Vehicle Wind Deflector Telescopic Lever Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind deflectors for vehicles require high spring forces to move the wind deflector arm into its rest position, leading to increased operational difficulty and limited positioning height, which can result in incorrect identification of objects being stuck and unwanted noise during vehicle operation.
Innovation Solution
An elastic element fixed to the roof frame applies a continuous force to the wind deflector arm in the longitudinal direction, reducing the required reset force and allowing for greater positioning height, with a slotted link mechanism enabling both longitudinal movement and rotation, and an additional elastic element to prevent oscillation and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a spring element is used to move the wind deflector arm into its rest position, then the wind deflector can be automatically reset, but high spring forces are required leading to increased operational difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a dynamic principle by making the lever arm length variable through a telescopic mechanism. The active lever arm can extend to provide greater mechanical advantage when resetting the wind deflector, reducing the spring force required. Once reset, the lever arm retracts to its normal position, maintaining compact dimensions while having already reduced the reset force requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to the lever arm length, allowing it to change from a static to a dynamic parameter. During the resetting operation, the lever arm extends in the longitudinal direction to provide additional mechanical advantage, effectively adding a dimension of motion to the force transmission mechanism.
2Length of moving object
If high spring forces are used to reset the wind deflector arm, then the arm can be moved into rest position, but the positioning height is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic lever arm provides dynamic mechanical advantage that allows the wind deflector arm to achieve greater positioning heights. By extending the lever arm during the resetting motion, the system can lift the wind deflector arm to higher positions without requiring proportionally higher spring forces, as the extended lever arm provides greater torque for the same applied force.
3Reliability
If high reset forces are applied to the wind deflector arm, then the arm can be moved into rest position, but objects may be incorrectly identified as stuck
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic lever arm mechanism dynamically adjusts the mechanical advantage during operation. When resetting the wind deflector, the extended lever arm reduces the force required at the operating point, making the system more sensitive and reliable for detecting actual obstructions. Normal operational forces are reduced, allowing the system to distinguish between normal resistance and genuine stuck conditions.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the wind deflector arm is positioned at greater heights, then wind turbulence is better reduced, but more spring force is required
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic lever arm provides dynamic mechanical advantage that enables the wind deflector arm to achieve greater positioning heights for better turbulence reduction without requiring proportionally higher spring forces. The extended lever arm during positioning provides increased torque multiplication, allowing the same spring force to achieve higher positioning heights than would be possible with a fixed-length lever arm.
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 reduces the reset force needed to move the wind deflector arm, simplifies the operation, and prevents noise by allowing a more stable and adjustable positioning of the wind deflector arm, enhancing driving comfort and reducing the risk of misidentification of objects.
Implementation Method 1
An elastic element fixed to the roof frame applies a continuous force to the wind deflector arm in the longitudinal direction
Implementation Method 2
a slotted link mechanism enabling both longitudinal movement and rotation
Implementation Method 3
an additional elastic element to prevent oscillation and noise
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a wind deflector for a roof opening, which can be closed and opened, in a roof panel of a vehicle. According to the invention it is contemplated that an elastic element, which is fixed with respect to the frame of the roof opening, engages on the wind deflector arm and applies a force thereon in of the longitudinal direction, and an arm, which at one end is connected to the wind deflector arm rotatably about the transverse direction, is mounted at the other end rotatably with respect to the frame of the roof opening in of the transverse direction. The invention further relates to a method for actuating a wind deflector.