Bendable Window Guide Rail for Automotive Glass
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing window guide rails for motor vehicles require separate injection molds for each window pane curvature, leading to high manufacturing costs and complexity due to the need for retooling the injection molding machine for different geometries.
Innovation Solution
A window guide rail that can be bent along its longitudinal extension, allowing a single, linearly produced rail to be used for various window panes, with a channel-like guide area that absorbs forces and features flexible sections and spring elements for adjustable bending properties, enabling stable guidance and easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If separate injection molds are used for each window pane curvature, then the window guide rail can be precisely manufactured for each specific geometry, but the manufacturing complexity and costs increase due to the need for multiple molds and retooling
Solution Approach 1:
The window guide rail is designed as a universal component that can be used for multiple window pane geometries. By making the rail flexible and bendable, a single linear rail design serves the function of multiple curved rails that would otherwise be needed for different window curvatures, eliminating the need for separate injection molds for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the window guide rail by introducing flexibility through specific material selection and structural design features (such as thin-walled sections and integrated spring elements). This parameter change allows the rail to be bent into different curvatures after production, enabling one mold to produce rails for multiple window geometries.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate injection molds are used for each window pane curvature, then the window guide rail fits the specific geometry, but the production costs and retooling time increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single injection mold produces a universal linear window guide rail that can be adapted to multiple window pane geometries through bending. This eliminates the need for retooling the injection molding machine for different window curvatures, allowing continuous production from one mold and significantly improving production efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The window guide rail is produced in a linear, unbent state from a single mold, and the bending to match specific window curvatures is performed as a preliminary preparation step before installation. This preliminary action of producing all rails in a standard linear form enables efficient batch production without retooling.
3Device complexity
If the window guide rail is made flexible to accommodate different curvatures, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the stability and firmness of the installed rail may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The window guide rail incorporates dynamic characteristics by being flexible and bendable, allowing it to adapt to different curvatures. However, once installed and bent to the required shape, the rail achieves stability through proper fastening to the door structure, combining adaptability during installation with stability in service.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite construction with a plastic base material and integrated metal spring elements. This composite structure provides both the flexibility needed for bending to different curvatures and the rigidity/stability required for firm installation and reliable window guidance during operation.
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
This solution reduces production and logistics costs by eliminating the need for separate molds and ensures stable, rattle-free operation with adjustable flexibility, allowing for cost-effective and flexible production of window guide rails for different window panes.
Implementation Method 1
The guide area (4) is designed to absorb the forces acting on the window pane (5)
Implementation Method 2
The window guide rail (1) can have spring elements (11) for adjusting the flexibility of the window guide rail (1)
Implementation Method 3
If the flexibility is partially elastic as described in claim 2, it is possible to brace the window guide rail in the assembled state
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a window guide rail (1) for a motor vehicle, with a channel-like guide area (4) for guiding a window pane (5) and a fastening area (6) for fastening the window guide rail (1), wherein the window guide rail (1) extends longitudinally and provides lateral guidance for the window pane (5) over a height (h) of the channel-like guide area (4), wherein the window guide rail (1) is bendable at least about the vertical direction (H) for its installation along its longitudinal extension and the guide area (4) provides the function of guiding the window pane (5) in the bent state.