Segmented Vehicle Cover with Wing Pockets for Ice Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle covers are bulky, difficult to position, and often damage vehicle frames while failing to effectively protect lateral windows from harsh weather conditions, including snow and ice accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle cover comprising a central windshield panel and wing panels that enclose driver and passenger side windows and frames without using elastic or mechanical features, allowing for easy installation and removal, customizable advertising space, and improved theft resistance, made from lightweight, water-impermeable materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cardboard or plastic cutouts are placed inside the windshield to block the sun, then the interior temperature reduction is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and difficult to position
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into multiple panels (windshield panel, driver side panel, passenger side panel) that can be independently positioned and adjusted. Each panel is a separate component that can be easily manipulated to fit the windshield contours, resolving the positioning difficulty while maintaining temperature protection functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cardboard or plastic cutouts are used to block snow and ice, then the windshield protection is achieved, but the articles are easily blown away by wind
Solution Approach 1:
The cover panels are designed with curved surfaces that conform to the contours of the windshield and side windows. This curved geometry allows the cover to wrap around the windshield edges and secure itself better against wind forces, preventing it from being easily blown away while maintaining protection from snow and ice accumulation.
3Reliability
If hooks or clamps are used to hold the cover on the vehicle, then the cover attachment is achieved, but the vehicle doors or frames are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the harmful hooks and clamps from the cover design entirely. Instead of using attachment mechanisms that could damage the vehicle, the cover relies on its weighted structure and curved geometry to remain in place, eliminating the source of potential damage to doors and frames while maintaining secure attachment.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If prior art devices cover only the windshield, then the windshield protection is achieved, but the lateral windows remain exposed to weather accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The cover system is designed to perform multiple protective functions simultaneously. It protects not only the windshield but also both lateral windows (driver and passenger sides) from weather conditions. This multi-functional design ensures comprehensive protection across all vehicle glass surfaces, addressing the limitation of single-function windshield-only covers.
5Object-affected harmful factors
If bulky covers are used to protect the vehicle, then the weather protection is achieved, but the storage space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the cover into separate panels (windshield panel, driver side panel, passenger side panel), the system becomes more compact when stored. The segmented structure allows the panels to be folded or stacked together, reducing the overall storage volume compared to a single bulky cover, while maintaining the comprehensive weather protection capability when deployed.
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 cover effectively shields vehicles from both hot and cold weather conditions, reduces interior temperature, prevents ice and snow accumulation, and extends wiper blade life without damaging the vehicle, while being portable and easy to store.
Implementation Method 1
Cardboard or plastic cutouts may be placed inside the windshield to block or reflect the sun from damaging the interior and increasing the internal temperature of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
Cardboard or plastic cutouts may be placed inside the windshield to block or reflect the sun from damaging the interior and increasing the internal temperature of the vehicle
Implementation Method 3
Pieces of cardboard may also be used on the exterior of the windshield between the windshield and the wipers to stop snow or ice from accumulating on the windshield
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle cover is provided for covering a driver side window, central windshield, and passenger side window. The cover includes a central windshield panel, a right wing panel, and a left wing panel. The right wing panel forms a pocket with three closed sides, and an open bottom edge for covering a driver side window and frame of a vehicle. The left wing panel is a pocket formed by three closed sides and an open bottom edge so as to enclose a passenger side window and frame of the vehicle. The vehicle cover prevents ice build up on the covered windshield and side windows so as to eliminate the need to scrape ice from the windshield and side windows. The cover also blocks harmful environmental conditions that may damage both the interior and exterior of a vehicle during all times of the year.