FR3050225A1 - - Google Patents

Abstract

A window regulator and a method of operating a window regulator are provided. The window regulator has a guide rail and a slider. The guide rail has a sliding zone and an end. The slider slidably engages with the sliding area and is movable between an open position and a closed position. The slider has a first side portion with an end member extending therefrom, the first side portion further including a projection extending from an edge. The projection has an end region disposed adjacent the end when the slider is in the closed position.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR WINDOW REGULATOR

BACKGROUND

[0001] Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a cable window regulator and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for protecting the edge of a rail in a window regulator.

[0002] In addition, the embodiments of the present invention provide improved window regulator systems.

[0003] The operation of windows, such as vehicle windows, often uses window regulator systems to control the vertical movement of the window. In one configuration, the window regulator systems include one or more slider (s), holding device (s), or window attachment device (s) each slidably engaging a guide rail. The window fastener also includes a fastener for attaching the window to the window fastener and, therefore, the window moves as the fastener slides along the guide rail. In order to facilitate the movement of the window, the window attachment device is attached to a driving means, such as a cable, which is driven by a winding drum rotated by a manually operated motor or lever. In operation and as the take-up drum rotates, a portion of at least one cable is wound on the take-up drum while a portion of at least one other cable is unwound from the take-up drum. Each cable is attached to the window fastener either to pull or to allow (for example, unwind) a sliding motion of the window fastener as the cable drum is rotated by the motor. In another embodiment, the complete cable path consists of a single cable equipped with an intermediate crimping at the winding drum or at the slider to allow the transmission of motion.

Since the cable drum is generally located remote from the ends of the guide rail along which the window fastening device slides, pulleys or deflection ramps are located near or at the ends. distal from the guide rail, so that as the cable drum is rotated, the applicable force is applied to the window fastener to cause it to slide along the guide rail. The pulleys provide rotational support for the cable (s) as it (s) is (are) wound (s) and unwound (s) from the cable drum. The deflection ramps provide sliding support for the cable (s) as it (s) is (are) wound (s) and unwound (s) from the cable drum. Due to the force applied to the pulleys or ramps through the cable, it is necessary to ensure that the ramp or cable pulley and the guide rail attached to it are designed to withstand the forces are applied via the cable.

The opposite end of the cable from the cable drum is attached to a support, sometimes called slider. The cursor slides along a sliding area to move the window between the open and closed positions. Generally, the cursor has a protrusion, sometimes called a Z-stop that couples the cursor to the window. Given the vehicle, Z is the vertical direction (ascending), X is the longitudinal direction (from back to front) and Y is the transverse direction (right to left). Since a connection point of the cable is arranged on the slider, two pairs RX and RY are applied to the slider, the torque RX being due to the distance in the Y direction between the plane 52 which is the base of the abutment. Z and the cable connection point, the torque RY being due to the distance in the X direction between the middle of the Z stop and the cable connection point. This in turn places loads on the sliding area which can cause deformations under extreme environmental and thermal conditions (70 ° C to 130 ° C).

Therefore, it is desirable to provide an apparatus and method for providing improved support between the slider and the slider area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment, a window regulator is provided. The window regulator has a guide rail and a slider. The guide rail has a sliding zone and an end. The slider slidably engages with the sliding area and is movable between an open position and a closed position. The slider has a first side portion with an end member extending therefrom, the first side portion further including a projection extending from an edge. The projection has an end region disposed adjacent the end when the slider is in the closed position.

According to another embodiment, another window regulator is provided. The window regulator includes a guide rail having a sliding area. A pulley or ramp is coupled to the guide rail. A slider is slidably coupled to the slider area and movable between an open position and a closed position, the slider having a projection for connecting a window pane. A cable is operably coupled to the pulley or ramp and has an end coupled to the slider, the cable being in contact with the slider at a connection point which is essentially located or at least aligned along an axis X on an axis defined by the center of the loads applying to the projection.

According to another embodiment, another window regulator is provided. The window regulator has a guide rail having a sliding area and a side wall (60). A pulley or ramp is coupled to the guide rail. A slider is slidably coupled to the sliding area and movable between an open position and a closed position. A support member extends from one of the slider or sidewall, the support member having an end surface for contacting the other of the sidewall or slider. A cable is operably coupled to the pulley or ramp and has an end coupled to the slider.

According to another embodiment, a method is provided. The method supports a window regulator slider against torque loads generated by a cable. The method includes rotating a pulley to a guide rail. The slider is slidably coupled to a sliding area of the guide rail. The cable is in contact with the cursor at the point of connection. A first couple is applied to the cursor with the cable when the cursor is in the closed position.

According to yet another embodiment, a cursor is provided. The cursor is for use in a window regulator having a sliding area. The cursor has a body having a first side portion. An end member extends from the first side portion, the first side portion further includes a projection extending from an edge, the projection having an end region (108). A surface extends from the first side portion, a second projection extends from the surface to support or drive a window. A second end portion is disposed adjacent the second projection and is configured to couple to a cable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and / or other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which the same characters represent the same parts in all the drawings, where: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a window regulator according to one embodiment; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the window regulator of Figure 1 according to one embodiment; Figure 3A and Figure 3B are a partial sectional view of a body for use in the window regulator of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the window regulator of Figure 1 according to another embodiment; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the window regulator of Figure 1 according to another embodiment; Figure 6 is another perspective view of the window regulator of Figure 5; and [0019] Figure 7 is another perspective view of the window regulator of Figure 5.

Although the drawings show various embodiments and features of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily scaled and some features may be exaggerated to illustrate and explain exemplary embodiments. of the present invention. The exemplification presented here illustrates several aspects of the invention, in a form, and such an exemplification should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the Figures, a window regulator 10 is illustrated. The window regulator 10 has a guide rail 12 and a slider, a holding device, or a window fastener 14 slidably attached to the guide rail for movement in the direction of the arrows 16 in response to a movement of the window. a cable or a pair of cables 18 each having an end operably coupled to a slider 34 at one end and a cable drum 20 (both illustrated by the dashed lines in Figure 1) . The slider 34 is slidably coupled to a sliding zone 36, which guides the slider 34 in the direction of the arrows 16. In one embodiment, the sliding zone 36 is formed integrally with the guide rail 12 The cable drum 20 is rotatably received within a housing 22 and is operably coupled to a motor 24 so that the motor is energized, the cable drum 20 will rotate, and a cable 18 will be rotated. wound on the cable drum 20 while the other cable 18 is unwound from the cable drum 20 to ensure the desired movement of the holding device in the direction of the arrows 16.

In order to transfer the rotational movement of the cable drum 18 to the holding device 14, the pulleys 26 are fixed in rotation to the guide rail 12. FIG. 1 illustrates the possible locations for fixing the pulley (FIG. s) 26 to the guide rail 12. In one embodiment, the mount is used with a top pulley 26 or an upper deflection ramp or an upper cable ramp as opposed to a lower pulley 29 or a lower deflection ramp or a lower cable ramp. In one embodiment, the configuration of the lower pulley 29 or the lower deflection ramp or the lower cable ramp may be different from that of the upper pulley or the upper deflection ramp or the upper cable ramp. or in yet another embodiment, they may be the same. As used herein, the upper pulley 26 is located at the top of Figure 1 and is subjected to greater loads when the window attached to the holding device 14 is moved upward to a raised position in the direction of the arrow 30.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the guide rail 12 is formed from a guide rail 12 composite or plastic composite or plastic. The composite guide rail 12 or composite plastic or plastic facilitates manufacture, reduce weight and other benefits. In automotive applications, reducing the weight of components and therefore the total weight of the vehicle is desired. However, these lightweight components still need to be configured to withstand functional loads in different thermal and environmental conditions. To further reduce the weight, the slider 34 may also be formed from a composite material or plastic or plastic composite. Thus, it is desirable to reinforce the guide rail 2M 4th slider 34 to resist the forces and torques applied during or after the operation of the window.

Referring now to Figure 2, an embodiment of the guide rail 12 and the slider 34 is provided. In this embodiment, the slider has a body 40 having a first side portion 42 disposed on one side of the sliding area 36 and a second side portion 44 disposed on an opposite side of the sliding area 36. The first portion 42 and the second portion 44 defines a slot 46 which is sized and shaped to receive the sliding area 36. In one embodiment, the sliding area 36 has a side 48 having a semi-cylindrical shape and a flat edge portion 50. The slot 46 may be dimensioned to fit closely with the sliding area 36 and to allow smooth sliding movement of the slider 34 along the sliding area 36. It should be noted that although the embodiments herein illustrate the sliding area 36 as a rail positioned along the lateral edge of the slider 34, this is an example and the claimed invention should not be limit. In other embodiments, the sliding zone may be arranged in other positions, located in particular in the center on the cursor for example.

The slider 34 further comprises a surface 52 which extends between the first lateral portion 42 and the second lateral portion 44. The extension from the surface 52 is a projection 55, sometimes called Z-stop window. The projection 55 serves as an interface with the window to couple the window and the slider 34. It should be noted that although the illustrated embodiment shows the Z-stop as being cylindrical, this is an example and the claimed invention shall not be limited thereto. In other embodiments, the Z-stop may have other shapes. In this embodiment, an end 67 (Figure 3A) of the cable 18 couples to a side portion (54, 57) of the slider 34. In view of the above, there are two possible designs: 1) the cable 18 is only in contact with the lateral portion 57 of the slider 34 at the point of connection 67 (FIG. 3B). In this case, the load transmission of the cable 18 to the slider 34 is applied to the connection point 67. The loads applied to the Z-stop can be considered as aligned with the middle of the Z-stop. In the example of FIG. 2, the Z-stop or the projection 55 being cylindrical, the load may be considered as aligned with its cylinder axis 56 (substantially perpendicular to the surface 52). Since the slider 34 would tend to rotate about the middle of the protrusion 55 due to the load of the cable 18 at the point of connection 67 and because of the distance between the middle of the protrusion 55 and the connection point of cable along the X axis, a preferred design for suppressing the torque RY is to align the bonding point 67 with the middle of the protrusion 55 (preferably along the X and Z axes, at least along of the X axis). 2) The cable 18 is in contact with the lateral portion 54 of the slider at the point of connection 180 (Figure 3A). In this case, the charge transmission of the cable 18 to the slider 34 is mainly applied to the connection point 180.

The charges applied to the Z stop can be considered aligned with the middle of the abutment Z. In the example of Figure 2, the abutment Z or projection 55 being cylindrical, the load can be considered as aligned with its cylinder axis 56 (substantially perpendicular to the surface 52). Since the slider 34 would tend to rotate about the middle of the protrusion 55 due to the load of the cable 18 at the point of connection 180 and because of the distance between the middle of the protrusion 55 and the connection point of along the X-axis, a preferred design for suppressing the torque RY is to align the connection point 180 with the middle of the projection 55 (Preferably, along the X and Z axes, at least along the X axis).

Since there is no offset along the X axis or only a very small offset, there is no torque around the y direction (RY) applied to the slider 34 because of the load from As a result, the forces applied to the edges of the sliding zone 36 will be reduced. Therefore, the advantages allow to reduce or eliminate the deformation of the edges of the sliding zone, for example in high temperatures or in other conditions that can cause creep.

Referring now to Figure 4, another embodiment of the guide rail 12 and the slider 34 is shown, it reduces the torque effect around the Y direction (RY) due to load from In this embodiment, the guide rail 12 has a side wall 60 which extends parallel to the sliding area 36. The slider 34 has a support member 62 extending from a lateral portion 54 , 57) of a second lateral portion 44. In addition, the projection 55 is shifted along the X axis (relative to the coordinate system 58) from the connection point (67 or 180) of the cable 18. This places the projection closer to the sliding zone 36 or above the sliding zone 36 with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 2. The support member 62 has an end surface 64 which is essentially parallel. to the sliding area 36. The body of Support 62 is sized and arranged so that the end surface 64 contacts the side wall 60 as the slider rotates under the action of the torque applied by the load of the cable 18. In other embodiments, the support member 62 can be integrated on the side wall 60, so that when the slider turns under the action of the torque, the lateral portion 54 of the slider 34 is in contact with the end surface 64 of the support member 62, in this case the end surface 64 is the end surface of the support member 62 located opposite the side wall 60.

It should be known that, although the torque of the slider 34 has a torque applied throughout the displacement of the open position to the closed position, there is a torque increase at the end of the displacement due to the fact that the window contracts the sealing strip in its close position and arrives in a stop. Due to variations in manufacturing and sliding conditions, the motor 20 will still pull the cable 18 once the window is in contact with its final position. As a result, the torque applied to the slider 24 will be increased at the end of the displacement. In one embodiment, the end surface 64 engages with the side wall 60 or the lateral portion 54 of the slider 34, only when the slider 34 is positioned near the upper portion of the guide rail 12, which means that the end of the guide rail 12 is close to the pulley 26.

It should be appreciated that, since the point of connection (67 or 180) is shifted along the X axis from the middle of the projection 55, a torque (RY) will be generated around the middle of the projection. projection 55, shown as an axis 56. Due to the positioning of the end surface 64 in contact with the side wall 60 or in contact with the lateral portion 54 of the slider 34, the load due to the torque (RY) will be carried by the side wall 60 instead of the edges of the sliding zone 36. Consequently, the advantages make it possible to reduce or eliminate the deformation of the sliding zone 36, for example in high temperatures or in other environmental conditions which can cause creep.

It should be noted that, in addition to the torque (RY), an additional torque (RX) can be generated around the X direction due to a Y-direction offset of the cable connection point (end 67 or 180) on the slider 34 from the surface 52 at the base of the protrusion 55. Referring now to Figures 5-7, an embodiment shows a slider 34 which is configured to avoid distorting the edges of the slider 34. the sliding zone36 due to the torque (RX). In this embodiment, the slider 34 includes a body 71 having a cable connection point 67 on the second side portion 73 for coupling the cable 18 to the slider 34. Due to the distance in the Y direction (relative to the system of coordinates 58) between the point of connection 67 and a surface 76, a torque (RX) is generated about an axis 74. In one embodiment, the axis 74 extends through the center of a projection In the plane of the surface 76. As indicated above, the protrusion 55 may comprise other forms provided that the cable connection point is aligned with the middle or the center of the Z-stop, at least along of the X axis.

In Figure 5, the body 71 has a first side portion 80. The first side portion 80 and the second side portion 73 define a slot 82 which is dimensioned and shaped to receive the sliding area 36. As can be seen 6 and FIG. 7, the first lateral portion 80 has a protrusion 86 which extends from an edge of the first lateral portion 80 in a direction generally towards the pulley 26 along the Z axis. 86 has a surface 88 adjacent to a surface 90 of the sliding area 36. In one embodiment, the surface 90 is opposed to the planar edge portion 50. In one embodiment, the surface 88 is in contact with the surface 90 in response to the torque RX. In another embodiment, the first lateral portion 80 may have a second projection 87 spaced from the projection 86.

In this embodiment of FIG. 5, the first lateral portion 80 includes an end member 84 that extends beyond an end surface 94 of the second lateral portion 73. end 84 has a surface 92 which intersects the surface 94 of the body 71 and the surface 88 to define a slotted zone sized to allow the extrenity member 84 to extend beyond the end of the zone. When the slider 34 is located at the end of the sliding zone 36, the end member 84 is positioned so that the surface 92 is adjacent to at least a portion of a surface of the slider. end 96 of the guide rail 12.

In one embodiment, the end 100 of the guide rail 12 comprises a plurality of ribs 102,104. It should be noted that although the illustrated embodiment shows two ribs, this is an example and the claimed invention should not be limited thereto. In other embodiments, the end 100 may have additional ribs. The ribs 102, 104 are assembled to define the end surface 96. The ribs 102, 104 stiffen and reinforce the end 100 of the guide rail 12 and the end of the sliding zone 36. In one embodiment, the surface end plate 96 and a portion of ribs 102, 104 extend beyond a side wall 106 and are coupled to or formed integrally with the end of the flat edge portion 50 .

In one embodiment, the projection 86 has an end region 108 that extends along the end member 84 so that the surface 88 of the protrusion 86 is positioned to engage with a surface 90 of the sliding zone 36 in the zone of the ribs 102, 104. As such, the load generated by the torque RX will be transferred to the guide rail 12 where the ribs 102, 104 are located. It should be appreciated that the guide rail 12 has a greater stiffness and resistance due to the ribs 102, 104 to support the loads from the slider 34 relative to an arrangement where the loads are supported only by the plane edge portion of Overhang 50 and 90. As indicated above, the additional ribs may be provided to increase the resistance of the guide rail 12.

It should also be noted that, when the guide rail 12 and the slider 34 are made from composite or polymeric materials, these components can be creeped due to high temperatures (eg 70 ° C). 130 ° C) and the load generated by the torque RX. Due to the arrangement and cooperation between the end region 108 and the ribs 102, 104, advantages can be gained when supporting the loads created by the torque RX without deforming the edges of the sliding zone 36. furthermore, if additional support is desired, additional ribs may be incorporated. Therefore, improved performance and reliability can be achieved while reducing the weight of the assembly by fabricating one or more load bearing components from a polymeric or composite material.

Although the embodiments of Figures 2-6 describe load distribution elements generated by the pairs RX, RY as separate embodiments, this is by way of example and the claimed invention must not limit it. In other embodiments, the elements of the embodiments may be combined with one another. For example, the projection 62 of Figure 4 may be incorporated in the slider 34 of Figures 5-7 to provide a slider that supports the loads generated by the RX, RY couples without deforming the edges of the sliding area 36. Similarly, , the alignment of the middle of the Z-stop (shown as axis 56) with the connection point (67 or 180) of the cable 18 can also be incorporated in the slider 34 of Figures 5-7 to provide a slider that supports loads generated by the pairs RX, RY without deforming the edges of the sliding zone 36.

As used herein, the terms "first", "second" and the like, here do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms "a" and "an" here do not indicate a quantity limitation, but rather indicate the presence of at least one of the referenced elements. In addition, it should be noted that the terms "inferior" and "superior" are used herein, unless otherwise indicated, merely for convenience of description, and are not limited to any position or spatial orientation.

The "about" modifier used in conjunction with a quantity includes the specified value and has the context dictated meaning (e.g., includes the degree of error associated with the measurement of the particular quantity).

Although the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes can be made and that some of its elements can be substituted by equivalents without s'. depart from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or a particular material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential extent thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for the practice of this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments within the scope of the invention. scope of the appended claims.

Claims (29)

A window regulator comprising: a guide rail (12) having a sliding zone (36) and an end (100); and a slider (34) slidably engaging the sliding area (36) and movable between an open position and a closed position, the slider (34) having a first side portion (80) with an end member ( 84) extending therethrough, the first lateral portion (80) further including a projection (86) extending from an edge, the projection (86) having an end region (108) which is disposed from adjacent the end (100) when the slider (34) is in the closed position. The window regulator of claim 1, wherein the slider (34) further includes a second side portion (54) and a surface (52) extending therebetween, a second projection (55) extending from the surface (52) for supporting or driving a window. The window regulator of claim 2, further comprising a cable (18) extending from a pulley (26) and coupled to the lateral portion (54, 57) of the slider 34 at a connection point ( 67 or 180), wherein an axis (56) corresponding to the center of load applying to the second projection (55) is substantially aligned with the point of connection (67 or 180), preferably along the X and Z axes. , at least along the X axis. The window regulator of claim 2, further comprising a cable (18) extending from a pulley (26) and coupled to the lateral portion (54, 57) of the slider 34 at a point of connection ( 67 or 180), wherein the lateral portion (54, 57) further includes a support member (62) extending therefrom, the support member (62) being arranged to engage when the slider (34) is in the closed position, with a side wall (60) extending parallel to the sliding area (36). The window regulator of claim 2, further comprising a cable 18 extending from a pulley (26) and coupled to the lateral portion (54, 57) of the slider 34 at a connection point (67 or 180), wherein the lateral edge (54) of the slider (34) engages, when the slider (34) is in the closed position, with a support member (62) extending from a side wall (60). A window regulator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the end (100) has a plurality of ribs (102, 104), at least one of the ribs (102, 104) being coupled to the sliding area (36) the end member (84) has a first surface (92) which intersects an end surface (94) and a support surface (88) to define a notch area, at least a part of the plurality of ribs (102, 104) being disposed in the notch area. A window regulator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide rail (12) and the slider are formed from a polymeric or composite material. A window regulator comprising: a guide rail (12) having a sliding area (36); a pulley or ramp (26) coupled to the guide rail (12); a slider (34) slidably coupled to the sliding area (36) and movable between an open position and a closed position, the slider (34) having a projection (55) for connecting to a window pane; and a cable operably coupled to the pulley or ramp (26) and having an end coupled to the slider (34), the cable being in contact with the slider at a connection point (180, 67) which is located essentially or at least aligned along an axis X on an axis (56) defined by the center of the loads applying to the projection (55). The window regulator of claim 8, wherein the slider (34) has a first side portion (80) having an end member (84) extending therefrom, the first side portion (80) including a protrusion (86) extending from an edge, the projection (86) having an end region (108) which is disposed adjacent an end (100) of the guide rail (12) when the slider (34) ) is in the closed position. The window regulator of claims 8 and 9, wherein; the end (100) has a plurality of ribs (102, 104), at least one of the ribs (102, 104) being coupled to the sliding zone (36); the end member (84) has a first surface (92) which intersects an end surface (94) and a support surface (88) to define a notch area, at least a portion of the plurality of ribs (102, 104) being disposed in the notch area. The window regulator of claims 8 to 10, wherein the side portion (54, 57) further comprises a support member (62) extending therefrom, the support member (62) being arranged to engage, when the slider (34) is in the closed position, with a side wall (60) extending parallel to the sliding area (36). The window regulator of claims 8 to 10, wherein the lateral portion (54) of the slider (34) engages, when the slider (34) is in the closed position, with a support member (62) extending from a side wall (60). The window regulator of claims 8 to 12, wherein the guide rail (12) and the slider (34) are formed from a polymeric or composite material. A window regulator comprising: a guide rail (12) having a sliding area (36) and a side wall (60); a pulley or ramp (26) coupled to the guide rail (12); a slider (34) slidably coupled to the sliding area (36) and movable between an open position and a closed position; a support member (62) extending from one of the slider (34) or side wall (60), the support member (62) having an end surface (64) for entering in contact with each other of the side wall (60) or slider (34); and a cable operably coupled to the pulley or ramp (26) and having an end coupled to the slider (34). The window regulator of claim 14, wherein the slider (34) has a first side portion (80) having an end member (84) extending therefrom, the first side portion (80) including a protrusion (86) extending from an edge, the projection (86) having an end region (108) which is disposed adjacent an end (100) of the guide rail (12) when the slider (34) ) is in the closed position. The window regulator of claims 14 and 15, wherein: the end (100) has a plurality of ribs (102, 104), at least one of the ribs (102, 104) being coupled to the sliding zone (36); and the end member (84) has a first surface (92) intersecting an end surface (94) and a support surface (88) for defining a notch area, at least a portion of the plurality ribs (102, 104) being disposed in the notch area. The window regulator of claims 14 to 16, wherein the slider (34) further comprises a second lateral portion (54, 57) and a surface (52) extending therefrom, a second projection (55). extends from the surface (52) to support or drive a window. The window regulator of claim 17, the cable (18) extending from the pulley (26) coupling to the second side portion (54, 57) at a connection point (67, 180), wherein an axis (56) corresponding to the center of load on the projection (55) is substantially aligned or at least aligned along the X axis with the point of connection (67,180). The window regulator of claims 14 to 18, wherein the guide rail (12) and the slider (34) are formed from a polymeric or composite material. A method of supporting a slider (34) of a window regulator (10) against torque loads generated by a cable (18), the method comprising: rotating a pulley (26) to a guide rail (12); slidably coupling the slider (34) to a sliding area (36) of the guide rail (12); contacting the cable (18) with the slider (34) at a connection point (67, 180); and applying a first torque (RX) to the slider (34) with the cable (18) when the slider (34) is in the closed position. The method of claim 20, further comprising engaging a surface (88) of a projection (86) on a surface (90) of the sliding area (36) in response to the torque (RX). The method of claim 21, wherein the surface (88) engages with the surface (90) adjacent one end (100) of the guide rail (12). The method of claim 22, wherein the end (100) has a plurality of ribs (102, 104), at least one of the ribs (102, 104) being coupled to the sliding zone (36). The method of claims 20 to 23, further comprising applying a second torque (RY) to the slider with the cable (18), the second torque (RY) being substantially perpendicular to the first torque (RX). The method of claim 24, further comprising engaging a support member (62) with a side wall (60) of the guide rail (12), the support member (62) extending from a lateral edge of the slider (34). The method of claim 24, wherein the support member extends from the side wall 60 to support the slider. The method of claim 24, further comprising aligning a center of load with a protrusion (55) extending from the slider (34) with a connection point (67, 180) of the cable (18). ). A slider (34) for use in a window regulator according to one of claims 1 to 19 having a sliding area (36), the slider (34) comprising a body (71) having: a first lateral portion ( 80); an end member (84) extending from the first side portion (80), the first side portion (80) further including a projection (86) extending from an edge, the projection (86) having a region end (108); a surface (52) extends from the first side portion (80), a second projection (55) extends from the surface (52) to support or drive a window; and a second end portion (73) is disposed adjacent to the second projection (55) and configured to couple to a cable. A window regulator having a sliding area (36) configured to receive the slider of claim 28.