US 11,731,570 B2
Transparent composite for a vehicle header
Bradley A. Newcomb, Troy, MI (US); Joung Min Choi, Rochester Hills, MI (US); and Julien P. Mourou, Bloomfield Hills, MI (US)
Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Aug. 18, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/406,023.
Prior Publication US 2023/0055378 A1, Feb. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. B60R 13/02 (2006.01); B62D 25/06 (2006.01); B62D 29/04 (2006.01); B60J 1/02 (2006.01)
CPC B60R 13/0218 (2013.01) [B62D 25/06 (2013.01); B62D 29/043 (2013.01); B29K 2995/0026 (2013.01); B60J 1/02 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A header for a vehicle upper body structure comprising:
an elongated body extending between a first side and a second side, the elongated body comprising a polymer and a plurality of fibers, the elongated body comprising,
a front end configured to be coupled to a windshield,
a back end configured to be coupled to a roof,
a first region including a first outer portion including the first side and a second outer portion including the second side, the first region having a first volume percent of fibers that is greater than or equal to about 10 volume percent, a first transparency and a first tensile strength,
a second region at least partially disposed between the first outer portion and the second outer portion, the second region having a second volume percent of fibers, a second transparency and a second tensile strength,
wherein
the second volume percent of fibers is less than the first volume percent of fibers,
the second transparency is greater than the first transparency,
the second tensile strength is less than the first tensile strength, and
at least a portion of the elongated body has a transparency of greater than or equal to about 4%.