CN1088789C - A window regulator, particularly for vehicle window - Google Patents

Abstract

A cable transmission connected to a drive unit comprises a pair of flexible sheaths (32, 34) each having a first end anchored to a housing of the drive unit and a second end anchored to a slide (22) which supports a pane and is slidable along a track (20). A flexible cable which extends around a drum of the drive unit comprises two branches (46, 48) slidable in the respective sheaths (32, 34). The slide (22) has a pair of internal ducts (50, 52) for guiding the branches (46, 48) of the cable, the ducts extending between inlet openings, to which the second ends of the sheaths (32, 34) are anchored, and respective opposed outlets facing towards respective opposite ends of the track (20). The two opposite ends of the cable are anchored to the respective ends of the track (20) so that respective portions (46a, 48a) of the cable disposed between the respective outlets and the respective ends of the track (20) extend parallel to the track.

Description

A window regulator for car windows

The present invention relates to a window regulator for vehicle windows, such regulators include:

- a moving device consisting of a fixed rail extending in the direction of movement of the pane and a slider slidable along the rail and supporting the pane,

- a drive unit consisting of a fixed housing, a drum rotatable in the housing and means for rotating the drum,

- a transmission, which consists of a pair of flexible sheaths that respectively fix the first end to the housing and the second end to the moving device, and a pair of flexible sheaths that can slide in the two sheaths, extend around the drum, and make the two It consists of a steel cable with two opposite ends connected to the mobile device.

The prior art closest to the present invention is a window regulator in which the second end of the flexible sheath is secured to brackets attached to the respective upper and lower ends of the rails. Both lengths of cables extending from these ends of the sheath are guided along rails, via pulleys or similar guides, and extend to sliders to which the cables are secured.

Since these known devices are equipped with a frame, a pulley or the like, and a pin for turning the pulley around it, their production costs are relatively high. In addition to the cost of producing these parts and assembling them, there is the cost of welding the brackets to the ends of the rails.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a window regulator which combines the functional advantages of known devices of the same type with a lower cost due to the presence of brackets and pulleys or similar guides.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a window regulator of the above-mentioned type, characterized in that:

- the second end of the sheath is fixed to the slider;

—The slider has a pair of inner channels for the cable guide, which extend from the second side of the sheath

between the inlets respectively fixed at the ends and the corresponding opposite outlets facing the corresponding opposite ends of the guide rails

room, and

- The two opposite ends of the cable are fixed to the corresponding ends of the guide rail, so that they are arranged in the corresponding

Corresponding portions of the steel cables between the outlets of the outlet and corresponding ends of the guide rails extend parallel to the guide rails.

The idea on which the invention is based overturns the conventional operating principle of window regulators in which two opposite branches of a steel cable slide in corresponding flexible sheaths; according to the invention, the slider not only performs the known function of supporting the pane , It also completes the function of turning the force of the two branches of the cable to the direction of the thrust axis acting on the window. This function is usually completed by pulleys or similar guides configured at both ends of the guide rail where the slider slides.

Due to the sheath's flexibility it can be designed in such a way that the end remote from the drive follows the upward and downward movement of the slider.

Due to the flexibility of the sheath, this structure has no strict constraints on the length of the guide rail and its distance from the driving device, so that the same window regulator can be adapted to be installed in various types of automobiles without modification.

Owing to canceled parts such as support, pulley, by device of the present invention compared with known same type window adjuster, also has the advantage of light weight.

The invention is designed for automotive door applications, but can also be used in other applications, typically in vehicles and eg in doors and windows of buildings.

The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clearer by reading the following detailed description, provided as a non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of an automobile door, showing the structure of a window regulator according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view showing part of the device of Figure 1 including guide rails and corresponding sliders;

Fig. 3 is a larger enlarged view showing the slider and part of the guide rail of Fig. 2 including a partial section;

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are views similar to Figure 3, showing three other embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an automobile door includes a sheet steel shell, generally indicated at 10, having an upper and lower compartment 14 which opens and forms a window frame 12. As shown in FIG.

The pane 16 is mounted in the shell 10 so that it slides between a raised position in the window frame 12 and a position at least partially lowered buried in the lower compartment 14 .

A set of moving means, indicated generally at 18, is mounted in the lower compartment 14 to move the pane 16 up and down.

The moving device 18 includes a fixed guide rail 20 extending in the moving direction of the pane glass 16; and a slider 22 that can slide along the guide rail 20 and support the pane glass 16 from the middle and lower parts.

A driving device 24 is also contained in the lower compartment 14, and in a known manner consists of a fixed housing 26, a drum 28 rotatable in the housing 26 and means for rotating the drum 28, i.e. in In the above-mentioned embodiment, it is composed of a gear-connected motor 30 .

The moving means 18 and the drive means 24 are connected by a transmission consisting of a pair of flexible sheaths 32,34.

The first end 36 or 38 of each flexible sheath is fixed to housing 26 respectively; The second end of each sheath 32,34 constituted by the corresponding terminal 40,42 is connected with mobile device 18, and according to the present invention , this end is fixed to the slider 22, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 .

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the slider 22 mounted to slide on the guide rail 20 in a known manner consists of a block, preferably made of a high-strength plastic with a low coefficient of friction, such as polyamide or polytetrafluoroethylene.

The blocks constituting the slider 22 are preferably composed of a pair of coupled split shells, each of which has grooves connected to each other to form the two passages that will be referred to below.

The pane 16 of FIG. 1 is supported by a pin 44 integrally formed with the block or one of the two split housings.

In addition to comprising flexible sheaths 32, 34, the transmission means also has a member slidable in both sheaths, in a known manner, extending around the drum 28 of Fig. 1, and is connected with the moving means in a manner to be explained 18 connected steel cables at two opposite ends.

The two opposite branches of the cable extending from the drum are indicated by 46 and 48 respectively.

According to the invention, the slider 22 has a pair of internal channels for guiding the two branches 46, 48 of the cable. These passages respectively extend between the inlets to which the terminal ends 40 , 42 of the sheaths 34 , 32 are secured and the respective opposite outlets facing the opposite ends of the rails 20 .

The opposite ends of the cables are secured to respective ends of the guide rail 20 by respective terminal ends 54,56. Thus, the two opposite branches of the cable have respective portions, respectively indicated by 46a, 48a, extending parallel to the guide rail 20 from the outlets of the respective channels 50, 52.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the two channels 50, 52 intersect within the slider 22, but do not intersect. Of these passages, the one indicated by 50 extends along a curved path from an inlet in the upper corner region of the slider 22 on the side facing the drive means. The axis of this inlet converges downwards with the rail 20 . The channel 50 terminates in an outlet at the lower end of the slider 22 and facing the lower end of the guide rail 20 .

Another channel 52 also extends along a curved path from an inlet located in the lower corner region of the slider 22 and on the side of the surface drive 24 (FIG. 1). The axis of this inlet converges upwardly with the rail 20 . The channel 52 terminates in an outlet at the upper end of the slider 22 and facing the upper end of the guide rail 20 .

Figure 4 shows a second embodiment in which the channels in the slider do not intersect.

For simplicity, the same or similar parts as those of Fig. 3 are indicated by the same reference numerals in Fig. 4 .

One of the internal passages 50 is located on the side of the slider 22 facing the drive unit 24 ( FIG. 1 ), and has an upper entrance (corresponding to the terminal end 40 of the upper sheath 32 ) substantially perpendicular to the axis of the guide rail 20, along a substantially A curved path deflected by 90° extends. Channel 50 terminates in an outlet at the upper end of slider 22 to deflect cable end 46a upwardly toward the upper end of guide rail 20 .

The other inner channel 52 of the slider 22 is deflected substantially 90° along the same side of the slider 22 and has a lower entrance (corresponding to the terminal end 42 of the lower sheath 34 ) substantially perpendicular to the axis of the guide rail 20 . The curved path is extended. The lower channel 52 terminates in an outlet at the lower end of the slider 22 and facing the lower end of the guide rail 20 to deflect the cable end 48a downward.

A third embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 in that the two channels of the slider intersect rather than intersect.

For the sake of simplification, the same serial numbers are also used in FIG. 5 to indicate the same or similar parts as those in the previous figures.

In Fig. 5, an internal channel 50 is located from an upper entrance (corresponding to terminal end 40 of sheath 32) substantially perpendicular to the axis of guide rail 20 at the side of slide block 22 facing drive means 24 (Fig. 1), along Following a curved path, as shown in FIG. 3 , the channel 50 terminates in an outlet at the lower end of the slider 22 .

The other passage extends along a curved path from a lower inlet (corresponding to terminal end 42 of sheath 34 ) located on the same side of slider 22 and having a lower entrance substantially perpendicular to the axis of guide rail 20 .

As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , the channel 52 opens at the upper end of the slider 22 .

In FIG. 6 showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention, for the sake of simplicity, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar parts as those in the above figures.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 , the two passages 50 , 52 also intersect but do not intersect within the slider 22 .

Channel 50 extends along a curved path from an inlet (corresponding to terminal end 40 of upper sheath 32 ) located on the side of the slider facing drive unit 24 ( FIG. 1 ) and having an entrance substantially perpendicular to the axis of guide rail 20 .

As in the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the channel 50 opens at the lower end of the slider.

However, another channel 52 extends from a lower inlet (corresponding to the terminal end 42 of the lower sheath 34), along a linear path substantially parallel to the guide rail 20, to an outlet at the upper end.

Naturally, the structure shown in Fig. 5 can be reversed.

In addition, the slider may have a pair of linear channels parallel to each other and to the rails, with inlet and outlet channels at respective opposite ends.

If the transmission part of the corresponding upper sheath 32 can be placed in the compartment indicated by 14, and does not protrude above the lower edge of the window frame, then the last embodiment and the embodiment shown in Figure 6 are suitable for being contained in the car door superior.

This embodiment can be used in pairs with similar window regulators, a pane being moved by two sliders attached to the ends of the pane.

Such applications are suitable for moving windows in buses, train cars and buildings.

Claims (8)

1. specialize in the used window regulator of vehicle window for one kind, this class adjuster comprises:

-one mobile device (18), it can be made up of along guide rail slip and the slide block (22) that supports this pane a fixed guide (20) that extends along pane (16) direction of motion and one,

-one drive unit (24), it is by a stationary housing (26), the rotating cylinder (28) that can in this housing, rotate, and the device (30) of this rotating cylinder rotation is formed,

-one transmission device, it by a pair of respectively with first end (36,38) be fixed in this housing (26), second end (40,42) is connected in the flexible shroud (32 of mobile device (18), 34) and one can be at two sheaths (32,34) slide in, extend around rotating cylinder (28), and the cable wire (46 that two relative terminations are linked to each other with mobile device, 48) form

It is characterized in that:

Second end of-sheath (32,34) is fixed in slide block (22),

-slide block (22) has a pair of internal channel (50,52) for cable wire (46,48) guiding, this passage extend inlet that sheath (32,34) second end (40,42) institute fixes respectively with towards between the corresponding relative outlet of the corresponding opposite end of guide rail (20) and

The respective end of guide rail (20) is fixed in two relative terminations (46,48) of-cable wire, and (46a 48a) is parallel to guide rail and extends to make the appropriate section that is disposed at the cable wire between corresponding outlet and the guide rail respective end.

2. by the described a kind of window regulator of claim 1, it is characterized in that, two passages (50,52) in slide block (22), intersect and non-intersect, one of passage (50) is positioned at certainly towards the last corner regions of slide block (22) one sides of drive unit (24), and there is one of an axis of assembling with guide rail (20) downwards to enter the mouth, path along a bending, extend to the lower end that is positioned at slide block (22) and towards an outlet of guide rail (20) lower end, another passage (52) is then from being positioned at towards the following corner regions of the slide block (22) of drive unit (24) one sides, and an inlet of an axis of upwards assembling with guide rail (20) arranged, along the path of a bending, extend to the upper end that is positioned at slide block (22) and towards an outlet of guide rail (20) upper end.

3. by the described a kind of window regulator of claim 1, it is characterized in that, one of passage in the slide block (22) (50) are positioned at towards slide block (22) one sides of drive unit (24) certainly and a upper entrance that is basically perpendicular to the axis of guide rail (20) are arranged, along the crooked route of 90 ° of deflections roughly, extend to the upper end that is positioned at slide block (22) and towards an outlet of guide rail (20) upper end, another passage (52) in the slide block (22) is then from being positioned at above-mentioned the same side of slide block (22) and a bottom inlet that is approximately perpendicular to the axis of guide rail (20) being arranged, along the crooked route of 90 ° of deflections roughly, extend to the lower end that is positioned at slide block (22) and towards an outlet of guide rail (20) lower end.

4. by the described a kind of window regulator of claim 1, it is characterized in that, two passages (50,52) in slide block (22), intersect and non-intersect, one of passage (50) is positioned at towards slide block (22) one sides of drive unit (24) certainly and a upper entrance that is basically perpendicular to the axis of guide rail (20) is arranged, along a crooked route, extend to the upper end that is positioned at slide block (22) and towards an outlet of guide rail (20) upper end, another passage (52) is then from slide block (22) one sides that are positioned at towards drive unit (24), and there is a bottom that is basically perpendicular to the axis of guide rail to enter the mouth, along a crooked route, extend to the upper end that is positioned at slide block (22) and towards an outlet of guide rail (20) lower end.

5. by the described a kind of window regulator of claim 1, it is characterized in that, two inner passages (50 of slide block (22), 52) in slide block (22), intersect, and it is non-intersect, one of slide block internal channel (50) be positioned at certainly towards slide block one side of drive unit (24) and have one be basically perpendicular to guide rail (20) axis one the inlet, along a crooked route, extend to be positioned at slide block one end and towards guide rail (20) one respective end one the outlet, and another passage (52) is positioned at an inlet of an end relative with above-mentioned end of slide block (22) certainly, along a straight line path that is parallel to this guide rail, extend to an outlet that is positioned at the other end.

6. by the described a kind of window regulator of claim 5, it is characterized in that the passage (50) that extends with crooked route has one to be positioned at slide block (22) lower end and towards the outlet of guide rail (20) lower end, the inlet of beeline channel (52) is positioned at this lower end.

7. by the described a kind of window regulator of claim 1, it is characterized in that, two passes in the slide block extends along the straight line path that is parallel to each other and be parallel to guide rail, article one, passage Zi an entrance extension that is positioned at upper end of slide block to a outlet towards the guide rail lower end, another passage then Zi an entrance extension that is positioned at the slide block lower end to a outlet towards guide rail upper end.

8. by each described a kind of window regulator in the aforesaid right requirement, it is characterized in that this slide block is made up of the housing of splitting of a pair of coupling, each is split has some common grooves that limit this two passage in the housing.

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