Swing-in-place Vehicle Cross Bars for Aerodynamic Stowage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle article carrier systems with stowable cross bars lack flexibility and cost-effectiveness in design and manufacturing, limiting their ease of use and aerodynamic efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle article carrier system with pivotally secured cross bars and removable cross bar assemblies that can be easily transitioned between stowed and operative positions using a latching assembly, allowing for adjustable spacing and secure attachment to support elements without requiring external tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cross bars are made completely removable from support rails, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates because cross bars may be detached and left at wrong locations
Solution Approach 1:
The cross bar system is divided into two types: completely removable cross bars (second cross bar) and swing-in-place cross bars (first cross bar). This segmentation allows the system to offer both complete removability and swing-in-place operation, with each type serving different user needs while maintaining overall system reliability through the swing-in-place option.
Solution Approach 2:
The first cross bar is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to swing between stowed and operative positions while remaining attached to the support rail. This dynamic attachment method provides flexibility in operation while ensuring the cross bar cannot be completely detached and lost, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cross bars are made aerodynamically efficient by stowing parallel to support rails, then wind noise is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates because spacing adjustment becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The first cross bar employs a swing-in-place mechanism that allows it to dynamically transition between stowed (parallel to support rail) and operative (perpendicular to support rail) positions. This dynamic capability enables the cross bar to achieve aerodynamic efficiency when stowed while maintaining adaptability for various loading configurations when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The support rail system is designed to accommodate multiple types of cross bars (completely removable and swing-in-place) and multiple cross bar positions. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to different user needs and loading scenarios while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency through the swing-in-place capability.
3Strength
If latching assemblies are designed for secure attachment, then strength is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism is segmented into modular components integrated into the cross bar assembly, including the latching assembly with movable latch member and engagement features on the support rail. This segmentation allows for secure attachment while enabling independent replacement and maintenance of individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching assembly is designed to be automatically engaged when the cross bar is properly positioned on the support rail, with the movable latch member automatically locking into place. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for complex manual operation while maintaining secure attachment strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle article carrier is disclosed which has a first pair of support elements and a second pair of support elements secured to an outer body surface of a vehicle. A pair of cross bar assemblies may be secured in either stowed orientations, in which the cross bar assemblies are each secured to one of the first pair of support elements and one of the second pair of support elements, or an operative configuration in which one of the cross bar assemblies is secured to the first pair of support elements while the other is secured to the second pair of support elements. One of the cross bar assemblies may be pivotally attached at one end to one of the support elements enabling it to be swung between its stowed and operative positions. The other cross bar assembly may be fully removable from the support elements, and may be attached in two different locations on the second pair of support elements.