Integrated Glass-Run Retainer for Automobile Door

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Misalignment between upper and lower glass-run retainers in automobile doors hinders smooth movement of sliding window panes and complicates assembly, due to different cross-sectional shapes and separate component installation.

Innovation Solution

An integrated glass-run retainer is designed, continuously formed from the top to the bottom across the door belt line, with a retainer upper part and lower part having specific cross-sectional configurations to securely hold the sliding window pane, eliminating misalignment and reducing component count.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate upper and lower retainers with different cross-sectional shapes are used, then each retainer can be optimized for its specific position (above and below belt line), but misalignment occurs between the retainers and assembly becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different positionsVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the separate upper and lower retainers into a single integrated retainer structure that spans both above and below the belt line. This unified structure eliminates misalignment issues between separate components while maintaining the functional differences needed for different positions, thereby reducing assembly complexity while preserving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate upper and lower retainers are used, then each can be independently designed, but misalignment hinders smooth movement of sliding window pane

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidsmooth movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the upper and lower retainers into a single unified structure, the patent ensures continuous support for the sliding window pane across the belt line. This eliminates gaps and misalignments between separate retainers, guaranteeing smooth movement while the integrated design still allows for position-specific functional optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If integrated glass runs are continuously formed, then misalignment is eliminated, but assembly becomes difficult requiring insertion from top of retainer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the integrated retainer structure into distinct upper and lower portions with different cross-sectional shapes, allowing each segment to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining continuity. The upper portion has a configuration suitable for above-belt-line installation, while the lower portion is designed for below-belt-line installation, enabling easier assembly while preserving alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2607126B1Glass-run retainer for automobile door and door structure of automobile
Publication Date: 2019.01.30 TESLA INC
  • EP2607126B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2607126B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2607126B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An integrated retainer in which an inner part of a retainer upper part extending above a door belt line and an inner part of a retainer lower part extending below the door belt are continuous without a joint line is employed for an automobile door. The retainer lower part has an approximate U shape including an inner part and an outer part as glass-run holding parts. The retainer upper part includes only an inner part as a glass-run holding part.