Windshield Weakening Arrangement for Controlled Pedestrian Impact Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern windshields can cause severe injuries to vulnerable road users due to their strong structural integrity, despite existing safety measures like automated braking, and there is a need for improved integration of safety features that do not obscure the driver's view.
Innovation Solution
A windshield system with a weakening arrangement integrated adjacent to or inside existing components like rear-view devices or sensors, which can weaken the structural integrity of the windshield upon impact with a vulnerable road user, utilizing components such as a new devices, materials, processes, or combinations, reflecting the innovative approach adopted by the applicant. Ensure the windshield can address the windshield can start to windshield can start to absorb impact energy by deformation. The windshield can solve the windshield the windshield system includes a weakening arrangement configured to weaken the structural integrity of the windshield in a controlled manner, using actuators and weakening devices like pyrotechnic devices, electric motors, or mechanical springs, to reduce impact force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the windshield maintains strong structural integrity, then passenger safety is improved, but vulnerable road user safety deteriorates due to severe injury risk upon impact
Solution Approach 1:
The windshield is divided into two functional zones: a strong peripheral region for passenger safety and a weakened central region for vulnerable road user safety. The weakening arrangement creates a specific zone with reduced structural integrity that allows controlled collapse during pedestrian impacts, while the surrounding windshield maintains full strength for protecting occupants.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the windshield are given different structural properties. The weakening arrangement is positioned at specific locations (typically upper central areas) where pedestrian impacts most commonly occur, creating local zones of reduced strength that do not compromise the overall structural integrity needed for passenger protection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If additional safety components are added to the windshield, then vulnerable road user safety is improved, but driver visibility deteriorates due to obstruction of the view
Solution Approach 1:
The weakening arrangement is extracted from the visible windshield area and positioned in the peripheral regions or at the boundaries of the component arrangement. This allows the safety function to be implemented without placing additional components in the driver's direct line of sight, thus maintaining clear visibility while still providing the necessary structural modification for pedestrian safety.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the windshield is weakened to protect vulnerable road users, then their safety is improved, but passenger safety deteriorates due to reduced structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The windshield structure is segmented into a weakened central zone for pedestrian safety and strong peripheral zones for passenger protection. The weakening arrangement is carefully positioned and dimensioned to affect only the specific area where pedestrian impacts occur, while the surrounding structural elements maintain full strength to protect occupants during various collision scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The windshield exhibits spatially varying structural properties: localized weakening at specific positions (typically upper central regions) for vulnerable road user safety, while maintaining high strength in peripheral and lower regions for passenger protection. This local differentiation allows both safety requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.
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 effectively reduces the impact force on vulnerable road users by allowing the windshield to absorb energy through controlled deformation, enhancing safety without obstructing the driver's view or requiring additional hardware.
Implementation Method 1
a pyrotechnic device arranged to damage said windshield
Implementation Method 2
a pyrotechnic device arranged to damage said windshield
Implementation Method 3
the windshield can start to absorb impact energy by deformation
Implementation Method 4
the windshield can start to absorb impact energy by deformation
Data Source
Figure 1~5
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a windshield system (10) for a vehicle (100), the windshield system (10) comprising: - a windshield (1); - a component arrangement (20), the component arrangement (20) being attached to the windshield (1) and comprising one or more components (21, 22, 23), the one or more components (21, 22, 23) relating to at least one of: a rear-view device (24) or a sensor; and - a weakening arrangement (30) configured to weaken a structural integrity of the windshield (1) in case the vehicle (100) is about to collide with a vulnerable road user, the weakening arrangement (30) being arranged adjacent to and/or inside the component arrangement (20).