Introduction
With its initial product designed, engineered and patent applied, the start-up company, Dog&Drive GmbH, officially became established in 2021. Dog&Drive is a high-end manufacturer of folding-stairs for car boots, based just outside of Cologne, Germany. After numerous occasions whereby Dog&Drive founder, Karl-Heinz Kamlage, watched animals struggling to haul themselves in and out of vehicles at his wife’s veterinary clinic, he and his team of engineers decided that there had to be a smart solution to this problem. Thus became, Dog&Drive’s unique, hand-crafted boarding application.
Easy to install and adapted to aid seamless integration within some of the world’s top vehicle manufacturer’s car boots, Dog&Drive perfected their design with the help of Southco, a world-leading designer and manufacturer of access hardware solutions and are now taking the market by storm with their bespoke, sleek stair with integrated dog bed solution.
The Challenge
Being that Dog&Drive’s boarding solution is so unique and practically untapped in the current marketplace, there were a plethora of challenges, both design, and functionality based at the conception of this design evolution. In the process of finding a hardware designer to elevate the solution, Dog&Drive chose Southco, who were able to evolve with the adjusting needs of the product.
The most significant obstacle Southco were enlisted to overcome, was the innovation of the locking mechanism. Having never created a design like this before, Karl-Heinz Kamlage and his engineering team were convinced by the expert knowledge afforded by Southco in the best practices for this type of application.
As Dog&Drive needed a lightweight material, the decision to opt for carbon-fibre was made. Though functionally ideal, this meant that many mechanical solutions had to be eliminated. Southco’s Micro Rotary Latch (R4), however, with its small footprint could be housed within the carbon-fibre structure. With the Bowden cable being narrow in diameter and flexible, the parts could be fed through the carbon material at the precise points – ensuring a neat, seamless, finished look.
The Solution
Southco’s intended locking solution provides a precise system which means the operator can move from either side of the vehicle and accomplish the same result, regardless of which handle is used to move the stair from its closed position. The selected actuator (AC-50) allows for intuitive operation, as the ergonomic handle is integrated within the step, meaning the user can then grab the top of the step, and at the same time actuate the handle with full control. The squeezing action of the actuator pulls the Bowden cable tightly, which then applies a pull-force to the junction box that connects to two mechanical micro rotary latches. Having two rotary latches ensures the safe latching and stability of the step within the frame.
These micro rotary latches require little installation space and have a light operating force, meaning that the end user doesn’t need to slam the stairs into a closed position.
The mechanism also includes an integrated rubber bumper to eliminate noise, as well as having no visible mechanical components – everything is neatly encased in the structure of the step.
For Dog&Drive, this is a major benefit due to high-end customers needing high-end results.
Having a junction box in the middle also allows for minor adjustments to the system without having to alter Bowden cables. This allows for synchronous release which ensures both sides of the step are disengaged at the same time and prevents twists in the mechanics.
The Implementation and results
In an acknowledgement to Southco’s innovative design influence, Dog&Drive were able to engineer a sleek, durable, high-performance boarding solution for their customers.
Eliminating obstacles that would otherwise have corrupted Dog&Drive’s preferred ergonomics and visual preferences, Southco helped evolve and enhance the application by adhering innovative solutions to its standard R4 Rotary Latch system. This way, ensuring Dog&Drive’s desire for adjustability and compliance with its car manufacturers needs were met.
Working as a team, Dog&Drive with Southco’s help have created a market-leading folding-stair application to aid in the transportation of animals – ensuring the ease and comfort of both the animals and their owners remain at the forefront of its ethos.
“Southco have been integral in the design and engineering process of our products mechanical latching solution. From their incredible customer service which enabled our teams to work in conjunction to produce such a high-quality design, to their ability to adapt and innovate existing solutions to our specification, we are pleased to have built a strong rapport which we hope will continue for years to come”.
- Karl-Heinz Klamage, Dog&Drive.