Vehicle Window Ribbon Conductor Nesting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional structural units for vehicle windows with protruding ribbon conductors complicate installation, are prone to damage, and increase production and transportation challenges due to the need for additional routing and potential for electrical connection loosening or damage.

Innovation Solution

A structural unit with a pane carrier that integrates an electrical contact element within a receptacle, allowing the ribbon conductor to be routed between panes and attached to the vehicle window surface, providing a secure and cost-effective electrical connection without the need for external cables, and ensuring mechanical and electrical contact during assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a flat ribbon conductor protrudes from the vehicle window to provide freedom of movement, then the electrical connection flexibility is improved, but the risk of damage and disconnection during installation and operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection flexibilityVSAvoiddamage risk of flat ribbon conductor
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flat ribbon conductor is routed between the two individual panes of the laminated vehicle window, nesting the conductor within the window structure itself. This eliminates the protruding conductor while maintaining electrical connection flexibility, as the conductor can still move with the window during lowering operations without being exposed to external damage risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The conductor routing moves from a three-dimensional external path (protruding from the window) to a two-dimensional internal path (between the panes). This dimensional change allows the conductor to remain protected within the window assembly while still providing the necessary flexibility for electrical connections during window operation.

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

2Ease of operation

If a flat ribbon conductor protrudes from the vehicle window, then electrical connection is achieved, but the complexity of installation and routing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection capabilityVSAvoidinstallation and routing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical window assembly and electrical connection system are merged into a single integrated structure. The flat ribbon conductor is incorporated between the panes during window manufacturing, so that installing the window automatically installs the electrical connection without separate routing steps, significantly reducing installation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical conductor is pre-routed and positioned between the panes during window manufacturing before the window is installed in the vehicle. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex on-site routing and connection work, simplifying the installation process while ensuring proper electrical connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If perforations are made in the vehicle windshield to create electrical contacts, then electrical connection is achieved, but the manufacturing cost and reject rate increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical contact creationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and reject rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical contact creation process is extracted from the windshield manufacturing process itself. Instead of requiring perforations during windshield production, the flat ribbon conductor is routed between the panes after the windshield is manufactured, eliminating the need for costly and reject-prone perforation operations while still achieving electrical connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3334884B1Assembly with glass pane holder for a glass pane in a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.07.13 SAINT GOBAIN VITRAGE SA
  • EP3334884B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3334884B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3334884B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an assembly (100; 100'; 100''; 100'''), comprising: a vehicle window (50), which has two individual panes (54, 54') connected to each other by means of an adhesive layer (55), a window support (1; 1'; 1''; 1''') for the vehicle window (50), which window support has a connection segment (2) for mechanically connecting the vehicle window (50), which connection segment forms a holder (4) for the vehicle window (50) and has at least one electrical contact element (3), which is fastened to the window support (1; 1'; 1''; 1''') and is arranged at least partially within the holder (4), wherein the electrical contact element (3) serves to electrically contact an electrical counter contact element (51) of the vehicle window (50), wherein the electrical counter contact element (51) is formed as a ribbon conductor, which is led out of the vehicle window (50) between the two individual panes (54, 54') and is fastened to a surface (56) of the vehicle window (50).