Vehicle Sliding Window Vertical Seal Channel Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sliding window assemblies for vehicles experience water intrusion through vertical and horizontal seals, leading to water damage and mold growth within the vehicle, compromising its quality and integrity.
Innovation Solution
The sliding window assembly incorporates a vertical seal that intersects and extends beyond a horizontal seal in the channel, obstructing the flow path of water and preventing it from entering the vehicle's interior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vertical and horizontal seals are used to seal the sliding panel to the fixed panels, then sealing between the sliding panel and fixed panels is improved, but water can still enter around the seals and flow into the vehicle interior through the channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the vertical seal into the channel dimension, creating a three-dimensional sealing barrier that blocks water flow paths within the channel. This additional spatial dimension of sealing prevents water from bypassing the horizontal seal and entering the vehicle interior, resolving the contradiction between seal effectiveness and water intrusion prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical seal is nested within the channel structure, with the seal extending into the channel space. This nested configuration allows the seal to block water flow within the channel while maintaining the overall sealing system integrity, preventing water intrusion without compromising the sealing function
Data Source
AI summary
A sliding window assembly for a vehicle includes a fixed panel and a sliding panel. A track includes a first side wall connected to the fixed panel and a second side wall spaced from and extending along the first side wall defining a channel therebetween. The channel receives the sliding panel for movement of the sliding panel relative to the fixed panel. A horizontal seal is coupled to the first side wall in the channel for sealing between the first side wall and the sliding panel. A vertical seal is affixed to the fixed panel and intersects the horizontal seal at an intersection in the channel. The vertical seal extends along the wall into the channel beyond the horizontal seal at the intersection for preventing the flow of water from the horizontal seal past the vertical seal and onto an interior side of the fixed panel.