Patent Application
20180290521
Vehicles can have a passenger compartment and one or more doors to enter and exit the passenger compartment. The doors can each include a door window to provide visibility into and outside of the passenger compartment. Some vehicles can also include one or more vent windows which partially open as compared to the door window which can completely open. Furthermore, the door window generally moves linearly relative to the respective doors as compared to the vent windows which rotate relative to the respective door.
The present disclosure provides a window assembly including a window movable between a closed position and an open position. The window assembly also includes an arm movable between a first position and a second position. The window is disposed in the closed position when the arm is in the first position and the window disposed in the open position when the arm is in the second position. The arm includes an extension fixed thereto such that the arm and the extension both move concurrently about a first pivot point. The window assembly further includes a connector coupled to the extension at a second pivot point. The arm is coupled to the window through the connector. The first and second pivot points are spaced from each other. The connector is coupled to the window such that movement of the arm moves the connector about the second pivot point which causes the window to move between the closed and open positions.
The present disclosure also provides a vehicle including a frame defining an aperture. The vehicle further includes a window supported by the frame. The window is movable linearly relative to the frame between a closed position covering the aperture and an open position partially uncovering the aperture. The vehicle also includes an arm supported by the frame at a first pivot point. The arm is movable relative to the frame between a first position and a second position. The window is disposed in the closed position when the arm is in the first position and the window disposed in the open position when the arm is in the second position. The arm includes an extension fixed thereto such that the arm and the extension both move concurrently about the first pivot point. The vehicle further includes a connector coupled to the extension at a second pivot point. The arm is coupled to the window through the connector. The first and second pivot points are spaced from each other. The connector is coupled to the window such that movement of the arm moves the connector about the second pivot point which causes the window to move between the closed and open positions.
The detailed description and the drawings or FIGS. are supportive and descriptive of the disclosure, but the claim scope of the disclosure is defined solely by the claims. While some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the claims have been described in detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing the disclosure defined in the appended claims.
Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that all directional references (e.g., above, below, upward, up, downward, down, top, bottom, left, right, vertical, horizontal, etc.) are used descriptively for the FIGS. to aid the reader's understanding, and do not represent limitations (for example, to the position, orientation, or use, etc.) on the scope of the disclosure, as defined by the appended claims.
Referring to the FIGS., wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a vehicle 10 and a window assembly 12 are generally shown in
The window assembly 12 can be utilized in a vehicle application or a non-vehicle application. Non-limiting examples of the vehicles 10 can include cars, trucks, boats, watercrafts, off-road vehicles, aircrafts, farm equipment or any other suitable movable platform. Non-limiting examples of the non-vehicles can include machines, farm equipment, houses, buildings, or any other suitable non-vehicle.
For the vehicle application, the vehicle 10 can include a passenger compartment. Generally, one or more occupants can be disposed in the passenger compartment. Furthermore, one of the occupants can steer the vehicle 10 from the passenger compartment.
The passenger compartment can have one or more doors that open and close to allow the occupants to enter and exit the vehicle 10. The doors can each include a door window which can provide visibility into and out of the passenger compartment. Furthermore, the door windows can be movable linearly relative to the respective doors to open and close the door windows. The door windows can move completely out of sight when opened such that the door windows are completely hidden inside the respective doors. The door windows can be movable electronically by pressing a button, etc., or can be movable manually by a hand-crank. To electronically move the door windows, wire harnesses and motorized window regulators are utilized to open and close the respective door windows.
Referring to
The window assembly 12 includes a window 18 movable between a closed position and an open position. In certain embodiments, the window 18 is movable linearly (see arrow 20 in
As mentioned above, the window 18 can move up and down linearly relative to the frame 14. Whether in a vehicle application or non-vehicle application, the window 18 can provide visibility into and/or out of the structure, e.g., car, truck, aircraft, machine, building, etc., and/or fluid communication into and/or out of the structure, e.g., car, truck, aircraft, machine, building, etc. Furthermore, when the window 18 is in the open position, air can enter the structure. As one non-limiting example, when the window 18 is open, air can enter the passenger compartment.
The frame 14 can include one or more glass run-channels 22. The glass run-channels 22 are shown in phantom lines in
The glass run-channels 22 guide the window 18 linearly during movement between the closed and open positions. The frame 14 and the glass run-channels 22 can be separate pieces fixed to each other, or the frame 14 and the glass run-channels 22 can be formed of one piece. If separate pieces, the frame 14 and the glass run-channels 22 can be fixed to each other by any suitable method(s), and non-limiting examples can include welding, adhesive, one or more fasteners, one or more pins, one or more studs, etc. If formed of one piece, the frame 14 and the glass run-channels 22 can be fixed to each other by any suitable method(s), and non-limiting examples can include extrusion, casting, stamping, etc.
Referring to
The arm 26 is supported by the frame 14 at a first pivot point 28. Specifically, the arm 26 is movable relative to the frame 14 between the first position which moves the window 18 to the closed position and the second position which moves the window 18 to the open position. More specifically, the arm 26 is movable relative to the first pivot point 28. The first pivot point 28 remains in a fixed position as the arm 26 moves between the first and second positions. In certain embodiments, the arm 26 is rotatable about the first pivot point 28. Therefore, as the arm 26 rotates about the first pivot point 28 relative to the frame 14, the window 18 moves linearly relative to the frame 14 independently of the arm 26. Since the window 18 moves to a maximum of partially uncovering the aperture 16 in the second position, the arm 26 can rotate less than one-complete revolution relative to the first pivot point 28 (compare the first and second positions of the arm 26 in
As best shown in
The arm 26 is supported by and movable relative to the brace 30. The brace 30 has been eliminated in
The arm 26 can be any suitable configuration. In certain embodiments, the arm 26 is a handle. Therefore, a user can grasp/move the arm 26/handle which correspondingly causes the window 18 to open or close. For example, in the vehicle application, one of the occupants of the vehicle 10 can move the arm 26/handle to open and close the window 18. Therefore, in the vehicle application, the handle faces into the passenger compartment and is at least partially visible in the passenger compartment. Optionally, the arm 26 can include a grip 32 that can be grasped by the user. In certain embodiments, the grip 32 can be positioned closer to a distal end 34 of the arm 26 than the first pivot point 28. It is to be appreciated that the grip 32 can be in any suitable location to be grasped by the user.
Optionally, a lock apparatus can be utilized to secure the arm 26 in a particular position when desired. For example, the lock apparatus can be configured to prevent the arm 26 from moving to the second position to open the window 18. Therefore, if the vehicle 10 is left unattended, the window 18 can remain in the closed position due to the lock apparatus preventing the arm 26 from moving out of the first position when the window 18 is in the closed position.
The lock apparatus can be any suitable configuration and location. As one non-limiting example, the lock apparatus can include a hook that is selectively movable around the arm 26 to prevent rotation of the arm 26. As another non-limiting example, the lock apparatus can include a pin that is movable to selectively insert into a hole along the arm 26 to prevent rotation of the arm 26. The lock apparatus can include any suitable fasteners, clips, tabs, couplers, etc., and the arm 26 can include any suitable corresponding fasteners, clips, tabs, couplers, etc. to cooperate with the lock apparatus to secure the arm 26 in the particular position when desired. The lock apparatus can be motorized or manually implemented.
As best shown in
The extension 36 and the arm 26 can be separate pieces fixed to each other, or the extension 36 and the arm 26 can be formed of one piece. If separate pieces, the extension 36 and the arm 26 can be fixed to each other by any suitable method(s), and non-limiting examples can include welding, adhesive, one or more fasteners, one or more pins, one or more studs, etc. If formed of one piece, the extension 36 and the arm 26 can be fixed to each other by any suitable method(s), and non-limiting examples can include extrusion, casting, stamping, etc.
Turning back to
Referring to
Continuing with
Generally, the second edge portion 48 can be disposed further from the bracket 42 than the first edge portion 46. In certain embodiments, the bracket 42 is secured to the window 18 along the first edge portion 46. Furthermore, a part of the first edge portion 46 can be disposed in the slot 44 of the bracket 42.
Referring to
Turning to
The extension 36 extends from the arm 26 at an angular orientation that positions the second pivot point 40 over-center of the first pivot point 28. This over-center position also positions at least part of the connector 38 over-center of the first pivot point 28. Therefore, when the arm 26 is in the first position such that the window 18 is in the closed position, the over-center position of the second pivot point 40 prevents the arm 26 from moving to the second position under the weight of the window 18 until a force is applied by the user to move the arm 26 to the second position. Therefore, the position of the connector 38 relative to the extension 36 when in the first position provides a self-locking feature. As such, the self-locking feature prevents the window 18 from moving to the open position under the weight of the window 18.
Referring to
Therefore, depending on the angle 54 that the extension 36 projects, the location of the second and third pivot points 40, 50 can be different than illustrated during movement of the arm 26 between the first and second positions, and thus the location of these pivot points 40, 50 relative to the first plane 52 can be different than illustrated.
Additionally, the arm 26 has a first length 56, the extension 36 has a second length 58 and the connector 38 has a third length 60. The first length 56 can be greater than the second and third lengths 58, 60. Furthermore, the third length 60 can be greater than the second length 58. It is to be appreciated that the arm 26, the extension 36 and the connector 38 can be any suitable lengths, and the FIGS. are non-limiting examples. For example, one or more of the lengths 56, 58, 60 can be changed in order to change the amount of force to move the arm 26 between the first and second positions and/or change the self-locking feature and/or change the amount that the window 18 moves linearly.
Non-limiting examples of the different locations of the second and third pivot points 40, 50 relative to the first plane 52, which can be due to the angle 54 of the extension 36 and/or the length 56 of the arm 26, the length 58 of the extension 36 and/or the length 60 of the connector 38, are discussed below.
In certain embodiments, the second and third pivot points 40, 50 can be spaced from each other on the opposite sides of the first plane 52 when the arm 26 is in the first position. Furthermore, in these embodiments, the second and third pivot points 40, 50 can be spaced from each other on the opposite sides of the first plane 52 when the arm 26 is in the second position. As one non-limiting example,
In other embodiments, the second and third pivot points 40, 50 can be spaced from each other on the opposite sides of the first plane 52 when the arm 26 is in the first position. In these embodiments, the second and third pivot points 40, 50 can be spaced from each other on a same side of the first plane 52 when the arm 26 is in the second position.
In yet other embodiments, the second and third pivot points 40, 50 can be spaced from each other on the same side of the first plane 52 when the arm 26 is in the first position. In these embodiments, the second and third pivot points 40, 50 can be spaced from each other on the same side of the first plane 52 when the arm 26 is in the second position.
In yet other embodiments, the second and third pivot points 40, 50 can be spaced from each other on the same side of the first plane 52 when the arm 26 is in the first position. Furthermore, in these embodiments, the second and third pivot points 40, 50 can be spaced from each other on the opposite sides of the first plane 52 when the arm 26 is in the second position.
Turning to
Depending on the angle 54 that the extension 36 projects, the location of the second and third pivot points 40, 50 can be different than illustrated during movement of the arm 26 between the first and second positions, and thus the location of these pivot points 40, 50 relative to the second plane 62 can be different than illustrated. Non-limiting examples of different locations of the second and third pivot points 40, 50 relative to the second plane 62, which can be due to the angle 54 of the extension 36 and/or the length 56 of the arm 26, the length 58 of the extension 36 and/or the length 60 of the connector 38, are discussed below.
In certain embodiments, the second and third pivot points 40, 50 are spaced from each other on a same side of the second plane 62 when the arm 26 is in the first position. Furthermore, in these embodiments, the second and third pivot points 40, 50 can be spaced from each other on the opposite sides of the second plane 62 when the arm 26 is in the second position. As one non-limiting example,
In other embodiments, the second and third pivot points 40, 50 can be spaced from each other on the opposite sides of the second plane 62 when the arm 26 is in the first position. In these embodiments, the second and third pivot points 40, 50 can be spaced from each other on the opposite sides of the second plane 62 when the arm 26 is in the second position.
In yet other embodiments, the second and third pivot points 40, 50 can be spaced from each other on the same side of the second plane 62 when the arm 26 is in the first position. In these embodiments, the second and third pivot points 40, 50 can be spaced from each other on the same side of the second plane 62 when the arm 26 is in the second position.
In yet other embodiments, the second and third pivot points 40, 50 can be spaced from each other on the opposite sides of the second plane 62 when the arm 26 is in the first position. Furthermore, in these embodiments, the second and third pivot points 40, 50 can be spaced from each other on the same side of the second plane 62 when the arm 26 is in the second position.
The window assembly 12 can also include a first fastener 64 disposed through the first pivot point 28 to connect together the arm 26 and the brace 30, a second fastener 66 disposed through the second pivot point 40 to connect together the extension 36 and the connector 38, and a third fastener 68 disposed through the third pivot point 50 to connect together the connector 38 and the bracket 42. The first, second and third fasteners 64, 66, 68 can be any suitable configuration to allow the bracket 42, the arm 26, the extension 36 and the connector 38 to move as discussed above. Non-limiting examples of the first, second and third fasteners 64, 66, 68 can include one or more of: bolts, pins, screws, sleeves, etc.
The window assembly 12 described herein provides a manual way to open and close a vent window 18. Therefore, the window assembly 12 eliminates the need for a wiring harness, an electrical window regulator and one or more switches for the electrical window regulator, which can reduce costs and provide mass savings.
While the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the disclosure have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this disclosure relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the disclosure within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, the embodiments shown in the drawings or the characteristics of various embodiments mentioned in the present description are not necessarily to be understood as embodiments independent of each other. Rather, it is possible that each of the characteristics described in one of the examples of an embodiment can be combined with one or a plurality of other desired characteristics from other embodiments, resulting in other embodiments not described in words or by reference to the drawings. Accordingly, such other embodiments fall within the framework of the scope of the appended claims.
