Convertible Rear Window Shields for Fold-Induced Abrasion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Convertible vehicle rear windows made of flexible plastic are susceptible to scratching, vibration-induced damage, and wear due to friction with the folding top, leading to premature degradation and increased maintenance costs, with existing solutions providing inadequate protection and being unreliable.
Innovation Solution
The use of lightweight, flexible protective shields made of materials like cotton batting, natural rubber mats, and foams, covered in soft fabric, which are placed on either side of the rear window to cushion it during folding and storage, preventing friction and wear without obstructing the vehicle's operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If flexible plastic material is used for rear windows, then weight is reduced and flexibility is improved, but the window becomes extremely susceptible to scratching and wear
Solution Approach 1:
A protective shield made of softer material (cotton batting, natural rubber mats, or foams covered in soft fabric) is placed between the window and the roof material to prevent direct contact and friction. This intermediary absorbs the harmful friction during folding operations while being lightweight and easily storable.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If makeshift protective solutions like fabric or towels are placed between the top and window, then friction protection is provided, but the fabric shifts and bunches up causing permanent deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The protective shield uses flexible materials (cotton batting, natural rubber mats, or foams) covered in soft fabric that conform to the window shape and remain stable during folding. These materials maintain their structural integrity and prevent bunching while providing consistent friction protection throughout the folding operation.
3Reliability
If the protective shield is made thicker to provide better protection, then friction and wear resistance is improved, but the shield becomes harder to store and less convenient
Solution Approach 1:
The protective shield uses thin, flexible materials (cotton batting, natural rubber mats, or foams) covered in soft fabric that provide adequate protection while remaining thin enough to be easily stored in the trunk or glove compartment when not in use.
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 shields effectively protect both inner and outer surfaces of the rear window from friction and wear, extending its lifespan and reducing maintenance costs by providing a durable, low-cost, and easily storable solution.
Implementation Method 1
all vehicles, but especially convertibles when the roof is retracted, are subject to increased transmission of vibration energy caused by driving on bumpy roads and by vehicle acceleration and deceleration
Implementation Method 2
the increased vibration energy transmission allows the collapsible rigid frame structure of the folded top to flex and bounce. It will be appreciated that when the top is down and internally stored in the vehicle trunk, this provides conditions that can allow the flexible window to repeatedly rub against the fabric of the roof material damaging the window via friction
Data Source
AI summary
Protective shields for a flexible vehicle rear window mounted in a fabric roof material of a convertible vehicle when the convertible roof is in the “top-down” folded position and where the protective panels have a thickness of approximately 1 inch and generally rectangular shapes such that the panels are slightly greater in perimeter dimensions than the flexible convertible vehicle rear window and when placed on opposite sides of the flexible window provide protection against abrasion and wear and wherein the protective panels are held in place by compressive force of the folded convertible roof.