Instructions of non-structural styled roll bar development for pick-up trucks 2018-36-0013
Ornamentation Roll bar, or Sportbar, is a traditional pick-up's component very popular in several countries. Known in most markets as a roll bar, the name Sportbar came up from a potential legal issue. Roll bars in general may sound like a structural roll protective element, however in most cases, it is just an ornamentation component used to enhance the aesthetics of the pick-up truck.
Even though the main objective of some available sportbars is not to be a structural element, it is commonly used as a cargo attachment device besides ornamentation function. This condition implies the Sportbar be able to withstand dynamic loads itself during cargo transportation, which in turn, summed with the high extra efforts added by the Sportbar mass, directly transmits it to the attachment points of the part on the truck bed. Different truck bed designs, imposes different structural issues regarding the attachment characteristics. Most times sold as an accessory, this issue is sometimes overlooked during the truck development, which leads to damages and cracks to the truck bed structure.
Aero requirements such as drag and wind noise for instance, must be carefully addressed and it may impose limitations to the design and material selection. Moreover, other requirements, like compatibility with another pickup box components, truck bed modal targets, extra features like CHMSL (brake light), lamps, moldings and inserts, attachment package and ergonomic issues, etc., must be taken into consideration also.
This paper will explore some guidelines for ornamentation sportbar development, based on previous development experiences, which includes the structural issues mentioned above and alternatives to meet the required performance demands to distinctive designs.
