Window Lifter Drive PCB Direct Plug Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing window regulator drives require additional housing and cover components, leading to increased tooling costs, complex designs, and longer development periods due to the use of connector pins and complex connector designs.

Innovation Solution

A window regulator drive design that eliminates additional housing components by using a compact printed circuit board with direct plug-in connections and contact pads, allowing for a simpler housing construction and reduced tooling times, featuring a DC motor, output shaft, and a connection interface with contact pads for direct contact with a plug, and incorporating a Hall sensor for motor control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If connector pins are used on the drive side, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidconnector structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the connector function directly with the printed circuit board by integrating contact pads into the PCB itself, eliminating the need for separate connector pins and their associated housing components. This merging of functions reduces device complexity while maintaining reliable electrical connection through the direct pad-to-plug contact interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If additional housing and cover components are used, then proper assembly and protection are achieved, but tooling costs and development time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary housing and cover components from the traditional connector assembly. By integrating the connector function directly into the housing opening and PCB design, the invention removes redundant protective elements while maintaining proper assembly reliability through the simplified direct plug-in interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If traditional connector pins are used, then electrical connection is established, but tooling time and development period increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidtooling time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-integrating the contact pads directly onto the printed circuit board during PCB manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate connector pin installation steps. This preliminary integration of the connection function into the PCB itself reduces tooling time and accelerates the development process while ensuring reliable electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Stability of the object's composition

If large housing components are used, then assembly stability is achieved, but space utilization in vehicle door decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly stabilityVSAvoidspace utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from a three-dimensional connector pin structure extending outward from the housing to a two-dimensional contact pad structure integrated into the PCB plane. This dimensional transformation reduces the overall volume occupied by the connector assembly while maintaining assembly stability through the direct pad-to-plug contact interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 design achieves significant cost savings, simplifies the housing construction, reduces tooling times, and allows for flexible connector designs, enabling faster development and efficient use of available space within vehicle doors.

Implementation Method 1

a printed circuit board which has a Hall sensor corresponding to the ring magnet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHall effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2542746B1Window lifter drive
Publication Date: 2019.04.24 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2542746B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2542746B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2542746B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an adjusting drive (1) comprising an electric motor (2), an output shaft (3), a printed circuit board (4), a housing (6) and a connection interface (5), wherein the electric motor (2) is contacted with the printed circuit board (4) and is designed to drive the output shaft (3), wherein the housing (6) accommodates the printed circuit board (4), wherein the connection interface (5) comprises a direct plug connection with contacting pads (9) directly on the printed circuit board (4), and wherein the contacting pads (9) are designed for direct contact with a connector (7), wherein the connection interface (5) comprises a housing opening (8) in the housing (6) as access for the connector to the contacting pads (9), and wherein the printed circuit board (4) is dimensioned to be narrower than the housing opening (8) such that the printed circuit board (4) can be inserted through the housing opening (8) into the housing (6).