Vehicle Front Structure Wind Noise Reduction via Chamfered Lens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional front vehicle body structures with front light units disposed outside the cabin generate wind noise due to air flowing along the windshield edges.
Innovation Solution
A front vehicle body structure featuring a lighting body unit with an outer lens disposed along the windshield's end surface, including a gap between the windshield and the outer lens, and a chamfered portion at the outside corner formed by the front and side surface portions, which reduces wind noise by creating a turbulent airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the front light unit is disposed outside the cabin on the end surface of the windshield, then the lighting function is achieved, but air flowing along the windshield edges vibrates at the light unit edges and generates wind noise
Solution Approach 1:
The outer lens is designed with different local qualities: a front surface portion with a specific shape and a chamfered portion at the outside corner. This local modification of the lens geometry specifically addresses the wind noise issue at the corner region while maintaining the overall lighting function of the front surface portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The chamfered portion is formed by cutting the outside corner of the outer lens, creating a specific geometric shape that modifies airflow patterns. This geometric modification reduces air vibration at the corner edge, thereby suppressing wind noise generation while preserving the lighting function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a gap is provided between the windshield and the outer lens, then design flexibility is improved, but wind noise generation increases due to air vibration at the light unit edges
Solution Approach 1:
The chamfered portion is specifically applied to the outside corner of the outer lens to address wind noise, while the rest of the outer lens and gap structure maintains design flexibility. This localized modification allows the gap to be maintained for design purposes without suffering from the full negative impact on wind noise.
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 structure effectively suppresses air vibration and noise, allowing for a deeper gap that reduces high-frequency wind noise, enhancing design flexibility and noise reduction.
Implementation Method 1
a chamfered portion is provided at an outside corner portion formed by the front surface portion and the side surface portion... creates a turbulent airflow
Data Source
AI summary
A front vehicle body structure includes a windshield and a lighting body unit provided beside and along an end surface of the windshield in a vehicle width direction. The lighting body unit has a lighting body and an outer lens that is disposed along the end surface of the windshield and transmits light from the lighting body. A gap is provided between the windshield and the outer lens. The outer lens has a front surface portion facing a front side of a vehicle, and a side surface portion extending toward a rear side of the vehicle from an end of the front surface portion on the windshield side. A chamfered portion is provided at an outside corner portion formed by the front surface portion and the side surface portion.