Power windows are car windows that are raised and lowered by a motor controlled by a switch, replacing the old crank style. They were first introduced by Packard in the 1940s and have become a standard feature, with additional convenience features such as one-touch open, lockout switches, and “courtesy ignition.”
A power window is a car window that is raised and lowered by a motor controlled by a switch. These windows have become standard equipment on vehicles, replacing the old crank style. When the switch is activated, it completes a circuit, sending electricity to the motor which then moves the window up or down. Many power windows have a variety of additional features, such as one-touch open, lockout switches, and “courtesy ignition.”
The power window was first introduced for automotive use by Packard in the 1940s, and it remained a high-end luxury feature for many years. For a long time, they were featured only in the most exclusive models, such as Cadillac limousines. Most vehicles had windows that were operated by a crank turned by hand, and the power window only became a popular option in the 1970s and 1980s. Gradually they became a standard feature, and in the 2000s many vehicle manufacturers phased out manually operated windows entirely.
The hallmark of a power window is ease of operation; To raise or lower a window, all a vehicle occupant has to do is flip a switch. When the switch is pressed, electricity is sent to the motor that raises and lowers the window along a track. The motor turns several gears that cause a long arm to move up or down. One end of the arm travels along a slot in a bar at the base of the window; By doing so, the entire window is raised when the arm is raised and lowered when it is lowered. Some cars with many power features first send electricity to a device called a control module, which directs power to the desired window motor.
As consumers have grown accustomed to having power windows in their cars, many manufacturers have added additional convenience features. Many offer windows that open with a flick of the switch. One-touch switches prevent accidental closing by having the user pull the switch to close the window or come with sensors that automatically reverse operation if an obstruction is detected in the path of the window.
Another popular convenience is a power window lockout switch that allows the driver to prevent passengers, often children, from operating the windows. Some vehicles allow window operation from outside the car using a remote control. Many cars are also equipped with a feature called “courtesy ignition.” This feature allows the windows to continue to function for a brief interval after the ignition key is removed so that they can be adjusted without reinserting the key.
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