Scooter Windscreen Safety Assembly with Rotating Support Arm
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windscreen assemblies for vehicles, such as scooters, pose a risk of injury to drivers during accidents due to the potential for the windscreen panel and support arms to cause harm upon impact, which can also compromise the effectiveness of accessory safety devices like airbags by altering the driver's trajectory and increasing the risk of physical injury.
Innovation Solution
A windscreen safety assembly with support arms that can rotate from a vertical to a horizontal position upon impact, featuring a coupling element and blocking mechanism to allow the windscreen panel to tilt forward and reduce contact with the driver, while maintaining connection to the vehicle to prevent detachment and interference with other components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the windscreen panel is fixed rigidly to the vehicle using support arms, then the windscreen provides effective shielding from wind and rain, but the driver can be injured by hitting the windscreen panel and support arms during sudden stops or accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is designed with rotational capability around a rotation axis, allowing it to transition from a fixed vertical position to a tilted position upon impact. This dynamic adjustment reduces the harmful impact on the driver while maintaining structural integrity and windscreen functionality during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking element is pre-configured to engage with the stop element at a predetermined location, creating a predetermined rotational path for the support arm. This preliminary arrangement ensures that upon impact, the windscreen panel automatically tilts forward to reduce contact with the driver, preventing injury before it can occur
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the windscreen panel is allowed to tilt forward completely upon impact, then driver injury from the windscreen is reduced, but the windscreen panel may detach from the vehicle or interfere with other components
Solution Approach 1:
The stop element is pre-positioned at a predetermined location along the rotation path to block further rotation of the support arm. This predetermined blocking mechanism ensures the windscreen panel tilts forward enough to protect the driver while preventing complete detachment or interference with vehicle components
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element acts as an intermediary between the support arm and the rotation axis, enabling controlled rotation while maintaining connection. This coupling mechanism allows the support arm to pivot forward upon impact while remaining attached to the vehicle structure
3Stability of the object's composition
If complex fastening systems and multiple support arms are used to secure the windscreen, then the windscreen remains stable during normal operation, but the structure becomes complex and the driver may still hit support arms during impact
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is divided into distinct functional segments: a first portion that rotates around the rotation axis, a second portion that connects to the windscreen panel, and blocking/stop elements that control the rotation. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function while simplifying the overall design compared to complex fastening systems
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm structure serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the windscreen panel during normal operation, enables controlled rotation upon impact to reduce driver injury, and includes built-in blocking mechanisms to prevent over-rotation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate complex fastening and safety systems
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A windscreen safety assembly comprising a windscreen panel (11), a support arm comprising a first part (12A) of arm for being attached to a vehicle, and a second part (13) of arm attached to the windscreen panel (11), at least one coupling element to rotatably couple the first and second part of arms (12A, 13) so that the second part of arm (13) is suitable to rotate around a rotation axis from a first angular position to a second angular position in a first direction and vice versa in a second direction, at least one blocking element to block the second part of arm (13) in the first angular position in a releasable manner, stop elements positioned between the first and second part of arms (12A, 13) to prevent the second part (13) of arm from rotating in the second direction starting from the first angular position.