Passive Wind Deflector with Break-Away Mount for Drive-Thru Windows
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wind deflection technologies, such as air curtains, are ineffective in maintaining food temperature and employee satisfaction at drive-thru windows, causing food safety issues, patron dissatisfaction, and increased operational costs, while also being energy-intensive and prone to causing debris and dust issues during transactions.
Innovation Solution
A wind deflector comprising a shield assembly connected to a mount assembly with a hinge that statically holds the shield at a desired angle, allowing it to break away upon vehicle contact, deflecting wind without energy consumption and minimizing damage, while maintaining food temperature and reducing debris exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If air curtains are used to deflect wind, then wind protection is provided, but energy consumption increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the active energy-consuming components (blower fans, motors, control systems) from the wind deflection system. Instead of using powered air curtains, the invention employs a passive mechanical shield that utilizes natural wind forces and gravitational potential energy to deflect wind, thereby eliminating continuous energy consumption while maintaining wind protection functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The shield assembly is designed with dynamic characteristics - it can be positioned at different angles (raised, lowered, intermediate positions) and allows natural wind to move it slightly during operation. This dynamic design enables the passive structure to adapt to varying wind conditions without requiring active control systems or energy input, resolving the contradiction between wind protection and energy consumption
2Object-affected harmful factors
If air curtains are used to deflect wind, then wind protection is provided, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex electronic and mechanical components of air curtains (motors, sensors, control circuits, power supplies). The remaining passive shield structure requires minimal components - primarily a shield assembly mounted on simple hinges or slides - dramatically reducing device complexity while preserving the essential wind deflection function
Solution Approach 2:
The shield assembly is divided into separable components (shield panel, mounting brackets, hinge mechanisms) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation simplifies the overall device complexity by allowing each component to be optimized separately and facilitates easier installation and maintenance without requiring complex integration
3Object-affected harmful factors
If rigid wind deflectors are used, then wind deflection effectiveness is improved, but damage to vehicles occurs upon contact
Solution Approach 1:
The shield assembly incorporates dynamic positioning capabilities through hinges or sliding mechanisms that allow the shield to move when contacted by a vehicle. This dynamic feature transforms a potentially dangerous rigid barrier into a safe, movable element that can yield to vehicle contact while still providing effective wind deflection during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the shield mounting system with built-in compliance features - such as spring-loaded hinges, friction-based dampers, or controlled friction sliders - that provide cushioning before actual vehicle contact occurs. These pre-designed compliance mechanisms absorb impact energy and prevent damage to both the shield and the vehicle
4Ease of manufacture
If fixed angle shields are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different wind conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shield assembly employs simple mechanical mechanisms (hinges, sliders, spring-loaded arms) that enable the shield to assume different angular positions based on wind conditions. These dynamic adjustments are achieved through passive mechanical means rather than complex active control systems, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while significantly improving adaptability to varying wind environments
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 wind deflector effectively maintains food temperature, increases patron and employee satisfaction, reduces operational costs, and prevents damage to vehicles, enhancing the overall customer experience and return on investment without requiring energy or complex installation.
Implementation Method 1
a wind deflector that provides lift to naturally occurring wind so that the wind is deflected away from where the wind deflector is connected
Implementation Method 2
The mount assembly is configured to have a bias that statically holds the shield assembly at a desired angle of deflection
Implementation Method 3
The break away feature of the wind deflector prevents harm to a vehicle should contact be made between a vehicle and the wind deflector
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provided herein is directed to a wind deflector that provides a lift and subsequent deflection of naturally occurring wind. The wind deflector has a shield assembly that is connected to a mount assembly. The mount assembly is configured to be biased to a closed position that holds the shield assembly at a desired angle of deflection and to break away when physical force is applied against the bias of the mount assembly.