Vehicle Window Sliding Mechanism for Giraffe Roof Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for opening and closing the rear hatch window of motor vehicles with a giraffe-type roof opening face challenges in managing the window's position to prevent damage and leakage, particularly when transitioning between open and closed positions.

Innovation Solution

A device with a mechanism allowing the window to slide, featuring a first door opening control element, a position detection system, and a management system that sends signals to the window opening mechanism, ensuring the window is in a specific limit position for sealing, and includes a U-shaped seal for the roof edge to engage the window, preventing incorrect positioning and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the window is allowed to move freely between open and closed positions, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of damaging the seal or pane increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of window operationVSAvoidseal and pane integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The management system performs preliminary actions by automatically lowering the window to a limit position before the giraffe is closed, and automatically raising the window after the giraffe is opened. This preliminary positioning prevents the window from being damaged by the seal during closing or by external forces during opening, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the window is engaged in the seal for proper sealing, then leakage prevention is improved, but the window cannot be moved without risking seal damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleakage preventionVSAvoidwindow movement flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the window position based on the state of the giraffe. When the giraffe is closed, the window is raised to engage with the seal for leakage prevention. When the giraffe is opened, the window is automatically lowered to disengage from the seal, allowing movement flexibility. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the window position is strictly controlled to prevent damage, then reliability is improved, but the complexity of the control system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewindow and seal protectionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The management system uses feedback from detection elements that monitor the position of the giraffe and the state of the window. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically adjust the window position in response to giraffe opening/closing states, providing reliable protection without requiring complex manual control mechanisms. The feedback-based automatic control resolves the contradiction between reliability and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2168797B1Device for opening and closing a vehicle window
Publication Date: 2010.12.01 RENAULT SA
  • EP2168797B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2168797B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2168797B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The device has a primary control element (13) for controlling opening of a rear gate (14), a primary detection element i.e. electric contactor, for detecting a position of a rear roof flap, and a secondary detection element for detecting a position of the gate. A secondary control element controls opening of a window (15). The control and detection elements are connected to a management system for sending an opening or closing signal to a window opening mechanism. A window sliding mechanism is mounted in the gate. An independent claim is also included for a method for managing an opening or closing mechanism of a window opening and closing device.