Canopy Lifting Mechanism

Owned by Matthew Scorcia
Feb 11, 2023
2 min read

The mechanism involved in the opening and closing of canopy from inside and outside of the occupant cell.

Each design requires an accompanying mount for the latch and hinge to the interior side of the roof so that canopy is also removed when the roof is.

Picture/Sketch

Advantages

Disadvantages

Parts (Custom or OTS/”Borrowed”)

Picture/Sketch

Advantages

Disadvantages

Parts (Custom or OTS/”Borrowed”)

Hinge Concept 1

  • Follows the method of lift tables, with hinge mount

  • Ideal: will be opened forward, then pivot 90 degrees

  • Simultaneous motion causes weird moments

(C) X-Arm Linkange & housing * Mounts

(OTS) Butterfly hinge

Hinge Concept 2

  • Simple, consists of 2 arms that pivot about mount at the stationary canopy half

  • Upward force from inside occupant cell = Only rotation

  • Need to do more research to ensure motion is correct

(C) Hinge arms - Water jet aluminum & Mounts

Hinge Concept 3

  • Used before in WSC

  • Reference Solar car documentary

  • Michigan did it

  • more research

Pending, hoping to find entire OTS

Latch Orientation #1

  • Makes mounting simpler (vertically oriented fastener holes)

  • Strike Plate allowed to move, meaning canopy wiggles when closed

(“B”) Bolty Trunk Latch

C-mount

Latch Orientation #2

  • Strike Plate doesnt more vertically

  • Slightly more complicated to mount but doable

same as above