Vehicle Window Regulator With Differential Cable Speeds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional automotive window regulator systems struggle to fully lower a full-sized window into vehicle doors due to the shape and size constraints of the door structure, often requiring compromises that limit occupant comfort, ventilation, or increase system complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A window regulator system using two cables with different speeds and radii, driven by a single motor or dual motors, allows for articulating motion of the window between fully closed and fully open positions, enabling complete lowering of the window below the beltline within the door panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If traditional single-cable window regulator systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but the window cannot be fully lowered below the beltline due to door structure constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The window regulator system is segmented into two independent cable-driven mechanisms working in coordination. The first cable handles the primary vertical movement while the second cable enables the articulating motion, allowing the window to follow a curved path that accommodates both full drop distance and proper orientation within the door structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from simple linear vertical movement to articulating motion that incorporates both vertical and rotational components. By adding the second cable connected at a different location on the window, the system enables the window to move along a curved trajectory, effectively adding a rotational dimension to the originally one-dimensional movement.
2Length of moving object
If the window size is reduced to fit within the door panel, then the window can be fully lowered, but the daylight opening and occupant comfort are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reducing the window area to fit within the door panel, the invention uses articulating motion to create additional spatial accommodation. The curved path of movement allows the full-sized window to be positioned below the beltline while maintaining its original dimensions, effectively utilizing the third dimension (depth/drop distance) rather than compromising the two-dimensional window area.
3Device complexity
If a single motor drives both cables at different speeds, then the device complexity is reduced, but the control precision required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces differential drum radii as an intermediary mechanism between the single motor and the two cables. By making the drums have different radii, the system passively achieves different cable speeds from a single motor rotation, eliminating the need for complex electronic speed control while maintaining precise articulating motion through mechanical means.
4Adaptability or versatility
If two motors are used to drive the cables at different speeds, then the control flexibility increases, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of two separate motors into a single motor system with differential drum radii. This consolidation maintains the ability to achieve different cable speeds while reducing the overall system complexity, component count, and associated costs, demonstrating that functional equivalence can be achieved through mechanical design rather than simply reducing component quantity.
Data Source
AI summary
A window regulator is provided for a window in a vehicle door. The window regulator includes a drive mechanism having a first cable and a second cable. The first cable is connected to the window at a first connection point and the second cable is connected to the window at a second connection point. The two cables are driven at different speeds so that the window is rotated with respect to the vehicle door panel as the window is displaced between a fully closed position and a fully opened position.