- Future automobiles from GM might need a windshield that’s a part of the roof
- The Tesla Mannequin X and the Lucid Air function this design
- The windshield may be created from a composite materials reasonably than glass
Future Normal Motors merchandise might bathe their occupants in sunshine courtesy of panoramic windshields that stretch all the way in which into the roof, a patent submitting signifies.
Titled “Structural Panoramic Windshield and Roof,” the patent software was printed by the United States Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) June 18, 2024, after being filed by GM Could 26, 2022. It describes a clear roof part that meets up with the windshield to create the looks of a steady piece of glass, just like the Lucid Air or Tesla Mannequin X.
Normal Motors panoramic windshield patent picture
Nonetheless, GM selected to maintain a traditional entrance cross member for the windshield and panoramic roof part to connect to, in each circumstances with polyurethane adhesive like standard windshields. The cross member avoids the issue Tesla confronted in mounting solar visors within the Mannequin X, which required a fancy armature association to swing the visors out from the edges of the roof as a result of there was nowhere else to place them.
The panoramic roof part would additionally function electrochromic tinting, which might enable it to go from opaque to clear by operating electrical present via conductive materials embedded within the roof panel. Comparable options are already accessible on automobiles just like the Lotus Eletre electrical SUV, Maserati MC20 Cielo convertible, and up to date McLaren Spider fashions.
Normal Motors panoramic windshield patent picture
GM additionally notes within the patent doc that the roof panel might be created from composite materials, probably to save lots of weight or assist decrease a car’s heart of gravity.
The 2024 Cadillac Celestiq incorporates a completely different high-tech roof design, with 4 glass panels that enable the driving force and passenger to individually set the extent of transparency. Whereas it does leverage GM’s Ultium EV {hardware}, the Celestiq is a low-volume luxurious flagship with a price ticket north of $300,000. The windshield and roof design proven on this patent software may be usable in additional mainstream fashions.
