Pivotable Clamping Part for Vehicle Window Regulator Assembly

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing drivers for vehicle window regulators face challenges in aligning clamping parts during window pane installation, leading to misalignment and potential damage to the internal thread, which can result in the failure of the vehicle window lifter.

Innovation Solution

A driver with a pivoting element that allows one clamping part to pivot about a defined pivot axis, facilitating alignment with the other clamping part when the window pane is inserted, thus enabling easier assembly and preventing misalignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the two clamping parts are spaced apart by a minimum distance to facilitate window pane insertion, then the ease of operation is improved, but the alignment precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of window pane insertionVSAvoidalignment precision of clamping parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping part is made pivotable about a pivot axis instead of being fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. During assembly, the clamping part can be pivoted to achieve proper alignment with the other clamping part, while during operation it maintains the necessary spacing for window pane insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pivotable connection is pre-configured with a bearing section that defines the pivot axis. This preliminary setup enables the clamping part to be easily pivoted into the correct alignment position before the fastening element is attached, preventing misalignment issues during the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If the clamping parts are rigidly connected to maintain precise alignment, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precision of clamping partsVSAvoidease of window pane insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping part is made pivotable about a pivot axis instead of being fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. During assembly, the clamping part can be pivoted to achieve proper alignment with the other clamping part, while during operation it maintains the necessary spacing for window pane insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If misalignment of clamping parts is allowed during assembly, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidrisk of thread damage and driver failure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pivotable connection is pre-configured with a bearing section that defines the pivot axis. This preliminary setup enables the clamping part to be easily pivoted into the correct alignment position before the fastening element is attached, preventing misalignment issues during the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping part is made pivotable about a pivot axis instead of being fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. During assembly, the clamping part can be pivoted to achieve proper alignment with the other clamping part, while during operation it maintains the necessary spacing for window pane insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 pivoting mechanism ensures correct alignment of clamping parts, preventing damage to the internal thread and ensuring proper assembly of the window pane on the driver, thereby reducing the risk of driver failure.

Implementation Method 1

the pane holder (3) also forms a bearing section (30) for one of the clamping parts (3a, 3b), on which a pivot axis (S) is defined for this one clamping part (3a, 3b). Furthermore, a pivoting element (301) projecting into the gap (g) is provided, by means of which this one clamping part (3a, 3b) can be pivoted about the pivot axis (S) in the direction of the other clamping part (3b, 3a)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPivoting mechanism: Hinge

Data Source

PatentEP3514308B1Driver with pivotable clamping part and method of assembly

Publication Date: 2022.08.03 BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO KG

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AI summary

In particular, a drive mechanism for a vehicle window regulator is proposed, comprising a window holder (3) that includes two opposing clamping parts (3a, 3b) between which a gap (g) is provided for receiving a section of a window pane (F) and which are to be connected to each other by at least one fastening element (5) when the window pane (F) is inserted into the gap (g). The window holder (3) forms a bearing section (30) for one of the clamping parts (3a, 3b) on which a pivot axis (S) for one clamping part (3a) is defined, and a pivot element (301) projecting into the gap (g) is provided by means of which one clamping part (3a) can be pivoted about the pivot axis (S) towards the other clamping part (3b) by inserting the window pane (F) into the gap (g).