Vehicle Window Trimming Assembly Sealing and Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trimming and sealing assemblies for motor vehicle window frames lack improved features for effective sealing and anchoring, leading to potential aerodynamic issues and reduced durability.
Innovation Solution
A trimming and sealing assembly featuring a sheet metal support flange with L-shaped cross-section, a rigid bearing profile with an inverted L-shape, and anchoring clips with C- or U-shaped cross-section, which together form a downwardly-open seat for a sealing strip with inverted U-shaped cross-section, ensuring secure contact with the window pane and enhanced sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional trimming and sealing assembly is used, then the structure is simple, but the sealing effectiveness and aerodynamic performance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly is divided into distinct functional components: bearing profile for structural support, sealing strip for weatherproofing, and trimming profile for aerodynamic shaping. Each component is optimized independently and assembled together, allowing complex functionality while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated assembly: the bearing profile simultaneously provides structural support, mounting features for seals, and attachment points for trimming. This merging reduces the number of separate parts needed while achieving superior sealing and aerodynamic performance.
2Strength
If anchoring clips are used to secure the support flange, then the anchoring strength is improved, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring clips are made from resilient material that can elastically deform during installation and then maintain constant clamping force on the support flange. This flexibility allows strong anchoring without requiring complex fastening mechanisms or multiple fasteners.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient clips are designed to be self-installing components that snap into place and automatically secure the support flange to the window frame. The clips self-adjust to accommodate dimensional variations and maintain optimal clamping force without requiring additional adjustment mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the sealing strip is positioned to contact the window pane, then the sealing performance is improved, but the risk of aerodynamic noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing strip is designed with differentiated contact characteristics: soft resilient material at the contact surface with the window pane for quiet sealing, while the outer trimming profile provides aerodynamic shaping. This local quality differentiation allows effective sealing without compromising aerodynamic performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly uses composite construction with the sealing strip made of resilient elastomeric material for sealing contact, while the bearing and trimming profiles are made of rigid materials for structural support and aerodynamic shaping. This composite approach allows each material to optimize its specific function.
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 provides improved sealing and anchoring, reducing aerodynamic noise and enhancing the durability of the assembly by ensuring secure contact between the sealing strip and the window pane, while being relatively simple and easy to implement.
Implementation Method 1
each anchoring clip having an upper branch and a lower branch opposite one another and resiliently divaricable and between which the upper wing of said support flange is fitted with interference and snap-eng aged
Data Source
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AI summary
The trimming and sealing assembly (13) is intended to be applied to an upper portion of a frame (9) of a window (4) of a door (2) of a motor vehicle (1), the window (4) having an associated transparent pane (5), movable between a lowered opening position and a raised closing position. Such portion of the frame (9) includes at least one longitudinal support flange (12), with a sheet metal member (10) having an essentially L-shaped cross-section, with an upper wing (10a) forming an angle with respect to said pane (5) and provided with coupling formations (10c) and with a rear lateral wing or flap (10b) turned towards the inside of the motor vehicle (1) and extending downwards. The trimming and sealing assembly (13) comprises a rigid bearing profile (14), having an essentially L-shaped cross-section, with an upper wing ( 14a) extending above the upper wing (10a) of said flange (12) and a front lateral wing (14b) turned, in use, towards the environment outside the motor vehicle (1) and facing the rear lateral wing (10b) of said flange (12), such that between the support flange (12) and the bearing profile (14) there is defined a downwardly-open seat (15); To the front wing (14a) of the bearing profile (14) there is connected an external trimming profile (16). In said seat (15) there is mounted a sealing strip (21) having an essentially inverted U-shaped cross-section, with first and second lateral branches (21a, 21b), adjacent to the front wing (14b) of the bearing profile (14) and to the rear wing (10b) of the support flange (12), respectively, and provided with respective longitudinal sealing lips (2 Id, 21e) adapted to contact the opposite surfaces or faces (5a, 5b) of said transparent pane (5) when the latter is in the closed position. In the bearing profile (14) there being defined an upper longitudinal space (19), adjacent to the seat (15) and wherein said support flange (12) extends. The trimming and sealing assembly (13) further comprises a plurality of anchoring clips (18) having a substantially C- or U-shaped cross-section, arranged in longitudinally spaced positions in the upper space (19) of the bearing profile (14) and held therein. Each anchoring clip (18) has an upper branch (18a) and a lower branch (18b) resiliently divaricable, between which the support flange (12) is inserted with interference and snap-engaged.