Flexible Rear Window Defrosting for Soft Top Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Jeep type vehicles with soft tops face challenges in winter fogging of rear windows and lack of light blocking and personalization options, particularly during parking.
Innovation Solution
A flexible foldable rear window construction with a heating element integrated into multi-layered polymeric materials, allowing for defrosting and customizable designs, including electronic heating elements and conductive ink-based designs for privacy and branding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a traditional rigid rear window is used, then structural strength is maintained, but flexibility and foldability are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible polymeric materials (PVC or polycarbonate) to create a rear window that can be folded and flexed while maintaining structural integrity. The window is formed from flexible sheets that can be bent without breaking, enabling the soft top to be folded down while keeping the window functional.
2Device complexity
If no heating element is provided, then device complexity is reduced, but rear window fogging occurs in winter
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is integrated directly into the rear window structure by embedding it within the flexible polymeric material. This merging of the heating function with the window itself provides defogging capability without adding separate complex external heating systems.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the window is connected to frame members, then structural stability is improved, but foldability and flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The window is constructed from flexible polymeric sheets that can be folded without rigid frame connections. The flexibility of the polymeric material allows the window to move with the folding top while maintaining its structural integrity through the material's inherent strength.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conductive ink designs are added, then personalization capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Conductive ink is applied to the flexible polymeric window material to create customizable designs, logos, or patterns. The conductive ink serves both aesthetic personalization purposes and can provide additional heating pathways, integrating design with functional heating elements.
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 effectively defrosts rear windows, provides privacy by blocking light, and allows for personalization, enhancing user experience and safety through efficient heating and customizable designs.
Implementation Method 1
The rear window structure has a heating element for defrosting the same
Data Source
AI summary
A rear window construction for a Jeep type vehicle having a foldable soft top with a window connected with the top is provided. The window is not connected to any frame member of the vehicle. The rear window construction includes a flexible foldable top having means of releasable connection with the frame structure of the vehicle. Additionally a rear window structure is provided. The rear window structure has a heating element for defrosting the rear window structure.