Windshield Bay Cross Member with Partitioned Hollow Bodies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current motor vehicle bay crosspieces are complex to manufacture, difficult to adapt to windshields that project forward, and result in noisy air circulation due to direct airflow from the main ends to the central region, while also being heavy and costly to produce.

Innovation Solution

A bay crosspiece design featuring an upper and lower crossmember assembled with an assembly partition to form two hollow bodies, with front openings located at a distance from the main ends to reduce noise and an additional crossmember to close the second hollow body, reducing the number of parts and weight, and improving stiffness and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a large number of separate parts are arranged to form a hollow body, then the air circulation duct is formed, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidnumber of separate parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple separate parts (five separate parts according to the background) into a single integrated hollow body formed by assembling upper and lower crossmember elements. This reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining the air circulation duct function, thereby simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hollow body is segmented into two separate hollow bodies by an assembly partition extending along the main axis in the central region. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of each hollow body while maintaining the overall structural integrity and air circulation functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If air circulates directly from main ends to central region, then the air circulation path is short, but noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair circulation noiseVSAvoidair circulation path length
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The single air circulation duct is segmented into two separate hollow bodies by the assembly partition. This forces the air to follow a longer, more complex circulation path from the main ends through the first hollow body, around the partition, through the second hollow body, and to the rear opening, thereby reducing noise through extended path length and flow deflection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If a transverse mechanical reinforcement extends over the entire length, then the transverse stiffness is sufficient, but the longitudinal flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransverse stiffnessVSAvoidlongitudinal flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical reinforcement is segmented into two separate hollow bodies by the assembly partition rather than being a continuous structure. This segmentation provides transverse stiffness through the assembled upper and lower crossmember elements while allowing longitudinal flexibility by creating discrete sections that can deform independently during pedestrian impact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly partition is located specifically in the central region of the bay crosspiece, providing localized transverse reinforcement where needed to support the windshield, while the upper and lower crossmember elements maintain longitudinal flexibility in the impact zone to comply with pedestrian protection regulations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Strength

If the bay crosspiece is made heavier, then the mechanical characteristics are improved, but the energy performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical characteristicsVSAvoidenergy performance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separate reinforcement parts are merged into an integrated structure formed by assembling upper and lower crossmember elements, reducing the total material required while maintaining mechanical characteristics. This lightens the bay crosspiece and improves energy performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bay crosspiece employs a composite structure with upper and lower crossmember elements assembled together to form hollow bodies, creating a lightweight yet mechanically strong design that improves energy performance while maintaining required strength characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3090924B1Windshield bay cross member for a motor vehicle and associated motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.01.23 RENAULT SA
  • EP3090924B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3090924B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3090924B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a window crossmember (1000) of a motor vehicle adapted to be positioned between a lower edge of a windshield of said motor vehicle and a bulkhead of said motor vehicle, having an elongated shape along a principal axis, and comprising an upper crossmember element (100) and a lower crossmember element (200) assembled to form a first hollow body (500). According to the invention, said upper and lower crossmember elements are also assembled along a partition (700) extending along the principal axis, in a central region of said window crossmember to form a second hollow body (600) separated at least partially from said first hollow body by said partition.