From: "Cor van de Water" <[email protected]>
Car buyers have massively indicated (to market researchers) that they
want to feel secure in their cars and they (incorrectly) associate
this with tinted and small windows, so they cannot be seen inside
their vehicles, that is why especially rear windows have become
increasingly smaller. Front windows are required to offer a minimal
amount of view, but with paint you can make the edges smaller and
conceal any transitions, rubber and other imperfections.
I have seen data on this. But it seems like a mistake to compromise
safety for the sake of style. We're already seeing this trend for
rear-view mirrors.
Taken to the extreme, this mentality leads to *no* windows, with cameras
and video screens replacing them. Imagine what happens when a screen or
camera fails!
Width of A-pillars has to do with safety rating for roll-over as well
as stiffness of the unibody. That is why in a collision or even a
severe pothole, a window can bust as it is glued in to add to the
stiffness.
Understood. But again, that's not the only way to do it. Stiffness can
be achieved with a large tube of thin material; or a small tube of
thicker material.
Gluing windshields in with a thin non-flexible seal is an invitation for
breakage. They can also be mounted with a thicker, more flexible seal to
reduce stress and breakage. This has been done for many decades.
Auto glass has also gotten so thin that it is more flexible, and easier
to break.
Peri Hartman wrote:
> Yes, with the aerodynamic slope of the windshield, the A-pillar has
> become longer and fatter. However, the other design elements blocking
> vision to the diagonals are just plain stupid. If I were to have a
> liable accident due to this blind spot, I would definitely sue the
> manufacturer.
>
> My approach to being proactive is to lean to the right so I can see
> around the left pillar, which I do a lot. The right pillar isn't so
> bad.
Agreed. Our Prius and Leaf both have poor side and rear visibility. It's
not just them; all makes and models suffer from it. The newer the car,
the worse it seems to get.
As an engineer, it seems like sacrificing function for styling.
Lee
--
There is a computer disease that anybody who works with computers knows
about. It's very serious, and interferes completely with your work. The
trouble with computers is that you 'play' with them! (Richard Feynman)
--
Lee Hart, 814 8th Ave N, Sartell MN 56377, www.sunrise-ev.com
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