Flexible Ribbon Cable Layout for Sliding Vehicle Glazing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in providing a reliable and compact electrical connection for vehicle glazing that is movable in translation relative to a bodywork element, ensuring a consistent electrical supply regardless of the glazing's position.
Innovation Solution
A flexible electrical connection using a flexible ribbon cable with curved lateral shapes at both ends, allowing the cable to fold on itself between these connections, creating a compact and reliable path that accompanies the glazing's movement without premature wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flexible electrical connection is used to accompany the glazing in its movement, then the electrical supply remains consistent regardless of position, but the connection becomes complex and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming the flexible ribbon cable into a U-shaped configuration with curved lateral shapes at both ends. This curvature allows the cable to fold neatly on itself, reducing the overall bulk and complexity while maintaining continuous electrical contact during glazing movement. The curved geometry enables compact routing without sharp bends that would cause wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible ribbon cable is folded back on itself in a nested configuration where the cable runs alongside itself in a U-shape. This nesting reduces the space required for the electrical connection and minimizes the profile between the bodywork and glazing, effectively hiding the connection within a compact volume.
2Volume of moving object
If the flexible ribbon cable is made compact, then the bulk is reduced, but the cable may experience premature wear at bending points
Solution Approach 1:
The U-shaped configuration with smooth curved lateral shapes at both ends eliminates sharp bends and creases in the flexible ribbon cable. The curvature distributes mechanical stress evenly along the cable length, preventing premature wear at specific bending points while maintaining a compact folded profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The design anticipates mechanical wear by pre-forming the cable into a U-shape that avoids sharp flexing points. The curved geometry acts as a protective feature that cushions the cable against repeated bending stresses during glazing operation, extending the cable's service life.
3Weight of moving object
If the flexible electrical connection is made lightweight, then the overall weight is reduced, but the structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible ribbon cable constructed from thin, lightweight conductive material with a flat ribbon cross-section. This thin-film structure minimizes weight while the U-shaped configuration and curved lateral shapes provide the necessary structural integrity to withstand repeated glazing movement without compromising electrical connection reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible electrical connection for a vehicle glazing that is movable in translation relative to a bodywork element of the vehicle, the flexible electrical connection having, along its length, an upstream connector attachable to an inner element fixed to the bodywork and a downstream connector attachable to a glass pane of the glazing. The flexible electrical connection includes a flexible ribbon cable including at least one conductive wire and/or at least one conductive strip and having a curved lateral shape at the connection with the upstream connector and with the downstream connector.