Golf Car Windshield with Foldable Lower Panel and UV-Blocking Upper Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low speed vehicle windshields, such as those for golf carts, often expose operators to harmful UV radiation, debris, and weather elements when folded down, and lack effective display solutions for enhancing the user experience.
Innovation Solution
A windshield design with a fixed upper portion and a foldable lower portion, incorporating color-changing properties for UV protection and improved airflow, along with a virtual display system on the upper portion to provide essential information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the windshield is made foldable to improve airflow and cooling, then the cooling effect is improved, but the protection from wind, debris, and UV radiation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The windshield is divided into two separate portions: a fixed upper portion that provides continuous protection from wind, debris, and UV radiation, and a foldable lower portion that can be folded up to improve airflow and cooling. This segmentation allows each portion to fulfill its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between protection and cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower portion of the windshield is designed to be dynamically foldable, allowing it to change position between a down position for protection and an up position for improved airflow. This dynamic capability enables the windshield to adapt to different operational requirements, providing both protection when needed and cooling when desired.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the windshield is fixed to provide continuous protection, then the protection from external elements is improved, but the airflow and cooling effect deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The windshield is segmented into a fixed upper portion for continuous protection and a foldable lower portion for airflow management. This segmentation allows the system to maintain protection while enabling improved airflow when the lower portion is folded up, resolving the contradiction between continuous protection and cooling effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The foldable lower portion can be dynamically positioned to balance protection and airflow needs. When folded down, it provides maximum protection; when folded up, it allows improved airflow and cooling, enabling the system to adapt to varying operational requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the entire windshield is removed for maintenance or storage, then the accessibility for maintenance is improved, but the protection and safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The windshield is segmented into a fixed upper portion and a foldable lower portion, allowing the lower portion to be independently folded up or removed for maintenance without completely removing the entire windshield assembly. This maintains protection while improving accessibility for maintenance activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The foldable lower portion can be dynamically positioned or removed as needed, allowing maintenance personnel to access the vehicle without completely removing the windshield assembly. The fixed upper portion remains in place to maintain protection, resolving the contradiction between maintenance accessibility and continuous protection.
4Illumination intensity
If the windshield is made transparent to improve visibility, then the visibility is improved, but the protection from UV radiation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The windshield portions are equipped with selective properties: they maintain transparency for visible light to ensure good visibility while incorporating UV-blocking materials or coatings that specifically filter out harmful UV radiation. This local quality differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of visibility and UV protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The windshield portions utilize composite materials or multi-layer constructions that combine transparent visible light transmission with UV-blocking properties. These composite materials allow visibility while providing protection from UV radiation, resolving the contradiction between visibility and UV protection.
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 design offers enhanced safety and comfort by blocking UV radiation and debris while maintaining airflow, and enhances the user experience through real-time information display, suitable for various low speed vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
The color change property may comprise a photochromic substance part of a single or dual coating system, which combines quick color changing properties, flexibility, and abrasion resistance.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a low speed vehicle, such as a golf car, comprising a unique windshield. The windshield comprises a hinge and a top mount allowing the windshield to fold up for improved upper body safety and improved air circulation. The windshield has an upper portion that is fixed. The golf car/low speed vehicle also comprises a system for creating a virtual, visual display of information on the upper fixed portion of the windshield.