Window Regulator Coupled Structure Separation Strength

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing coupled structure of window regulators has a low separation strength due to a small contact area between the outer wall surface of the protrusion and the inner wall surface of the tapered through-hole, leading to potential separation and shear failure under applied forces.

Innovation Solution

A window regulator design featuring a lower member with a tapered through-hole and a swell portion, both work-hardened by plastic deformation, and an upper member with a protrusion that fits into the tapered through-hole and swell portion, also work-hardened, increasing the contact area and shearing strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a conventional tapered through-hole coupling structure is used, then the upper member fits into the lower member, but the contact area between the protrusion and the through-hole inner wall is small resulting in low separation strength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation strengthVSAvoidcontact area
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from a simple tapered cylindrical through-hole to a swell portion with a flared outer shape. This dimensional change creates an expanded contact surface area between the protrusion outer wall and the swell portion inner wall, significantly increasing the contact area from a narrow tapered surface to a broader flared surface, thereby improving separation strength.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the through-hole by introducing a swell portion with a specific flared shape. This parameter change increases the contact area and distributes the separation forces over a larger surface, directly addressing the low separation strength issue while maintaining the tapered fit structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If the contact area is increased to improve separation strength, then the coupled structure becomes more resistant to separation, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The swell portion and work-hardened layers are formed during the preliminary punching and forming operations, before final assembly. This preliminary action integrates the complexity of creating the flared shape and work-hardening into the existing manufacturing flow, avoiding additional complex processing steps while achieving the desired contact area increase.

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 enhanced contact area and work-hardened surfaces significantly improve the separation and shearing strength of the coupled structure, preventing separation and shear failure even under large forces, thus ensuring the structural integrity of the window regulator.

Implementation Method 1

a first inner wall portion work-hardened due to plastic deformation along an inner wall surface, and a swell portion provided along a rim of an opening on a lower surface side of the tapered through-hole, having an inner wall surface continuing to the inner wall surface of the tapered through-hole, and provided with a second inner wall portion work-hardened due to plastic deformation along the inner wall surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 2

provided with a first inner wall portion work-hardened due to plastic deformation along an inner wall surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWork hardening: Shock Hardening

Data Source

PatentEP2559500B1Window regulator having a coupled structure
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 SHIROKI KOGYO CO LTD
  • EP2559500B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2559500B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2559500B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A joint structure and a wind regulator having high separation strength, A lift arm (5) is provided with: a tapered through-hole (35) which has formed thereon a first inner wall section (33) work-hardened by plastic deformation; and a raised section (45) which has an inner wall surface (41) interconnected with an inner wall surface (31) of the tapered through-hole (35) and which has formed thereon a second inner wall section (43) work-hardened by plastic deformation. A protrusion (1) is formed on a driven gear (3). The protrusion (1) is fitted from the tapered through-hole (35) up to the raised section (45), has an outer wall section (53) work-hardened by plastic deformation, and has an outer wall surface (35) in close contact with the inner wall surface (31) of the tapered through-hole (35) and with at least a part of the inner wall surface (41) of the raised section (45),