Convertible Rear Deflection Plate Angled Reflection Surface

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Solution Overview

Problem

In convertible vehicles, the opening of the roof creates turbulent air flow that leads to wind noise and reduced rear visibility due to light reflection from deflection plates made of transparent materials, which obstructs the view through rear view mirrors.

Innovation Solution

A rear vehicle structure with a deflection plate having a reflection surface that reflects light forwardly, featuring an inclined surface with specific angles to prevent light reflection on the rear view mirror, while maintaining the deflection of turbulent air, and incorporating a light source positioned on the lower front side of the deflection plate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a deflection plate made of transparent material is used to deflect turbulent air, then air deflection function is improved, but rear visibility is worsened due to light reflection on the rear view mirror

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveturbulent air flowVSAvoidrear visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The deflection plate is designed with different surface properties in different regions: the upper surface has a reflective coating to redirect light away from the rear view mirror, while the lower surface remains transparent to maintain air deflection functionality. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying different material qualities to different functional zones of the same component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the entire deflection plate transparent as conventionally done, the invention inverts the approach by applying a reflective coating to the upper surface. This inversion of the transparency principle allows the plate to simultaneously deflect air effectively and prevent light reflection from obstructing the rear view mirror.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Loss of information

If the deflection plate is made transparent to maintain visibility, then rear visibility is improved, but light reflection still occurs on the rear view mirror

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverear visibilityVSAvoidlight reflection

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a deflection plate is added to deflect turbulent air, then wind noise is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind noiseVSAvoidvehicle rear structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the air deflection function with the light reflection control function into a single integrated deflection plate structure. By combining these two functions in one component rather than using separate elements, the solution reduces overall device complexity while still achieving wind noise reduction through effective turbulent air flow management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This configuration enhances passenger comfort by reducing wind noise and maintaining rear visibility by directing reflected light away from the rear view mirror, ensuring that the deflection plate effectively deflects air without impairing visibility.

Implementation Method 1

The deflection plate includes a reflection surface configured to reflect light forwardly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a deflection plate configured to deflect turbulent air flowing into a vehicle compartment from the rear side of a seat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir deflection:

Data Source

PatentUS10214084B2Vehicle rear structure

Publication Date: 2019.02.26 MAZDA MOTOR CORP

AI summary

A vehicle rear structure is applied to a vehicle, in which at least one of a roof and a rear window is capable of being accommodated in a vehicle body. The structure includes a deflection plate standing upright between a pair of seats on the rear side of the seats, and a light source provided on the lower front side of the deflection plate. When it is assumed that an imaginary straight line connecting between the light source and a reflection surface of the deflection plate is a first imaginary line, an imaginary straight line connecting between a middle portion of a rear view mirror and the reflection surface of the deflection plate is a second imaginary line, and an imaginary straight line orthogonal to the reflection surface of the deflection plate is a reference imaginary line, the reflection surface of the deflection plate is inclined at a predetermined angle in such a manner that the angle defined by the reference imaginary line and the first imaginary line, and the angle defined by the reference imaginary line and the second imaginary line are different from each other in a side view.