Window Regulator Lifter Plate Water Deflecting Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle window regulator mechanisms are prone to corrosion due to water infiltration, which shortens their operational life as water drips onto the lifter plate and rail, leading to potential rust and degradation.
Innovation Solution
A window regulator lifter plate with a water deflecting structure that diverts water away from the rail, preventing it from reaching the metallic components and reducing corrosion risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a rubber seal is used to prevent water infiltration, then water protection is improved, but water infiltration still occurs when the window is partially open
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a water diverting structure as an intermediary element between the window panel and the rail. This structure actively redirects water flow away from the rail, serving as a mediator that prevents direct contact between water and the metallic components, thereby enhancing protection effectiveness in scenarios where rubber seals alone are insufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The water diverting structure is positioned to intercept and redirect water before it can reach the rail. By performing the water diversion action in advance—creating a barrier and redirecting flow path upstream of the critical component—the patent prevents water infiltration proactively rather than reactively, addressing the limitation of passive rubber seals.
2Strength
If the rail is made of rigid metal material, then structural strength is improved, but corrosion resistance deteriorates due to water exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The water diverting structure serves as a protective intermediary between water and the metal rail. It creates a physical barrier and redirectst water flow, preventing direct exposure of the high-strength metal rail to corrosive water environments, thereby preserving both strength and corrosion resistance over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent effectively extracts or removes water from the interaction path with the metal rail by introducing the water diverting structure. This separates the water flow from the critical metallic components, allowing the rail to maintain its rigid metal construction for strength while eliminating the corrosive exposure that would otherwise degrade it.
3Productivity
If the window regulator mechanism operates frequently, then functionality is improved, but water infiltration risk increases leading to corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The water diverting structure acts as a persistent protective intermediary that remains in place regardless of operational frequency. It continuously redirects water away from the rail during both static and dynamic conditions, ensuring that frequent operation does not increase corrosion risk since the protective barrier is always active.
Solution Approach 2:
The water diverting structure provides continuous protection against water infiltration throughout the entire operational cycle. Whether the window is stationary or moving, open or closed, the diverting structure maintains its water redirecting function without interruption, ensuring consistent corrosion protection regardless of how frequently the mechanism operates.
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 water deflecting structure effectively prevents water from reaching the rail, thereby prolonging the operational life of the window regulator mechanism by reducing corrosion and maintaining its functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a water deflecting structure that is configured and arranged to deflect water running down the window panel away from the window regulator rail
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle door includes a door body, a window panel, a window regulator rail and a lifter plate. The door body defines a window opening and a window panel is slidably supported in the door body. The window regulator rail is mounted to the vehicle frame and the lifter plate is slidably coupled to the window regulator rail for up and down sliding movement along the window regulator rail. The lifter plate includes a window glass support portion supporting a lower edge of a window panel and a water deflecting structure that is configured and arranged to deflect water running down the window panel away from the window regulator rail.