Sliding Door Window Assembly With Flush Sealing and Low Drag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle door assemblies with sliding windows experience aerodynamic drag due to the step between the outer door panel and the window panel, and have issues with seal durability and complexity in the sliding mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle door assembly with a sliding window arrangement featuring a guide element and seals that move in multiple directions to align the window panel with the door body, reducing drag and improving sealing and mechanism reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the window panel is aligned with the receiving aperture to enable sliding in and out, then the sliding function is achieved, but a step is created between the outer panel and window panel causing aerodynamic drag
Solution Approach 1:
The window panel movement is extended from a single linear direction to a two-dimensional path involving both horizontal movement (along the first direction to align with receiving aperture) and vertical movement (along the second direction to enter/exit the aperture). This dimensional change allows the window to achieve a flush position with the outer panel, eliminating the step and reducing aerodynamic drag while maintaining sliding functionality.
2Device complexity
If the window panel moves directly into the receiving aperture, then the sliding mechanism is simple, but the seal between window panel and door body deteriorates due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The window panel performs a preliminary horizontal movement along the first direction to align with the receiving aperture before moving vertically along the second direction into the aperture. This preliminary alignment action ensures that the seal maintains proper contact with the door body throughout the sliding sequence, preventing seal deterioration while keeping the mechanism relatively simple through the use of a guide element.
3Device complexity
If the window panel slides horizontally without vertical movement, then the mechanism is simple, but the window cannot be fully received within the aperture causing poor sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding mechanism incorporates vertical movement (second direction) in addition to horizontal movement (first direction). The guide element constrains the window panel to follow this two-dimensional path, ensuring that the window is fully received within the receiving aperture at the end of the sliding sequence. This dimensional extension achieves proper sealing without excessive mechanism complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle door assembly (100) comprising a door body (102) and a sliding window arrangement (104), the sliding window arrangement (104) comprising a window panel (106), a guide element (108) attached to the door body (102), and at least one seal (120, 122) for creating a seal between the window panel (106) and the door body (102). The window panel (106) is movably coupled to the guide element (108) to be movable from a closed position to an open position and vice versa. The guide element may be configured such that, when moving from a closed position to an open position, the window panel first moves inwardly to align with the receiving aperture and then moves downwardly into the receiving aperture, and when moving from the open position to the closed position, the window panel first moves upwardly and then moves outwardly to flush with an outer panel of the vehicle door. The sliding window arrangement (104) is configured such that the at least one seal (120, 122) moves at least along the first direction (112) when the window panel (106) moves along the first direction (112).