Canopy Latch

@Joshua Palacios

Preface/Preliminary Design Goals:

• The purpose of this mechanism is to serve as a rotating lock mechanism to secure the solar car canopy in place during operation

• Functionality: the design allows for quick and secure locking/unlocking through a simple rotational motion. Inspiration comes from online research, observation of what other teams did at FSGP 2025, etc.

• Currently planned to have two latches (one on each side of the inside of the canopy

• Regulations considered during design:

  • Egress Testing

    • made sure easy to unlock latch for driver on inside for 10second egress regulation

  • Positive locking mechanism

    • The latch must be positively latch (not a friction fit)

• Design below was completed on 10/11 2025; outsourced to Joshua Palacios per request of Matthew (lol).

CAD Design Explanation:

Open

Inside Canopy View of Latch

Open

Outside Canopy Latch View

CAD Design & Initial Process

• Concept Development

  • Identified need for a low-profile, lightweight latch that can be operated from both inside and outside the canopy.

  • Referenced common rotating cam or lever lock mechanisms as inspiration.

• Design Considerations

  • Must securely hold canopy under aerodynamic loads and vibration during racing conditions.

  • Must be ergonomic and operable by the driver while seated (considered handle geometry and grip).

  • Clearance constraints defined by canopy frame and surrounding body structure.

  • Included built-in stop features to prevent over-rotation beyond the locking angle.

  • Ensured compatibility with existing canopy hinge and frame geometry.

  • Designed for minimal hardware

• Modeling Process

  • Added fillets and rounded edges to reduce stress concentrations and improve durability.

  • Hook

    • made of AL 6061, about 5 inches

  • Outer Latch Knob

    • 3D print

  • Inner Latch Knob

    • 3D print

  • Middle plate

    • attached to inside of canopy with bolts; allows rotation of knobs

    • 3D print

  • hardware

    • 1/4-28 grade 8 bolts used; washers, normal jam nuts

Validation/Empirical Testing

• sizing chosen (not too big or small) for ergonomic fit

• TO DO:

  • print initial prototype and possibly perform fitment test

  • revise if needed latch geometry based on test results (fit tolerance, rotation clearance, or locking feel)

  • Strength Estimation

    • weird b/c its human force on the handle

    • possibly perform basic hand calc to estimate force/required latch strength

    • possible simple bench test (manual load or pull test) to verify holding strength

Manufacturing

• Inner and Outer knobs → 3D print

• middle plate → 3D print; strong enough to bolt to inside of canopy

• hook → water jetted outsourced

Potential Improvement for Future Iterations

• downsize if too chunky or big in canopy

• choose smaller hardware (if too many bolt threads sticking out for example)

• potentially safety wire bolts for preventing loosening from road/car vibrations (probably overkill/extra)

• Yeah that’s about it ngl lol

OLD Notes from Matthew over summer:

necessary manufacturing, outsourcing or validation needed

Validation:

Not likely at all for failure

Empirical testing for this. It is weird to calculate this because it is human forces

Safety wire bolts for vibration