Transparent Deflection Plate for Convertible Rear Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Convertible vehicles with openable roofs face challenges in maintaining rear visibility and passenger comfort due to turbulent air flowing into the vehicle compartment, which is difficult to manage when the side wall portion is not accommodated in the vehicle body, leading to wind annoyance and noise.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle rear structure featuring a deflection plate with transparent outer and middle air receiving portions, where the middle portion is shorter in length than the outer portions, is integrated between the seats and on the rear side, deflecting turbulent air while maintaining rear visibility and comfort by controlling air flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a deflector plate with holes is used to restrict turbulent air flow, then passenger comfort is improved, but rear visibility is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the porous materials principle by forming multiple hole portions in the deflector plate. These holes allow turbulent air to pass through while maintaining the plate's structural integrity, thereby restricting the flow of turbulent air toward the passenger without completely blocking the rear view through the deflector plate
2Loss of information
If a holeless transparent deflector plate is used to enhance rear visibility, then rear visibility is improved, but passenger comfort is degraded due to increased turbulent air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by introducing multiple hole portions in the deflector plate. This porous structure allows the plate to remain transparent for rear visibility while simultaneously restricting turbulent air flow toward the passenger, thus maintaining both visibility and comfort
3Device complexity
If the side wall portion is not accommodated in the vehicle body, then device complexity is reduced, but turbulent air deflects forward and impinges on the passenger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the deflector plate as an intermediary element positioned between the rear window and the passenger. This mediator redirects turbulent air away from the passenger before it can impinge on them, effectively solving the problem caused by the simplified vehicle structure without accommodating the side wall portion
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 solution effectively deflects turbulent air, enhancing rear visibility and passenger comfort by separating air flow, reducing wind impact and noise, even when the side wall portion is not accommodated in the vehicle body.
Implementation Method 1
a deflection plate configured to deflect turbulent air flowing into a vehicle compartment from the rear side of a seat
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle rear structure includes a rear roof having: a pair of side wall portions located on an outer side in a vehicle width direction with respect to a pair of seats, and extending rearward of the seats; and a rear window for closing a window opening formed between the paired side wall portions. An upward standing deflection plate is provided between the paired seats and on a rear side of the seats. The deflection plate integrally includes a pair of outer air receiving portions away from each other in the vehicle width direction, and a middle air receiving portion connecting the outer air receiving portions in the vehicle width direction, and is made of a material having transparency. A length of the middle air receiving portion in an up-down direction is set shorter than a length of the outer air receiving portion in the up-down direction.