Co-extruded Slide Rail for Vehicle Window Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of vehicle window assemblies, such as those for school buses, is labor-intensive due to the multiple components required for the slide rail, which increases costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A co-extruded or tri-extruded unitary slide rail is used, comprising different materials, including a rigid plastic rail portion and flexible seals, that is integrated into the window frame to facilitate the movement of the movable window panel, reducing the number of components and assembly processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components are used for the slide rail (rigid portion, flexible seals, etc.), then the window assembly can be manufactured with standard assembly processes, but the assembly process becomes labor-intensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate slide rail components (rigid portion, flexible seals, and other elements) into a single co-extruded unitary component. This merging eliminates the need for separate assembly of multiple parts, reducing labor intensity and assembly complexity while maintaining the functional benefits of having both rigid and flexible portions in the slide rail system
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for the slide rail, then each component can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall assembly process becomes more time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The co-extrusion process merges multiple functionally optimized portions into a single manufactured component, preserving the functional advantages of having specialized rigid and flexible sections while eliminating the time-consuming assembly process of putting these separate components together
Solution Approach 2:
The co-extrusion process performs the integration of multiple components during the manufacturing stage itself, rather than during final assembly. This preliminary action of combining components during production eliminates subsequent assembly steps, thereby increasing productivity without sacrificing functional optimization
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used for the slide rail, then the design can accommodate different material properties, but the cost of assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The co-extrusion process creates a composite structure within a single component, integrating portions with different material properties (rigid and flexible materials) into one unitary piece. This approach maintains the adaptability and versatility of having different material characteristics in different sections of the slide rail while eliminating the additional assembly costs associated with putting multiple separate components together
Data Source
AI summary
A window assembly for a vehicle includes a frame configured to mount to a transit vehicle, a fixed window panel affixed to a portion of the frame, and a movable window assembly having a movable window panel circumscribed by a movable frame. The movable frame has opposite end members and a pair of opposite slide rail members. The slide rail members are slidably received in respective channels along opposite portions of the frame. Each of the slide rail members includes a co-extruded slide rail having a semi-rigid or rigid rail portion, a flexible window seal co-extruded with the rail portion for sealing against the movable window panel, and a flexible sliding seal co-extruded with the rail portion for slidably engaging the opposite portions of the frame when the movable window assembly is assembled to the frame and is moved between its opened and closed positions.