Vehicular Rear Slider Window Flexible Electrical Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional slider window assemblies for vehicles, particularly rear slider windows, face challenges in efficiently defogging or defrosting window panels due to complex electrical connections and high soldering requirements, which can be costly and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of electrically conductive traces and heater grids on both fixed and movable window panels, connected via flexible electrical connectors with parallel terminals, allows for easy and efficient electrical connection and disconnection, reducing the need for extensive soldering and simplifying the assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional electrical connectors with perpendicular terminals are used at the movable window panel, then the electrical connection to the heater grid is achieved, but the assembly complexity and soldering requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring the terminals at the movable panel connector to be non-parallel (at an angle to each other), while the corresponding terminals at the fixed panel connector are parallel. This asymmetric terminal arrangement simplifies the connection process by allowing the flexible connector to naturally align and engage with the fixed panel connector during window movement, reducing assembly complexity and soldering requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by using a flexible electrical connector that can move and adapt its configuration as the window panel moves between open and closed positions. The flexible connector dynamically adjusts its shape and terminal orientation to maintain reliable electrical connection throughout the range of motion, eliminating the need for complex rigid connection structures.
2Reliability
If extensive soldering is used to connect electrical connectors to heater grids, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but assembly time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the electrical connection system into modular components: a fixed panel connector with parallel terminals, a flexible connector with movable connecting elements, and a movable panel connector with non-parallel terminals. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested independently, then assembled through simple mechanical connection rather than extensive soldering, reducing assembly time while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a flexible electrical connector as an intermediary element between the fixed panel connector and the movable panel connector. This intermediary component absorbs the mechanical stresses and misalignments that would otherwise require complex soldered joints, providing reliable electrical connection through flexible mechanical engagement rather than rigid soldered connections.
3Reliability
If rigid electrical connectors are used to connect the heater grids, then stable electrical connection is achieved, but the connector cannot accommodate window panel movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using a flexible electrical connector that can move and adapt its configuration as the window panel moves between open and closed positions. The flexible connector dynamically adjusts its shape and terminal orientation to maintain reliable electrical connection throughout the range of motion, eliminating the need for complex rigid connection structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the principle of flexible shells by using a flexible electrical connector with movable connecting elements that can bend and flex to accommodate the movement of the window panel. This flexible connector maintains stable electrical connection while adapting to the changing geometric relationship between the fixed and movable panels during operation.
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
This solution enables quick and reliable defogging or defrosting of window panels, reduces assembly costs, and simplifies the connection process by using flexible connectors that can slide onto terminals, ensuring effective heating or defrosting regardless of the window panel's position.
Implementation Method 1
The heater grids are disposed at a surface of the fixed and movable window panels and comprise electrically conductive traces or busbars at which electrical connectors are disposed for electrically connecting the busbars and heater grids to a wire harness of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular rear slider window assembly includes a fixed window panel and a movable window panel. Electrically conductive traces are at respective surfaces of the fixed window panel and the movable window panel. A fixed panel electrical connector is affixed at and connected to the electrically conductive traces at the fixed window panel, and a movable panel electrical connector is affixed at and connected to the electrically conductive traces at the movable window panel. A flexible electrical connector includes a movable panel connecting element to connect to the movable panel electrical connector and a fixed panel connecting element to connect to the fixed panel electrical connector. Terminals of the movable panel connecting element disposed at a cover portion connect with respective terminals of the movable panel electrical connector via movement of the cover portion parallel to the longitudinal axes of the terminals of the movable panel electrical connector.