Windshield Support Structure Segmented Plastic Supports
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional windshield support structures require a large amount of space due to stiffening profiles, limiting space availability in vehicle compartments, especially in vehicles with windshields drawn far forward, and are costly and material-intensive to produce.
Innovation Solution
A windshield support structure with separate supports on both the windshield support and front bulkhead, using triangularly configured plastic supports with adhesive and latching projections, reducing the need for extensive welding and material usage, and allowing for easier assembly with expanding adhesives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional stiffening profiles are used to connect windshield support to front bulkhead, then sufficient stiffness is achieved, but space requirement increases and material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous stiffening profile is segmented into discrete support elements (first support, second support, third support) positioned at specific locations. This segmentation allows the structure to achieve necessary stiffness through strategic placement of multiple smaller supports rather than a single large-profile continuous stiffening element, thereby reducing overall space requirements while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different support elements are positioned at different locations (edge zones and central area) with specific configurations tailored to local structural requirements. The first and second supports are positioned in edge zones to handle edge-loaded stresses, while the third support is positioned in the central area to handle central-loaded stresses, optimizing stiffness distribution locally rather than using a uniform profile throughout.
2Strength
If conventional stiffening profiles are used to connect windshield support to front bulkhead, then sufficient stiffness is achieved, but material usage increases and vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous profile is divided into discrete support elements, allowing material to be placed only where structurally necessary. This segmentation enables significant material reduction compared to a continuous stiffening profile that would require material throughout its entire length, thereby reducing both material usage and vehicle weight while maintaining required stiffness through optimized support positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The unnecessary portions of the continuous profile are extracted, leaving only the essential support elements at critical locations. By removing material from non-critical areas and retaining only the minimum necessary supports at strategically positioned locations, the design achieves the required stiffness with significantly reduced material consumption.
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional stiffening profiles are used to connect windshield support to front bulkhead, then structural stability is achieved, but number of welding points increases and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous welding requirement is segmented into discrete connection points at specific support locations. Instead of requiring continuous welding along the entire length of a stiffening profile, the segmented support design requires welding only at the specific locations where the first, second, and third supports connect to the windshield support and front bulkhead, significantly reducing the number of welding points and associated production costs.
4Area of stationary object
If windshield is drawn far forward to optimize interior space, then interior space is improved, but windshield support structure requires adequate stiffness with reduced space
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure uses locally optimized support elements positioned at specific locations (edge zones and central area) to achieve the necessary stiffness concentration. This local quality approach allows the windshield support to maintain adequate stiffness even when the windshield is drawn far forward, as the supports are strategically positioned to handle the specific stress distributions created by the forward-positioned windshield, thereby enabling interior space optimization without compromising structural integrity.
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 achieves improved stiffness with reduced space requirements, lower material usage, and lower production costs, enabling more efficient use of vehicle space and weight reduction while ensuring reliable connections and simplified assembly.
Implementation Method 1
the support(s) and/or the windshield support and/or the front bulkhead are provided with an adhesive, in particular an expanding adhesive, on the contact surfaces of the supports
Implementation Method 2
an expanding adhesive, in particular an activatable expanding adhesive
Data Source
AI summary
A windshield support structure for a vehicle, in particular an automobile, includes, but is not limited to a front bulkhead and a windshield support connected to the front bulkhead. The windshield support is supported on the front bulkhead by means of at least one support disposed on the windshield support and the front bulkhead. A method is also provided for producing a windshield support structure.