Self-Storing Hand Crank Roller Assembly for Automobile Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automobile cover systems are inefficient for single-person installation and removal, often requiring assistance and leading to cover bunching or balling, and lack compact storage solutions.
Innovation Solution
A cover roller assembly with a self-storing hand crank connected to a cover spool, allowing the cover to be easily installed or removed by a single person, featuring a jointed handle assembly that can be stored within the crank body when not in use, preventing cover bunching and providing compact storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional automobile cover system is used, then the cover can be installed and removed, but it requires assistance from multiple people and is inefficient for single-person operation
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly is designed to nest within the crank body when not in use. The handle can be rotated and stored inside the hollow crank body, creating a compact configuration that is easy to store and transport while maintaining full functionality when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand crank system allows dynamic operation where the crank rotates to wind or unwind the cover on the spool. The system transitions between different operational states (winding, unwinding, storing) to enable efficient single-person operation throughout the cover management process.
2Ease of operation
If the handle assembly is always extended for operation, then the crank can be operated effectively, but it occupies more storage space when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly is designed to nest within the crank body when not in use. The handle can be rotated and stored inside the hollow crank body, creating a compact configuration that is easy to store and transport while maintaining full functionality when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand crank system allows dynamic operation where the crank rotates to wind or unwind the cover on the spool. The system transitions between different operational states (winding, unwinding, storing) to enable efficient single-person operation throughout the cover management process.
3Productivity
If the cover is manually handled during installation and removal, then the cover can be moved, but it bunches or balls up creating inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is pre-attached to the spool in an organized manner before use. During operation, the crank winds or unwinds the cover in a controlled manner, preventing bunching and balling by maintaining smooth distribution of the cover material throughout the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The spool acts as an intermediary between the crank and the cover. It provides a controlled mechanism for distributing the cover material, ensuring smooth winding and unwinding that prevents the cover from bunching or balling during installation and removal operations.
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
Enables quick and efficient single-person installation and removal of automobile covers, reducing storage space requirements while preventing cover bunching and balling, making the system portable and adaptable to various vehicle sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a self-storing hand crank that is removably connectable to a cover spool whereby the cover spool can be rotated
Data Source
AI summary
A cover removal and installation roller assembly for an automobile that is particularly suited to be operated by hand, by an individual, in order to install or remove a cover from the automobile. The roller assembly includes a self-storing hand crank that is removably connectable to a cover spool whereby the cover spool can be rotated in order to wind the cover therearound or play the cover out from the spool. The cover in one embodiment is removably connectable to the cover spool. Methods for using the cover roller and installation roller assembly.