Active Vehicle Pillar Molding for Wind Noise and Moisture Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle front pillars face challenges in managing moisture, wind noise, wind throb, and snow buildup due to complex geometries that compromise either moisture control or noise reduction, and existing solutions are not adaptable to varying conditions or driver preferences.

Innovation Solution

An active pillar apparatus with a molding that can be deployed or retracted using actuators like inflatable bladders, rotary motors, or valves to direct airflow, creating channels for moisture control and reducing wind noise and snow buildup, while being easily integrated into existing vehicle designs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a permanent covering or molding is provided for moisture control, then moisture control effectiveness is improved, but wind noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture control effectivenessVSAvoidwind noise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the molding deployable rather than permanent. The molding can be extended when moisture control is needed and retracted when wind noise is the concern, allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on operating conditions. This is achieved through an actuator mechanism that moves the molding between deployed and retracted positions, resolving the contradiction between moisture control effectiveness and wind noise reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a fixed channel is provided for moisture control, then moisture control is achieved, but snow buildup occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture control capabilityVSAvoidsnow buildup

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by making the moisture control channel dynamic rather than fixed. The molding that forms the channel can be retracted when snow is present, allowing snow to pass over the pillar without accumulating in a fixed channel. When snow is not present, the molding extends to provide effective moisture control, thus adapting to different environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the pillar profile is reduced to decrease wind noise, then wind noise is reduced, but moisture control effectiveness is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind noiseVSAvoidmoisture control effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by making the pillar profile dynamic. The molding can be retracted to create a streamlined profile that reduces wind noise, or extended to provide the necessary geometry for effective moisture control. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize for either wind noise reduction or moisture control depending on the prevailing conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If the molding is extended to improve moisture control, then moisture control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture controlVSAvoidpillar arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by incorporating an actuator mechanism that enables the molding to move between extended and retracted positions. This dynamic capability allows the system to provide improved moisture control when needed while maintaining a simpler effective profile at other times, balancing the trade-off between moisture control effectiveness and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The active pillar arrangement effectively manages moisture, reduces wind noise and throb, and prevents snow buildup, offering adaptability to different driving conditions and driver preferences without significant modifications to the vehicle.

Implementation Method 1

The molding includes a passage for receiving an airflow, the passage communicating with one or more outlets in the molding for transmitting the airflow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow: Convection

Implementation Method 2

An actuator, such as a valve, may also be provided for controlling the airflow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical movement: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS10597088B2Active vehicle pillar arrangement for selective wind noise, wind throb, snow buildup and moisture control

Publication Date: 2020.03.24 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

An apparatus is for use with a pillar adjacent to a vehicle window, such as a windshield. The apparatus includes a molding for positioning adjacent to the pillar, the molding forming a channel in a deployed condition for receiving moisture from the vehicle windshield, or for reducing the effects of wind throb when a single vehicle window is open. An actuator may be associated with the molding for activating a non-deployed condition of the molding for reducing the effects of wind noise. The molding may include a passage for receiving an airflow and transmitting it to an outlet for directing fluid away from the molding, the pillar and adjacent side window. In the deployed condition, the molding may project from a surface of the pillar and in the non-deployed condition may be substantially flush with the surface of the pillar.