Vehicle Deflector Protrusion Guides Mesh Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing deflector devices for vehicles often cause the mesh member to get caught between the circumferential edge of the opening and the movable panel during the transition from the deployed to the stored state due to improper folding.
Innovation Solution
The deflector device incorporates an upper frame with protrusions between the front edge and the coupling position, which guides and folds the mesh member inward, preventing it from being caught by ensuring proper folding and reducing the risk of mesh member entrapment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the mesh member is changed from deployed state to stored state by folding inward, then the deflector device achieves compact storage, but the mesh member may be caught between the circumferential edge of the opening and the movable panel
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusion is provided in advance on the upper frame to guide the mesh member during the folding process. This preliminary structural feature ensures that the mesh member is properly directed inward before complete deployment, preventing entrapment between the opening edge and movable panel while maintaining compact storage volume.
2Reliability
If additional separate parts are added to guide the mesh member folding, then the mesh member entrapment risk is reduced, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding function is merged into the upper frame structure itself through the protrusion feature. Instead of adding a separate guiding mechanism or component, the upper frame is designed with an integrated protrusion that performs both its primary structural function and the additional function of guiding the mesh member during folding, thereby reducing overall device complexity while preventing entrapment.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper frame is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the deflector device, maintains the deployed position, and simultaneously guides the mesh member during the folding transition through its protrusion. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated separate guiding parts, reducing complexity while ensuring reliable operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A deflector device for a vehicle includes an upper frame arranged along the front edge of an opening formed in the roof of the vehicle, and a mesh member coupled to the upper frame and fixed at the front edge of the opening. The upper frame is raised and lowered with respect to the roof in accordance with the opening and closing operation of a movable panel, which opens and closes the opening. The mesh member is changed between a deployed state and a stored state in accordance with the raising and lowering of the upper frame. The upper frame includes a front end in the vehicle front-rear direction and a coupling position to which the mesh member is coupled. The upper frame includes a protrusion between the front end and the coupling position.