Manual Sliding Hard Panel Roof Assembly for Sport Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sliding targa roofs are heavy, require multiple people to lift, and pose storage challenges, while aftermarket solutions often fail to remain securely attached to the vehicle and are cumbersome to install and use.
Innovation Solution
A non-motorized aftermarket hard panel sliding roof configuration that mounts easily to existing factory structures, using two roof rails and a spring plunger mechanism for manual operation, allowing for easy installation, storage, and quick opening/closing without tools, maintaining security and weather resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional sliding targa roofs are used, then the roof provides hard panel protection and weather resistance, but the roof becomes heavy and requires multiple people to lift
Solution Approach 1:
The roof panel is divided into a fixed front portion and a sliding rear portion that can move independently. This segmentation allows the roof to maintain structural strength for weather resistance while reducing the weight that needs to be lifted, as only the sliding portion is moved during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The roof transitions from a static conventional design to a dynamic sliding design where the rear panel can move along the roof rails. This dynamic capability allows easy opening and closing by a single person while maintaining the hard panel structure's weather resistance when closed.
2Ease of operation
If conventional sliding targa roofs are used, then the roof can be opened for open air driving, but the roof requires storage space and is cumbersome to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding roof panel nests within the vehicle's existing roll structure and roof mounting points when opened. The panel retracts into the space between the roll bars, eliminating the need for external storage and simplifying the overall system by utilizing the vehicle's existing structural voids.
Solution Approach 2:
The roof system serves multiple functions: it provides weather protection when closed, enables open air driving when opened, and stores itself within the vehicle structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate storage solutions and reduces device complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If aftermarket sliding roofs are used, then the roof can be installed without factory motors, but the roof does not stay securely attached to the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding roof mechanism is merged with the vehicle's existing roll structure and roof mounting points. By integrating the sliding rails and attachment points with the factory structure, the system achieves secure attachment without requiring factory-installed motors or complex aftermarket mounting systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The roof system uses the vehicle's existing structural elements (roll bars, mounting points) to provide secure attachment and support. The design leverages the vehicle's own structure to maintain reliability, eliminating the need for heavy-duty external mounting systems or motorized components.
4Weight of moving object
If soft top fabric roofs are used, then the roof is lightweight and easy to install, but the fabric flaps during high speed driving
Solution Approach 1:
The roof uses hard composite polycarbonate panels instead of soft fabric materials. This composite material provides the lightweight advantage needed for easy handling while eliminating the flapping problem entirely, as the rigid panel structure remains stable during high-speed driving.
Solution Approach 2:
The material parameter changes from flexible fabric to rigid polycarbonate composite. This parameter change maintains the lightweight characteristic for ease of installation while fundamentally changing the aerodynamic behavior to eliminate flapping during high-speed operation.
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 easy, solo operation of a hard panel sliding roof that remains attached to the vehicle, providing weather adaptability, security, and leak resistance without adding weight or requiring motors/wires, accommodating cargo and sports racks while maintaining the vehicle's original functionality.
Implementation Method 1
using two roof rails and a spring plunger mechanism for manual operation
Data Source
AI summary
A non-motorized panoramic sliding hard panel targa roof, desirable for most sport vehicle owners is disclosed. A manually operated, rear sliding hard panel roof assembly is capable of being manually opened and closed without a need to leave the driver compartment. The present design is a semi-permanent driver compartment enclosure, easy to install and remove by the driver without requiring any outside assistance, and one that can easily be modified from the factory roof panels to the configuration of the present invention, as well as being easily changed back to the original configuration from the factory. Because it is semi-permanent, the roof panel does not need to be removed, thereby alleviating any need to store the panel away from the vehicle. The present sliding assembly can easily be attached to the vehicle without interrupting any of the original functionality of the vehicle, and without the need for any special tools. By relatively simple attachments, the roof panel assembly may be used to attach it to the vehicle without any need to modify the original factory vehicle roof.