Rear Slider Window Heater Grid Flexible Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional slider window assemblies for vehicles, particularly rear slider windows, face challenges in providing uniform heating or defogging capabilities to the movable window panel regardless of its open or closed position, and often require additional components and complex electrical connections.
Innovation Solution
A rear slider window assembly with integrally formed channels and a carrier portion on the movable window panel, allowing for a single molding process using polymeric materials, and a flexible electrical connector that maintains electrical connection to the heater grid of the movable window panel, ensuring it can be heated or defogged regardless of its position, with a flush design for a seamless exterior appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional slider window assemblies use separate components for window panels and frames, then assembly flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the window panel and frame into a single integrally formed unitary structure. The frame is formed with recesses that directly receive the window panels, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets, fasteners, and sealing components. This integration reduces the total number of parts while maintaining assembly flexibility through the molded-in design features.
2Reliability
If conventional slider window assemblies use rigid electrical connections for heater grids, then electrical connectivity is reliable, but the movable panel cannot be heated when opened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible electrical connector consisting of a flat cable or ribbon wire that runs along the rail to connect the heater grid on the movable window panel. This flexible connection allows the panel to be heated regardless of its position (open or closed) while maintaining reliable electrical connectivity throughout the range of motion.
3Ease of repair
If conventional slider window assemblies use multiple separate components, then ease of repair is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrally formed frame and panel structure eliminates the need for precise alignment and assembly of multiple separate components. The unitary construction ensures consistent dimensional accuracy and proper fit between components without requiring complex alignment procedures during manufacturing or assembly.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional slider window assemblies use non-flush designs, then ease of manufacture is improved, but exterior appearance and aerodynamics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The integrally formed structure allows the window assembly to be manufactured as a single piece or pre-assembled unit that naturally achieves a flush exterior surface. The continuous outer surface is created by the molded-in design where the frame and panel form a unified shape, eliminating gaps and steps that would require additional sealing and finishing operations.
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 solution provides enhanced heating and defogging capabilities to the movable window panel, reduces component complexity, and maintains a flush exterior surface, while ensuring efficient electrical connectivity and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The movable window panel includes a heater grid that is electrically connected the power source when the movable window panel is closed
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular rear slider window assembly includes a movable window panel that is movable along upper and lower rails of a fixed window panel. A first heater grid is disposed at a first fixed panel, a second heater grid is disposed at a second fixed panel, and a third heater grid disposed at the movable window panel. A jumper electrical connector electrically connects between the first and second fixed panels, and a flexible electrical connector electrically connects between the first or second fixed panel and the movable window panel. The first fixed panel has positive and negative terminals configured to electrically connect to at least one electrical connector of a vehicle wire harness when the vehicular rear slider window assembly is installed at a vehicle. When the positive and negative terminals are electrically powered, electrical current may flow in a single direction across the first and second heater grids.