After over 100 years of automotive industry development, car configurations are becoming more advanced, and the addition of windshields not only meets the lighting needs inside the car but also enhances safety. In the past, cars only had 6 windshield panels, but now car manufacturers have also added triangular glass panels.
It can be understood that the fixed window frame is a part of the glass that cannot be adjusted to close/open or up/down, but is fixed in one position. Depending on the style and design, each car can have one or both types of fixed windows mentioned above. This important detail has surprising effects that few people know about.
The triangular glass is installed on the car to prevent excessive tilting of the windshield and blind spots caused by the A pillar, while also enhancing visibility for the driver.
Enhancing visibility for the driver
The triangular glass is located next to the A pillar. Car manufacturers install a glass panel in this position mainly to avoid blind spots caused by the excessive tilting of the windshield.
Fixed triangular glass frame on the side of a car. (Illustrative photo)
Although the size of the triangular window is small, the driver can observe the situation outside the car through the glass and avoid collisions with obstacles in the blind spot of the side view. In addition, the fixed window frame also makes the rear passengers feel more comfortable and enhances the overall aesthetic design of the car.
If the triangular glass is removed, the size of the A pillar will be enlarged. The blurred A pillar will obstruct the driver’s vision, making it difficult for the driver to observe the blind spots on the left and right sides of the car through the front windshield.
Plays an important role in ventilation
The triangular glass, also known as the quarter glass, has been used since 1950. At that time, the triangular glass functioned as a small window that allowed outside air to enter the cabin to cool it down. The term “quarter” comes from the fact that this window is approximately one-quarter the size of the main window and usually has a triangular shape.
This type of glass was extremely popular until air conditioning was introduced. At the same time, the need for maximum fuel efficiency by simplifying the exterior design of cars reduced the use of triangular glass for ventilation purposes.
Shock absorption function
Do not underestimate the triangular window next to the A pillar. This small glass panel is designed in a triangular shape and is very sturdy. The entire body of the car will vibrate during driving, and this glass panel can absorb and reduce some of the vibration and shock.
Support function
The glass is designed in a triangular structure to enhance stability and support. In order not to obstruct the view, car manufacturers have shortened the width of the A pillar and added triangular glass panels next to the A pillar primarily for support and stability. With the triangular window, the rigidity of the A pillar is stronger, and the overall structure of the car is more reasonable.
The triangular window on a car looks like a regular piece of glass, but it is actually very useful. The addition of the triangular glass increases the interior lighting area and provides support. This is the most expensive type of glass, with higher technical specifications than the windshield.
The reason for the need for fixed window frames is that the size of the sliding window is limited, as it has to fit inside the rear door and cannot expand to its full size. Not to mention that the shape of the rear door is not square like the front door but is often curved to fit the fuel tank and rear wheel well.
Currently, sedan and hatchback models all use fixed window designs because they do not have a D pillar. Moreover, some small car models even eliminate the entire window frame. On the other hand, high ground clearance models (SUVs or CUVs) by default have fixed windows on the body of the car.
In addition, some coupe models with completely closed roofs often have small rear windows, so most manufacturers make all the windows fixed.
Source: vtc.vn