Sliding Window Heating Grids Continuous Electrical Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle window assemblies face issues where the sliding panel's movement disrupts the electrical connection between heating grids, leading to fogging or frosting, especially when the sliding panel is in the open position, compromising safety and comfort.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a conductive element or rail within the track system that maintains continuous electrical connection between the first and second heating grids, ensuring they remain connected in both open and closed positions of the sliding panel, thus allowing for defogging or defrosting regardless of the panel's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the heating grids are electrically connected in series, then the electrical connection is simple, but the circuit is broken when the sliding panel moves to the open position, causing the panels to fog up or frost over
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the electrical connection adaptive to the sliding panel's position. The conductive element moves with the sliding panel, dynamically maintaining electrical connection between the heating grids regardless of whether the panel is in the open or closed position. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the simple series connection topology to remain while ensuring continuous functionality through dynamic position-dependent contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a conductive element as an intermediary between the first and second heating grids. This intermediary maintains continuous electrical connection even when the sliding panel moves between open and closed positions. The conductive element acts as a mediator that bridges the potential circuit break, ensuring reliable heating functionality while preserving the simple series connection architecture.
2Reliability
If the sliding panel is kept in the closed position to maintain electrical connection, then the heating grids function properly, but the occupant experiences temperature discomforts in the vehicle cabin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the sliding panel to be in the open position for occupant comfort while dynamically maintaining the electrical connection for heating grid functionality. The conductive element moves with the panel, ensuring continuous power supply to the heating grids regardless of panel position, thus resolving the contradiction between operational comfort and system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous electrical connection and continuous heating functionality regardless of the sliding panel's position. The conductive element maintains unbroken electrical contact as the panel moves, allowing the heating grids to operate continuously and reliably, eliminating the need to keep the panel closed and thereby maintaining cabin comfort while ensuring heating reliability.
3Reliability
If electrical wires are used to connect the heating grids, then the electrical connection is reliable, but the assembly cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical connection function with the mechanical track structure. The conductive element is integrated into the track assembly, combining the structural support function with the electrical conduction function. This eliminates the need for separate electrical wires and reduces the number of components, thereby lowering assembly cost and time while maintaining reliable electrical connection for the heating grids.
Solution Approach 2:
The track structure serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical guidance for the sliding panel and simultaneously serves as an electrical conduction path through the integrated conductive element. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate electrical wiring, reducing assembly complexity and cost while ensuring reliable electrical connection for the heating grids throughout the panel's range of motion.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution ensures that the fixed and sliding panels can be defogged or defrosted in both positions, enhancing safety and comfort while reducing the need for electrical wires, thereby lowering costs and assembly time.
Implementation Method 1
The track includes a conductive element in continuous electrical connection to the first and second heating grids such that the first and second heating grids remain electrically connected to the conductive element in both of the open and closed positions of the sliding panel
Implementation Method 2
A first heating grid coupled to the fixed panel for defrosting the fixed panel. The assembly also includes a second heating grid coupled to the sliding panel for defrosting the sliding panel
Data Source
AI summary
A sliding window assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes panels and heating grids coupled to respective panels for defrosting the panels. The assembly further includes a conductive element in continuous electrical connection to the panels for defrosting the panels.