Windshield Mounting Foam with Rigid Compression Components
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle safety mechanisms do not adequately dissipate the energy of an impact on the windshield, potentially leading to severe injuries during collisions.
Innovation Solution
A windshield mounting system that incorporates energy-absorbing foam and rigid components, which compress the foam when the windshield is deformed, dissipating impact energy through slots and studs, and optionally using a flexible bladder to encase the foam and attach it to the vehicle frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid windshield mounting system is used, then the windshield is securely held in place, but the impact energy is not adequately dissipated, leading to severe injuries during collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by positioning energy-absorbing foam between the windshield and the vehicle frame before any impact occurs. The foam is pre-installed in the mounting structure, ready to absorb impact energy when a collision happens, thus protecting occupants without compromising windshield security during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining rigid mounting components with energy-absorbing foam material. This composite structure allows the system to maintain windshield security through the rigid components while simultaneously dissipating impact energy through the foam, resolving the contradiction between security and impact protection
2Object-affected harmful factors
If foam is positioned between the windshield and frame, then impact energy is dissipated, but the windshield mounting structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the energy-absorbing function with the existing mounting structure by integrating foam into the space between the windshield and frame. This combines the structural support function with the energy absorption function in a unified system, adding impact protection without significantly increasing overall structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The foam acts as an intermediary element between the windshield and the vehicle frame. It mediates the interaction during impact by absorbing energy, while the rigid mounting components maintain the overall structural integrity. This intermediary approach allows energy dissipation without requiring a complete redesign of the mounting system
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 severity of impacts on the windshield by dissipating impact energy, thereby minimizing the risk of injury to occupants during collisions.
Implementation Method 1
one or more rigid components configured to compress the foam when the windshield is deformed
Implementation Method 2
a portion of the impact energy resulting from the contact may be dissipated as the foam is compressed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Systems for mounting a windshield to a vehicle are described. In one example, an apparatus configured to a mount a windshield to a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a foam configured to be positioned between the windshield and a frame of the vehicle along at least three sides of an interior perimeter of the windshield. The apparatus also includes one or more rigid components configured to compress the foam when the windshield is deformed. The one or more rigid components may be positioned at least partially within the foam. The apparatus further includes an attachment component configured to attach the foam to the frame of the vehicle.