Sliding-Pivot Windshield Assembly for Impact-Safe Reinstallation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing removable windshields for vehicles like personal watercrafts are difficult to reinstall after falling into water and are challenging to align due to pitch and roll, and they do not adequately address safety during unwanted movements.
Innovation Solution
A windshield assembly with a sliding and pivotally connected design, utilizing a resilient member and hinges, allowing linear movement and rotation in response to forces, enhancing safety by adapting to impacts and movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the windshield is made detachable using grommets for easy removal, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates because the windshield cannot be reinstalled after falling into water due to alignment difficulties from pitch and roll
Solution Approach 1:
The windshield base is designed to move dynamically between a stowed position and an operational position, allowing the windshield to be easily removed and automatically returning to its functional location when needed, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member automatically propels the windshield base from the stowed position to the operational position without requiring manual intervention, enabling the windshield to self-reinstall after being in water, thus improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation
2Reliability
If the windshield is fixed rigidly to the vehicle, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because it cannot be easily removed when desired
Solution Approach 1:
The windshield attachment system transitions from a static fixed or detached state to a dynamic system where the windshield base can be easily moved between stowed and operational positions, allowing easy removal when desired while maintaining reliable attachment during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member provides automatic engagement of the windshield base with the deck panel when the windshield is in the operational position, ensuring reliable attachment without requiring additional fastening actions, while still allowing easy manual removal when needed
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the windshield is made detachable for safety during impacts, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because the windshield falls into water and becomes difficult to retrieve and reinstall
Solution Approach 1:
The windshield base automatically transitions from a stowed position to an operational position using the resilient member, ensuring the windshield is in place for safety during impacts while requiring minimal manual intervention for operation, thereby improving safety without compromising ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member automatically propels the windshield base into the operational position, enabling the windshield to self-reinstall after being in water without requiring manual alignment or assembly, thus maintaining safety while dramatically improving ease of retrieval and reinstallation
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
Facilitates easy reinstallation and alignment of windshields, improving safety by accommodating various impacts and movements, thereby enhancing user safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The resilient member is a linear gas spring and the upper end of the linear gas spring is detachably attached to the windshield base by a spring clip assembly
Implementation Method 2
the linear gas spring extends substantially parallel to the plane of the windshield when the windshield is in the rest position
Implementation Method 3
a left hinge and a right hinge pivotally connecting the deck panel and the windshield base, each of the left and right hinges comprising a first arm connected to the deck panel at a first point, the first point comprising the first pivot
Data Source
AI summary
A windshield assembly for a vehicle, the windshield assembly comprising: a windshield having a lower end and an upper end; a windshield base attached to the lower end of the windshield; and a deck panel configured for connecting to the vehicle. The deck panel is slidingly connected to the windshield base for permitting the windshield to move linearly, with respect to the deck panel, from a rest position, responsive to a force in a plane of the windshield. The deck panel is pivotally connected to the windshield base about a first pivot axis for permitting the windshield to rotate about the first pivot responsive to a force perpendicular to the windshield.