Research and Concepts (Trunk)
2 BAR LINKAGE SYSTEM
Link to a gif showing a similar system: https://gifs.com/gif/r83AgW
Pros:
Relatively simple mechanism
Two rods connected by an internal pin. At the end points are mounted to external pins
To lock it in place an intermediate brace piece can sit under the internal pin connection (as shown in sketch below)
Note the physical connection from the brace piece to Link B can take many forms
A manual pin that slots into Link B
A pin that pushes against a “single direction locking arm” (see sketch below for clarification)
Less mounting space required compared to other concepts
Only need two mounting areas for the external pin connection (one on the trunk, the other on the side panel)
Cons:
Can only lock at one height
Will need additional components to have a supported closing of the trunk
i.e. in its current form you must manually close the trunk to prevent it from slamming
SINGLE SLIDING BAR MECHANISM
A single bar is mounted to two external mounting pins
One is on the trunk
The other is mounted to a shaft that it can slide along
As noted above, to lock the mechanism the bottom mount must be secured in its position along the shaft
This can be done through a manual pin system
Pros:
Relatively simple in nature
Only requires shaft, single linkage and external pin mounts
Allows for locking at variable heights
Could (relatively) easily integrate a supported closing mechanism
At the very end of the shaft would need something to slow the velocity of the bottom mount
Adaptable
Allows for the ability to become a motorized system
Can just as easily work as a manual system
Cons:
Will need lots of horizontal room for the shaft
Securing may not be easy to do in a way that doesn’t require manual input
May weigh more than other designs due to the shaft
COMPRESSED AIR SUPPORT STRUT
Similar mechanism to conventional cars
Will work in a similar manner
Two attachment points, one on the trunk another on the side
When opening the piston will extend
At apex the compressed air supports the piston, preventing it from contracting and the trunk closing
When closing, the force you exert will be greater than what the compressed air within can resist
Causing the piston to contract and the trunk to close
Pros:
Allows for supported closing of the trunk
May be more lightweight compared to other solutions
Cons:
Probably will need to purchase this
May be hard to find one that has the exact specifications we need
If we get ones that are too highly overspecced, it will take a higher than normal amount of force to close the trunk
May be hard to integrate these factory components (which are designed for specific makes and models of production cars) into our custom car
Mounting may be an issue
SCISSOR JACK MECHANISM
Top of scissor jack will mount to roof, bottom of scissor jack will mount to side panel
Will work as conventional scissor jacks do
Threaded bar is spun
Clockwise or counterclockwise spin will cause jack to raise or lower
Pros:
Can have automatic opening and closing of trunk (if a motor is used)
Users do not need to physically open the trunk
Can support the roof at a variable angle
Cons:
If a motor is used, this is another element that will draw power from the battery box
Also will add additional weight (on top of the scissor jack itself)
Will require power and control wire connections
Would be hard to integrate a manual operation of the scissor jack
Physically moving the motor’s axle may cause grinding of internal motor gears
If no motor is used (manual operation only) this would be physically strenuous
Will need horizontal space for the threaded bar to extend into