Windowpane Driver Integrating Electrical Contacts for Electrotransparent Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle windowpanes with electrotransparent layers, which adjust transparency based on an electrical field, face complexity in electrical contacting due to the need for connections within the vehicle's outer structure and the requirement for movable feed lines, especially in adjustable windows, hindering ease of assembly and visibility.

Innovation Solution

A device with a windowpane driver containing contact elements that directly connect to the electrotransparent layer or its holder, integrated control electronics, and a voltage transformer, allowing for compact and space-saving assembly, along with a mechanism to measure transparency using a light-emitting element and receiver, ensuring easy and reliable electrical contacting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If electrotransparent layers are integrated into adjustable vehicle windowpanes, then transparency control is achieved, but device complexity increases due to electrical connection requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransparency controlVSAvoidelectrical connection structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the windowpane driver with the electrical contact elements into a single integrated unit. The driver housing directly contains the contact elements that engage with the electrotransparent layer, eliminating the need for separate connection mechanisms and reducing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The windowpane driver serves multiple functions: it adjusts the windowpane position and simultaneously provides electrical contact to the electrotransparent layer. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If feed lines are made movable to accompany the adjustable windowpane, then electrical connection is maintained, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection maintenanceVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The feed lines are integrated into the windowpane driver housing rather than being separate movable components. This merging eliminates the complexity of managing movable feed lines while maintaining continuous electrical connection during windowpane adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The windowpane driver acts as an intermediary that houses and manages the electrical connection infrastructure. By positioning the contact elements and feed lines within the driver housing, the system simplifies the connection management while maintaining functionality throughout the adjustment range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If contact elements are integrated into the windowpane driver, then assembly is simplified, but contact reliability must be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidcontact reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The contact elements are designed with resilient or compliant characteristics that allow them to maintain reliable electrical contact despite variations in assembly tolerances or wear over time. This beforehand cushioning ensures continuous reliable connection without requiring precision assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The contact elements are designed to change their physical parameters (such as position or contact force) in response to assembly variations. This adaptability ensures that reliable electrical contact is maintained across different assembly conditions and throughout the operational life of the windowpane.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Facilitates easy and complex-free assembly of electrotransparent windowpanes, maintaining unobstructed visibility by allowing adjustable tinting without additional assembly efforts, and enabling efficient regulation of transparency.

Implementation Method 1

materials of which the light absorption varies in dependence on an electrical field have been developed. By use of these materials, (laminated) windowpanes that are variable in their transparency can be produced.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochromism: Electrochromism

Implementation Method 2

a light-emitting element and receiver, ensuring easy and reliable electrical contacting

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentUS9399387B2Device for electrically contacting an electrically activatable functional layer of a vehicle windowpane that is adjustable by a windowpane driver

Publication Date: 2016.07.26 BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A device electrically contacts an electrically activatable functional layer of a vehicle windowpane that is adjustable by a windowpane driver. The device has the windowpane driver with at least two first contact elements for the transmission of control signals to the functional layer. In an as-intended installed state, the first contact elements are in electrical contact directly with at least two corresponding first contact points of the functional layer or of a windowpane holder directly securing the vehicle windowpane.