IP Library Granted Patent US 11,768,140
Granted Patent B2
US 11,768,140 · App. 17/585,478 · Granted Sep 26, 2023

Vehicle windshield testing assembly

Inventors: Bobby Fuentes (Novi, MI); Kody Karver (Milan, MI); Michael Valencia (West Bloomfield, MI); Dale Clifford Butterworth (Brighton, MI); David Lepley (Bloomfield Hills, MI); Ronald B. Morrow (Novi, MI); John Zakoff (Sterling Heights, MI)
Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
G01N3/303G01C9/00G01N2203/001G01N2203/003
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,768,140
App. No.
17/585,478
Granted
Sep 26, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vehicle windshield testing assembly includes a test table, a plurality of supports, a vehicle windshield, and a testing fixture. The test table is configured to be adjustable about a first axis and a second axis. The plurality of supports is movably connected to the test table. The vehicle windshield is supported by the plurality of supports. The testing fixture supported by the plurality of supports. The testing fixture includes a plurality of hollow sleeves configured to receive a testing object. Each of the hollow sleeves has an opening facing the vehicle windshield.

Claims (48)

1. A vehicle windshield testing assembly comprising:

a test table configured to be adjustable about a first axis and a second axis;

a plurality of supports movably connected to the test table;

a vehicle windshield supported by the plurality of supports; and

a testing fixture supported by the plurality of supports, the testing fixture including a plurality of hollow sleeves configured to receive a testing object, each of the hollow sleeves having an opening facing the vehicle windshield.

2. The vehicle windshield testing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein

the test table is configured to be adjustable such that a longitudinal axis of one of the plurality of hollow sleeves of the testing fixture is substantially perpendicular to the ground.

3. The vehicle windshield testing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein

a testing object delivery tube is configured to be received by each of the plurality of hollow sleeves, the testing object delivery tube being configured to deliver the testing object to the vehicle windshield through one of the plurality of hollow sleeves.

4. The vehicle windshield testing assembly according to claim 3 , wherein

a key is removably received by the testing object delivery tube, the key preventing movement of the testing object through the testing object delivery tube.

5. The vehicle windshield testing assembly according to claim 4 , wherein

the testing object delivery tube has a plurality of key openings configured to receive the key to control a height from which the testing object is released.

6. The vehicle windshield testing assembly according to claim 3 , wherein

a sensor is connected to the testing object delivery tube, the sensor being configured to detect a position of the testing object delivery tube relative to the ground.

7. The vehicle windshield testing assembly according to claim 6 , wherein

a controller connected to the testing table is configured to receive the detected position from the sensor.

8. The vehicle windshield testing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein

a base member is received by the plurality of supports, the base member being on an opposite side of the vehicle windshield from the testing fixture.

9. The vehicle windshield testing assembly according to claim 8 , wherein

a plurality of spacers is disposed between the base member and the vehicle windshield.

10. The vehicle windshield testing assembly according to claim 9 , wherein

each of the plurality of spacers is disposed proximate an outer periphery of the vehicle windshield.

11. The vehicle windshield testing assembly according to claim 8 , wherein

at least one of the plurality of supports has a first shoulder and a second shoulder disposed lower than a first upper surface, the first shoulder being configured to receive the base member and the second shoulder being configured to receive the testing fixture.

12. The vehicle windshield testing assembly according to claim 11 , wherein

at least one of the plurality of supports has a third shoulder disposed lower than a second upper surface, the third shoulder being configured to receive the base member and the second upper surface being configured to receive the testing fixture.

13. A vehicle windshield testing assembly comprising:

a test table configured to be adjustable about a first axis and a second axis;

a first support movably connected to the test table;

a second support movably connected to the test table, the second support being configured differently than the first support;

a vehicle windshield supported by the first support and the second support;

a testing fixture supported by the first support and the second support, the testing fixture including a plurality of hollow sleeves configured to receive a testing object, each of the hollow sleeves having an opening facing the vehicle windshield; and

a testing object delivery tube configured to be received by each of the plurality of hollow sleeves, the testing object delivery tube being configured to deliver the testing object to the vehicle windshield through one of the plurality of hollow sleeves.

14. The vehicle windshield testing assembly according to claim 13 , wherein

a key is removably received by the testing object delivery tube, the key preventing movement of the testing object through the testing object delivery tube.

15. The vehicle windshield testing assembly according to claim 14 , wherein

the testing object delivery tube has a plurality of key openings configured to receive the key to control a height from which the testing object is released.

16. The vehicle windshield testing assembly according to claim 13 , wherein

a base member is received by the first support and the second support, the base member being on an opposite side of the vehicle windshield from the testing fixture.

17. The vehicle windshield testing assembly according to claim 16 , wherein

a plurality of spacers is disposed between the base member and the vehicle windshield.

18. The vehicle windshield testing assembly according to claim 17 , wherein

each of the plurality of spacers is disposed proximate an outer periphery of the vehicle windshield.

19. The vehicle windshield testing assembly according to claim 16 , wherein

the first support has a first shoulder and a second shoulder disposed lower than a first upper surface, the first shoulder being configured to receive the base member and the second shoulder being configured to receive the testing fixture.

20. The vehicle windshield testing assembly according to claim 19 , wherein

the second support has a third shoulder disposed lower than a second upper surface, the third shoulder being configured to receive the base member and the second upper surface being configured to receive the testing fixture.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 14, 2024
From: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
To: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Reel/Frame 067982/0980 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 25, 2022
From: ZAKOFF, JOHN
To: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Reel/Frame 060897/0487 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 26, 2022
From: FUENTES, BOBBY; KARVER, KODY; VALENCIA, MICHAEL; BUTTERWORTH, DALE CLIFFORD; LEPLEY, DAVID; MORROW, RONALD B., JR.
To: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Reel/Frame 058783/0933 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230236099A1 · Jul 27, 2023