Breaking Cybertruck Patent: Tesla Cybertruck Patent Shows a Slightly Bent Windshield and a Glass Dash
Friday, December 17, 2021 | Chimniii Desk
Key Highlights
- Tesla claims that it is capable of producing windshields with extremely aggressive feature lines that are impossible to recreate using conventional methods.
- Elon Musk has previously hinted at several changes to the 2019 prototype, including as redesigned door handles and rear-wheel steering capability.
- Now, a recent patent application from Tesla suggests two further design modifications that the production Cybertruck may include.
- "This one-of-a-kind glass patent application is not restricted to the vehicle's appearance.
- Additionally, the document notes that a film layer put to the folded glass would strengthen it and prevent it from shattering during collisions.
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Tesla claims that it is capable of producing windshields with extremely aggressive feature lines that are impossible to recreate using conventional methods.
A few days ago, it was revealed that Tesla had only recently finalised the Cybertruck's design and size, and now we have a better sense of some of the most recent revisions according to new patent filings.
Elon Musk has previously hinted at several changes to the 2019 prototype, including as redesigned door handles and rear-wheel steering capability. Now, a recent patent application from Tesla suggests two further design modifications that the production Cybertruck may include.
The patent, titled "Automotive Glass Structure with Feature Lines and Related Method of Manufacturing," details a method for creating exceptionally durable glass structures with aggressive curves and folds.
Tesla stated that it was able to build windshields with extremely aggressive feature lines that would be impossible to replicate using normal glass-forming techniques.
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The implementation of this system is demonstrated using the Cybertruck in the illustrations accompanying the patent filing. Whereas the initial prototype's windshield was completely flat, one of the photographs depicts the extreme left and right sides of the glass with sharp feature lines, adding to the Cybertruck's futuristic appearance.
"As an example, the first glass structure 602A may represent a windshield positioned on the vehicle and formed according to the techniques described herein. In some embodiments, the first glass structure 602A may be multi-layer. Optionally, the first glass structure 602A may be single layer and formed as described herein with respect to Figure 2. Thus, the first glass structure 602 A may have feature lines (e.g., facets) 606A-606B. As an example, these feature lines 600A-600B may have radii of curvatures of between 2 mm and 5 cm. In some embodiments, the feature lines 600A-600B may represent an angle of between 45-60 degrees, or 50-75 degrees, and so on."
This one-of-a-kind glass patent application is not restricted to the vehicle's appearance. Another example demonstrates how the glass-forming technology could be utilised to fabricate the dashboard, which was constructed using recycled paper composite materials in the prototype. Interestingly, as counter-intuitive as it may appear, this patent application says the dash might be constructed of glass.
Additionally, the document notes that a film layer put to the folded glass would strengthen it and prevent it from shattering during collisions.
"Figure 7 illustrates an example of an interior 700 of a vehicle, such as the vehicle 600 described above. The interior 700 includes a glass dash 702 with a feature line 704. As described above, the feature line 704 may have a radius of curvature of between 2mm and 5cm. In some embodiments, the feature line 704 may represent an angle of between 45-60 degrees, or 50-75 degrees, and so on.
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The glass dash 702 may be formed according to the techniques described above. For example, the glass dash 702 may be formed as described in Figure 2. Thus, a single layer of glass may be used and locally heated to form the feature line 704. In some embodiments, a film or layer may be positioned below the glass dash 702. For example, the film or layer may be used to present a visual design and/or may be used to ensure the glass does not shatter (e.g., a safety or security film)."
It is unknown whether this patent will be incorporated in the production Cybertruck due next year (hopefully), or if it will be implemented later.
Patentscope allows you to view the complete patent file in its entirety.
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