UTV Upper Door Magnetic Attachment for Mud-Free Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing upper doors on utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) face issues with zippers getting clogged by mud and ice, making operation difficult, and require bulky frames, while also being cumbersome to stow and re-install.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing magnets of opposite polarities to securely attach and detach a soft upper door to a UTV enclosure, allowing easy stowage and quick deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a zipper is used to connect the upper door to the enclosure, then the upper door can be opened and closed to control temperature, but the zipper becomes clogged with mud, dirt, and ice making it difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical zipper system with a magnetic attachment system. Magnets are embedded in the upper door and corresponding mounting points on the enclosure, allowing the door to be attached and detached through magnetic attraction without mechanical interlocking components that can clog or fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the problematic zipper mechanism from the door assembly and replaces it with a simpler magnetic attachment system, removing the source of operational difficulties while maintaining the door's attachment and detachment functionality.
2Strength
If a zipper connection is used for the upper door, then the door can be secured to the frame, but a bulky internal frame or enclosure member is required which is difficult to install and use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the bulky mechanical frame structure required for zipper attachment with a simplified magnetic mounting system. The magnets provide sufficient attachment strength without requiring complex internal framing or enclosure members.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the upper door is made removable for stowing, then it can be taken down when not needed, but it becomes difficult to quickly re-install when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic attachment system allows the upper door to be quickly attached and detached without the time-consuming process of unzipping or disassembling mechanical connections. The magnetic attraction provides immediate secure attachment when the door is placed in position.
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
The magnetic attachment system enables easy stowage and quick repositioning of upper doors, overcoming operational challenges and eliminating issues caused by dirt, mud, and ice, while providing convenience and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a first magnet having a first polarity, the first magnet being attached to the member at a first location on the member; a second magnet having a second polarity opposite to the first polarity, the second magnet being attached to the upper door at a second location on the upper door; wherein the first magnet positioned at the first location is adjacent to the second magnet positioned at the second location to thereby magnetically attach the upper door to the member
Data Source
AI summary
A system that secures an upper door of a UTV or other vehicle to the vehicle and enables the ready removal and storage of the upper door from the vehicle employs magnets. A first set of magnets is carried by the upper door. A second set of magnets, which is attracted to the first set of magnets, is carried directly or indirectly by the vehicle, such as by a filler panel secured to the vehicle. Methods of deploying and securing an upper door in place and at least partially removing the upper door are also disclosed.