Automatic Roof-Mounted Car Cover Design
Budget: $250 – $750 USD
I need a full mechanical and product-design package for an automatic roof-mounted car cover that protects a sedan from rain and harsh sun/UV. The idea is a slim roof box that sits like a cargo pod yet unfolds at the push of a button, wrapping a lightweight membrane down and around the windows before locking in place, then retracting just as neatly.
Your brief begins with the concept: engineer a folding mechanism that can live inside a compact shell without adding noticeable drag or weight. From there I will rely on you to create complete 3-D CAD models, parametric so we can scale to other body sizes later, along with detailed assembly drawings ready for rapid prototyping. SolidWorks or similar professional CAD is preferred, and any finite-element or CFD insights on wind-load would be a bonus.
I’m also looking for practical component guidance. Recommend motors, linear actuators, hinges, and lightweight, UV-stable fabrics or composites that can survive outdoor use. Balance cost and durability while keeping the total system as light as possible so a typical sedan roof load limit is never exceeded.
Deliverables
• Concept sketches and mechanism justification
• Fully detailed 3-D CAD assemblies with exploded views and BOM
• 2-D manufacturing drawings (ISO/American)
• Component recommendations with sourcing notes
• A short design report covering material choices, wind resistance considerations, and deployment cycle timing
Acceptance criteria
The design must deploy and retract clear of the bodywork without contact, withstand highway wind forces when stowed, and keep rainwater and UV off all glazed areas for at least a 24-hour static test.
If you already have experience with retractable awnings, automotive roof boxes, or kinematic linkage design, that insight will be invaluable. I’m ready to move quickly from concept to prototype once the CAD package meets the above criteria.
Your brief begins with the concept: engineer a folding mechanism that can live inside a compact shell without adding noticeable drag or weight. From there I will rely on you to create complete 3-D CAD models, parametric so we can scale to other body sizes later, along with detailed assembly drawings ready for rapid prototyping. SolidWorks or similar professional CAD is preferred, and any finite-element or CFD insights on wind-load would be a bonus.
I’m also looking for practical component guidance. Recommend motors, linear actuators, hinges, and lightweight, UV-stable fabrics or composites that can survive outdoor use. Balance cost and durability while keeping the total system as light as possible so a typical sedan roof load limit is never exceeded.
Deliverables
• Concept sketches and mechanism justification
• Fully detailed 3-D CAD assemblies with exploded views and BOM
• 2-D manufacturing drawings (ISO/American)
• Component recommendations with sourcing notes
• A short design report covering material choices, wind resistance considerations, and deployment cycle timing
Acceptance criteria
The design must deploy and retract clear of the bodywork without contact, withstand highway wind forces when stowed, and keep rainwater and UV off all glazed areas for at least a 24-hour static test.
If you already have experience with retractable awnings, automotive roof boxes, or kinematic linkage design, that insight will be invaluable. I’m ready to move quickly from concept to prototype once the CAD package meets the above criteria.