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 independently moving door panels with horizontal movement, supported and guided by horizontal tracks integrated into the vehicle's outer body, allowing multiple operational configurations for enhanced environmental protection without compromising vehicle performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional enclosure doors are installed on 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 independently. Each panel is supported by its own track system, allowing selective use of door sections based on environmental needs rather than deploying entire heavy door assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The door panels are designed to be movable along horizontal tracks rather than fixed in position. This dynamic configuration allows the panels to be adjusted horizontally to provide environmental protection when needed while being retractable to maintain vehicle performance and accessibility when full protection is not required.
2Ease of operation
If supporting structure is added to accommodate enclosure doors, then door operation is improved, but vehicle complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal track system serves multiple functions: it supports the door panels, guides their movement, and integrates with the existing vehicle body structure. The same track structure accommodates multiple door panels across different vehicle sides, reducing the need for separate supporting mechanisms for each door.
Solution Approach 2:
The track system acts as an intermediary element between the door panels and the vehicle body. Rather than directly mounting heavy doors to the frame, the tracks provide a lightweight intermediate support structure that simplifies integration with the existing vehicle architecture while enabling smooth door operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple door panels are used to provide environmental protection, then user needs are satisfied, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure system is segmented into four independent door panels that can be operated separately. This segmentation allows users to configure the enclosure according to specific needs (e.g., opening one panel for ventilation while keeping others closed) without requiring a complex centralized control system.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than requiring all door panels to operate together or be fully enclosed, the system allows partial operation where only the necessary panels are closed or opened based on environmental conditions and user preferences, simplifying the operational requirements compared to all-or-nothing enclosure systems.
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.