Vehicle Window Slide Guide Claw Attachment for Slam-Resistant Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sliding window guides for vehicles are difficult to install due to limited access and poor visibility inside the door box, leading to installation challenges and defects. Additionally, the mechanical strength of the fixing clip can result in play and noise when the door is slammed.

Innovation Solution

A sliding window guide with a fixing interface that grips a structural element of the vehicle using a claw mechanism, allowing for easy assembly without additional parts like screws or clips. The guide interface includes a planar bearing surface and a holding portion with a guide wall, facilitating secure attachment and improved resistance to slamming forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a fixing clip with holes and tabs is used to attach the slide guide to the door structure, then the fixing can be achieved, but the installation becomes difficult due to limited access and poor visibility inside the door box

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidfixing mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the fastening function from separate components (clip, holes, tabs) and integrates it into a single self-contained fixing interface. The fixing interface includes a bearing surface and an attachment element that combines positioning and fastening functions, eliminating the need for complex multi-part assembly through limited access openings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing interface is designed to be self-aligning and self-fastening. The attachment element automatically positions itself relative to the receiving structure, and the bearing surface provides inherent alignment during installation. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for precise manual positioning and complex fastening operations through difficult-to-access openings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Strength

If a mechanical clip is used to fix the slide guide, then the fixing can be achieved, but the clip deforms under repeated slamming stresses, generating play and noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing strengthVSAvoidresistance to repeated stress
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing surface is designed with a substantially planar geometry that distributes loads evenly across the interface. This geometric design prevents stress concentration that would lead to clip deformation, while the rigid structural connection resists repeated slamming forces without generating play or noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of manufacture

If additional parts like screws or clips are used for fixing, then the attachment can be achieved, but the installation process becomes more time-consuming and prone to defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidassembly speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the bearing surface and attachment element into a single integrated fixing interface. This unified structure performs both load-bearing and fastening functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate screws, clips, or multiple fastening operations. The single-piece design reduces assembly steps and minimizes installation defects while increasing assembly speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4061654B1Window slide guide having simplified attachment
Publication Date: 2025.05.28 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP4061654B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4061654B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4061654B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Window slide guide (1) for a sliding window of a vehicle comprising an interface (2) for attachment to a structural element of the vehicle, characterized in that said attachment interface (2) comprises a bearing surface (21) and a claw (20) that projects relative to the bearing surface (21), said claw being formed by a connecting part (23) and a holding part (22), the holding part (22) being remote from the bearing surface (21) and the connecting part (23) connecting the holding part (22) to the bearing surface (21) so as to pinch a part of the structural element between the holding part (22) and the bearing surface (21).