Vehicle Window Seal Retention Clip for High-Speed Glass Hold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle window assemblies face challenges in retaining glass at high speeds due to negative pressure, leading to potential loss of seal function and increased noise levels inside the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A seal retention clip system is introduced, comprising a clip with angled ends and a serration, and a seal with a protrusion, which together enhance the retention of the glass by preventing translation and rotation of the seal, thereby maintaining the seal's functionality even under high-speed conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a supported seal section or glass run channel is co-extruded with a metal carrier for frame under glass door construction, then the glass retention structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but the retention level is insufficient under high-speed conditions causing seal loss and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the retention system into separate functional components: a seal member with channel and protrusion, and a clip with angled ends, instead of a single co-extruded assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining ease of assembly through the interlocking design where the clip engages the flange and the seal engages the clip.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member is constructed as a composite structure combining a flexible seal material (such as rubber or elastomer) with a rigid carrier (such as metal or plastic). This composite construction allows the seal to provide both flexibility for sealing and structural strength for retention, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and retention level.
2Speed
If the surface offset at the B-pillar is minimized for aerodynamically efficient vehicle designs, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but the B-pillar retention of the glass is limited reducing retention under high-speed conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from relying solely on B-pillar surface geometry for retention to using a three-dimensional mechanical retention system. The clip features angled ends that create a wedging action against the flange, and the seal includes a protrusion that engages with the clip, adding dimensional complexity to the retention mechanism independent of the B-pillar surface offset.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member acts as an intermediary between the glass and the clip structure. The seal's channel receives and positions the glass end, while the protrusion on the seal engages with the clip's angled ends, creating a mechanical linkage that provides retention without requiring significant B-pillar surface offset.
3Device complexity
If a traditional seal and clip design is used, then the device complexity is low and manufacturing is simple, but the seal cannot prevent translation and rotation under high-speed conditions leading to loss of seal function
Solution Approach 1:
The clip is designed with asymmetric angled ends rather than symmetric features. The first angled end engages with the protrusion on the seal while the second angled end engages with the flange at a different angle, creating a non-symmetric configuration that simultaneously prevents both translation and rotation of the seal, maintaining relatively low device complexity while improving reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle comprises: a body including a frame defining an opening, the frame forming a flange; glass mounted to the body, wherein the flange extends substantially perpendicular to a plane of the glass in a first position of the glass; a seal extending along the flange and forming a first mouth and a channel, the seal including a protrusion inside the first mouth, wherein an end of the glass is positioned within the channel when the glass is in the first position; and a clip having a second mouth that defines a first angled end and a second angled end, wherein a portion of the flange is held by the second mouth, the seal mounted to the frame so that the clip is positioned in the first mouth, the first angled end abutting the protrusion, and the second angled end abutting an inside surface of the first mouth.