Utility Vehicle Windshield Groove Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing utility vehicle windshield assemblies have a complex lower contoured portion that is noticeable and detracts from the vehicle's external appearance when mounted, as it is easily seen and disrupts the vehicle's aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A utility vehicle design featuring a groove in the upper surface of the frame upper cover section to house the lower end portion of the windshield assembly, reducing its visibility and incorporating a stress mitigation structure to accommodate the seal, allowing for easy mounting and discharge of water, thus minimizing the need for additional fastening mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex lower contoured portion is disposed at a location forward of the riding space to ensure proper windshield assembly mounting, then the windshield assembly can be securely mounted, but the external appearance of the utility vehicle is degraded because the complex structure is easily seen and noticed
Solution Approach 1:
The lower contoured portion is extracted from the visible area and relocated to a groove in the frame upper cover section, which is positioned in a less noticeable location. This extraction separates the functional mounting structure from the aesthetic exterior, allowing secure mounting while preserving external appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower contoured portion is nested within the groove structure of the frame upper cover section. The groove provides a recessed space that accommodates the contoured portion, effectively hiding it within the overall vehicle structure and making it less visible from the exterior.
2Shape
If a groove is provided in the frame upper cover section to house the lower end portion of the windshield assembly, then the lower end portion becomes less noticeable, but additional structural features are added to the vehicle body frame
Solution Approach 1:
The groove in the frame upper cover section serves multiple functions: it houses the lower end portion of the windshield assembly to improve appearance, provides a mounting location for the seal, and integrates with the existing frame structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove structure merges the aesthetic requirement (hiding the lower windshield portion) with the functional requirement (mounting the seal and securing the windshield assembly). By combining these functions into a single structural feature, the overall device complexity is minimized.
3Shape
If the lower contoured portion is relocated to a groove in the frame upper cover section, then the lower end portion of the windshield assembly is made less noticeable, but the seal must accommodate the groove structure
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is designed with local quality variations to accommodate the groove structure. Specifically, the seal has a stress mitigation structure at the location corresponding to the groove, which provides localized flexibility and stress relief without requiring the entire seal to be more complex.
Data Source
AI summary
A utility vehicle comprises a vehicle body frame including: right and left side frame sections, a cabin frame section surrounding a riding space where seats are provided, a cross frame section extending in a rightward and leftward direction at a location that is forward of the seats and connecting the side frame sections to each other, and a front frame section supporting a hood at a location that is forward of the cross frame section; a frame upper cover section disposed rearward of the hood and covering the cross frame section from above; and a windshield assembly which is detachably mountable on the vehicle body frame, at a location that is forward of the seats. A groove extending in the rightward and leftward direction is provided in an upper surface of the frame upper cover section, and a lower end portion of the windshield assembly is disposed at the groove.