Vehicle Window Trim Encapsulation Without Plastic Inserts

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Solution Overview

Problem

The use of stainless steel decoration trims in vehicle windows requires additional plastic inserts for strength enhancement, increasing process complexity and manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle window structure with a decoration part that includes a body portion, an embedded portion, and a reinforcing portion, where the reinforcing portion extends inside the encapsulation and overlaps the window glass by at least 5 mm, providing support without the need for plastic inserts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional vehicle window structure with separate waterproof rubber and decorative rubber is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but water may penetrate into the window groove and cause rusting of the window lift motor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of water penetration and rustingVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the waterproof rubber and decorative rubber into a single integrated component. The decorative rubber includes an L-shaped groove structure that accommodates the waterproof rubber, merging two separate sealing functions into one unified part. This eliminates the interface between separate components where water could penetrate, while maintaining both waterproofing and aesthetic functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The waterproof rubber is nested within the L-shaped groove of the decorative rubber. This nested configuration allows the waterproof rubber to be positioned precisely within the window groove while being protected and held by the decorative rubber structure, ensuring reliable sealing without requiring separate attachment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Shape

If a conventional vehicle window structure with separate waterproof rubber and decorative rubber is used, then the production cost is low, but the aesthetic appearance is poor due to visible gaps and seams

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the waterproof rubber and decorative rubber into a single integrated component, the patent eliminates visible gaps and seams at the interface between separate parts. The L-shaped groove structure of the decorative rubber provides a continuous surface that conceals the waterproof rubber, creating a seamless and aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The decorative rubber is designed with different functional zones: the outer surface provides aesthetic appearance, while the L-shaped groove provides structural support and positioning for the waterproof rubber. This local differentiation of quality allows the same component to fulfill both cosmetic and functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a conventional vehicle window structure with separate waterproof rubber and decorative rubber is used, then the installation process is simple, but water can penetrate through the interface between components into the window groove

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterproofing performanceVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The integration of waterproof rubber and decorative rubber into a single component eliminates the interface where water penetration occurs in conventional designs. The L-shaped groove structure provides an inherent sealing mechanism that prevents water from reaching the window groove, ensuring reliable waterproofing without requiring complex multi-step installation procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The waterproof rubber is pre-positioned within the L-shaped groove of the decorative rubber during manufacturing. This preliminary positioning ensures that the waterproofing function is already established before installation, eliminating the need for complex alignment and sealing procedures during vehicle assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3956162B1Vehicle window structure, vehicle window decoration part and vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 SAINT GOBAIN SEKURIT FRANCE
  • EP3956162B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The vehicle window structure (100) comprises a vehicle window glass (110), a decoration part (120) and an encapsulation (130) connecting the vehicle window glass (110) with the decoration part (120). The decoration part (120) comprises a body portion (122) for decoration purpose and an embedded portion (124) connected with the body portion (122) and embedded into the encapsulation (130). The decoration part (120) further comprises a reinforcing portion (126) formed by at least a portion of the embedded portion (124) extending inside the encapsulation (130). The technical solution of this disclosure has low manufacturing cost without changing the process, and has simple and reliable structure.