The Solarbay sunroof, based on PDLC (polymer-dispersed liquid crystal) technology, allows occupants to darken the glass in segments, emulating a blind. It's controlled via switchgear or voice commands through Google Assistant. This design enables front and rear passengers to independently choose their exposure to sunlight.
This sunroof stands out with its weight-reducing feature, an important factor in today's eco-conscious automotive industry. Traditional powered sunroofs, with their materials and mechanisms, can add 6kg-8kg at the car's highest point, impacting CO2 emissions and handling. Additionally, they often consume about 30mm of headroom. Renault's fixed glass sunroof counters these drawbacks.
The seven-layer structure includes clear glass with an infrared reflective coating, a grey film of PVB (polyvinyl butyral) for safety, a decorative PVB layer, the PDLC electrical connector, the Amplisky PDLC layer, another clear PVB layer, and a grey glass pane with a low-e coating. Low-e coatings minimize heat absorption from the sun and prevent heat loss from the cabin.
Half of the glass is sourced from recycled waste plate glass and automotive production. Furthermore, 90% of the roof, including the PVB and PDLC components, is recyclable.
The sunroof operates independently from the car's main systems, featuring its own ECU. This ensures that in case of damage or failure, it can be replaced without affecting the rest of the vehicle.
Set to be available next spring, the Solarbay sunroof positions Renault as a pioneer in the mainstream automotive market, offering a luxurious feature typically found in high-end brands. This development marks a significant step towards more sustainable and user-friendly automotive designs.
Source: Autocar
