Vehicle Enclosure Roller Assembly for Fast Side Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle enclosure systems, such as golf cart enclosures, require manual and individual deployment and storage of divided sections, making entry and exit cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle enclosure system featuring a top rail, travel bar with a handle, and a housing that allows for automated deployment and storage of a covering using a vertically mounted self-retracting roller assembly, facilitated by a motor and computing device control, with magnetic or interlocking attachments for quick sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional divided sections are used for vehicle enclosure, then the covering material can be stored in sections, but each section must be manually rolled down and zipped together, increasing the time and effort required for deployment and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple divided sections of covering material into a single continuous covering that can be deployed and stored as one unified piece. This eliminates the need to manually zip or snap together multiple sections, reducing deployment and storage time while maintaining the benefits of sectional storage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The covering material is pre-assembled as a single continuous piece with integrated fastening mechanisms already in place. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for manual assembly operations during deployment and storage, allowing users to simply roll the covering up or down without additional zipping or snapping steps.
2Ease of operation
If divided sections with zippers or buttons are used, then the enclosure can be assembled from sections, but entry and exit require unzipping or unbuttoning sections, making the process cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes traditional zipper or button fastening mechanisms from the enclosure system. Instead, it uses a simplified latch mechanism that can be engaged or disengaged quickly, eliminating the need for multiple zippers or buttons across divided sections and making entry and exit operations much simpler.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical fastening systems (zippers, buttons, snaps) with a simpler latch-based mechanism. This substitution reduces the number of moving parts and operational steps required for entry and exit while maintaining secure enclosure capability.
3Reliability
If manual rolling and securing of each section is required, then the enclosure can be stored in its original position, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates self-latching mechanisms that automatically secure the covering in its stored position without requiring manual intervention. The latch system engages automatically when the covering is rolled up, eliminating the need for users to manually secure each section and significantly improving storage operation efficiency while maintaining reliable positioning.
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 quick and automated deployment and storage of the enclosure, allowing easy entry and exit, while providing protection from elements, and can be customized for various vehicle shapes and sizes.
Implementation Method 1
The runner may include one or more rollers configured to engage and rotate along the top rail
Implementation Method 2
The handle may define a hook. The latch may define a pin. The hook may be sized and configured to engage the pin such that the handle is coupled to the latch
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle enclosure system may include a top rail coupled to a side of a vehicle. A travel bar may be coupled to a covering. The travel bar may include a handle and a runner configured to facilitate movement of the covering. The handle may be configured to be coupled to a latch. The runner may include one or more rollers configured to engage and rotate along the top rail. A housing may be coupled to the side of the vehicle. The housing may define a space to store the covering. In some embodiments, the handle may define a hook and the latch may define a pin. The hook may be sized and configured to engage the pin such that the handle is coupled to the latch.