Flip-Up Windshield Strut Locking for Infinite Angle Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing off-road vehicles lack adjustable windshields that can be easily installed without invasive electrical connections and allow for precise positioning between fully opened and fully closed configurations, failing to meet diverse user needs such as protection from elements and airflow preferences.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable windshield assembly with rotatable struts, actuators, and a controller, allowing manual adjustment between fully closed and fully open positions, using gas or liquid-filled struts and Bowden or electric cabling for actuation, with a locking mechanism for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electric windshield solutions are used to enable automatic opening and closing, then windshield adjustability is improved, but installation complexity increases due to invasive electrical connections and switch installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electric actuators with a purely mechanical cable-pulley system. The cable runs from the controller through a pulley mechanism to the windshield, translating rotational motion of the controller into linear motion that opens or closes the windshield without requiring electrical connections to the vehicle's battery or wiring harness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the electrical components (battery connections, wiring harness, electric motors) from the windshield system entirely. By removing these invasive electrical elements, the system achieves ease of installation while maintaining mechanical adjustability through the cable-pulley mechanism.
2Reliability
If static windshields are used to provide protection from elements, then safety and protection are improved, but adaptability decreases as the windshield cannot be adjusted to different positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static windshield into a dynamic system by introducing a mechanical cable-pulley actuation mechanism. The windshield can be moved between fully closed, partially open, and fully open positions, allowing operators to adapt to different environmental conditions, airflow preferences, and hunting scenarios while maintaining structural integrity and protection when closed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If custom windshield positions are implemented to meet diverse user needs, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases requiring precise positioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cable as an intermediary element that transmits force from the simple rotational controller to the windshield. This cable mechanism provides smooth, continuous motion control without requiring complex motors, sensors, or electronic control systems, enabling custom positioning while keeping the overall device complexity low.
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
Enables easy installation and adjustable positioning of windshields on off-road vehicles, providing customizable protection and airflow without complex electrical setups, enhancing user convenience and safety.
Implementation Method 1
In certain embodiments, the struts comprise gas-filled struts. In other embodiments, the struts comprise liquid-filled struts.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable windshield for a vehicle. The windshield is rotatably attached to the vehicle and is positionable at any angle relative to the vehicle including and between a fully closed position and a fully open position. A locking strut is connected between the windshield and the vehicle. The locking strut has a barrel portion, an arm portion, and an actuator. The actuator defines a first position and a second position. In the first position, the arm portion of the strut is fixed relative to the barrel portion; in the second position, the arm portion of the strut is movable relative to the barrel portion. Movement of the arm portion relative to the barrel portion adjusts the angle of the windshield relative to the vehicle. The windshield includes a controller operatively connected to the actuator of the strut where the controller is spaced apart from the strut.