How are modern windshields designed to absorb impact?

Modern windshields are designed to absorb impact primarily through laminated glass construction. This technique involves sandwiching a layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) between two layers of glass. This not only provides enhanced safety by preventing shattering upon impact, allowing the glass to remain adhered to the interlayer, but it also improves sound insulation and reduces the likelihood of injuries from sharp glass shards in the event of a collision. The laminated structure effectively distributes the force of an impact, thereby enhancing the durability and resilience of the windshield.

While thicker glass may offer some degree of protection and tempered glass can withstand certain types of stress, they do not provide the same level of impact absorption and safety features that laminated glass does. The use of springs in the frame is not a standard method for impact absorption in windshields, as their primary function is structural support rather than energy dispersion. Thus, the laminated glass construction stands out as the most effective design for impact absorption in modern windshields.