Flexible Metal Frame Shock-Absorbing Windshield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Construction equipment operating in environments with explosives risks are exposed to blast shockwaves and flying debris, leading to potential injuries due to the lack of universal, efficient, and safe windscreen solutions that can be easily installed and adapted to various vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A shock-absorbing vehicle window arrangement featuring a transparent polycarbonate windshield with a metal frame that provides flexibility and adjustable fit, utilizing stadium-shaped through holes and a flexible metal frame design to absorb shock and withstand blast forces, while allowing for easy installation and compatibility with existing equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid windshield arrangement is used, then structural strength is improved, but adaptability to different vehicle types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The metal frame incorporates flexible portions that allow dynamic adjustment and movement, enabling the rigid windshield structure to adapt to different vehicle types while maintaining structural strength. The flexible portions permit the frame to bend and conform to various mounting geometries without compromising the overall rigidity of the windshield assembly.
2Manufacturing precision
If a fixed metal frame design is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The metal frame includes flexible portions that enable dynamic adjustment during installation, allowing the frame to accommodate variations in mounting geometry and simplify the installation process while maintaining manufacturing precision through controlled flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible portions of the metal frame allow for parameter changes in terms of angular and positional adjustment during installation, enabling the frame to adapt to different mounting conditions while maintaining the precision of the windshield assembly.
3Strength
If through holes with small cross-sectional area are used, then structural strength is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The through holes are designed with a cross-sectional area of at least 1.5 times the screw cross-sectional area, changing the dimensional parameter to facilitate easier manufacturing and assembly while maintaining adequate structural strength through the overall windshield design.
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 solution enhances safety by providing a versatile, flexible, and adaptable windscreen that effectively absorbs blast shockwaves and maintains structural integrity, reducing the risk of injury from explosions and debris, while being easy to install and compatible with various vehicle types.
Implementation Method 1
a horizontally extending portion comprising a flexible portion having a depth which is less than half of the width of the flexible portion
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a shock absorbing vehicle window arrangement for a vehicle cab, the window arrangement comprises a transparent polymer windshield, a metal frame having a width extending in the direction parallel to the plane of the transparent polymer windshield and a depth extending in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the transparent polymer windshield, the metal frame comprising: an outer portion, at least partially extending on the outside of the transparent polymer windshield, and an inner portion, at least partially extending on the inside of the transparent polymer windshield. The outer portion overlaps the transparent polymer windshield with at least 0.5% of the length of the windshield, in the direction extending perpendicular from the length axis of the portion of the metal frame that extends on the outside of the transparent polymer windshield, the metal frame comprises a horizontally extending portion comprising a flexible portion.