Journal for Geometry and Graphics 20 (2016), No. 1, 101--114
Copyright Heldermann Verlag 2016
Geometry and Kinematics of a Convertible's Rear Side Window
Anton Gfrerrer
Institute of Geometry, University of Technology, Kopernikusgasse 24, 8010 Graz, Austria
gfrerrer@tugraz.at
Johann Lang
Institute of Geometry, University of Technology, Kopernikusgasse 24, 8010 Graz, Austria
The design of rear side windows of convertibles (cabriolets) and their motion while being retracted contains interesting geometric and kinematic issues. On the one hand, the space between the door and the rear wheel arch is limited. On the other hand, the window pane has to move through the sealing slit with as little friction as possible. These turn out to be two severe constraints for the window surface and its motion. In order to allow for the crammed conditions we first compute a spatial motion that assumes prescribed positions and obeys certain side conditions. Having obtained this spatial motion we can replace the given window surface by a kinematic surface which perfectly moves through the sealing slit. Eventually, we construct a set of possible window surfaces. This way the engineer gets a variety of options to choose from.
Keywords: Motion interpolation, motion design, kinematic surface, car window design.
MSC: 62P30; 68N30, 53A17, 68U07
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