Windshield
The windshield (also front window ) is a pane of glass that enables the driver of a vehicle to see ahead and protects him from wind , weather and particles in the air flow. It is usually made of laminated glass . The change from toughened safety glass (ESG) to laminated safety glass increased the safety of the occupants. The requirements for windshields or front windows are higher than the requirements for all other windows. One of the reasons for this is that the windshields have to support the deployed airbags and thus have a significant impact on the protection of passengers in the event of an accident. The requirements to the disk adhesives are particularly high for windshields, often why polyurethane adhesives are used.
Assembly
The windshield is fastened floatingly in the windshield frame with rubber profiles or, in modern vehicles, is glued or glued on, or rarely screwed in. It then makes a significant contribution to the torsional rigidity of a vehicle and is therefore a load-bearing part of the body .
design
The curvature, size and tint of the windshield are also an important design element. They are restricted by legal requirements and the manufacturing process.
cleaning
A distinction must be made between cleaning the outside and cleaning the inside of the windshield. On the outside, cleaning is often done while driving. In the rain , the windshield wipers are usually sufficient to keep the windshield (largely) free of water and to ensure the driver's view. In drizzle, when driving on damp roads and in winter road conditions, the windscreen washer, which is standard today, is used to clean the windscreen . This can also be used in dry weather to clean the window of dirt, dust, dead insects and bird droppings. Other options for cleaning the windshield from the outside are when you stop for fuel using washing water, a sponge and rubber wiper and as part of the general external cleaning of the vehicle, e.g. B. in a car wash . Ice is usually removed using an ice scraper prior to driving .
Cleaning the inside of the windshield is usually less necessary than the outside. On the inside of a windshield, a "fog veil" which is initially barely visible forms over time, but this can intensify over the course of a few weeks to such an extent that when the sun is backlit and the sun is low, it leads to considerable visual impairment. A simple countermeasure is to wipe the inside of the windshield occasionally, preferably as a precaution (if possible not while driving) with a clean, dry cloth. A glass cleaner can also be used for heavier soiling.
Anti-fogging
To avoid fogging due to moisture , the windshield can be exposed to warm air. The windows can be kept fog-free even better with the air conditioning switched on . In some car models, the window can be heated electrically. This is done either through an electrically conductive coating of the glass or through very fine wires inserted into the composite film. In older vehicles, which often had a ventilation, heating or air conditioning system that was not yet as efficient, cloths or sponges with anti-fog were also used.
antenna
On some models, an antenna for the car radio is integrated into the windshield.
repair
With laminated glass, in contrast to toughened safety glass, smaller stone chips can often be repaired in a specialist workshop.
literature
- Kurt-Jürgen Berger, Michael Braunheim, Eckhard Brennecke: Technology automotive engineering. 1st edition, Verlag Gehlen, Bad Homburg vor der Höhe, 2000, ISBN 3-441-92250-6
- Dieter K. Franke: VAG manual, Do it yourself, used car purchase-accessory installation-care. 1st edition, ADAC Verlag GmbH, Munich, 1984, ISBN 3-87003-227-8
- ECE R43
See also
- Car glass
- rear window
- Panorama window
- Windshield euro code
- Tonneau windshield
- Automotive Replacement Glass Identification Center
