Structural Panoramic Windshield Roof for Strength and Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle upper body assemblies face a trade-off between structural strength, weight minimization, and occupant visibility, as large structural cross-members obstruct forward visibility while providing necessary support, and existing solutions fail to adequately address this balance.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle windshield and roof system with a minimally sized or omitted front cross-member, utilizing a structural sunroof with reinforcing fibers and electrochromic tinting, and an adhesive or fastener-based attachment to a front cross-member made of metal or composite materials, allowing load transfer and increased visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a large structural front cross-member is used to provide structural support, then structural strength is improved, but forward visibility is worsened due to obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional front cross-member entirely and transfers its structural function to the roof portion itself. The roof portion is designed with sufficient structural integrity to support the windshield and provide rollover protection without requiring a separate front cross-member, thereby eliminating the visibility obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the structural support function previously performed by the front cross-member with the roof portion. The roof portion now serves dual purposes: providing structural support for the windshield and maintaining occupant visibility, merging two previously separate functions into one component.
2Reliability
If traditional structural components are used to ensure structural integrity, then reliability is improved, but weight is increased which reduces fuel efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the front cross-member (when present) and roof portion can be made from composite materials. This allows the structure to maintain high strength and structural integrity while significantly reducing weight compared to traditional metal components, thereby improving fuel efficiency without sacrificing reliability.
3Strength
If a front cross-member is used to provide structural support, then structural strength is improved, but component complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the front cross-member component entirely, reducing the number of parts in the structural assembly. By extracting this component and redistributing its structural function to the roof portion and adhesive bonding system, the overall structural assembly complexity is reduced while maintaining necessary strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the structural support function into the roof portion itself, eliminating the need for a separate front cross-member. This consolidation reduces the number of components and simplifies the structural assembly, making it easier to manufacture and assemble.
4Area of stationary object
If transparent materials are used for the roof portion, then occupant visibility is improved, but structural strength is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the roof portion can be made from transparent composite materials that provide both visibility and structural strength. These composite materials allow light transmission for occupant visibility while maintaining the structural integrity necessary to support the windshield and provide rollover protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters of the roof portion by using advanced transparent composites with enhanced mechanical properties. This allows the material to simultaneously achieve the optical property of transparency for visibility and the mechanical property of high strength for structural support.
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
Enhances forward visibility by reducing the size of structural components, improves fuel efficiency through weight reduction, and maintains structural integrity during rollover events.
Implementation Method 1
The roof portion and the windshield are adhered to the front cross-member using an adhesive
Implementation Method 2
the roof portion includes electrochromic tinting at one or more locations, and where the system further includes a power control module that selectively applies power to the electrochromic tinting
Implementation Method 3
a roof portion that is transparent, that is located rearward of the windshield, and that includes reinforcing fibers
Data Source
AI summary
A windshield and roof system of a vehicle includes: a windshield that includes glass and that is transparent; a front cross-member that extends laterally between A-pillars of the vehicle, that is disposed rearward of the windshield, and that has a thickness in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle of less than 50 millimeters (mm); and a roof portion that is transparent, that is located rearward of the windshield, where the windshield and the roof portion are joined with the front cross-member.