Dome-Shaped Windshield Frame for Adhesive Retention and Visibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need in the automotive industry to produce dome-shaped windshields for standard motor vehicles that meet aesthetic, visibility, and safety requirements, while ensuring the adhesive material used to glue the windshield to the frame does not fall and maintaining adequate visibility and shattering resistance.
Innovation Solution
A windshield design featuring a frame with concave cross members and gaskets interposed between the windows and the frame, using adhesive beads applied perpendicularly to minimize adhesive fall and enhance assembly precision and fluid tightness, while using tempered glass and laminated glass plates for improved visibility and shattering resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a dome-shaped windshield is used to improve aerodynamic properties and aesthetics, then the aerodynamic performance and stylistic appearance are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and compliance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The windshield is divided into multiple glass plates (front glass plate and rear glass plate) separated by a distance, with each plate independently supported by the frame. This segmentation allows each plate to be manufactured and treated separately, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining the dome shape.
Solution Approach 2:
A support structure comprising cross members and gaskets is introduced as an intermediary between the glass plates and the frame. The gaskets interpose between the windows and the frame, providing a standardized interface that simplifies assembly and ensures compliance with safety requirements.
2Ease of manufacture
If adhesive material is applied in a bead to glue the windshield to the frame, then the assembly process is simplified, but the adhesive material may fall and compromise safety
Solution Approach 1:
The cross members are designed with concave upper surfaces that preliminarily contain the adhesive material before the glass plates are installed. This preliminary containment structure prevents the adhesive from falling during assembly and ensures proper bonding without requiring complex adhesive application procedures.
3Illumination intensity
If the windshield is designed for adequate visibility, then the visibility from inside the passenger compartment is improved, but the structural requirements and safety constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The windshield transitions from a traditional single-plane structure to a three-dimensional configuration with the rear glass plate positioned at a distance from the front glass plate. This dimensional change creates a multi-layer structure that maintains visibility while providing enhanced safety through the distributed glass configuration and support structure.
4Reliability
If the windshield is designed to shatter in the event of a collision, then the safety through controlled breaking is improved, but the structural integrity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The windshield is segmented into multiple glass plates rather than using a single large pane. This segmentation allows each plate to be designed with controlled breaking characteristics, ensuring that in the event of collision, the plates can shatter in a controlled manner while the overall structure maintains integrity through the support framework.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A windshield (4) for a motor vehicle (1) is described, comprising: a frame (10) with a first rim (11) defining a first opening (15), and a first window (19) engaging the first opening (15), supported by the first rim (11); the frame (10) comprises, in turn, a first and a second cross member (12, 13) opposite one another; and one pair of first pillars (14, 15) opposite one another and extending crosswise to the first and second cross member (12, 13); the first and second cross member (12, 13) and said pillars (14, 15) delimit said first rim (11); the frame (10) comprises a second rim and a third rim (20) distinct from one another and arranged on respective opposite sides of the first rim (10); the frame (10) comprises a pair of third cross members (22) smoothly joined to the first cross member (12) by respective opposite side bands of the first cross member (12); and a pair of fourth cross members (21) smoothly joined to the second cross member (13); the second rim (20) is delimited by the first pillar (14), by a respective third cross member (22) and by a respective fourth cross member (21); the third rim (20) is delimited by the second pillar (15), by a respective third cross member (22) and by a fourth cross member (21).