Vehicle Covering Device with Nesting Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle covering devices are either time-consuming to deploy, require excessive space, or risk damaging the vehicle during positioning changes, and often necessitate separate carrying and complex handling procedures.
Innovation Solution
A covering device with longitudinally displaceable and pivotable holding arms that are integrated into the vehicle's side rail, allowing the tarpaulin to be efficiently moved between non-working and working positions by sequential linear and pivoting movements, with optional automatic drive means and solar cells for energy generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tarpaulin is pivoted from the rear to the front over the vehicle with an additional crossbar, then the covering function is achieved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the covering function directly into the side rail structure of the vehicle, merging the supporting function into the existing body component rather than adding separate crossbars and supports. This eliminates the need for additional structural elements while maintaining the covering capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The side rail structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the vehicle body and simultaneously serves as the mounting structure for the covering device. The holding arms are integrated into this multi-functional structure, reducing overall device complexity.
2Area of stationary object
If the holding arms are arranged extended and pivoted to cover the vehicle, then the covering area is sufficient, but the space occupied in non-working position increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding arms are designed to nest within the side rail structure when not in use. The arms can be retracted into the hollow profile of the side rail or positioned in a compact configuration along the rail, significantly reducing the space occupied in the non-working position while maintaining full covering capability when deployed.
3Loss of time
If the tarpaulin is moved directly from non-working to working position, then the deployment is quick, but the tarpaulin may be damaged by mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The holding arms are extended and positioned along the vehicle's longitudinal axis before the tarpaulin is deployed. This preliminary positioning creates a guided path and distributes the mechanical stress along the arms rather than concentrating it on the tarpaulin material, enabling quick deployment without damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding arms serve as intermediary elements between the drive mechanism and the tarpaulin. They translate the driving force into controlled movement while supporting the tarpaulin and distributing mechanical stresses, preventing direct stress concentration on the tarpaulin material during deployment.
4Device complexity
If the covering device is carried separately, then the vehicle structure is simplified, but the handling time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The covering device is integrated into the vehicle's side rail structure, merging the covering function with the existing body components. This eliminates the need for separate carrying and installation while simplifying the overall structure through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The covering device is automatically deployed and retracted through the drive mechanism integrated into the side rail, eliminating the need for manual handling and installation. The system serves itself by automatically positioning the holding arms and deploying the tarpaulin when activated.
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 device is space-efficient, easy to handle, and reduces mechanical stress on the tarpaulin, ensuring quick and safe deployment and retraction without damaging the vehicle, while also enabling solar energy harvesting for battery-powered vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
solar cells for energy generation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a covering device for vehicles with a cover tarpaulin which, in a working position, at least partially covers the vehicle, and with a number of supports carrying the cover tarpaulin which are pivotably mounted, wherein the covering device is connected to a body component of the vehicle via fastening means and that the supports are designed as retaining arms which are movably arranged between a non-working position of the cover tarpaulin, in which the retaining arms are arranged coaxially and/or parallel to each other, and a working position of the cover tarpaulin, in which the retaining arms are displaced longitudinally and/or pivoted transversely, while covering the vehicle.