Window Guiding Profile for Flush Vehicle Door Transition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current window assemblies for motor vehicles face challenges in achieving a smooth transition between the window pane and the vehicle's door or roof frame, leading to issues with wind resistance, weight, and manufacturing tolerances.

Innovation Solution

A window assembly with a guiding profile that includes both inner and outer surface guiding portions, integrated with a door or roof frame member, allowing for a flush surface and accommodating manufacturing tolerances, and featuring a waist line and sealing profiles to support and seal the window pane effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a traditional window assembly with separate guiding rails is used, then the window pane can be guided and sealed, but the transition between the window pane and the vehicle frame is not smooth, increasing wind resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind resistanceVSAvoidsurface transition smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the guiding function and sealing function into a single integrated guiding profile that is directly attached to the vehicle frame. This merging eliminates the need for separate guiding rails and creates a smooth transition between the window pane and the vehicle frame, thereby reducing wind resistance while maintaining proper window guidance and sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The guiding profile serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides the window pane during movement, seals the window opening, and provides a smooth aerodynamic transition. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components and achieves both guiding and aerodynamic objectives in a single element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a rigid guiding structure is used to ensure precise window guidance, then the window pane is properly guided, but the assembly becomes heavier and more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewindow guidance precisionVSAvoidwindow assembly weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible guiding profile made of elastomeric material that provides precise window guidance through its inherent elasticity and conformability. This flexible structure eliminates the need for heavy rigid guiding rails while maintaining reliable window guidance and sealing through the material's ability to deform and return to its original shape.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Manufacturing precision

If tight tolerances are maintained in the guiding structure, then the window assembly is precise, but manufacturing becomes more difficult and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguiding structure toleranceVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the elastomeric material's ability to change its physical parameters (deformation, elasticity) to compensate for manufacturing tolerances. This allows for broader tolerance ranges in the guiding profile and vehicle frame manufacturing while still achieving precise window guidance and sealing, significantly easing manufacturing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Strength

If a complete door frame structure is used to support the window, then the window is properly supported, but the door weight increases which is problematic for electric vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewindow support strengthVSAvoiddoor weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential window support and guidance functions from the complete door frame structure and concentrates them in a lightweight guiding profile attached to the existing frame. This extraction allows for weight reduction by omitting unnecessary frame portions while maintaining adequate window support through the optimized guiding profile design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10479173B2Window assembly, and vehicle door and vehicle featuring the window assembly

Publication Date: 2019.11.19 COOPER STANDARD

AI summary

A window assembly (190) for a window opening of a motor vehicle, which has a front-rear direction and a vertical direction, comprises a door frame member (21), a movable window pane (140), and a window guiding profile (100). The door frame member (21) includes an outer surface (25). The movable window pane (140) includes a guiding section, and a window section (141). The window section comprises an outer window surface (142) and an inner window surface (143). The window guiding profile (100) is fastened to the door frame member (21), and includes a sealing portion (115, 117, 118). The sealing portion seals and supports the window pane (140). The window guiding profile (100) includes a first guiding portion (110) configured to guide the window pane (140) only at the inner window surface (143). The window guiding profile (100) further includes a second guiding portion being configured to guide the window pane (140) at the window outer surface (142) and at the window inner surface (143).