ENERGY ABSORBING MOUNTING SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLE WINDOWS

摘要

The invention describes plastic automobile windows that are safe during side impact collisions, including a method for installing the windows into the motor vehicle. The mounting system and window material will contain an occupant in a vehicle at low to moderate head impact velocities. The occupant is not subjected to head injuries. The occupant is not subject to lacerations. The window design uses a high modulus transparent thermoplastic, having an abrasion resistant coating. The window is attached to the window opening in amotor vehicle by using one of several mounting techniques as described herein. For fixed windows, the mounting systems will bond the window to the vehicle under normal operating conditions and provide a weather seal. For a movable window, the window frame will be equipped with a sliding track and provide a weather seal. A groove or notch in the window material inward from the edge in combination with the mounting systems enhance a safe release of the plastic window. By choosing the thickness of the window and specific mounting technique, the plastic window can be made to be pushed out, so that the window remains intact and no injury is made to the impacting occupant's head. The mounting system is designed so that the window will be pushed out and be released from the vehicle in a safe manner. The breakaway zone in the window will break along a notch cut or molded into the window. The window will break and any fragments will be safely released from the window frame by a notch breaking.