Pivoting Off-Road Windshield Assembly With Adjustable Latch Positions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Off-road vehicles face challenges in assembling and disassembling front windshield assemblies, which are often fixed or pivotable only between fully opened and closed positions, and there is a need for better arrangement of windshield wipers and nozzles to maintain a clear driver's line of sight at a low cost.

Innovation Solution

A pivotable windshield assembly with a split frame design, hinged to the ROPS, and a latch system allowing secure positioning in fully closed, partially opened, and fully opened states, along with a wiper system mounted on the windshield for improved visibility and ease of assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the front windshield assembly is fixed or pivotably connected to the frame, then the windshield can be securely mounted, but it becomes difficult to assemble and disassemble

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure mountingVSAvoidassembly and disassembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The windshield assembly is divided into separate components: the windshield glass, the windshield frame, and the support arm structure. This segmentation allows the windshield to be easily detached from the frame while maintaining secure mounting when assembled, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support arm is designed to be movable relative to the windshield frame, allowing the windshield assembly to transition between different positions (fully closed, partially opened, fully opened). This dynamic design enables easy assembly and disassembly while maintaining secure mounting in the closed position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the windshield assembly is fixed, then the structure is simple, but it cannot be opened for visibility or ventilation

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestructureVSAvoidopening capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support arm is designed as a movable component that can pivot relative to the windshield frame, enabling the windshield assembly to transition between fully closed, partially opened, and fully opened positions. This dynamic design provides opening capability while maintaining relatively simple structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The windshield assembly serves multiple functions: it provides protection when closed, allows visibility when partially opened, and enables ventilation when fully opened. The latch mechanism and support arm work together to achieve these multiple functions within a relatively simple structural framework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If the windshield assembly is pivotable between fully opened and closed positions only, then the structure is simple, but it cannot be held at intermediate positions for adjusted visibility

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestructureVSAvoidadjusted visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The latch mechanism provides positional feedback by engaging at specific points on the support arm, allowing the windshield assembly to be held securely at intermediate positions. The operator can adjust the windshield to the desired position and the latch will engage to maintain that position, providing adjusted visibility while maintaining simple structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The support arm is designed with specific geometric features that work with the latch mechanism to enable positioning at multiple angles. The movable support arm allows the windshield to be held at intermediate positions between fully closed and fully opened, providing adjusted visibility capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If the wiper and nozzle are fixedly mounted on the frame or ROPS, then the mounting is secure, but it may obstruct the driver's line of sight and increases cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoiddriver's line of sight obstruction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wiper and nozzle are mounted on the windshield assembly rather than on the frame or ROPS, changing the mounting dimension from the vehicle structure to the movable windshield component. This allows the components to be positioned optimally for cleaning functionality while minimizing obstruction of the driver's line of sight, and reduces mounting complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20260027873A1Off-Road Vehicle and Windshield Assembly

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 ZHEJIANG CFMOTO POWER CO LTD

AI summary

An off-road vehicle includes a frame, a plurality of wheels, a vehicle cover, a roll-over protection system (ROPS), a windshield assembly and a latch. The windshield assembly is pivotally mounted relative to the frame for pivoting about a pivot axis. The windshield assembly includes a support arm rigidly positioned relative to a windshield frame. Via engagement with either of two openings on the support arm, the latch such as a barrel bolt latch mounted on a top of the dashboard can secure and hold the windshield assembly in either a fully closed position or a partially opened position. An alternative embodiment uses an arc-shaped slot receiving a transversely extending handle bolt, so the size of the opening for the partially opened position can be selected by the user.