Arcuate Rail Slider for Cable Window Regulator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail sliders for cable window regulators face challenges in balancing mechanical strength with flexibility, leading to issues with transmitting high pull-off forces without compromising assembly ease and increasing material usage.
Innovation Solution
A rail slider design with a base body and retaining bracket featuring a cross-connection element with an arcuate shape and specific geometric proportions, including a ratio of clear width between lateral webs and lever length, and a high density of transverse ribs, which enhances mechanical strength while maintaining flexibility for assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lateral webs are made more flexible to facilitate assembly, then the ease of operation improves, but the mechanical load-bearing capacity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining bracket is segmented into lateral webs, a cross-connection element, and a base. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently: the lateral webs provide flexibility for assembly, while the cross-connection element and base provide rigidity for load-bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the retaining bracket have different mechanical properties. The lateral webs are designed to be flexible for assembly, while the cross-connection element and base are designed to be rigid for load transmission. The arcuate shape of the cross-connection element specifically enhances its rigidity in the load direction.
2Strength
If the lateral webs are made more rigid to transmit high pull-off forces, then the strength improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining bracket exhibits dynamic behavior: during assembly, the lateral webs flex to accommodate installation, but during operation, the arcuate cross-connection element and base provide rigidity for load transmission. The structure adapts its mechanical properties based on the operational phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-connection element has an arcuate (curved) shape that provides inherent rigidity and resistance to bending forces. This curvature allows the structure to transmit high pull-off forces while maintaining sufficient flexibility during assembly through the lateral webs.
3Strength
If more material is used to increase mechanical strength, then the strength improves, but the loss of substance worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining bracket uses a composite structure combining lateral webs, cross-connection element, and base, where each part is optimized for its specific function. This allows efficient material distribution: flexible material properties in the lateral webs for assembly, and rigid material properties in the cross-connection element and base for load-bearing, minimizing overall material usage while maintaining strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The arcuate shape of the cross-connection element changes the geometric parameters to enhance rigidity and load-bearing capacity without increasing material quantity. The curved geometry provides structural efficiency, allowing the same amount of material to bear higher loads compared to a straight configuration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design significantly improves the mechanical load-bearing capacity without restricting assembly flexibility, effectively transmitting increased pull-off forces while reducing material requirements and minimizing twisting of the lateral webs.
Implementation Method 1
a retaining bracket (2a) which is resiliently connected to the base body (1a) via a base (10a) and has a latching hook (210a) arranged at its upper end, wherein the retaining bracket (2a) has two laterally extending lateral webs (20a) connected to the base (10a) and a cross-connection element (21a) which bridges the lateral webs (20a)
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a rail slider for a cable-type window lifter of a motor vehicle having a basic body (1a) which is intended to be displaced, in engagement with a guide rail of the cable-type window lifter, along this guide rail, and having a retaining bracket (2a) which is resiliently attached to the basic body (1a) via a base (10a) and which has a latching hook (210a) at its upper end, wherein the latching hook (210a) is intended to engage in a latching opening present in the window pane F and be supported by a stop surface (210'a) on the contour of the latching opening, wherein the retaining bracket (2a) has two lateral webs (20a) and a transverse connecting element (21a) with a latching hook (210a), wherein the lateral webs (20a) of the retaining bracket (2) are attached to the base (10a) of the basic body, wherein the ratio of the clear width (Z2a) between the inner surfaces of the lateral webs (20a) of the retaining bracket (2a) and the distance (Z1a) between the stop surface (110a) of the lower edge F1 of the window pane F, on the one hand, and the stop surface (210'a) of the latching hook (210a), on the other hand, assumes at most the value Z2a/Z1a ≤ 1.2; and/or the ratio of the clear width (Z2a) between the inner surfaces of the lateral webs (20a) of the retaining bracket (2a) and the lever length (Z3a) between the base-side virtual pivot axis (S4) of the retaining bracket (2a), on the one hand, and the stop surface (210'a) of the latching hook (210a), on the other hand, assumes at most the value Z2a/Z3a ≤ 0.5, and the transverse connecting element (21a) of the retaining bracket (2a) is designed to be substantially arcuate in such a way that the inwardly pointing arc composed of the radii (r1a, r2a, r3a) has no rectilinear segments L2 which are longer than 0.3 times the width (b1a) of the lateral webs (20a) (L2a/b1a ≤ 0.3).