Water-Soluble Glass Support for Windshield Alignment
Solution Overview
Problem
Permanent glass supports used in vehicle windshields can create unsightly gaps due to manufacturing tolerances and transmit vibrations, leading to stress cracks over time.
Innovation Solution
A self-locating water-soluble glass support system with a magnetically secured base member made from a water-soluble material, which is embedded with magnets to attach to the vehicle frame and dissolves after adhesive curing, ensuring proper alignment and stress reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If permanent glass supports are used to support the windshield during adhesive curing, then the windshield is securely held in place, but the supports transmit vibrations from vehicle operation, leading to stress cracks over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a water-soluble support member that is intentionally designed to be temporary and disposable. The support member provides secure holding during the critical adhesive curing period, then dissolves completely when water is applied, eliminating the source of vibration transmission. This disposable approach resolves the contradiction by providing reliability when needed and eliminating harm afterward.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the support member by using a water-soluble material instead of permanent materials. The support member transitions from a solid, vibration-transmitting state during installation to a dissolved, harm-free state after curing. This parameter change (from permanent to temporary) allows the support to fulfill its function without creating long-term harmful effects.
2Reliability
If permanent glass supports are fixed to the vehicle cowling, then the windshield is supported during installation, but manufacturing tolerances create gaps between the pane and frame that appear unsightly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a magnetic coupling mechanism that provides dynamic, self-adjusting support. The magnets in the support member attract to the vehicle frame, creating a flexible holding force that can accommodate manufacturing tolerances and minor misalignments without creating visible gaps. This dynamic magnetic connection is more tolerant of dimensional variations than rigid fixed mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical fixed mounting with a magnetic field-based coupling system. The magnetic attraction provides sufficient holding force during installation while allowing for positional adjustments that accommodate manufacturing tolerances. This substitution of mechanical fastening with magnetic coupling improves alignment accuracy and eliminates gap formation.
3Ease of repair
If water-soluble material is used for the base member, then the support can be easily removed without permanent remnants, but the material must maintain structural integrity during the curing process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a water-soluble polymer material whose physical properties change based on moisture content. During the installation and curing process, the material maintains a dry, structurally sound state capable of supporting the windshield. After curing is complete, water is applied to trigger a parameter change that causes the material to dissolve. This controlled parameter change enables both structural integrity during use and ease of removal afterward.
Solution Approach 2:
The water-soluble support member undergoes a phase transition from a solid, structurally-intact state to a dissolved state when exposed to water. This phase transition is timed to occur only after the adhesive has cured, allowing the support to provide strength during installation and then easily dissolve for removal. The phase change resolves the contradiction between maintaining strength and enabling easy removal.
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 system ensures precise alignment and secure attachment of windshields without permanent supports, eliminating gaps and stress cracks, while the water-soluble nature allows for easy removal without visible remnants.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet is embedded within the base member for magnetically securing the base member to the frame
Data Source
AI summary
An installation system, and method, for installing a transparent pane into a frame. The system includes a base member defining an elongate recess for receipt of the transparent pane, and a magnet is embedded within the base member for magnetically securing the base member to the frame, wherein the base member is formed from a water-soluble material.