WO2009081414A1

WO2009081414A1 - S-type double rail window regulator

Info

Publication number: WO2009081414A1
Application number: PCT/IN2008/000186
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bijon Nag; Chester Douglas Carson; Chelladurai Periasamy; Mandakalli Chamaraja Nanjaiah; Mansing Dipak Salunkhe; Rao Vishwanatha Kalludevastana
Original assignee: Ifb Automotive Private Ltd
Priority date: 2007-12-24
Filing date: 2008-03-25
Publication date: 2009-07-02

Abstract

The present subject matter is directed towards a window regulator assembly (100). According to atleast one aspect of the preferred embodiment, the window regulator assembly (100) comprises of two rails (105A & 105B), a rack strip (not shown in figure), a drive unit (110), and a window panel (not shown in figure). The rack strip is slidingly disposed within the rails (105A & 105B) such that the rack strip remains substantially concealed within the rails (105A & 105B) except a portion (130) of the rack strip. The exposed portion (130) of the rack strip operably engaged with a drive pinion (120) of the drive unit (110). Sliding motion of the rack strip within the rails (105A & 105B) affects a vertical motion of the window lifting plates (140) so as to achieve a raising and lowering of the window panel engaged with window lifting plates (140).

Description

S-TYPE DOUBLE RAIL WINDOW REGULATOR

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter described herein, in general, relates to a window regulator and, in particular, relates to an s-type double rail window regulator assembly provided with a rack strip.

BACKGROUND

A window glass in an automotive vehicle's door that can move between open and closed positions is well known. The position of the window glass is controlled by a window regulator. A conventional window regulator assembly comprises a crankshaft operated by either a manual crank handle or an electric motor which drives a lifter plate through a drum pulley, a cable, top and bottom rollers, a conduit tube, drum housing and sockets, etc.

Most of the components of a window regulator assembly are made up of metal. Since a conventional window regulator assembly includes moving parts, some noise and ruckus is created during the operation of the assembly. Further, all such components makes the window regulator assembly bulky and heavy and demand more space while being fitted in the door shell of the automotive vehicle. The challenge of accommodating the window regulator assembly is compounded by the fact that other components, such as speakers, power door locks, handle operating linkages, wirings and harnesses, etc., are also to be accommodated within the limited space in the door shell of the automotive vehicle.

As the number of components used in a typical window regulator assembly is more, assembling all the components in one place becomes a tedious and time consuming task. This results in an increase in both the input cost and the time taken. Also, it becomes all the more difficult to service individual components in the window regulator assembly in case a malfunctioning occurs.

Therefore, in the context of aforesaid, there lies a challenge to provide a window regulator assembly that is made up of fewer components, is light weight, and is not bulky, thus reducing both the input cost as well as the assemblage time. A further challenge is to provide a window regulator assembly that is preferably silent in operation and whose major components remain unexposed to dust and grit, thereby reducing wear and tear to the components thereof.

SUMMARY The present subject matter described herein is directed towards a window regulator assembly mounted within a door of an automotive vehicle for raising and lowering a glass window or a window pane. The present subject matter proposes a window regulator assembly that is silent in operation and includes lesser number of components in the assembly.

In accordance with atleast one embodiment of the present subject matter, the window regulator assembly to be mounted within the door of the automotive vehicle comprises a window panel, atleast one rail mounted within the door of the automotive vehicle, a drive unit, and a rack strip. The rack strip further comprises toothed projections along its middle portion and atleast one window lifting plate engaged to each first end and second end portions of the rack strip. The rack strip is slidingly disposed within the rail such that the rack strip remains substantially concealed within the rail. The middle portion of the rack strip remains partially exposed from the rail so as to be operably engaged with the drive unit to achieve a vertical motion of the rack strip. The drive unit comprises a drive motor and a drive pinion. The drive pinion is operably connected to the drive motor and the exposed portion of the middle portion to convert rotational motion of drive motor to a linear motion of the rack strip. Linear motion of the rack strip directly results in a vertical motion of window lifting plates. Window lifting plates are engaged with a window panel such as a glass. Thus, the vertical motion of window lifting plates results in raising and lowering of the glass window or the window pane.

According to another aspect of the present subject matter, the window regulator assembly comprises two rails instead of one and other elements as described above. These two rails can either be in partial physical contact with each other by way of a joint or can be completely disjoint. The rack strip is slidingly disposed within the rails to remain substantially concealed within the rails such that a portion of the middle portion forms a bridge between the rails. Also, the portion that forms a bridge between the rails remains exposed from the rails so as to be operably engaged with the drive unit. The drive unit comprises of a drive motor and a drive pinion. The drive pinion is operably connected to the drive motor and the exposed portion of the middle portion to convert a rotational motion of drive motor into a linear motion of the rack strip. A linear, vertical motion of the rack strip directly results in a linear, vertical motion of the window lifting plates. The window lifting plates are engaged with a glass window or a window pane. Thus, the vertical motion of window lifting plates results in raising and lowering of the glass window or the window pane.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present subject matter will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

The above and other features, aspects and advantages of the subject matter will be better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

Fig 1 shows a perspective view of a window regulator assembly according to one embodiment of the present subject matter.

Fig 2A shows a perspective view of a rack strip of the window regulator assembly of Fig.l .

Fig 2B shows a perspective view of the engagement of a drive unit with the rack strip of the window regulator assembly of Fig.l.

Fig 2C illustrates the engagement of a drive pinion with the rack strip of the window regulator assembly of Fig.1. Fig 2D shows the drive unit affixed to the rails of the window regulator assembly of Fig.l.

Fig 3A illustrates a window glass being lowered by the window regulator assembly of Fig.l.

Fig 3B illustrates the window glass being raised by the window regulator assembly of Fig.l.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To overcome the aforementioned challenges, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter, a window regulator assembly of an automotive vehicle is illustrated herein.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter, the window regulator assembly is mounted within a door of the automotive vehicle. The window regulator assembly comprises of a window panel, atleast one rail mounted within the door of the automotive vehicle, a drive unit, and a rack strip. The rack strip comprises of toothed projections along its middle portion and atleast one window lifting plate engaged to each first end and second end portions of the rack strip. The rack strip is slidingly disposed within the rail such that the rack strip remains substantially concealed within the rail. The middle portion of the rail remains partially exposed from the rail so as to be operably engaged with the drive unit to achieve a vertical motion of the rack strip. The drive unit comprises of a drive motor and a drive pinion. The drive pinion operably interconnects the drive motor and the partially exposed middle portion of the rack strip to convert the rotational motion of drive motor to a linear motion of the rack strip. The linear motion of rack strip directly results in a vertical motion of window lifting plates. The window lifting plates are engaged with a glass window or a window pane. Thus, the vertical motion of window lifting plates results in raising and lowering of the glass window or the window pane.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter, the window regulator assembly comprises of two rails. The rails are so arranged that the partially exposed middle portion of the rack strip forms a bridge between the rails and remains exposed from the rails. The partially exposed middle portion remains operably engaged with the drive unit.

In accordance with another aspect of the present subject matter, the drive motor of the drive unit is mounted on a motor mounting bracket. The motor mounting bracket is provisioned with clamps to hold the drive motor and the rails with the rack strip. The motor mounting bracket is also provisioned with slots so as to affix the motor mounting bracket within the door of the automotive vehicle. In accordance with another aspect of the present subject matter, the window panel, such as the window glass, is engaged with the window lifting plates at atleast two positions. This renders added stability to the window panel, such as the window glass, while the window glass is being raised or lowered.

In accordance with another aspect of the present subject matter, the rack strip is made up of plastic.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter, the rails are in partial physical contact with each other through a joint such that a portion of the middle portion of the rack strip remains exposed so as to form a bridge between the rails and remain operably engaged with the drive unit.

Fig 1 shows a perspective view of a window regulator assembly 100. The window regulator assembly being depicted in the present embodiment comprises two rails 105A & 105B, a drive unit 110, and a rack strip (not shown in the figure). The drive unit 110 further comprises a drive motor 115 and a drive pinion 120. The drive pinion 120 is operably engaged with the drive motor 115. The drive motor 115 is mounted on a motor mounting bracket 125. The rack strip (not shown in figure) is slidingly disposed within the rails 105A & 105B to remain substantially concealed within the rails 105A & 105B such that a portion 130 of the middle portion (not shown in figure) remains exposed from the rails 105A & 105B so as to be operably engaged with the drive pinion 120. A plurality of rail mounting brackets 135 is provided on each of the rails 105A & 105B so as to mount the rails 105A & 105B within the door of the automotive vehicle. The two rails 105A and 105B are preferably arranged with respect to one another in an s-shape. At least one window lifting plate 140 is engaged on each of first end portion (not shown in figure) and second end portion (not shown in figure) of the rack strip (not shown in figure).

Fig 2A shows a perspective view of a rack strip 200 of the window regulator assembly 100. The rack strip 200 is preferably made from polymer material such as plastic. The use of polymer material substantially eliminates noise and friction, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the window regulator assembly 100. The rack strip

200 comprises of a first end portion 205, a second end portion 210, and a middle portion 215. The middle portion 215 is having a plurality of toothed projections. Each of the first end portion 205 and the second end portion 210 are engaged with a window lifting plate 140 preferably by way of moldings.

Fig 2B shows a perspective view of the engagement of the drive unit 110 with the rack strip 200 of the window regulator assembly 100. While the rack strip 200 is inserted within the rails 105A & 105B, only a portion 130 of the middle portion 215 remains exposed from rails 105A & 105B so as to be operably engaged with the drive pinion 120. The extent of vertical motion of the window lifting plate 140 of each first end portion 205 and the second portion 210 of the rack strip 200 is dependent on the extent of toothed projections present along the middle portion 215. The portion 130 of the middle portion 215 exposed from the rails 105A & 105B and coupled to the drive pinion 120 changes continuously while the rack strip 200 is being slided within the rails 105A & 105B (as shown in Fig 1).

Fig 2C illustrates the engagement of the drive pinion 120 with the portion 130 of the middle portion 215 of the rack strip 200. Fig 2D shows the drive unit 110 affixed to the rails 105A & 105B of the window regulator assembly 100. The drive motor 115 is affixed to a motor mounting bracket 125. The motor mounting bracket 125 is provisioned with a plurality of clamps 225 to hold the rails 105A & 105B. The motor mounting bracket 125 is also provisioned with a plurality of slots 220 so as to affix the motor mounting bracket 125 within the door of the automotive vehicle by way of fasteners such as screws or nuts and bolts.

Fig 3A shows a perspective view of a window glass 300 being lowered by the window regulator assembly 100. The window glass 300 is affixed to the window lifting plates (not shown in figure) by fastening means such as screws or bolts and nuts. The window regulator assembly 100 is mounted within the door of the automotive vehicle in such a manner that when the drive pinion 120 is rotated in a first direction, preferably an anti-clock wise direction, the window lifting plates (not shown in the figure) affect a vertical motion downwardly so as to lower the position of the window glass 300. In a similar fashion, when the drive pinion 120 is rotated in a second direction, preferably a clock wise direction, the window lifting plate (not shown in figure) affects a vertical motion upwardly so as to raise the position of the window glass 300, as shown in Fig.3B.

Although the subject matter has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. As such, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiment contained therein

Claims

We claim:

1. A window regulator assembly 100 for an automotive vehicle, said assembly 100 comprising: a window panel 300; at least one rail 105 mounted within a door of said automotive vehicle; a drive unit 110; a rack strip 200; characterized in that said rack strip 200 having a first end portion 205, a second end portion 210 and a middle portion 215 wherein said first end portion 205 and said second end portion 210 are operably engaged to said window panel 300 and wherein said rack strip 200 is substantially concealed within said rail 105 such that said middle portion 215 remains partially exposed from said rail 105 so as to remain operably engaged with said drive unit 110 for effecting a vertical motion of said window panel 300.

2. The assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said window panel 300 is a glass.

3. The assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said first end portion 205 and said second end portion 210 are operably engaged to said window panel 300 by means of atleast one window lifting plate 140.

4. The assembly 100 as claimed in claim 3, wherein said window lifting plates 140 are molded to said first end portion 205 and said second end portion 210.

5. The assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said assembly 100 includes two rails (105A, 105B).

6. The assembly 100 as claimed in claim 5, wherein said rack strip 200 is concealed within said rails 105A & 105B such that said partially exposed portion 130 of said middle portion 215 defines a bridge between said rails 105A & 105B.

7. The assembly 100 as claimed in claim 6, wherein said rails 105A & 105B are in partial physical contact with each other through a joint.

8. The assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drive unit 110 includes a drive motor 115 operably connected to a drive pinion 120.

9. The assembly 100 as claimed in claim 8, wherein said drive motor 110 is mounted on said door of said automotive vehicle by means of a motor mounting bracket 125.

10. The assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said middle portion 215 of said rack strip 200 is having a plurality of toothed projection and said first end portion 205 and said second end portion 210 are toothless.

1 1. The assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rack strip 200 is a made from a polymer.