Types of power windows, TOP of the best
Content
The first mechanisms developed by German engineers were manually controlled. Prototypes of automatic windows, first installed on cars in the early 40s, were powered by hydraulics rather than electricity.
The window regulator in the car creates convenience and comfort for the driver and passengers. Electrically driven systems have virtually supplanted mechanical devices. There are various types of window regulators in terms of type of control and design.
Varieties of glass lifting mechanisms
In 2028, the window regulator will turn 100 years old. The now familiar system for lowering windows in a car once made a splash among car owners.
Varieties of glass lifting mechanisms
Created for the sake of comfort, the development turned out to be useful in terms of safety while driving.
By type of management
The first mechanisms developed by German engineers were manually controlled. Prototypes of automatic windows, first installed on cars in the early 40s, were powered by hydraulics rather than electricity.
Manual
Mechanical lifts were operated by a lever on the inside of the door, which was turned in the desired direction to open or close the window. They got the name "meat grinder" or "oar" for the similarity of actions with the objects of the same name.
Some drivers see the advantage of such control in its autonomy, independence from the electrical system and ease of repair.
Automatic
Electronics, replacing manual control, has also affected car systems. Pressing the button transmits an impulse to the drive unit, consisting of an electric motor, gear and worm gear, which transmits the force to the lifting mechanism.
Automatic window regulator
An automatic window regulator is more convenient than a manual one and does not distract the driver on the road.
By type of lifting mechanism
For all designs, the mechanism that raises and lowers the glass is located in the door body. The side guides for the glass are grooves on the inside of the door frame. Rails are installed at the bottom of the door, along which the glass moves with the help of sliders. The upper limit is provided by a window seal, the lower limit is provided by a rubber shock absorber.
By design, window lifters are classified into 3 types. Each of them is found in mechanisms with any type of drive.
Rack type
The mechanism of rack-and-pinion window regulators consists of a plate to which the glass is attached, and a fixed gear rack, coupled with a gear.
The disadvantages include the need for periodic lubrication of metal gears or the rapid wear of plastic ones, as well as the large dimensions of the mechanism.
Rope
The design consists of rollers installed inside the door, on which an elastic cable in the form of a ring is pulled, wound on a drive drum. Upon receiving a signal from the control unit, the drum starts to rotate. The lower part of the glass is fixed on a plate, to which a cable is also connected. The translational movement of the cable causes the plate to rise or fall along the guide tube.
Rope window lifter
For wide windows, a lift with two guide cables is installed.
The mechanism takes up little space under the door trim, but is prone to chafing and pulling the cable and wearing plastic rollers.
Lever
In a compact and robust design, the glass plate is moved by levers that are driven by a gear. There are mechanisms with one or two levers. The latter greatly reduce the chance of glass skewing, but a common disadvantage of this type is the reduction in the speed of glass movement when approaching the top of the lift.
Features of universal power windows
Universal power windows on cars equipped with an electric drive are installed in cars that have mechanical devices as factory equipment.
Suitable for front and rear doors of any car. The kit includes a gearmotor and a transmission mechanism, brackets, fasteners, switch buttons and plugs for places of contact with the door upholstery.
A prerequisite for refinement is the serviceability of the existing mechanical windows.
Universal power window
Another type of universal car windows is a mechanism suitable for most brands of cars.
Top best power windows
When used in heavy duty mode, the power window may break. Original spare parts are not always available due to the high price. There are several companies on the market of analog spare parts whose products are comparable in quality to branded ones, but at the same time they are much cheaper.
Budget
In the budget segment, there are mechanical windows and universal electric windows for cars. The price of a kit for the right and left front or rear doors does not exceed 1500 rubles from different manufacturers.
Lifts of the Russian companies "Forward", "Granat", "DMZ" and "DZS" are on the domestic passenger and freight transport, are widely represented in the market of secondary spare parts.
Optimal for the price
The average price of a set of high-quality electric window lifters is 3000-4000 rubles.
In this segment, you can pick up cable and rack windows for foreign and Russian-made cars.
Inexpensive power windows
Forward is considered to be the recognized leader. Products - mechanisms that work quietly, with good speed, they are distinguished by decent quality and affordable price. High-precision lifts for the domestic automotive industry are offered by the DMZ company.
The Polish company Polcar has earned the trust of customers with a variety of options for models and designs for most car brands. The company uses durable materials, conducts serial product tests for defects. Prices for Polcar lifts are slightly higher (up to 6000 rubles), but they are suitable for most foreign cars: Ford, Mazda, Honda, Nissan, Renault and others.
Dear
The elite ones include lever windows and models with an intelligent control system programmed for different situations, for example, to automatically close windows when an alarm is set. "Smart" system can be bought separately, its price is from 1500 rubles.
European companies JP Group, Lift-Tek and Polcar offer different types of power windows at a price of 5000 rubles.
Original spare parts for foreign cars belong to the premium price segment.
