The latest evolution of the new “AHR” research project presented at the “Enzo Ferrari” Engineering Department of the University of Modena

On Tuesday 17 July, at the last Engineering Master’s Degree in Vehicle Engineering, at the “Enzo Ferrari” Engineering Department of the University of Modena, the latest evolution of the research project called “AHR” was presented: the Active Hidden Roof, dedicated to the automated movement of retractable roof.

This research project, which has already been the subject of a study of 4 theses and related degree internship, for as many candidates, was born about 4 years ago on the basis of a predefined frame and layout and, above all, with the aim of improving what it is the current state of the art of the mechanisms of this type, in particular dedicated to the most complicated type of cars, from the point of view of the layout, for this specific application: the two-seater dry cars with central rear engine!
This latest development was developed by the new graduate Andrea Petruccioli, with an internship at Modelleria Modenese and supervised by the tutor, Prof. Fabrizio Ferrari, as well as by the supervisor, Prof. Francesco Leali. And in particular, this is a further development of previous projects, aimed at simplifying, lightening and reducing the costs of the various components used for the mechanism itself, always of the totally automated type.

The candidate Petruccioli, has thus carried out the entire work of setting up and pre-engineering a body model for a homologated car, based on an existing chassis and layout and above all taking into account the development and relative integration of all the specific components of the vehicle. ‘AHD itself.

It is a system that takes up from previous projects, the removal and relative stowage of the removable roof, in a special pocket placed in the space behind the seats and in front of the firewall, in the protected area of the passenger compartment (true strength of the whole system). This solution allows you to leave the engine compartment completely free, both for the basic function of aeration and cooling, both for accessibility to the same, but also to not compromise the vision of the engine from the outside, another strong point in the aesthetic, much appreciated by customers for this kind of cars.

Compared to the previous systems, the entire rear part is evolved, in particular with the introduction of a mobile safety roll bar, combined with as many mobile side fins, on which in turn some movable retractable roller shutters. All this, quite simply and without major weight gain (movie), allows you to have so on the same car three configurations: coupe (closed roof), targa (only removed roof) and spider (back completely uncovered), of course in a completely automated way.

A simple and at the same time ingenious solution, as it brings together a series of unique features, both for the functionality and the aesthetic point of view, with costs that are not excessive and solving many of the problems of the current industrialized systems, specifically for this particular type of cars.