Vehicle Windshield Pillar Gap Component Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle designs require extensive adjustments to body components and transition areas for attaching hazard warning flashers and direction indicators, leading to visibility issues, especially when the lower indicators are not visible in rear-view mirrors or to pedestrians and cyclists.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle with a windshield dimensioned to cover front pillars, featuring an intermediate space between the windshield and pillars for housing electrically operated components, such as optoelectronic or sensor devices, which can emit or receive electromagnetic radiation, and are positioned to improve visibility and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If hazard warning flashers and direction indicators are attached to the outside or front of A-pillars, then the components can be installed without extensive adjustments, but visibility is reduced especially for pedestrians and cyclists
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the electrical components from the traditional horizontal mounting plane on the A-pillar to a vertical intermediate space between the A-pillar and windshield. This dimensional change allows the components to be positioned higher and more centrally, improving visibility for pedestrians and cyclists while maintaining installation feasibility through the available gap space.
2Shape
If the windshield is dimensioned to cover the front pillars completely, then the pillars are not visible from the front, but space is reduced for component placement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the electrical components within the intermediate space formed between the A-pillar and the windshield, utilizing the gap that exists in the vehicle's structural design. This allows the windshield to maintain its full coverage shape while the components are accommodated in the nested space without requiring additional external mounting areas.
3Illumination intensity
If electrical components are arranged in the intermediate space between A-pillar and windshield, then visibility is improved and components are protected, but the windshield structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical components from the traditional A-pillar mounting location and places them in the intermediate space between the A-pillar and windshield. This separation allows the windshield structure to remain relatively simple while the components are positioned in the extracted space, achieving improved visibility without significantly complicating the windshield itself.
4Ease of manufacture
If turn signal devices are positioned at the lower part of the vehicle, then installation is simple, but visibility in rear-view mirrors is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the turn signal devices from the lower horizontal plane to the vertical intermediate space between the A-pillar and windshield, achieving a higher mounting position that improves visibility in rear-view mirrors. The available vertical space in the intermediate area allows this elevation without requiring complex installation procedures.
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
Enhances visibility and functionality by allowing electromagnetic radiation perception from outside, improving visibility for other vehicles and pedestrians, and enabling better positioning of turn signal devices and sensor functions without affecting the windshield's integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The electrically operated component can at least temporarily emit electromagnetic radiation and/or receive electromagnetic radiation
Implementation Method 2
the black print has at least one interrupted or transparent or semitransparent section, the electrically operated component being arranged in the area of the interrupted or transparent or semitransparent section. In this way it can be ensured that in particular electromagnetic radiation in the optically visible wavelength range can be perceived from the outside
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A vehicle (10) is described, comprising a body with two front pillars (34) and a windshield (12) connected to the body, wherein the windshield (12) is dimensioned such that, with respect to a front view of the vehicle, it substantially completely covers the front pillars (34). It is provided that at least one electrically operated component (48) is arranged in a space (46) formed between an outer surface (42) of each front pillar and an inner surface (44) of the windshield (12).