Vented Windshield Slide Plate Ventilation
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Solution Overview
Problem
All terrain and utility vehicles lack effective ventilation systems, leading to discomfort and reduced enjoyment of outdoor experiences due to the absence of air conditioning or forced cool air ventilation, while also allowing dust and debris to enter the cabin.
Innovation Solution
A vented windshield with slits in the bottom center and a slide plate that can be opened to allow air flow, providing ventilation and temperature adjustment, while minimizing dust entry in enclosed cabs and preventing water ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a closed cab configuration is used to protect occupants from debris and elements, then protection from branches, bugs, stones and water is improved, but air exchange and ventilation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The windshield is segmented with multiple slits (at least three, preferably five or more) distributed across its surface, allowing ventilation while maintaining overall protective coverage. This segmentation enables selective openings that provide air exchange without compromising the cab's protection from debris and elements.
2Reliability
If ventilation openings are added to the windshield, then air exchange and temperature adjustment are improved, but water ingress into the cab increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slide plate assembly provides dynamic control of the ventilation slits, allowing the operator to adjust the opening degree or close the slits completely when water ingress is a concern. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to adapt to different weather conditions, providing ventilation when dry and sealing when wet.
3Reliability
If multiple slits are defined through the windshield body, then ventilation area and air flow are improved, but structural strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The slits are strategically positioned and sized to provide adequate ventilation while minimizing impact on structural strength. The slide plate assembly with its fasteners and reinforcement structure provides localized strengthening around the slit areas, allowing multiple openings without compromising overall windshield integrity.
4Ease of operation
If a slide plate assembly is used to control the slits, then ease of operation for opening/closing is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slide plate assembly merges multiple functions into a single component: it covers the slits, provides structural reinforcement, offers a sliding mechanism for control, and integrates with the windshield body through fasteners. This consolidation improves ease of operation while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
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
Enhances driver and passenger comfort by improving air exchange and temperature control, reducing dust entry, and maintaining cabin cleanliness and dryness during outdoor use.
Implementation Method 1
a throw of a length corresponding to the width of the slits, such that only a small amount of movement of the slide plate is needed to open or close the vent. The slide plate may be attached to the windshield by a plurality of fasteners extending through the windshield to define slide pegs, with the slide plate having slots receiving the fasteners for sliding movement thereon.
Implementation Method 2
The vented windshield may also include a seal strip between the windshield body and the slide plate, so as to assist in preventing water from entering the cab through the ventilation area while the slide plate is in the closed position.
Data Source
AI summary
A windshield for a utility or off-road all terrain vehicle includes a plurality of slits through a bottom center of the windshield body. A slide plate with corresponding slits is slidably attached to the windshield body. The slide plate is formed of the same transparent or translucent material as the windshield body, but is not as thick and the windshield body and is not hardened. Fasteners are fixed to the windshield body and extend through slide slots in the slide plate, enabling a throw of the slide plate of at least the width of the slits. A spacer or seal strip is positioned between the windshield body and the slide plate.