Windshield Molding with U-Shaped Cowl Louver Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing windshield with molding and connecting structure for cowl louver suffer from abnormal noise and glass breakage due to foreign matter, poor workability in connection, inability to set wiper stop position closer to the lower edge, and production accuracy issues for molding and cowl louver.

Innovation Solution

A windshield with a molding featuring a laminated glass configuration and a connecting structure where the cowl louver's rear end portion is engageable with a third molding portion formed in a U-shape, allowing for a flush upper surface with the outer glass plate, and including spacers for improved fit and noise reduction, enabling easier connection and accurate alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the cowl louver directly clamps the lower edge portion of the windshield, then the connection structure is simple, but foreign matter can enter between the clamping portion and the windshield causing abnormal noise and glass breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection structureVSAvoidabnormal noise and glass breakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A molding is introduced as an intermediary component between the cowl louver and the windshield. The molding includes a clamping portion with clamping members that contact the windshield, preventing foreign matter from entering the clamping interface. This mediator structure eliminates the harmful effect of foreign matter intrusion while maintaining a relatively simple overall connection structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection structure is divided into separate functional components: the cowl louver, the molding, and the windshield. The molding is further segmented into a clamping portion with multiple clamping members. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the molding's clamping portion specifically prevents foreign matter entry while the cowl louver provides the main connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the cowl louver is connected to the windshield via a molding with complex clamping structure, then foreign matter intrusion is prevented, but the workability in connection becomes poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforeign matter intrusionVSAvoidworkability in connection

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping members are designed to be elastically deformable. During installation, the clamping members can be pressed inward to reduce their clamping force, making it easier to install the molding. Once installed, the elastic material allows the clamping members to maintain sufficient clamping force to prevent foreign matter intrusion. This dynamic adjustment of clamping force improves workability while maintaining protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the clamping members are made of elastic material to prevent foreign matter entry, then protection is improved, but the production accuracy for molding becomes difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforeign matter preventionVSAvoidproduction accuracy for molding

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The hardness parameter of the molding material is carefully selected and controlled. The molding is made from elastic material with specific hardness properties that allow it to be manufactured with sufficient precision. The clamping members' elastic properties are optimized to provide effective clamping while maintaining manufacturability and dimensional accuracy during production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively reduces abnormal noise and glass breakage, improves workability in connecting the cowl louver, allows for a closer wiper stop position, and enhances production accuracy, addressing multiple issues in existing designs.

Implementation Method 1

The free end of the resilient leg and the bearing rib subtend an engagement aperture for engagement with the rib of the cowl louver

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The first segment has a surface for affixation to a windshield, and the fixing surface is bonded to an inner side surface of the windshield via a double sided tape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS11247539B2Windshield with molding and connective structure for cowl louver and windshield with molding

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 AGC INC

AI summary

A molding includes a first molding portion having an upper surface bonded to an inner side surface of a windshield, a second molding portion, and a third molding portion extending from the second molding portion so as to extend along an imaginary extension of an outer side surface of the windshield. The third molding portion is formed in a rectangular shape in longitudinal section and has an upper surface disposed at a lower position than the imaginary extension of the outer side surface of the windshield.