Louvered Vehicle Window Assembly with Offset Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle window assemblies lack a visually appealing and structurally robust design for side or rear windows, particularly in sports cars, where the use of louvers or spaced body panels can result in a less-than-aesthetic appearance.
Innovation Solution
A louvered window assembly comprising multiple glass panels with offset or non-coplanar perimeter edges joined by molded encapsulation or ribs, which provides a fixed, non-opening configuration and allows for customizable shapes and patterns to match vehicle design, with optional opaque films or coatings for enhanced appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional louvers or spaced body panels are used for vehicle windows, then structural support is provided, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the structural support function and aesthetic appearance into a single integrated window assembly. The encapsulated louvered design combines the structural ribs with the window panels, eliminating the need for separate body panel louvers and creating a unified aesthetic appearance while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by placing one window panel inside another within the encapsulation structure. The inner window panel is nested within the outer panel, with both panels and structural ribs encapsulated together, creating a compact integrated assembly that provides structural support while maintaining aesthetic appearance.
2Shape
If multiple glass panels are encapsulated with molded elements, then aesthetic appearance and customization are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (window panels, structural ribs, and encapsulation elements) into a single molded encapsulation structure. This integration reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining aesthetic appearance and customization options.
Solution Approach 2:
The molded encapsulation structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support through integrated ribs, maintains aesthetic appearance through visible design elements, and enables customization through various panel configurations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
3Shape
If window panels are offset or non-coplanar, then aesthetic appearance is enhanced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the offset positioning of multiple window panels into a single molded encapsulation structure. By forming all panels and their offset relationships in one molding operation, the need for high-precision assembly of separate parts is eliminated, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining the desired aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-forming the offset configurations and relationships between window panels during the molding process itself. The encapsulation structure is molded with the panels already positioned in their final offset arrangements, eliminating the need for subsequent precision alignment and assembly operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for forming a vehicular window assembly includes providing a plurality of window panels and arranging the window panels relative to one another with adjacent edge portions of adjacent window panels being non-coplanar. Adjacent edge portions of the adjacent window panels are fixedly joined via a joining element at the adjacent edge portions of the adjacent window panels. The joining element may be at least partially overmolded and fixedly joined at the adjacent edge portions of the adjacent window panels. The vehicular window assembly may comprise a vehicular side window assembly configured to mount at a side portion of a vehicle.