Rooftop Tent Retraction Mechanism for Easier Wall Packing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rooftop tents require significant user effort to pack away the walls, which can be challenging, especially on tall vehicles, and accessing the tent can be difficult for young children, the elderly, or less able-bodied persons.
Innovation Solution
A rooftop tent design featuring electrically powered opening mechanisms that move the cover towards the base while concurrently drawing flexible walls inwardly, and a foldable ladder with adjustable levelling mechanisms for easy access and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual packing of walls is required, then the tent structure is simple, but user effort and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cover movement function and wall retraction function into a single integrated mechanism system. The opening mechanism that moves the cover simultaneously activates the retraction mechanism to draw walls inward, merging two separate operations into one coordinated action, thereby improving ease of operation without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The retraction mechanism is designed to automatically draw walls inward when the cover is moved by the opening mechanism. The system performs the wall retraction service automatically as a consequence of the cover movement, reducing the need for direct manual intervention in the wall packing process
2Strength
If the tent is mounted on a tall vehicle, then the vehicle carrying capacity is improved, but accessibility to the tent becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a ladder as an auxiliary access structure that provides a new dimensional pathway to the tent. Instead of requiring direct vertical access to the high-mounted tent, the ladder creates an inclined access plane, making it accessible to users including children and elderly persons while maintaining the tent's high mounting position on the vehicle
3Productivity
If rapid erection speed is achieved, then camping efficiency is improved, but the complexity of concurrent mechanisms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cover opening operation and wall retraction operation into a single concurrent mechanism system. Both actions are activated simultaneously by one operating input, achieving rapid tent erection without requiring separate manual operations for each component, thus improving productivity while managing complexity through integration
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances user experience by simplifying the packing process and improving accessibility for all users, regardless of age or ability, by allowing the tent to be easily converted between open and closed configurations and providing a secure, ergonomic access solution.
Implementation Method 1
at least one opening mechanism configured to move the cover relative to the base, the or each opening mechanism secured between the base and the cover to be outside of, and separate from, the walls
Implementation Method 2
at least one retraction mechanism configured to draw the walls inwardly to be under the cover. The or each opening mechanism and the or each retraction mechanism are operable, and typically configured to operate, concurrently to move the cover towards the base and simultaneously draw the walls inwardly
Data Source
AI summary
Rooftop tent (10) for mounting to a vehicle (12). The rooftop tent (10) includes a base (14) configured for mounting to the vehicle (12), a cover (18) shaped to extend across the base (14), flexible walls (20) secured between the base (14) and the cover (18), at least one opening mechanism (24) configured to move the cover (18) relative to the base (14), and at least one retraction mechanism (26) configured to draw the walls (20) inwardly to be under the cover (18). The, or each, opening mechanism (24) is secured between the base (14) and the cover (18) to be outside of, and separate from, the walls (20). The, or each, opening mechanism (24) and the, or each, retraction mechanism (26) are operable concurrently to move the cover (18) towards the base (14) and simultaneously draw the walls (20) inwardly.