Armored Vehicle Windshield Frame Inversion for Visibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing design of armored vehicles restricts the driver's field of vision due to the construction of the A-pillar and window frame, which is necessary for structural stability under high loads.
Innovation Solution
The window frame is positioned to be supported against the front surface of the A-pillar, allowing it to be located behind the A-pillar from the driver's perspective, and armor elements are fastened to the window frame rather than the A-pillar, reducing the load on the A-pillar and enabling a more compact design that minimizes obstruction of the field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the window frame is positioned in front of the A-pillar for structural stability, then the A-pillar can withstand high loads, but the driver's field of vision is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The window frame is inverted to be positioned behind the A-pillar instead of in front of it. This reversal allows the A-pillar to maintain its structural role while the window frame attaches to the rear surface of the A-pillar, eliminating the visual obstruction and expanding the driver's field of view without compromising the A-pillar's load-bearing capacity
2Reliability
If armor elements are attached to the A-pillar for protection, then ballistic protection is achieved, but the A-pillar design becomes more complex and larger
Solution Approach 1:
The window frame serves as an intermediary structure that carries the armor elements. Instead of directly attaching armor to the A-pillar, the armor is mounted on the window frame which itself attaches to the A-pillar. This intermediary approach transfers the armor attachment function away from the A-pillar, simplifying its design while maintaining protective coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The protective system is segmented into separate functional components: the A-pillar provides structural support, the window frame provides mounting surfaces and ballistic protection, and the armor elements provide additional protection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall complexity
3Ease of operation
If the A-pillar is made more compact to improve field of view, then structural stability may be compromised, but the field of vision improves
Solution Approach 1:
The window frame acts as an intermediary that allows the A-pillar to be more compact. By providing an additional mounting structure behind the A-pillar, the window frame enables armor attachment without requiring the A-pillar itself to be larger or more complex, thus maintaining compactness while preserving structural stability
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The vehicle has a windscreen (1) made of an armor material such as armor glass, and partially covered by a windscreen frame (3). The windscreen frame is supported against a front surface (2a) of an A-column (2). An armor element (5) is fastened to a side surface (3b) of the windscreen frame, and partially covers the windscreen frame and the A-column. The side surface of the windscreen frame and a side surface of the A-column lie in a common plane. A fastening device arranged at the frame comprises fastening elements such as front and/or side bores, for fastening the anchor element.