Completed Projects

Four Side Flush Glass Door System

• True 'Four Side Flush' system with zero belt offset and no limousine frame margin
• Robust glass transport system assures excellent long term durability and is adaptable to compound curvature glass
• Novel glass latching strategy protects for autobahn capability with a hardtop configuration
• Unique articulating 'B' pillar seal allows complex glass motion, vents cabin pressures and provides a "smokers vent"

Evaluation on a Ford Thunderbird

Flush over "B" pillar and roof

Multimatic has developed a true four-side flush glass system for both four and two door applications. It is a hardtop arrangement that completely eliminates all but the glass to roof margin, resulting in an extremely clean look and excellent aerodynamics.

The basis of this system is a novel articulating window regulator, developed by Multimatic, that generates the glass motion required to achieve true flushness and excellent glass sealing. An active glass latching strategy was utilized to assure positive sealing at all road speeds, including new autobahn requirements. A single actuator operates the front and rear glass latches as well as an articulating B-pillar seal that accommodates the belt line motion and provides cabin venting during door closing (significantly reducing efforts). A smooth glass motion is achieved via regulator motor speed control. All of these advanced features, including electronic interior, exterior and remote key fob de-latching, are controlled via Multimatic's proprietary Smartdoor® electronics.

This concept has been developed for Ford Advanced Body Engineering through two distinct phases. The first encompassed the design and build of a two door, proof of concept prototype body side. This system was fully functional but not suitable for testing. The second phase resulted in a fully functional system installed on one side of a drivable 1993 Thunderbird. Drive evaluation and wind tunnel testing indicate that the active glass latching strategy significantly reduces wind noise in comparison to the base vehicle despite the flush hardtop arrangement. This active latching system is not dependent on four side flush and would be as effective on any hardtop door system.

This system was well received for its functional and design advantages over conventional systems.