Vehicle Window Bracket Cover for Scratch Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manually raised and lowered vehicle windows can scratch the glass pane when it hits the bracket during closure, due to direct contact, which is not effectively addressed by existing designs.

Innovation Solution

A cover is placed over the lower end of the bracket, made of resin to prevent direct contact with the window glass pane, while ensuring optimal engagement between the hook and bracket for secure locking, with a mark to verify proper engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the window glass pane is manually raised to the fully closed position, then the hook engages with the bracket to fix the window, but the window glass pane may be displaced and hit the lower end of the bracket causing scratches

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewindow locking reliabilityVSAvoidscratch on window glass pane

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A cover is introduced as an intermediary component between the window glass pane and the bracket. The cover is positioned to cover the lower end of the bracket, preventing direct contact between the glass pane and the bracket's lower end, thereby eliminating the scratch hazard while maintaining the locking function through the exposed upper portion of the bracket.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the lower end of the bracket is covered to prevent scratches, then the window glass pane is protected, but the engagement between the hook and bracket may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescratch on window glass paneVSAvoidhook-bracket engagement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is designed with differentiated coverage: it covers the lower end of the bracket where scratches occur, but deliberately exposes the upper portion of the bracket where the hook engagement takes place. This local differentiation ensures that the protective function is provided where needed without interfering with the locking function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a cover is added to protect the window glass pane, then scratches are prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescratch on window glass paneVSAvoidwindow structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is designed as a thin, simple protective shell that can be easily integrated into the existing window structure. This minimalistic approach provides the necessary protection without adding significant complexity, weight, or cost to the overall window system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS11518219B2Vehicle

Publication Date: 2022.12.06 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A vehicle may include: a window frame; a window glass pane configured to be manually raised and lowered with respect to the window frame; a hook fixed to an inner surface of the window glass pane; a bracket fixed to the window frame and configured to engage with the hook in a state where the window glass pane is in a fully closed position; and a cover covering a lower end of the bracket. A surface of the bracket may include a portion exposed from the cover, the portion being configured to be in contact with the hook in a state where the bracket engages with the hook.