Window Regulator Lever Guide for Flush Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing window regulators struggle to ensure a reliable, flush closing of windowpanes in motor vehicles, which affects the aerodynamic properties and visual appearance, as they require high contact pressure to maintain a flush position against the seal.
Innovation Solution
A window regulator system comprising guide rails, a drive mechanism, and lever-like guide elements that allow the windowpane to move linearly and pivot perpendicularly, ensuring it is pressed flush against the window frame or seal, utilizing a drive mechanism connected to a linkage shaft and a stop to facilitate this movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a windowpane is pressed flush against the window frame using high contact pressure, then the aerodynamic properties and visual appearance are enhanced, but the mechanism requires complex forcing arrangements and high forces that are difficult to generate
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element is designed to change its guidance characteristics dynamically during the closing movement. Initially, it provides linear guidance, then transitions to lever-like pivoting guidance near the end of the closing stroke. This dynamic change in guidance mode allows the system to achieve flush positioning without requiring continuously high forces, as the lever action amplifies the driving force only when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The guidance parameters of the guide element are changed during operation. The guide element transitions from a linear movement mode to a pivoting movement mode, changing the direction and magnitude of the windowpane's movement. This parameter change allows the system to achieve the required flush positioning with reduced driving force by utilizing the lever effect only in the critical final positioning phase.
2Device complexity
If linear guidance is used throughout the entire closing movement, then the structure is simple, but the windowpane cannot be pressed sufficiently flush against the seal
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element dynamically transitions from linear guidance to lever-like pivoting guidance during the closing movement. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain simple overall structure while achieving reliable flush closing through the pivoting phase that occurs only in the final positioning stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing movement is segmented into two distinct phases: an initial linear movement phase for most of the travel, and a final pivoting phase for precise flush positioning. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently - linear guidance for efficiency and pivoting guidance for precision - without requiring complex structures throughout the entire movement range.
3Force
If the guide element is configured as a lever with pivoting capability, then flush positioning is achieved with reduced driving force, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element is designed to be linear during most of the movement and only becomes lever-like in the final positioning phase. This dynamic configuration reduces the overall device complexity compared to a continuously complex lever mechanism, while still achieving the force multiplication benefits when needed for flush positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever-like pivoting action is applied partially - only during the final phase of the closing movement when flush positioning is critical. For the majority of the movement range, the guide element operates in a simpler linear mode. This partial application of the lever principle reduces overall device complexity while still achieving the force reduction benefits where most needed.
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 system ensures a reliable flush closing of the windowpane, enhancing the vehicle's aerodynamics and visual appearance by maintaining a flush position with reduced dirt accumulation, while allowing for efficient operation through a combination of linear and perpendicular movement components.
Implementation Method 1
the first guide element is configured as a lever element... the first guide element performs a pivoting movement... a windowpane fastened thereto may be pressed substantially perpendicularly to the guide rail against a window frame
Data Source
AI summary
A window regulator for raising and lowering a windowpane in a motor vehicle, and a vehicle door having at least one window regulator.