Multipart Pane Guide Element for Flush Window Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of window regulators for flush pane concepts in vehicles is complex and costly, requiring special door constructions and retrofits, as the window pane must be pushed from below into guide channels, limiting the use of conventional door arrangements.

Innovation Solution

A multi-part pane guide element design, where the first guide part is slidably positioned on a frame-side guide element independently of the second guide part, which is fixed to the window pane, allowing for easier assembly without the need to retrofit the door with an outer skin, enabling the window pane to be inserted from above and connected to the first guide part pre-positioned on the frame-side guide element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the window pane is pushed from below into guide channels of a guide profile on the body or door, then the window pane can be installed in a flush pane concept, but the installation becomes complex and costly requiring special door constructions and retrofits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflush pane installationVSAvoiddoor construction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pane guide element is divided into multiple separate guide parts that can be independently assembled. The first guide part is fixed to the door, while the second guide part is attached to the window pane, allowing separate assembly operations that simplify the overall installation process and eliminate the need for complex special door constructions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first guide part is pre-fixed to the door before window pane installation. This preliminary action allows the guide structure to be prepared in advance on the door, enabling subsequent easy attachment of the window pane with the second guide part without requiring complex retrofits or special door constructions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the window pane is pushed from below into guide channels, then flush pane concept is achieved, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and requires special door retrofits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflush pane conceptVSAvoidassembly speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the pane guide element into first and second guide parts that can be independently prepared and assembled, the installation process is broken into simpler steps that can be executed faster, eliminating the need for time-consuming special door retrofits while maintaining flush pane concept

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first guide part is pre-installed on the door during door assembly, and the second guide part is pre-attached to the window pane. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site retrofits and speeds up the overall assembly process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If a conventional door arrangement is used with flush pane concept, then cost-effective assembly is possible, but the window pane cannot be properly guided without special door modifications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecost-effective assemblyVSAvoidwindow pane guidance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pane guide element is segmented into a first guide part fixed to the door and a second guide part attached to the window pane. This segmentation allows conventional door arrangements to be used without special modifications while still providing proper window pane guidance through the combined action of both guide parts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-part pane guide element design creates a universal solution that works with conventional door arrangements. The first guide part mounted on the door and the second guide part on the window pane together provide reliable guidance without requiring special door modifications, making the system universally applicable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3408484B1Window lifter assembly with multipart pane guide element for a flush pane design, and assembly method
Publication Date: 2022.06.22 BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3408484B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3408484B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3408484B1 patent drawingFigure 2D~2H

AI summary

The invention relates in particular to a window lifter assembly in which the window pane (FS) is flush with upper and/or lateral vehicle body parts in a closed state, said body parts bordering a window frame (R) opening to be closed by the window pane (FS). According to the invention, a pane guide element (SFE) which is fixed to the window pane (FS) and which is held in a movable manner on a frame-side guide element (2) is designed in multiple parts with at least one first guide part (3) and a second guide part (4). The first guide part (3) forms a guide portion (32) via which the pane guide element (SFE) is held on the frame-side guide element (2) in a movable manner. The second guide part (4) forms a connection portion (40) via which the pane guide element (SFE) is fixed to the window pane (FS), and the first guide part (3) and the second guide part (4) are designed as separate components. The second guide part (4) can be fixed to the window pane (FS) independently of the first guide part (3), and the first guide part (3) can be positioned on the frame-side guide element (2) in a movable manner independently of the second guide part (4) before the pane guide element (SFE) is assembled as intended. The invention further relates to an assembly method for a window lifter assembly with a multipart pane guide element (SFE).