Pivoting Wind Deflector Assembly for Vehicle Sunroof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle sunroof systems fail to effectively limit airflow and wind entry when the sunroof is opened, leading to discomfort and noise inside the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A wind deflector assembly that is movable and pivotable, mounted on a drive motor system with cables, which can retract into the roof when not in use and extend partially through the sunroof opening to deflect wind, using a combination of translational and pivotal movement along tracks and mounting arms to position the deflector effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixed wind deflector is installed at the sunroof opening, then wind entry is reduced, but the roof appearance is compromised and visibility is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The wind deflector is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be positioned in different locations. It can be retracted into the roof cavity when not needed to maintain a sleek appearance, and deployed to block wind entry when the sunroof is open, thus resolving the contradiction between aesthetic appearance and wind protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The wind deflector utilizes the third dimension by being stored within the roof cavity and deployed vertically to extend above the roof surface only when needed. This dimensional movement allows the deflector to provide wind protection without permanently altering the roof's external shape or blocking visibility when retracted.
2Shape
If a retractable wind deflector is used, then roof appearance is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wind deflector system is divided into separate functional components: the deflector panel itself, the mounting arms that provide pivot movement, and the translation mechanism that moves the arms along tracks. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall retraction mechanism by distributing functionality across multiple simple moving parts rather than requiring a complex single mechanism.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the wind deflector extends far through the opening, then wind protection is improved, but visibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The wind deflector is designed to extend only partially through the sunroof opening rather than fully blocking it. This partial extension is sufficient to deflect wind effectively while leaving the majority of the opening clear for visibility. The deflector creates an aerodynamic barrier that redirects wind flow without requiring complete occlusion of the opening.
Data Source
AI summary
A wind deflector assembly for a roof of a vehicle, with the vehicle roof including a sunroof that is openable and closable relative to an aperture in the vehicle roof, includes a wind deflector having a frame and a screen. A pair of tracks is disposed at an inner surface of the vehicle roof at or near the aperture. The wind deflector is movably and pivotally mounted at the tracks via a pair of mounting arms. The mounting arms are movable along the tracks and pivot to pivot the frame and the wind deflector between a retracted position, where the wind deflector is disposed at the inner surface of the vehicle roof and between the tracks, and an extended position, where the wind deflector is disposed partially at the opening and is pivoted upward so as to protrude above an outer surface of the vehicle roof.