Sunroof Wind Deflector Latching Structure for High-Speed Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind deflectors for vehicle sunroofs face issues with the raising lever being displaced downwards due to wind forces, especially at higher speeds, affecting their efficiency and stability.
Innovation Solution
A wind deflector system with a vehicle-fixed bearing component and a raising lever that incorporates a latching structure, utilizing a spring or latching projection to lock the lever in the fully raised position, ensuring stability even under wind loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a net or fabric wind deflector element is used, then the wind deflector can be stored in a space-saving manner and effectively prevents booming noises, but the flow acting on the wind deflector element moves the raising lever downwards towards the vehicle roof, impairing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The latching structure applies a preliminary locking force to counteract the downward wind force on the raising lever. The latching projection engages with the latching surface before wind forces can displace the lever, creating a pre-positioned counter-force that maintains lever stability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching structure is self-activating through the interaction between the spring-loaded latching projection and the bearing end of the raising lever. When the lever reaches the raised position, the latching projection automatically engages with the latching surface, providing self-locking functionality without additional actuators or complex control mechanisms.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid wind deflector elements are used, then the structure is more stable, but at higher driving speeds, the applied flow moves them downwards from the maximum raised position
Solution Approach 1:
The latching structure provides a preliminary locking mechanism that counteracts high-speed wind forces. The latching projection engages with the latching surface to create a mechanical lock that prevents the rigid wind deflector element from being displaced downward by applied flow at maximum raised position.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching surface is arranged concentrically with respect to the pivot axis of the bearing end, creating a curved engagement surface. This geometric arrangement ensures that the latching force remains effective regardless of minor position variations, maintaining reliable locking under high-speed conditions.
3Force
If the latching structure uses a separate spring component, then high latching forces can be generated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is integrated directly into the bearing component, merging two previously separate elements (spring and bearing component) into a single unified structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate spring assembly while maintaining the high latching forces required for reliable lever positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing component serves multiple functions: it provides the bearing surface for the raising lever, incorporates the spring mechanism for latching force generation, and includes the latching projection for engagement. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining effective latching performance.
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 latching structure effectively maintains the raising lever in the raised position, enhancing the wind deflector's efficiency and reliability by preventing unintended displacement.
Implementation Method 1
a latching structure, which is effective between the bearing component and the bearing end when the raising lever is in the raised position. The present disclosure is based on the basic idea of locking the end of the raising lever that is displaceably mounted on the bearing component by means of the latching structure when the raising lever is in the fully raised position. The latching structure by means of which an elastic latching force is generated
Data Source
AI summary
A wind deflector for a vehicle sunroof system includes a vehicle-fixed bearing component, a raising lever which is mounted at a bearing end so as to be displaceable on the bearing component in a guide, a raising spring which has a spring arm having one end rotatably mounted on the bearing component and the other end rotatably mounted on the raising lever at that end thereof which faces away from the bearing end, and a latching structure. The latching structure is between the bearing component and the bearing end when the raising lever is in a raised position.