Split Rigid Convertible Covering for Vehicle Safety and Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motorized vehicles lack effective solutions for providing rollover and crush protection, as well as easy access and egress for occupants, especially in vehicles without traditional doors, while maintaining weight reduction and altering driving characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A two-part electronically actuated, movable, and removable rigid covering for the passenger compartment that splits longitudinally, allowing independent positioning and easy access, utilizing linear actuators for locking and rotational movement, and pivoting near the rear edge behind the occupant's position, with a center support beam for structural integrity and attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a permanent windshield and rollover protection means are provided, then occupant safety is improved, but vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid covering is divided into two separate longitudinal sections (left and right sides) that can operate independently. This segmentation allows the covering to provide safety protection while reducing overall weight compared to a complete fixed enclosure, as only necessary portions are present at any time.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid covering transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic movable structure that can pivot between closed and open positions. This dynamic capability allows the vehicle to maintain safety protection when needed while reducing weight and altering driving characteristics when the covering is removed or opened.
2Weight of moving object
If traditional entrance doors are omitted, then vehicle weight is reduced and driving characteristics are altered, but ease of operation for entering and exiting deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid covering is designed to pivot laterally near the rear edge, creating a dynamic opening mechanism that allows occupants to easily enter and exit the vehicle from both sides simultaneously or independently, replacing the function of traditional doors without their weight.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a single-piece rigid covering is used, then structural integrity is improved, but ease of operation for simultaneous entry and exit from both sides deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid covering is divided into two independent longitudinal sections that can pivot and operate separately. This segmentation eliminates mechanical interference above the center support beam, allowing both left and right coverings to be opened simultaneously for easy entry and exit from both sides, while each section maintains its own structural integrity.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the rigid covering pivots longitudinally at the center, then structural stability is improved, but mechanical interference prevents simultaneous opening of both sides
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot points are positioned asymmetrically near the rear edge on each side rather than at the center, allowing independent lateral movement of each covering section. This asymmetric positioning eliminates the mechanical interference that would occur with centered pivoting, enabling simultaneous opening of both left and right coverings.
Data Source
AI summary
A two part electronically actuated moveable and removable rigid covering of the passenger compartment of a motorized vehicle which is split longitudinally, has a left and right surface, capable of independently assuming a plurality of positions relative to the body of the vehicle. This covering pivots laterally near the rear edge behind the occupant(s) riding position with the forward edge opening, closing and locking. It is designed in such a manor as to permit its entire assembly or parts of its subassembly to be readily physically disassociated from the body of the motorized vehicle. It is fabricated from advanced composite materials or polycarbonate which is formed or molded to the desired shape. Movement of each covering is provided by an electrical linear actuator which, through mechanical linkage, provides locking or unlocking and rotational movement of the covering surface in one linear actuator motion.