Cable guide structure for window regulator

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present invention is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-341913, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cable guide structure for a window regulator, and more specifically to a cable guide structure for a window regulator having pulleys, which are rotatably provided at end portions of two rails and guide a cable looped thereover like a X-shape.

2. Description of the Related Art

Hitherto, there has been known a cable window regulator W of a configuration in which a window panel P is moved up and down by setting a loop consisting of cables R, which is endlessly guided over a pair of pulleys

101

and

101

a

respectively mounted on top and bottom portions of a front-side rail

100

and over a pair of pulleys

103

a

and

103

respectively mounted on top and bottom portions of a rear-side rail

102

, so that the cables R extend along the rails

100

and

102

and wind around the pulleys

101

,

103

,

103

a

and

101

a

and cross each other like a X-shape, as illustrated in FIG.

6

. Such rails

100

and

102

are formed in such a manner as to be laterally curved along an outer panel (not shown) of a door F, as viewed in this figure. Pulley mounting surfaces

10

a

and

102

a

respectively provided at the top portion of the rail

100

and the bottom portion of the rail

102

are inclined to an imaginary linear reference plane connecting the top portion of the rail

100

and the bottom portion of the rail

102

to each other. Moving elements

104

and

106

support the window panel P and are respectively provided on the rails

100

and

102

in such a way as to freely move up and down.

Here, parts

105

of the loop consisting of the cables R are respectively arranged between a pair of pulleys

101

and

101

a

and between a pair of pulleys

103

and

103

a

and referred to as rail cabling portions. Moreover, another part

107

of the loop consisting of the cables R is linearly arranged between the pulley

101

disposed at the top portion of the front-side rail

100

and the pulley

103

disposed at the bottom portion of the rear-side rail

102

, and referred to as a first diagonally cabling portion. Furthermore, another part

108

of the loop consisting of the cable R is slacked and arranged between the pulley

101

a

provided on the bottom portion of the front-side rail

100

and referred to as a second diagonally cabling portion. A drive unit K is connected to a halfway part of the second diagonally cabling portion

108

.

However, as illustrated in

FIG. 7

, the first diagonally cabling portion

107

is linearly arranged in such a conventional structure, as described above. Thus, the first diagonally cabling portion

107

is arranged so that the direction of an axis thereof differs from a guiding direction extending along each of the planes of rotation of the pulleys

101

and

103

. Thus, there are fears that the first diagonally cabling portion

107

of the cable R comes in contact with each of edge portions of cable guide grooves

109

and

111

of the pulleys

101

and

103

, and that the durability of the cable R is lowered owing to the contact therebetween.

Moreover, there is a fear that the contact between the cable R and each of the edge portions of the cable guide grooves

109

and

111

causes a falling force to act upon the pulleys

101

and

103

thereby to generate resistance between the pulleys

101

,

103

and shafts respectively supporting these pulleys.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is accomplished in view of such problems of the conventional techniques. Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a cable guide structure for a window regulator, in which the guiding direction of each of cable guide grooves of pulleys is set in such a way as to coincide with the direction of an axis of a diagonally cabling portion, which is a linearly arranged part of a cable, thereby to enhance the durability of the pulleys and the cable without generating resistance between the cable and each of the pulleys even when the diagonally cabling portion is linearly arranged.

To achieve the foregoing object, according to the invention, there is provided a cable guide structure (hereunder referred to as a first cable guide structure) for a window regulator, which comprises moving elements for supporting a window panel, which are upwardly and downwardly slidably mounted on rails that are provided in such a way as to be parallel with each other and are each laterally curved and each extend upwardly and downwardly, cables, which are respectively connected to top and bottom portions of each of the moving elements and also connected to a drive unit and each have a rail cabling portion, which is extended along a corresponding one of the rails, and a diagonally cabling portion so that the diagonally cabling portions of the cables cross each other like a X-shape between the rails, and pulleys each having a cable guide groove, which is formed in a circumferential portion thereof, for guiding the cable. The pulleys are rotatably mounted on the mounting surface of the top portion of one of the rails and that of the bottom portion of the other rail. In this structure, the diagonally cabling portion of at least one of the cables is linearly arranged. Further, a direction of a tangent line, which extends along a plane of rotation of a corresponding one of the pulleys, at a contact point between the rail cabling portion of each of the cables is set in such a manner as to coincide with a direction of an axis of the rail cabling portion of a corresponding one of the rails. Furthermore, a direction of a tangent line, which extends along a plane of rotation of a corresponding one of the pulleys, at a contact point between the linearly and diagonally cabling portion of the cable and the cable guide groove of the corresponding one of the pulleys is set in such a manner as to coincide with a direction of an axis of the linearly and diagonally cabling portion of the cable.

According to the first cable guide structure of the invention, the guiding direction of the cable guide groove of the pulley coincides with the direction of an axis of the rail cabling portion of the cable. Moreover, the guiding direction of the cable guide groove of the pulley coincides with the direction of an axis of the linearly and diagonally cabling portion of the cable. Thus, the cable is let out only along the guiding direction of the cable guide groove. Consequently, the cable is prevented from coming in contact with the edge portion of the guide groove of the pulley. Moreover, wear is prevented from occurring on the edge portion. Further, the cables are not curved by the edge portions of the pulleys. Thus, the durability of the window regulator is enhanced. Furthermore, the cables do not touch the edges of the pulleys. Thus, the resistance generated between the pulleys and the shafts respectively supporting the pulleys is reduced. Moreover, a simple structure, according to which the pulleys are only inclined, enables the reliable guiding of the cables each having the arranging and cabling portions that are arranged in directions different from the direction along the planes of rotation of the pulleys. Consequently, the window regulator is simplified. Moreover, the diagonally cabling portion is linearly arranged between the pulleys. This enables the arrangement of the cable by using the shortest length thereof. Consequently, the cost of materials is reduced.

According to an embodiment (hereunder referred to as a second cable guide structure) of the first cable guide structure of the invention, the diagonally cabling portion of the cable is covered with an outer tube, both end portions of which are fixed to the rails.

According to the second cable guide structure of the invention, the diagonally cabling portion of the cable is covered with the outer tube, both end portions of which are fixed to the rails. Thus, the rails are connected to each other by the outer tube. Even before the window regulator is assembled to the door, the window regulator is integrated. Consequently, the management of components is facilitated. The assembling of the window regulator to the door is achieved only by assembling the integrated window regulator to the door. Thus, the assembling workability is improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1

is a front view illustrating an automotive door to which a window regulator according to an embodiment of the invention is mounted;

FIG. 2

is an enlarged view illustrating a primary part of the window regulator shown in FIG.

1

.

FIG. 3

is a perspective view illustrating an inclined state of each of pulleys of the window regulator shown in

FIG. 2

;

FIG. 4

is a view illustrating the inclined state of the pulley of the window regulator, the lower part of the figure is a bottom view illustrating the pulley; and the left part of the figure is a side view illustrating the pulley;

FIG. 5

is a view illustrating the inclined state of each of the pulleys of the window regulator and taken from a front side of a door;

FIG. 6

is a view illustrating a conventional window regulator and corresponding to

FIG. 1

; and

FIG. 7

is a view illustrating the inclined state of each of the pulleys of the window regulator shown in

FIG. 6

, and taken from a front side of a door.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention is described with reference the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1

shows a window regulator

3

to be mounted to a left-side door

1

of an automobile. In

FIG. 1

, the left-hand side thereof is the frontward side FR of the automobile. The upper side of the paper of this figure is an external side of the door

1

of the automobile. Incidentally, the window regulator

3

is preliminarily mounted to a base plate

4

with bolts

4

a

. The base plate

4

, to which the window regulator

3

is mounted, is attached to the inner panel of the door

1

from the inside of the automobile.

The window regulator

3

has two rails

7

and

9

, moving elements

11

and

13

slidably upward and downward on the rails

7

and

9

, fastening/supporting portions

15

and

17

, respectively secured to the moving elements

11

and

13

, for supporting a window panel

5

, and cables

19

and

21

that extend along the rails

7

and

9

and cross each other like a X-shape between the rails

7

and

9

. Further, the rails

7

and

9

are extended upward and downward and laterally curved and frontwardly and rearwardly placed in parallel with each other. Moreover, the rails

7

and

9

are placed in parallel to a direction, in which the window panel

5

moves up and down, so that upper parts thereof are slightly displaced in a rearward direction RR and inclined toward the back of the automobile. Furthermore, end portions of each of the cables

19

and

21

are connected to the moving elements

11

and

13

by known means (not shown).

One cable

19

of the cables is arranged in such a way as to be guided by a cable guide

29

at the bottom portion of the rail

7

placed at the front side FR of the automobile, and as to be guided by a pulley

31

at the top portion of the rail

9

placed at the rear side RR thereof. Further, the cable

19

is connected to a drive unit

25

, which has a motor unit

23

, in a second diagonally cabling portion C (see

FIG. 2

) provided between the cable guide

29

and the pulley

31

. The other cable

21

is arranged in such a way as to be guided by a pulley

27

at the top portion of the rail

7

placed at the front side FR of the automobile, and as to be guided by a pulley

33

at the bottom portion of the rail

9

placed at the rear side RR thereof.

Thus, parts of the cables

19

and

21

constitute a rail cabling portion A (see

FIG. 2

) upwardly and downwardly arranged along the rail

7

between the pulley

27

and the cable guide

29

provided at the front side FR of the automobile, and also constitute a rail cabling portion B (see

FIG. 2

) upwardly and downwardly arranged along the rail

9

between the pulleys

31

and

33

provided at the rear side RR thereof. The moving elements

11

and

13

are placed in the rail cabling portions A and B. Further, a part of the cable

19

constitutes a second diagonally cabling portion C (see

FIG. 2

) to be slacked and arranged between the pulley

31

and the cable guide

29

. A part of the cable

21

constitutes a first diagonally cabling portion D (see

FIG. 2

) linearly provided between the pulleys

27

and

33

. These diagonally cabling portions C and D arranged like a X-shape in such a way as to cross each other in a central potion.

Parts of the second diagonally cabling portion C, which are respectively provided between the cable guide

29

and the drive unit

25

and between the pulley

31

and the drive unit

25

, are covered with outer tubes

35

. Fixing portions

35

a

are engaged with a bottom mounting portion

7

b

of the rail

7

provided at the front side FR of the automobile and a top mounting portion

9

a

of the rail

9

provided at the rear side RR thereof, respectively. Furthermore, fixing portions

35

b

of the outer tubes

35

are engaged with mounting portions

25

a

of the drive unit

25

.

The first diagonally cabling portion D, which is a linear part of the cable

21

, is covered with an outer tube

37

. Fixing portions

37

a

of the outer tube

37

are engaged with a top mounting portion

7

a

of the rail

7

provided at the front side FR of the automobile and a bottom mounting portion

9

b

of the rail

9

provided at the rear side RR thereof, respectively.

Supporting structures for the pulleys

27

and

33

are described hereinafter with reference to

FIGS. 3

to

5

.

FIG. 3

is a perspective view schematically illustrating inclined states of the pulley

33

of the window regulator

3

.

FIG. 4

illustrates the inclined states of the pulley

33

of the window regulator

3

, and taken from three directions, respectively.

FIG. 5

is a side view illustrating the inclined state of each of the pulleys

27

and

33

of the window regulator, and taken from the front side FR of the automobile toward the rear side RR thereof.

The pulley

27

is rotatably supported a shaft

27

b

on a pulley mounting surface

7

c

of the top portion of the rail

7

provided at the front side FR of the automobile. Moreover, the pulley

33

is rotatably supported by a shaft

33

b

on a pulley mounting surface

9

c

of the bottom portion of the rail

9

provided at the rear side RR thereof.

As shown in

FIG. 3

, the pulley mounting surfaces

7

c

and

9

c

are formed on surfaces uniformly and respectively curved at tilt angles αand α′ with respect to imaginary reference surfaces

7

d

and

9

d

including imaginary straight segments drawn between the top and bottom portions of the rail

7

, which is provided at the front side FR of the automobile, and the rail

9

provided at the rear side RR thereof. Then, the pulleys

27

and

33

are mounted along the pulley mounting surfaces

7

c

and

9

c

inclined at the tilt angles α and α′, respectively. Each of the rail cabling portions A and B is arranged at contact points

27

c

and

33

c

of cable guide grooves

27

a

and

33

a

from a directions along tilting lines

41

and

43

respectively extending toward top parts of the curved portions of the rails

7

and

9

. That is, the center axis of each of the rail cabling portions A and B of the cables

19

and

21

coincides with the cable guide grooves

27

a

and

33

a

of the pulleys

27

and

33

.

The first diagonally cabling portion D is set in such a manner as to linearly extend from each of the other contact points

27

e

and

33

e

of the pulleys

27

and

33

, toward which a corresponding one of the pulleys

27

and

33

is turned by a corresponding turning angle β or β′ around a corresponding one of the tilting lines

41

and

43

employed as axes of turn. Each of the pulleys

27

and

33

is turned around a corresponding one of shafts

27

b

and

33

b

respectively inclined to the reference surfaces

7

d

and

9

d

. Thus, the direction of each of tangent lines

27

f

and

33

f

respectively extending along the planes of rotation of the pulleys

27

and

33

changes to a diagonal direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of a corresponding one of the rail

7

at the front side FR and the rail

9

at the rear side RR.

The directions of the tangent lines

27

f

and

33

f

, which are at the sides of the first diagonally cabling portion D, of the planes of rotation of the pulleys

27

and

33

coincide with each other. The first diagonally cabling portion D is enabled to be linearly arranged. To set the directions of the tangent lines

27

f

and

33

f

of the planes of rotation of the pulleys

27

and

33

in such a way as to coincide with each other, the turning angles β and β′ of the pulleys

27

and

33

, that is, the bending angles β and β′ of the pulley mounting surfaces

7

c

and

9

c

are adjusted.

Next, an operation of this embodiment is described below.

Thus, in the cable guide structure according to the invention, the directions of the tangent lines

27

d

and

33

d

, which extend along the planes of rotation of the pulleys

27

and

33

, at the contact point

27

c

between the rail cabling portion A and the cable guide groove

27

a

and the contact point

33

c

between the rail cabling portion B and the cable guide groove

33

a

are set in such a way as to coincide with the directions of axes of the rail cabling portions A and B, respectively. Moreover, each of the directions of the tangent lines

27

f

and

33

f

, which extend along the planes of rotation of the pulleys

27

and

33

, at the contact point

27

e

between the first linearly and diagonally cabling portion D and the cable guide groove

27

a

and the contact point

33

e

between the cabling portion D and the cable guide groove

33

is set in such a manner as to coincide with the direction of an axis of the first diagonally cabling portion D.

Thus, even when the rail cabling portion A and the first diagonally cabling portion D of the cable

21

, which differ in arranging direction from each other, are wound around the pulley

27

, the cable guide structure of the invention enables the setting of the direction of an axis of each of the rail cabling portion A and the first diagonally cabling portion D of the cable

21

in such a way as to coincide with the direction of the guiding direction of the cable guide groove

27

a

of the pulley

27

. Furthermore, the cable guide structure of the invention also enables the setting of the direction of an axis of each of the rail cabling portion B and the first diagonally cabling portion D of the cable

21

in such a way as to coincide with the direction of the guiding direction of the cable guide groove

33

a

of the pulley

33

.

Thus, the driving force of the drive unit

25

enables the cable

19

to draw and cause the moving element

13

to move up and down along the rail

9

provided at the rear side RR of the automobile.

Even in the case that the first diagonally cabling portion D is linearly arranged at that time, the guiding direction of the cable guide grooves

27

a

and

33

a

of the pulleys

27

and

33

coincides with the direction of an axis of the first diagonally cabling portion D. Thus, the cable

21

is not let out in the directions of axes of the rail cabling portions A and B and the first diagonally cabling portion D along the planes of rotation of the pulleys

27

and

33

. Consequently, the cable

21

is prevented from coming in contact with the edge portions of the cable guide grooves

27

a

and

33

a

of the pulleys

27

and

33

.

Further, the cable

21

is not curved by the edge portions of the cable guide grooves

27

a

and

33

a

of the pulleys

27

and

33

. Thus, the durability of the window regulator is enhanced.

Furthermore, falling forces due to the contact between the cable

21

and each of the edge portions of the cable guide grooves

27

a

and

33

a

of the pulleys

27

and

33

do not act upon the pulleys. Therefore, the resistance generated between the pulleys

27

,

33

and shafts

27

b

,

33

b

respectively supporting these pulleys is reduced. Consequently, an operation of the window regulator

3

is smoothly performed.

Further, the window regulator

3

does not need a complex structure. A simple structure, according to which the pulleys

27

and

33

are only inclined, enables the reliable guiding of the cable

21

having the arranging and cabling portions that are arranged in different directions. Consequently, the window regulator

3

is simplified.

Moreover, the first diagonally cabling portion D is linearly arranged between the pulleys

27

and

33

. This enables the arrangement of the cable

21

by using the shortest length thereof. Consequently, the cost of materials is reduced.

Further, the first diagonally cabling portion D of the cable

21

is covered with the outer tube

37

, the both ends of which are fixed to the rails

7

and

9

. Thus, the rails

7

and

9

are connected to each other by the outer tube

37

. That is, even before the window regulator is assembled to the door

1

, the window regulator

3

is integrated. Consequently, the management of components is facilitated. The assembling of the window regulator

3

to the door

1

is achieved only by assembling the integrated window regulator to the door

1

. Thus, the assembling workability is improved.

When the invention is applied to a window regulator

3

of different dimension and shape, it is sufficient to set the bending angles of the pulley mounting portions

7

a

and

9

b

of the two rails

7

and

9

in such a manner as to suit the window regulator.

Although the cables

19

and

21

are driven by the driving force of the motor unit

23

in this embodiment, the invention is not limited to this manner. Needless to say, the invention is applicable to a window regulator adapted so that the cables

19

and

21

are driven by a manual driving force.

According to the first cable guide structure of the invention, the guiding direction of the cable guide groove of the pulley coincides with the direction of an axis of the rail cabling portion of the cable. Moreover, the guiding direction of the cable guide groove of the pulley coincides with the direction of an axis of the linearly and diagonally cabling portion of the cable. Thus, the cable is let out only along the guiding direction of the cable guide groove. Consequently, the cable is prevented from coming in contact with the edge portion of the guide groove of the pulley. Moreover, wear is prevented from occurring on the edge portion. Further, the cables are not curved by the edge portions of the pulleys. Thus, the durability of the window regulator is enhanced. Furthermore, the cables do not touch the edges of the pulleys. Thus, the resistance generated between the pulleys and the shafts respectively supporting the pulleys is reduced. Moreover, a simple structure, according to which the pulleys are only inclined, enables the reliable guiding of the cables each having the arranging and cabling portions that are arranged in directions different from the direction along the planes of rotation of the pulleys. Consequently, the window regulator is simplified. Moreover, the diagonally cabling portion is linearly arranged between the pulleys. This enables the arrangement of the cable by using the shortest length thereof. Consequently, the cost of materials is reduced.

According to the second cable guide structure of the invention, the diagonally cabling portion of the cable is covered with the outer tube, both end portions of which are fixed to the rails. Thus, the rails are connected to each other by the outer tube. Even before the window regulator is assembled to the door, the window regulator is integrated. Consequently, the management of components is facilitated. The assembling of the window regulator to the door is achieved only by assembling the integrated window regulator to the door. Thus, the assembling workability is improved.

Number	Name	Date	Kind
5632121	Handte et al.	May 1997	A
5960588	Wurm et al.	Oct 1999	A
6354652	Arquevaux et al.	Mar 2002	B1
6397524	Sakaguchi et al.	Jun 2002	B1

Cable guide structure for window regulator

Information

Patent Number

Date Filed

Date Issued

Inventors

Original Assignees

Examiners

Agents

CPC

US Classifications

Field of Search

US

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

Priority Claims (1)

US Referenced Citations (4)