Vehicle Window Sealing Assembly with Spring-Loaded Guide Rail
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing arrangements for vehicle windows are sensitive to manufacturing tolerances, requiring high latching forces and precise manufacturing to achieve a high degree of tightness and strength, which complicates the assembly process and may result in limited sealing due to deviations from production specifications.
Innovation Solution
A sealing arrangement featuring a retaining rail with a latching channel, a guide rail, and a spring leg aligned in parallel, where the spring leg and locking rail are latched together, with a spring element that exerts pressure against the cover, allowing for direct contact with the glass edge and minimizing the gap between components, thus reducing latching forces and tolerancing issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high latching forces are used to achieve secure sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but assembly difficulty and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic latching mechanism where the sealing element can be easily inserted with low force during assembly, then automatically locks into position through a cam-action or spring-loaded latching system that secures the connection permanently. This allows the assembly process to require minimal force while the final sealed state achieves high reliability through the mechanical locking action.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing arrangement incorporates pre-positioning features such as guide rails, alignment pins, or tapered entry sections that automatically center and position the sealing element before the latching action occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures proper alignment is achieved without requiring high assembly forces, while the subsequent latching mechanism provides the secure sealing reliability.
2Reliability
If precise manufacturing is required to achieve tight sealing, then sealing quality is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes elastic or resilient sealing materials that can deform under compression to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and dimensional variations in the rigid components. By changing the physical state or properties of the sealing element (using compliant rather than rigid materials), the system achieves reliable sealing without requiring extremely precise manufacturing of all components.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing design incorporates compliance or cushioning elements that absorb dimensional variations and manufacturing imperfections before they can affect the sealing interface. This might include elastic seals, foam gaskets, or spring-loaded components that compensate for tolerance stack-ups, allowing standard manufacturing tolerances to be used while maintaining sealing quality.
3Reliability
If complex latching mechanisms are used to secure components, then locking reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism is designed to be self-actuating, where the act of inserting or closing the cover automatically triggers the latching action through cam surfaces, spring-loaded detents, or over-center mechanisms. The system performs the locking function automatically without requiring additional actuators, sensors, or control systems, thereby achieving reliable locking while minimizing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components, such as incorporating the sealing element, latching mechanism, and positioning features into a single unified assembly. This merging of functions reduces the total number of separate parts and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining reliable locking through the combined action of the integrated elements.
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
This solution enables secure and permanent locking of components with low latching forces, precise positioning, and minimal gaps, even with manufacturing tolerances, ensuring effective sealing and reduced assembly complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The spring element preferably has a high specific rigidity. The spring element seals the locking channel from the outside atmosphere.
Implementation Method 2
The retaining rail can be attached using an adhesive or adhesive tape.
Data Source
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AI summary
Sealing arrangement for a vehicle window, at least comprising – a retaining rail (3) with a latching channel (4), wherein the latching channel (4) comprises a guide rail (5) and a spring leg (6), and the retaining rail (3) is fastened to a window (1), – a covering (7) with a latching rail (9), wherein the guide rail (5) together with the spring leg (6) surrounds the latching rail (9) in the latching channel (4), wherein the spring leg (6) and the latching rail (9) are oriented so as to latch parallel to each other, wherein – the covering (7) makes contact by means of a covering edge (8) with a glass edge (13) of the window (1), – the guide rail (5) comprises a spring element (11), and the spring element (11) is arranged and tensioned on a contact surface (12) on the lower side of the covering (7), and – wherein the guide rail (5) bears against the latching rail (9) via a centring cam (10) and, together with the covering edge (8), fixes and centres the covering (7) in the latching channel (4).