Segmented Horizontal Door Panels for Golf Cart Enclosure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small personal vehicles like golf carts face challenges in incorporating effective enclosure doors due to limited supporting structure and weight minimization requirements, necessitating a lightweight and adaptable door system that maintains vehicle performance.
Innovation Solution
A system of two independent door panels with horizontal movement, supported and guided by horizontal tracks integrated into the vehicle's body, allowing multiple operational configurations for enhanced environmental protection without compromising the vehicle's performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional enclosure doors are added to small personal vehicles, then environmental protection is improved, but vehicle weight increases and performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The door system is divided into multiple independent panels (first door panel, second door panel, third door panel, fourth door panel) that can operate separately. Each panel is supported by its own track system, allowing selective use of door sections based on environmental needs without requiring a complete heavy door assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The door panels are designed to be movable along horizontal tracks rather than fixed. This dynamic configuration allows the panels to be positioned horizontally to provide environmental protection when needed and retracted when not needed, maintaining vehicle performance while offering environmental protection on demand.
2Ease of operation
If supporting structure is added to accommodate enclosure doors, then door operation is improved, but vehicle weight increases and simplicity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal track system serves multiple functions: it supports the door panels, guides their horizontal movement, and integrates with the existing vehicle body structure. The tracks are mounted on vertical surfaces of the vehicle body, utilizing existing structural elements rather than requiring separate complex support mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The track system acts as an intermediary between the door panels and the vehicle body. Rather than directly mounting heavy doors to the vehicle frame, the tracks provide a lightweight guiding mechanism that mediates the connection, reducing overall structural complexity while enabling smooth door operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple door panels are added to provide various opening configurations, then user needs are satisfied, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The door system is divided into multiple independent panels (first, second, third, and fourth door panels) that can operate separately along their respective tracks. Each panel can be positioned independently to create various opening configurations, providing adaptability without requiring a single complex mechanical system.
Solution Approach 2:
Each door panel is dynamically positioned along horizontal tracks rather than being fixed in place. This allows the panels to be independently adjusted to provide different opening configurations based on user needs, achieving versatility through simple horizontal movement mechanisms rather than complex multi-axis mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A system of two door panels is defined with the panels arranged one above the other, each with independent horizontal movement operation. Each door panel is provided with a support and guide system that allows each to be moved horizontally into and away from an enclosure opening. The construction of the doors and supports enables attachment and operation on small lightweight vehicles in the nature of golf carts and similar vehicles. The construction details enable the panels to be secured onto to integrated into small light weight personal vehicles such as golf-carts and similar vehicles without substantially altering the vehicle's performance and operation.