Release Pin for Fast Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Securing and removing rooftop tents from vehicle roof-racks is time-consuming and physically demanding due to the cramped space and the need for multiple nuts and bolts, leading to inefficiency and physical discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A rapid-release mount system comprising a bottom bracket bolted to the roof-rack, a top bracket bolted to the rooftop tent, and a locking quick-release pin that secures and releases the brackets by aligning holes for easy installation and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple nuts and bolts are used to secure the rooftop tent to the vehicle roof-rack, then the security and stability of the connection is improved, but the installation and removal time increases significantly and physical strain on the operator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate components: a base plate that attaches to the roof-rack, a tent plate that attaches to the rooftop tent, and a quick-release pin mechanism. This segmentation allows the connection to be secured with a single pin insertion while maintaining the stability provided by multiple attachment points distributed across the plates.
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate and tent plate are pre-configured with aligned holes and positioning features that guide the quick-release pin into place. This preliminary arrangement of components ensures that when the pin is inserted, it automatically engages all necessary attachment points, providing secure connection without requiring manual manipulation of multiple fasteners.
2Strength
If multiple nuts and bolts are used to secure the rooftop tent, then the connection strength is improved, but the physical discomfort and difficulty of operation in the cramped space increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fastening functions are merged into a single quick-release pin mechanism. The pin simultaneously engages multiple holes in the base plate and tent plate, combining the strength of multiple fasteners into one operation. This allows the connection strength equivalent to multiple nuts and bolts to be achieved while requiring only one insertion and removal motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The quick-release pin acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the base plate and tent plate. Instead of directly manipulating multiple nuts and bolts in the cramped space, the operator inserts a single pin that automatically engages the connection, reducing physical strain while maintaining connection strength.
3Productivity
If a rapid-release mechanism is implemented, then the installation and removal speed is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the additional locking hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The quick-release pin serves multiple functions: it acts as a fastener, a locking mechanism, and a release tool. This single multi-functional component achieves rapid release capability without requiring separate complex locking systems, thereby improving productivity while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A bottom bracket made with a box at its center and a flange on opposing sides. Over each flange, on the side of the box, are two equal, opposing through-holes. Each flange is drilled with holes to allow the bracket to be bolted to a roof rack rail. A top bracket made in a box shape with an open bottom to fit over the box-shaped bottom bracket and with the top of the top bracket fabricated to accept two bolts that will screw into an adapter fitted into a rail slot on the underside of a roof-top tent. The top bracket also has two opposing through-holes matching the through-holes on the sides of the bottom bracket. The top and bottom brackets held together by a locking quick-release pin inserted through the through-hole on the sides of the top and bottom brackets.