The document describes a proposed retractable car shade product that aims to reduce fuel wastage. The shade would be mounted on top of the car and deployed when stationary to prevent interior heating from prolonged sunlight exposure. It is estimated that such a shade could potentially save 500-750 million gallons of fuel annually in the US by reducing the need for air conditioning. The product would use a flexible nylon polymer shade wound around a spindle within a housing unit that can be operated automatically or remotely. Key considerations for the design include ease of use, serviceability, safety compliance, ruggedness, and compatibility with different vehicle models.

1. BY
ARAVIND VASUDEVAN
GRADUATE STUDENT
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS

2. Objective & Product Overview
Product Model – Fully Constructed View
Product Components
Product Functionalities
Design Process & Considerations

3.  Reduce fuel wastage by preventing the automobile interiors from
heating due to exposure to sunlight by deploying a automatic
retractable shade
Product Overview
Retractable car shade
a) is mounted on top
b) deployed on demand and while the car is
stationary
c) Prevents heating of the car due to
prolonged exposure by covering the top,
front and rear windshields with a shade that
reflects 50% of sunlight
d) meets safety & compliance regulations
Fuel Wastage Estimation
Active Cars on Road 184 M
Avg # Exposure/car 50
Avg Fuel/Min to Cool
the car (Gallons)
0.05 -
0.07
Avg Time to cool the
car
3 mins
Estimated Fuel Wastage
PA nationally
50%
Prevents
1- US State Department of Transportation
2- Derived based on assumptions on total volume of air that needs cooling & engine model, make and
efficiency assumptions. To be refined through the project
Potential reduction in fuel wastage by cars across the US, annually between
500 M and 750 M gallons.

4. A flexible nylon polymer (or equiv) car shade material is wound on a Spindle. The
spindle is mounted within a Housing that is operated using a stepper
mode/nylon gear assembly installed in the End Covers. The car shade
deployment and retraction is guided by guard rails.
Note: Electrical Modeling, hinges, screws etc not modeled
Parts Modeled
Spindle Housing
End Covers
Spindle
Car Mount
Flip Open access
Not Shown
Caster Wheels
Guard Rails
BoomNON WIREFRAME VIEW

5. Spindle Housing
1. Assembly of the spindle housing, spindle, flip open
access, End Covers.
2. The main hub of the product. It houses the entire
mechanical parts of the shade, electrical motors.

6.  Sub part of the spindle
Housing.
 Available in different
lengths.
 The part shown is
modeled for Honda Pilot
2013 (50 INCHES).
SPINDLE AND SHADE
HOUSING
Spindle Housing sub-parts

7.  Can be fit for any car.
 Houses the mounting spot for
spindle.
 Also houses the stepper motors with
gear/wheels to deploy or retract the
car shade based on the input from
electronic system mounted on the
car dashboard.
End Covers

8.  Potential Availability in
different lengths to meet
different models of car.
 The part shown is
modeled for Honda Pilot
2013 (50 INCHES).
SPINDLE

9. Caster Wheels
Guard Rails

11. Ease of use
Mounted on the roof, operates through
user commands only, from remote keys or
buttons or mobile apps.
Serviceability
Visual design/appeal
User choice
Ability to support custom designs
Installation
Ability to support user maintenance
Ability to train car-service
technicians on installations
Power load on the car
Mounted Solar Panels can reduce
load on vehicle electrical systems
Does not add additional power load
on the car
Can be supported by the electrical
framework in-built in the car
Safety & compliance with regulations
◦ Disabled during vehicle operation on
key-in-the car
◦ To comply with vehicle regulations
Ruggedness
◦ Withstand weather impacts
◦ Withstands corrosion and weather
exposure
Compatibility
◦ Can be installed in different models –
SUVs, Sedans, minis with minimal
changes to the design.
◦ Is compatible with products like
luggage racks.