Window Support Device with Elastic Elements for Misalignment Compensation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional window lift mechanisms in motor vehicles often suffer from misalignment between the window's translation axis and the slider's axis, leading to jamming, noise, and increased effort during operation, especially in 'flush' window configurations where perfect parallelism is difficult to achieve.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a pane support device with elastically deformable material elements that provide three degrees of linear movement freedom between the slider and the window, allowing for compensation of mounting inaccuracies and ensuring reliable operation without requiring perfect parallelism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional window lift mechanism is used with fixed alignment, then the structure is simple, but misalignment between the window's translation axis and the slider's axis causes jamming, noise, and increased effort during operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewindow operation reliabilityVSAvoidsupport device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support device incorporates elastic elements that allow dynamic adjustment of the window's position relative to the slider. The elastic elements enable the support to adapt its configuration automatically during window movement, compensating for misalignment between the translation axis and slider axis, thereby eliminating jamming and noise while maintaining operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic elements in the support device allow for parameter changes in the relative position and orientation of the window compared to the slider. By permitting small deviations in position and angle through the elastic deformation, the system compensates for manufacturing tolerances and assembly variations, ensuring smooth operation without requiring perfect initial alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If perfect parallelism between the window's translation axis and the slider's axis is required, then operation is smooth, but assembly becomes difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewindow operation smoothnessVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support device with elastic elements performs self-adjustment during assembly and operation. The elastic components automatically compensate for misalignment between the window axis and slider axis, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment during assembly. The system self-corrects positional deviations, making assembly easier while ensuring smooth operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic nature of the elastic support allows it to adapt to slight misalignments automatically. During assembly, the elastic elements can deform to accommodate variations in positioning, and during operation, they continuously adjust to maintain optimal alignment, ensuring smooth window movement without requiring perfect initial parallelism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If rigid connection between slider and window is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but misalignment causes jamming and noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation reliabilityVSAvoidsupport device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support device uses elastic elements that function as flexible components between the rigid slider and window. These flexible elements allow for small deformations to accommodate misalignment, preventing jamming and noise while maintaining the overall structural simplicity. The flexibility is localized only where needed for compensation, not throughout the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic elements in the support device provide beforehand cushioning against misalignment issues. By incorporating these compliant elements in advance, the system is prepared to absorb and compensate for positional deviations before they cause jamming or noise, ensuring reliable operation without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 solution eliminates jamming and ensures efficient, reliable window operation by allowing for flexible movement in three directions, simplifying assembly and operation while maintaining a simple construction.

Implementation Method 1

the support device of the glass (10) includes at least one element in elastically deformable material arranged between the slider (22) and the window (10), allowing for compensation, according to three axes, of the games due to an approximate assembly of the slider (22) of the mobile glass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3156576B1Window-raising device for a motor vehicle, corresponding motor vehicle door and assembly method
Publication Date: 2022.11.30 ADVANCED COMFORT SYST FRANCE ACS
  • EP3156576B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3156576B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3156576B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

The invention relates to a window lift device (D) for a motor vehicle comprising at least one slide (21) along which a slider (22) can slide, connected to a movable window (10) by a window support device (3) (10). The window support device (3) (10) comprises at least one movement means including at least one element (33) made of elastically deformable material, providing the window (10) with three degrees of linear movement relative to the slider (22). According to the invention, the window support device (3) (10) comprises a support (31) integral with the window (10) carrying said at least one element (33) made of deformable material, on which is mounted a ring (32) for attaching the support device (3) to the slider (22).