Car side window kinematics

It is a demanding and time-consuming task to construct the side window mechanism of a car such that the deflections along the seals are minimized. The reason for this is that the window surface SS delivered by the stylist, will in general not be movable in a proper way: It is required that the surface tightly moves along the seals. Deflections will necessarily occur no matter how much effort the engineer invests. This article describes how to find a spatial motion that minimizes seal deflection for some given automobile side window surface. Necessary but acceptable modification of the stylist’s surface SS is also addressed, as well as the lifting mechanism design. It is argued that our systematic approach offers considerable savings compared to the prevailing trial-and-error approach.

Research highlights
► Surfaces moving in themselves are explained and described.
► A window surface proposal delivered by the stylist is evaluated.
► A given surface is cautiously improved in terms of movability in itself.
► The core of the car side window development is part of a prescribed routine.
► A car side window lifter mechanism is being designed.