WO2003064797A1 - Window regulator having guided counter balance spring - Google Patents

Window regulator having guided counter balance spring Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2003064797A1
WO2003064797A1 PCT/CA2003/000075 CA0300075W WO03064797A1 WO 2003064797 A1 WO2003064797 A1 WO 2003064797A1 CA 0300075 W CA0300075 W CA 0300075W WO 03064797 A1 WO03064797 A1 WO 03064797A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
spring
housing
wall
arbor
guide
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CA2003/000075
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ya Sing Shae
Original Assignee
Intier Automotive Closures Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Intier Automotive Closures Inc. filed Critical Intier Automotive Closures Inc.
Publication of WO2003064797A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003064797A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05F—DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
    • E05F11/00—Man-operated mechanisms for operating wings, including those which also operate the fastening
    • E05F11/38—Man-operated mechanisms for operating wings, including those which also operate the fastening for sliding windows, e.g. vehicle windows, to be opened or closed by vertical movement
    • E05F11/50—Crank gear with clutches or retaining brakes, for operating window mechanisms
    • E05F11/505—Crank gear with clutches or retaining brakes, for operating window mechanisms for vehicle windows
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
    • E05Y2900/00—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
    • E05Y2900/50—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for vehicles
    • E05Y2900/53—Type of wing
    • E05Y2900/55—Windows

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a window regulator for an automotive vehicle and, more particularly, to a guided counter balance spring for a window regulator lift mechanism.
  • Automotive vehicles commonly include a window lift mechanism for raising and lowering the window glass.
  • the window lift mechanisms are generally located in the vehicle doors and may be powered electrically or manually.
  • the window lift mechanisms include a counter balancing spring for providing an assist while lifting the window glass, thereby reducing the amount of energy required to open and close the window.
  • the counter balancing spring is permitted to coil upon itself and therefore introduces additional fi ⁇ ctional forces causing the spring to be larger than necessary.
  • the counter balance spring had a guide which would prevent the spring coils from contacting one another, and therefore, reduce the amount of friction between the coils to increase the efficiency of the spring and creating a smoother operation of the window lift mechanism.
  • the spring includes a first end and extends to a distal second end.
  • the housing includes an arbor for securing the first end of the clock spring and a recess for securing the second end of the spring to the housing s ⁇ ch as to allow rotation between the arbor and the recess.
  • the housing further includes a guide for supporting the second end of the spring for maintaining the shape of the spring.
  • a counter balancing spring assembly for use with a window regulator lift mechanism of an automotive vehicle.
  • the assembly includes a clock spring mounted in a housing.
  • the clock spring has a first end and a distal second end.
  • the housing includes a center portion and a distal portion rotatable relative to the center portion.
  • the first end of the spring is connected to the center portion of the housing and the second end of the spring is connected to the distal portion of the housing.
  • the housing also includes a guide for maintaining an angle of approach between the spring and the distal portion of the housing, thus reducing the tendency for coils or spirals of the spring to contact one another when the spring is loaded.
  • the center portion of the housing is a non- rotating arbor and the first end of the spring includes a tab mounted in the arbor.
  • the distal portion of the housing is an outer wall of the housing and the second end of the spring is connected to the outer wall.
  • the second end of the spring is preferably hook shaped and is mounted to a mating portion formed by a recess in the outer wall of the housing.
  • the housing includes a base and the guide is mounted to the base.
  • the base is connected to the outer wall of the housing and rotates about the central portion of the housing.
  • the outer wall is preferably circular and the guide is preferably a circular segment.
  • Figure 1 is a front view of a counter balance spring assembly with a guide
  • Figure 2 is a front view of a counter balance spring assembly without a guide. Description of the Invention
  • a counter balance spring assembly is generally shown at 10.
  • the counter balance spring assembly 10 is part of a window lift mechanism for raising and lowering a generally planar piece of glass, commonly referred to as a window, and may be manually or electrically operated.
  • the window lift mechanism further includes a lever arm and an actuator.
  • the counter balance spring assembly 10 includes a coil or clock spring 22 and a housing 30.
  • the clock spring 22 comprises a first end 24 spiraling outwardly to a distal second end 26.
  • the first end 24 includes a tab 25 bent in a generally perpendicular direction to the spring's thickness.
  • the second end 26 also includes a tab 27 which is bent back upon itself, resembling a hook, that is, the second end is bent generally 180 degrees and is open, maintaining a distance from the spring 22 to the tab 27 so as to allow for the insertion of a mating part.
  • the clock spring 22 is held within the housing 30.
  • the housing 30 is generally cylindrical in shape with a fixed (non-rotating) center portion, such as an arbor 32, and an outer wall 34.
  • the outer wall 34 is rotatably interconnected to the arbor by a base plate 33.
  • the arbor 32 fixedly secures the tab 25 of the first end 24 of the clock spring 22 to the counter balance spring assembly 10.
  • the outer wall 34 includes a recess 36 which serves as the mating part for securing the tab 27 to the housing 30.
  • the housing 30 further includes a guide such as arc 38 which is preferably supported by the base plate 33.
  • the guide 38 positions the second end 26 of the spring 22 relative to the outer wall 34 of the housing 30, thus preventing or at least reducing the tendency of the spirals of spring 22 from collapsing upon one another, as shown in Figure 2.
  • the housing 30 is able to rotate with respect to the arbor 32 when external forces act upon the housing 30, and therefore, load the spring 22 for providing assistance in raising or lowering the window.
  • the window lift mechanism rotates the outer wall 34, and therefore, the second end 26 of the clock spring 22.
  • the base plate 33 rotates about the arbor 32, which holds the first end 24 of the clock spring 22 stationary, while the second end 26 travels with the outer wall 34, thus causing the clock spring 22 to be wound (or unwound) and causing (or providing) additional force on or to the window lift mechanism.
  • the guide 32 enables the second end 24 of the clock spring 22 to maintain a certain approach angle to the outer wall 34 of the housing 30, and therefore, prevents the clock spring 22 from collapsing upon itself, as shown in Figure 2. This reduces the amount of friction encountered by the clock spring 22 hence increasing its efficiency.
  • the base plate 33 and the guide 38 can be fixed such that only the outer wall 34 rotates about the arbor 32.

Landscapes

  • Window Of Vehicle (AREA)

Abstract

An automotive vehicle generally includes a window lift mechanism for raising and lowering a generally planer sheet of glass. The window lift mechanism includes a counter balance spring assembly for aiding in the lifting of the glass. The counter balancing spring assembly includes a clock spring and a housing. The clock spring is secured at a first end to an arbor and at a second end to the housing. The housing further includes a guide for supporting the second end of the spring for maintaining a consistent approach angle of the spring to the housing thereby preventing the spring from collapsing upon itself.

Description

WINDOW REGULATOR HAVING GUIDED COUNTER BALANCE SPRING
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a window regulator for an automotive vehicle and, more particularly, to a guided counter balance spring for a window regulator lift mechanism.
Background of Invention
Automotive vehicles commonly include a window lift mechanism for raising and lowering the window glass. The window lift mechanisms are generally located in the vehicle doors and may be powered electrically or manually. The window lift mechanisms include a counter balancing spring for providing an assist while lifting the window glass, thereby reducing the amount of energy required to open and close the window. Currently, the counter balancing spring is permitted to coil upon itself and therefore introduces additional fiϊctional forces causing the spring to be larger than necessary.
Therefore, it would be beneficial if the counter balance spring had a guide which would prevent the spring coils from contacting one another, and therefore, reduce the amount of friction between the coils to increase the efficiency of the spring and creating a smoother operation of the window lift mechanism.
Summary of the Invention
According to one aspect of the invention, a counter balancing spring assembly for use with a window regulator lift mechanism of an automotive vehicle includes a clock spring and a housing. The spring includes a first end and extends to a distal second end. The housing includes an arbor for securing the first end of the clock spring and a recess for securing the second end of the spring to the housing sμch as to allow rotation between the arbor and the recess. The housing further includes a guide for supporting the second end of the spring for maintaining the shape of the spring.
According to another aspect of the invention, a counter balancing spring assembly for use with a window regulator lift mechanism of an automotive vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a clock spring mounted in a housing. The clock spring has a first end and a distal second end. The housing includes a center portion and a distal portion rotatable relative to the center portion. The first end of the spring is connected to the center portion of the housing and the second end of the spring is connected to the distal portion of the housing. The housing also includes a guide for maintaining an angle of approach between the spring and the distal portion of the housing, thus reducing the tendency for coils or spirals of the spring to contact one another when the spring is loaded.
In the preferred embodiment, the center portion of the housing is a non- rotating arbor and the first end of the spring includes a tab mounted in the arbor. The distal portion of the housing is an outer wall of the housing and the second end of the spring is connected to the outer wall. The second end of the spring is preferably hook shaped and is mounted to a mating portion formed by a recess in the outer wall of the housing.
In the preferred embodiment, the housing includes a base and the guide is mounted to the base. The base is connected to the outer wall of the housing and rotates about the central portion of the housing. The outer wall is preferably circular and the guide is preferably a circular segment.
Description of the Drawings
In drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 is a front view of a counter balance spring assembly with a guide; and
Figure 2 is a front view of a counter balance spring assembly without a guide. Description of the Invention
Referring to Figure 1, a counter balance spring assembly is generally shown at 10. The counter balance spring assembly 10 is part of a window lift mechanism for raising and lowering a generally planar piece of glass, commonly referred to as a window, and may be manually or electrically operated. The window lift mechanism further includes a lever arm and an actuator. The counter balance spring assembly 10 includes a coil or clock spring 22 and a housing 30.
The clock spring 22 comprises a first end 24 spiraling outwardly to a distal second end 26. The first end 24 includes a tab 25 bent in a generally perpendicular direction to the spring's thickness. The second end 26 also includes a tab 27 which is bent back upon itself, resembling a hook, that is, the second end is bent generally 180 degrees and is open, maintaining a distance from the spring 22 to the tab 27 so as to allow for the insertion of a mating part. The clock spring 22 is held within the housing 30.
The housing 30 is generally cylindrical in shape with a fixed (non-rotating) center portion, such as an arbor 32, and an outer wall 34. The outer wall 34 is rotatably interconnected to the arbor by a base plate 33. The arbor 32 fixedly secures the tab 25 of the first end 24 of the clock spring 22 to the counter balance spring assembly 10. The outer wall 34 includes a recess 36 which serves as the mating part for securing the tab 27 to the housing 30. The housing 30 further includes a guide such as arc 38 which is preferably supported by the base plate 33. The guide 38 positions the second end 26 of the spring 22 relative to the outer wall 34 of the housing 30, thus preventing or at least reducing the tendency of the spirals of spring 22 from collapsing upon one another, as shown in Figure 2. Referring again to Figure 1, the housing 30 is able to rotate with respect to the arbor 32 when external forces act upon the housing 30, and therefore, load the spring 22 for providing assistance in raising or lowering the window. In operation, the window lift mechanism rotates the outer wall 34, and therefore, the second end 26 of the clock spring 22. In conjunction, the base plate 33 rotates about the arbor 32, which holds the first end 24 of the clock spring 22 stationary, while the second end 26 travels with the outer wall 34, thus causing the clock spring 22 to be wound (or unwound) and causing (or providing) additional force on or to the window lift mechanism. The guide 32 enables the second end 24 of the clock spring 22 to maintain a certain approach angle to the outer wall 34 of the housing 30, and therefore, prevents the clock spring 22 from collapsing upon itself, as shown in Figure 2. This reduces the amount of friction encountered by the clock spring 22 hence increasing its efficiency.
Depending on the angle of rotation of the housing 30, in an alternative embodiment the base plate 33 and the guide 38 can be fixed such that only the outer wall 34 rotates about the arbor 32.
The above-described embodiment of the invention is intended to be an example of the present invention and alterations and modifications may be effected thereto, by those of skill in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims:
1. A counter balancing spring assembly for use with a window regulator lift mechanism of an automotive vehicle comprising: a clock spring and a housing; said spring including a first end and a distal second end; said housing including an arbor for securing said first end of said spring and a recess in an outer wall of said housing for securing said second end of said spring, wherein said recess is rotatable about said arbor; and said housing further including a guide supporting said spring so as to reduce a tendency for coils of said spring to contact one another when said spring is wound by rotating said outer wall.
2. A counter balancing spring assembly for use with a window regulator lift mechanism of an automotive vehicle comprising: a clock spring having a first end and a distal second end; a housing, including a center portion and a distal portion rotatable relative to the center portion, the first end of the spring being connected to the center portion of the housing and the second end of the spring being connected to the distal portion of the housing; and wherein the housing includes a guide for maintaining a generally consistent angle of approach between the spring and the distal portion of the housing.
3. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein the center portion of the housing is a non-rotating arbor and the first end of the spring includes a tab mounted in the arbor.
4. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein the distal portion of the housing comprises an outer wall of the housing and the second end of the spring is connected to the outer wall.
5. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein the second end of the spring is hook shaped and is mounted to a mating portion formed by a recess in the outer wall of the housing.
6. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein the housing includes a base and the guide is mounted to the base.
7. An assembly according to claim 6, wherein the base is connected to the outer wall and rotates about the central portion of the housing.
8. An assembly according to claim 7, wherein the outer wall is circular and the guide is a circular segment.
PCT/CA2003/000075 2002-02-01 2003-01-24 Window regulator having guided counter balance spring WO2003064797A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US35337502P 2002-02-01 2002-02-01
US60/353,375 2002-02-01

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003064797A1 true WO2003064797A1 (en) 2003-08-07

Family

ID=27663199

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/CA2003/000075 WO2003064797A1 (en) 2002-02-01 2003-01-24 Window regulator having guided counter balance spring

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2003064797A1 (en)

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1143095A1 (en) * 1999-08-23 2001-10-10 Grupo Antolin Ingenieria, S.A. Window actuating device

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1143095A1 (en) * 1999-08-23 2001-10-10 Grupo Antolin Ingenieria, S.A. Window actuating device

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