Patent Application
20230075849
This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of German Patent Application DE 10 2021 209 737.5, filed Sep. 3, 2021; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The invention relates to a window regulator assembly for an adjustable windowpane of a motor vehicle, having a driver, which is guided along an adjusting path, with two driver limbs which are connected via a connecting limb and between which a receiving gap for the windowpane is formed. Furthermore, the invention relates to a driver for a window regulator of this type of a motor vehicle.
Movable vehicle windowpanes are usually moved between a closed position and an open position by way of actuating apparatuses as vehicle window regulators which are operated electrically or by electric motor. A window regulator of this type as a rule contains an electric motor adjusting drive and an actuating mechanism, connecting (that means coupling in terms of power transmission) the adjusting drive to the windowpane, of a window regulator assembly which are assigned to a motor vehicle door or a motor vehicle body.
In order to guide the windowpane, it is provided, in the case of a vehicle door, with at least one (pane) driver as pane guide element, for example on a lower window edge. Here, the driver can be guided along an adjusting path oriented in the direction of the vehicle height (Z-direction) such that it can be displaced in at least one guide rail which acts as an adjusting or guide track, on a pull cable or along or on a (for example, rail-like) contact or guide contour, in particular a carrier plate of a door module, of the window regulator assembly. The following comments in conjunction with the term “guide rail” are intended to also apply to the pull cable guide and/or to the contact or guide contour, it being essential that the driver is guided along the predefined adjusting path, for example is guided by rail, carrier contour or cable.
A driver of the abovementioned type as a rule has a rail slider which is manufactured from plastic. The rail slider typically has a main body with a guide region which, in the mounted state, engages around the possibly provided guide rail, for example as a rail wrap-around means. In this case, the guide rail is seated in the guide region, the rail slider or the main body and the guide rail being in engagement with one another. The rail slider is mounted such that it can be displaced along the guide rail in engagement, with the result that the windowpane is guided in a linear manner between the closed position and the open position. The main body of the rail slider is coupled, for example, to a pane holder as (pane) driver for mechanical attachment to the windowpane.
In order to connect the driver to the windowpane, the driver has, for example, two driver or clamping limbs which are configured and provided to receive the windowpane to be adjusted between them, for example in a clamping manner. To this end, the driver limbs can be moved relative to one another. The windowpane is received with its lower edge between the driver limbs of the driver and is subsequently clamped in or braced between the two driver limbs as a result of the latter approaching one another. In order to brace the two driver limbs, a screw connection with a screw or with a threaded bolt as clamping element can be used, via which one of the two driver limbs is brought closer to the other driver limb.
The driver can also be configured for screwless latching (clipping in) of the windowpane. To this end, it is known from published, non-prosecuted German patent application DE 10 2012 223 825 A1, for example, for the connection of the driver to the windowpane to be performed without tools via an elastically movable latching portion with a latching lug. Here, the latching portion can be moved elastically counter to a restoring force for the connection of the windowpane to the driver, with the result that the latching lug of the latching portion is moved into engagement with a recess or a through opening of the windowpane (pane-side latching opening) as a consequence of the restoring force, and the connection of the windowpane to the driver is established in this way.
In the case of dismantling (due to repair, for example) of the windowpane, a tool is usually guided against the latching lug, for example via an opening in the door interior part of a vehicle door. The elastically movable driver limb is pivoted by way of the dismantling tool which comes into contact with the latching lug, it being possible for the tool to reach through the pane-side latching opening. The windowpane can subsequently be pulled out of the driver, the driver-side latching lug bearing against the windowpane, in particular in the region of the opening edge of the pane-side latching opening, as soon as the pane-side latching opening has passed the latching lug. In this state, the dismantling tool can first of all be pulled out of the latching opening and the windowpane can subsequently be released from the driver.
It is a problem in the case of a dismantling operation of this type that the elastically movable driver limb (also called a bending limb of the driver in the following text) can be excessively loaded, in particular by way of the tool, and the bending limb can break off in the process. This would lead to undesired damage or to destruction of the driver.
The invention is based on the object of specifying a window regulator assembly with a driver which can be reliably connected to and released from a windowpane of a motor vehicle. In particular, damage of the driver is to be avoided in the case of dismantling of the windowpane. Furthermore, a suitable driver for a window regulator assembly of this type (a window regulator) is to be specified. The driver is to be provided and configured, in particular, for establishing a secured (preferably without tools) latching connection to the windowpane.
With regard to the window regulator assembly, the object is achieved according to the invention by way of the features of the independent window regulator assembly claim and, with regard to the driver, by way of the features of the independent driver claim. Advantageous refinements and developments are the subject matter of the subclaims.
The window regulator assembly is provided and configured to adjust a windowpane, in particular of a side door of a motor vehicle, along an adjusting path, and to move it between a closed position and an open position. The window regulator assembly has a (pane) driver which has two driver limbs which are connected via a connecting limb and between which a receiving gap (pane gap) is formed for the windowpane. To this end, the driver which is guided, for example, on a guide rail is approximately U-shaped in longitudinal section or in a side view of the receiving gap, the two U-limbs forming the driver limbs, and their connection on the gap bottom forming the connecting limb.
A first driver limb which is also called a fixed (driver) limb in the following text is preferably provided for guiding the driver along the adjusting path. In particular, the first driver limb is configured for securing and guiding on a guide rail. In this embodiment with a rail slider function, the first driver limb preferably has a rail wrap-around means which is, in particular, L-shaped and engages around the guide rail or a rail contour of a guide rail which is cup-shaped, for example.
The second driver limb which is also called a movable driver limb or a bending limb in the following text can be moved or deformed in a (resiliently) flexible manner with respect to the first driver limb, and has a latching element (latching lug) which protrudes into the receiving gap, and which engages into a pane-side latching opening, in particular in the form of a hole or a recess in the windowpane, or latches or snaps in a positively locking manner into the latter during insertion of the windowpane into the receiving gap of the driver. The latching element or the second driver limb can be moved out of the pane-side latching opening for dismantling of the windowpane.
The driver has a locking element for limiting a pivoting path of the second driver limb during its movement with respect to the first driver limb. The locking element is preferably arranged behind the latching element in the gap longitudinal direction which is directed with respect to the gap bottom of the receiving gap. The locking element is particularly preferably arranged, in particular molded, in the gap longitudinal direction outside the receiving gap in the region of the connecting limb of the two driver limbs, in particular in a connecting portion of the connecting limb. The locking element is suitably configured as locking or contact contours which are elevated transversely with respect to the gap longitudinal direction. The locking element particularly preferably serves for dismantling limitation. It also expediently serves, however, as bending or moving limitation during insertion and latching of the windowpane into and to the driver.
In one expedient refinement, the connecting limb between the two driver limbs of the driver is of drawn-in configuration in a connecting or functional portion which is adjacent to (adjoins) the gap bottom of the receiving gap and has the locking element for dismantling limitation, with respect to at least the second, movable driver limb, and/or is of tapered configuration transversely with respect to the gap longitudinal direction of the receiving gap which receives the windowpane in the region of a pane lower edge including the latching opening.
The locking element is expediently formed first from a first contact contour which is provided on the first driver limb or in the region of the connecting limb of the two driver limbs or in a connecting portion of the connecting limb. Second, the locking element contains or comprises a second contact contour which is also moved in the case of a movement of the (movable or resiliently flexible) second driver limb with respect to the first driver limb. After passing through the pivoting path, the second contact contour comes into contact with the first contact contour.
The locking element is particularly advantageously formed from hooks which are opposed and/or overlap one another and/or engage into one another. The hooks advantageously have a holding limb and a locking limb which runs at an angle with respect to the former, for example approximately at a right angle. The hooks engage with their locking limb over the locking limb of the respective other hook.
One particularly expedient refinement provides a (second) hook which is connected to the second driver limb, in particular is molded onto the latter, and a (first) hook which is connected to the first driver limb or to the connecting limb or to the connecting portion between the driver limbs, in particular is molded onto the latter. The second hook is suitably arranged at a spacing from the first hook, which spacing decreases with an increasing movement of the second driver limb and the latching element along the pivoting path.
One suitable development provides that the first hook or its locking limb faces the second driver limb, and the second hook or its locking limb faces the first driver limb. It can also be provided that the two hooks, in particular firstly their locking limbs with respect to one another and/or secondly their holding limbs with respect to one another, are arranged at a spacing, in particular at a spacing which corresponds to the pane thickness of the windowpane, with respect to one another in such a way that the second hook, in particular its locking limb, bears against the first hook, in particular its locking limb, after passing through the spacing as a consequence of a movement of the second driver limb which has the latching element with respect to the first driver limb. In other words, the hooks are arranged in such a way that the spacing between the hooks or between their locking limbs decreases with an increasing movement of the second driver limb and the latching element along the pivoting path.
Contours which are parallel to one another and run obliquely can also be provided, the spacing of which corresponds approximately to the pane thickness of the windowpane. Reliable bending limitation of the (movable or resiliently flexible) second driver limb, preferably to approximately the pane thickness of the windowpane, is achieved by means of the locking element.
The latching element is suitably configured in the manner of a latching hook which is, in particular, triangular (triangle-shaped). The latching element preferably has an entry bevel which is inclined with respect to the gap bottom of the receiving gap and/or a locking edge which is level with respect to the gap opening of the receiving gap and is normal (perpendicular) with respect to the plane of the second (movable) driver limb, by way of which locking edge the latching element reaches, preferably completely, through the latching opening of the windowpane in the connection of the latching element to the windowpane.
The driver which is provided and configured for a window regulator or a window regulator assembly of the abovementioned type has a receiving gap between a first driver limb and a second driver limb which can be moved in a (resiliently) flexible manner with respect to the former for a windowpane with a latching opening, and a latching element which is provided on the second driver limb and protrudes into the receiving gap for engagement into the pane-side latching opening, and a locking function which blocks a deflection or movement of the driver limb which has the latching element beyond a permissible amount and/or when a predefined or predefinable pivoting path is reached and/or after a predefined or predefinable spacing between limb-side contours is passed through.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a window regulator assembly, and a driver for a windowpane, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Parts and variables which correspond to one another are provided with the same designations in all figures.
Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to
The adjusting drive 6 of the window regulator 2 drives a cable drum 18 of the actuating mechanism 8 via a worm or spur gear mechanism 16. The pull cable 12 of the control cable is arranged on the cable drum 18 in such a way that winding up and unwinding of the pull cable 12 takes place in the case of rotations of the cable drum 18 which are brought about by way of the gear mechanism 16. The pull cable 12 of the control cable which is configured, for example, as a Bowden cable is guided over deflection elements or deflection rollers 20, and is coupled to the driver 10 which for its part is guided along on the guide rail 14 and in the process also moves the windowpane 4.
In the case of an actuation of the actuating motor 6, the windowpane 4 is moved along the adjusting path V into its set or desired (pane) position. Here, the windowpane 4 can be moved reversibly between a closed position S which represents the highest possible position and an open position O which represents the lowest possible position. The windowpane 4 is indicated in
Specifications with regard to the spatial directions are also indicated in the following text in a coordinate system of the motor vehicle (vehicle coordinate system) with regard to the exemplary installation situation in a side door of the motor vehicle. Here, the abscissa axis (X-axis) is oriented along the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the ordinate axis (Y-axis) is oriented along the vehicle transverse direction, and the applicate axis (Z-axis) is oriented along the vehicle height. Here, the axial direction A is oriented parallel to the abscissa axis (X), the radial direction R being oriented substantially parallel to the ordinate axis (Y).
The first driver limb 10a has an approximately L-shaped rail wrap-around means 24 in cross section (
The second driver limb 10b can be moved elastically or can be deformed in a resiliently flexible manner with respect to the first, fixed driver limb 10a, and is therefore movable, in particular in the Y-direction. A latching element 27 is molded onto the second driver limb 10b (also called movable or bending limb in the following text), which latching element 27 protrudes into the receiving gap 21 (in the Y-direction). The latching element 27 is configured as a triangular latching hook, and has an entry bevel 28 which is inclined with respect to the gap bottom 23 of the receiving gap 21, and a normal (perpendicular) locking edge 29 with respect to the XZ-plane of the second (movable) driver limb 10b which is level with respect to the gap opening 22 of the receiving gap 2. The second (movable) driver limb (bending limb) 10b likewise has an entry bevel 30 in the region of the gap opening 22 of the receiving gap 21.
Via or by means of the limb-side entry bevels 26, 30 of the driver 10, the windowpane 4 can be inserted simply and without errors into its receiving gap 21. The windowpane 4 is inserted, with its pane lower edge at the front, via the gap opening 22 into the receiving gap 21 and between the two drivers 10a and 10b and is latched in the receiving gap 21. Here, the windowpane 4 slides with its pane lower edge along on the inclined entry bevel 28 of the latching element or hook 27. Here, the second, movable driver limb 10b of the driver 10 is bent open elastically in the Y-direction, and the latching element 27 snaps, grips or latches, in particular in a positively locking manner, into a latching opening 31 (denoted in
The driver 10 has a locking function which is provided (realized), in particular, by way of locking or contact contours. This locking function prevents a deflection of the driver limb 10b which has the latching element 27 as a consequence of a compressive force F (
To this end, the driver 10 has a locking element 32, 33 for limiting a pivoting path W (illustrated in
In the exemplary embodiment of
As illustrated in
A (dismantling) tool 34 which acts with a compressive force F on the latching element 27 of the second driver limb 10b is illustrated, which tool 34 is guided against the latching element 27 in a way which is not shown in greater detail via an opening in a body or vehicle door part. In
Here, as can be seen, the spacing a between the contours 32′ and 33′ of the locking element has been passed through completely, and the contours 32′ and 33′ bear against one another. Here, the limb spacing c between the driver limbs 10a and 10b in the region of the gap opening 22 of the driver 10 is increased by the pane thickness d of the windowpane 4, with the result that the vehicle pane 4 can be removed or dismantled completely from or out of the driver 10.
As can be seen from a comparison of
In summary, the invention relates to a window regulator assembly 2 for an adjustable windowpane 4 of a motor vehicle, having a driver 10 with a first driver limb 10a, and with a second driver limb 10b which can be moved in a (resiliently) flexible manner with respect to the former, and with a latching element 27 which protrudes into a receiving gap 21 between the driver limbs 10a, 10b and engages into a pane-side latching opening 31 during the insertion of the windowpane 4 into the receiving gap 21 of the driver 10, the driver 10 having a locking function which locks or blocks a deflection or movement of the second driver limb 10b beyond a permissible amount and/or if a predefined or predefinable pivoting path W is reached and/or after passing through a predefined or predefinable spacing a between limb-side contours 32, 33 or 32b, 33b.
To this end, the driver 10 preferably has a contact contour 32, on which the second driver limb 10b is supported as a consequence of a compressive force F which acts on the latching element 27 via the windowpane 4 in its closing direction or closed position S, in particular for dismantling purposes of the windowpane 4 which is latched or snapped into the driver 10. To this end, a locking contour 33 is further preferably provided on the second driver limb 10b, which locking contour 33 is spaced apart from the contact contour 32, in particular in the Y-direction. A reliable bending limitation of the (movable or resiliently flexible) second driver limb 10b, preferably to approximately the pane thickness of the windowpane 4, is achieved by means of the locking element 32, 33 or 32′, 33′ which is formed, in particular, from the contours.
The invention is not restricted to the above-described exemplary embodiments. Rather, other variants of the invention can also be derived herefrom by a person skilled in the art, without departing from the subject matter of the invention. In particular, furthermore, all individual features which are described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiment can also be combined with one another in a different way, without departing from the subject matter of the invention. For instance, the locking element can also be configured as a hinge, as an expansion element, as a hard stop, or as a combination of the mentioned and/or described geometries.
The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention:
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2021 209 737.5 | Sep 2021 | DE | national |
