Window Pane Drainage Passage Diverts Rainwater Laterally

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rainwater flowing to the lower corner portion of a vehicle window pane can drop near the center of the vehicle, potentially wetting and damaging electric components like the wiper motor due to the inability of existing front pillar garnishes to effectively divert water away from this area.

Innovation Solution

A molded product made of resin or rubber is arranged along the lower corner portion of the window pane, featuring an inward portion that abuts the window pane and includes a drainage passage with an inlet on the inner side and an outlet positioned further outward, allowing rainwater to be diverted away from the window pane's edge, preventing it from reaching the vehicle's center.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If rainwater flows along the rainwater-receiving groove of the front pillar garnish, then rainwater can be collected and directed, but rainwater may flow along the lower edge of the window pane and drop at the vicinity of the center of the vehicle, potentially damaging electric parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverainwater collection functionVSAvoidwater damage to electric parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage passage extends in the width direction of the vehicle beyond the end surface of the window pane, creating a three-dimensional water discharge path that projects water laterally away from the vehicle center. This dimensional extension prevents water from following the conventional two-dimensional path along the lower edge toward the center.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The outlet portion of the drainage passage serves as an intermediary element that intercepts rainwater before it can reach the lower edge of the window pane and redirect it laterally. This intermediary structure mediates between the rainwater collection function and the prevention of water damage to electric parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the outlet portion of the drainage passage is positioned at the end surface of the window pane, then rainwater can be discharged, but rainwater may still flow along the lower edge toward the vehicle center

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverainwater discharge efficiencyVSAvoidwater flow toward vehicle center

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage passage extends beyond the end surface of the window pane in the width direction, creating a lateral discharge path. This positional extension in a different dimension ensures water is discharged away from the vehicle center while maintaining efficient drainage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The drainage passage is designed to discharge water laterally before water can naturally flow along the lower edge toward the vehicle center. This preliminary lateral discharge action prevents water from reaching the harmful zone near the vehicle center.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The drainage passage effectively directs rainwater away from the window pane's edge, preventing it from accumulating at the vehicle's center and protecting electrical components from water exposure.

Implementation Method 1

rainwater that flows to the lower corner portion of the window pane along the surface of the window pane or the inward portion of the molded product can be drained by the drainage passage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

an outlet portion of the drainage passage is arranged further toward an outer circumferential side of the window pane than an end surface of the window pane and is spaced apart from the surface of the window pane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS9114694B2Molded product

Publication Date: 2015.08.25 TOKAI KOGYO CO LTD

AI summary

A molded product configured to be arranged along at least a portion of a lower corner portion of a window pane, the molded product comprising: an inward portion that faces an inner circumferential side of the window pane and abuts against a surface of the window pane; and at least one drainage passage that is provided to a portion of the inward portion arranged along the lower corner portion and that passes through the inward portion in inner and outer circumferential directions of the window pane, wherein an inlet portion of the drainage passage opens toward the inner circumferential side of the window pane, and wherein an outlet portion of the drainage passage is arranged further toward an outer circumferential side of the window pane than an end surface of the window pane and is spaced apart from the surface of the window pane.