US3702041A

US3702041A - Window regulator

Info

Publication number: US3702041A
Application number: US179803A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward G Podolan
Original assignee: General Motors Corp
Current assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
Priority date: 1971-09-13
Filing date: 1971-09-13
Publication date: 1972-11-07
Anticipated expiration: 1989-11-07
Also published as: AU462780B2; AU4616472A; GB1407082A

Abstract

A rotary input type window regulator adapted to move a vehicle mounted window between open and closed positions with a single stroke of an operating handle, the window regulator including an operating handle supported on the body and pivotable through an angular range of less than 180*, a lift arm connected to the handle for unitary pivotal movement therewith, a flexible tapelike drive member connected to the lift arm and to the window, and guide members defining a path of motion for the driver member including a first run extending in a circular arc about the pivot axis of the lift arm and having a radius equal to the length of the lift arm and a second run extending generally parallel to the path of motion traversed by the window. The length of the lift arm is predetermined to effect bodily movement of the drive member sufficient to completely open or close the window in response to pivotal movement of the handle through its angular range.

Description

United States Patent Podolan [451 Nov. 7, 1972 [s41 wmnow' REGULATOR I [72] Inventor: Edward G. Podolan, Utica, Mich.

[58] Field of Search ..49/40, 227, 324, 325, 348, 49/350-353, 360-363, 372-375 [56] References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1 1,980 6/1894 Great Britain ..49/352 252,539 2/1967 Austria ..49/325 D1 3960 4/ 1956 Germany ..49/352 Primary Examiner-J. Karl Bell Attorney-W. E. Finken et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A rotary input type window regulator adapted to move a vehicle mounted window between open and closed positions with a single stroke of an operating handle, the window regulator including an operating handle supported on the body and pivotable through an angular range of less than 180, a lift arm connected to the handle for unitary pivotal movement therewith, a flexible tape-like drive member connected to the lift arm and to the window, and guide members defining a path of motion for the driver member including a first run extending in a circular are about the pivot axis of the lift arm and having a radius equal to the length of the lift arm and a second run extending generally parallel to the path of motion traversed by the window. The length of the lift arm is predetermined to effect bodily movement of the drive member sufficient to completely open or close the window in response to pivotal movement of the handle through its angular range.

3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED 7 I973 3.702.041

sum

1 or 3 I N VEN TOR.

'du/ara Poao/an BY w ATTORNE WINDOWREGULATOR This invention relates generally to vehicle window regulators and more particularly to an improved rotary input type regulator adapted to fully raise or lower a window with a single stroke of the operating handle.

In typical automobile door window installations theportion of the door below the window opening serves as a storage well for the window when the latter is open and as the housing for the window regulator mechanism which moves the window between the open and the closed positions. Space within the door is, of course, at a premium and, consequently the addition of an internal side guard beam which protects the vehicles occupants from side impacts has made the task of designing an economical and compact window regulator more difficult. Typical cross-arm or parallel linkage type window regulators are expensive and consume substantial volume within the door. Typical flexible drive type regulators, while consuming less space, have rotary input arrangements which require a number of complete turns of the operating handle or a complicated pulley system supporting an endless drive member. A window regulator according to this invention represents an improvement over these known structures in that it consumes a minimum amount of space within the door, is economical to manufacture, and requires substantially less than one I complete revolution of the rotary input operating handle to effect complete opening or closing of the window.

The primary feature, then, of this invention is that it provides an improved window regulator mechanism particularly adapted for use with door mounted vehicle windows. Another feature of this invention is that it provides an improved window regulator of the rotary input type wherein a flexible drive member of finite length is connected to the window and to a handle such that pivotal movement of the handle through an angle of less than 180 effects full movement of the window between the open and closed positions thereof. Still other features of this invention reside in the provision in the window regulator of a lift arm having one end connected to the drive member and supported on the door for unitary pivotal movement with the handle and in the provision of guide means supporting the drive member and defining a path of motion therefor including a first run extending in a circular are about the pivot axis of the lift arm, the lift arm having a length predetermined to insure complete movement of the window between the open and closed positions in response to pivotal movement of the handle through an angle of less than 180 These and other features of this invention will be readily apparent from the following specification and from the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary partially broken away side elevational view of an automobile vehicle body having thereon a window regulator according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1 showing the window regulator in the position thereof corresponding to the open position of the window;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines 5-5 in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines 6-6 in FIG. 5.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there shown is an automobile vehicle body-designated generally 10 including a roof structure 12 supported above a left quarter panel structure 14 by a left sail panel 15 and above a left front fender 16 by a left from body pillar 18. A left front door 20 is vertically hinged on the vehicle body in the door opening defined between quarter panel structure 14 and fender l6 and extends upwardly to the vehicle beltline 22. A right, front door 24 is similarly swingably mounted on the opposite side of the vehicle body and has supported thereon by conventional guide means, not shown, a window 26 adapted for generally vertical bodily movement between a closed position, FIG. 1, closing the upper portion of the door opening between the roof structure 12 and the beltline 22 and an open position, FIGS. 2 and 4, stowed within the door. A window regulator according to this invention and designated generally 28 is provided on door 24 and functions as; described hereinafter to move the window 26 between the open and closed position, it being understood that an identical window regulator is provided on the left door 20 for raising and lowering window supported on the latter.

Referring particularly to FIG. 4, the right door 24 includes an outer panel 30 and an inner panel 32 hem flanged to the outer panel in a conventional manner to form a well 34 therebetween' having a longitudinally extending slot 36 at the top thereof, the slot being lined by a pair of conventional seal strips 38 and the inner panel being covered by a decorative trim panel 40. A longitudinally extending guard beam 42 is rigidly supported on the door generally at the top of the well 34 to protect the occupants of the vehicle from side impacts.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the window regulator 28 includes a support plate 44 rigidly attached to the inner panel 32 by conventional means,'not shown, and spaced therefrom by spacers 46. The plate 44 rigidly supports a window regulator clutch assembly 48 which projects outwardly from the plate through an aperture 50 in the inner panel 32 and through the trim panel 40. For a full and complete description of the clutch 48 reference may be made to US. Pat. No. 3,110,380, issued in the name of B. F. Meyers, et al., on Nov. 12, 1963 and assigned to the assignee of this invention. Generally, the clutch 48 includes a cylindrical housing 52 rotatably supporting a connecting unit 54 having an input spindle 56 and and output spindle 58. A coil torsion spring 60 is disposed between the housing 52 and the connecting unit 54 and cooperates with the latter in permitting unitary rotation of the input and output spindles in response to a rotary force input at the input spindle and in preventing rotation of the input and out-. put spindles in response to a rotary force input at the output spindle.

Referring again to'FIGS. 3 and 4, a handle 62 is rigidly attached to the input spindle 56 on one side of the trim panel 40 and a hub member 64 is rigidly attached to the output spindle interiorly of the door. The hub member 64 rigidly supports a lift arm 66 and is rotatably journaled in a bearing member 68 attached to a support flange 70 affixed to the plate 44. Accordingly, when a rotary force input is applied to the handle 62 unitary rotation of the latter with the lift arm 66 is effected while a rotary force input at the lift arm 66 effects locking of the clutch 48 to prevent rotary movement of the lift arm and the handle. A coil spring 72 has one end rigidly affixed to a support 74 attached to the support plate 44 by a bracket 76 and the other end overlying a pin 78 affixed to the lift arm 66 and projecting rigidly therefrom so that 'the lift arm is biased in a counterclockwise direction, FIG. 2.

As seen best in FIGS. 2 and 4, the window regulator 28 further includes a pair of generally flat, channel shaped

guide members

79 and 80 having mouth portions 81 and 82 respectively. The guide members are rigidly mounted on the door 20 by a plurality of brackets and slidably support a flexible. tape-like drive member 84 having a first end 86, FIG. 4,and a second end 88, FIG. 5. The guide member 79 is disposed generally transversely of the door and defines a first run 90 including a circular arc about the axis defined by output spindle 58 of radius generally equal to the length of lift arm 66. The guide member 80 is disposed generally longitudinally of the door and defines a second run 92 generally parallel to the path of motion traversed by the window, the second run being situated on the opposite side of the guard beam 42from the first run. The guide members closely support the drive member 84 so that the latter is operative to transfer to second end 88 tensile and compressive forces applied at first end 86.

As best seen in FIG. 3, a yoke 93 rigidly attached to drive member 84 adjacent first end 86 thereof projects out of the guide member 79 through mouth portion 81 and is connected to the distal end of lift arm 66 by a drive pin 94 rigidly attached to the lift arm and receive in a slot 95 in the yoke. Accordingly, torque applied to the lift arm tending to rotate the latter in either direction generates tensile or compressive forces on the drive member at the first end thereof tending to bodily shift the drive member relative to the guide members.

As seen best in FIGS. and 6, the drive member 84 adjacent the second end 88 thereof is connected to the window through a sash plate 96 rigidly attached to the lower end of the window by a plurality of fasteners 98. The sash plate 96 has secured thereto by screws 100 a pair of plastic guides 102 which straddle the guide member 80. A rigid pin 104 projects generally perpendicularly to the plane of the drive member 84 through mouth portion 82 of the guide member 80 and is braced in the longitudinal direction by a block 106 affixed to the drive member. The pin 104 projects through an aperture in the sash plate 96 situated between the plastic guides 102 and is retained thereon by a headed fastener 108 threadedly received in the end of the pin. Accordingly, vertical movement of the second end 88 of the drive member 84 along the second run defined by guide member 80 is accompanied by corresponding vertical bodily movement of the window.

Describing now a typical operational sequence of the window regulator 28, when the window is in the closed position thereof, FIG. 1, the weight thereof places the drive member in compression from thesecond to the first end resulting in a rotary force input at the lift arm which is resisted by the clutch 48. When it is desired to fully open the window, the handle 62 is grasped and pivoted clockwise, FIG. 1, through an angle of substantially less than such movement being accompanied by corresponding unitary pivotal movement of the lift arm 66. The rotary force input at the handle 62 results in a tensile force on the drive member applied at the first end 86 thereof which is, of course, simultaneously applied to the window in a vertical direction, the tensile force initiating concurrent bodily movement of the drive member and the window. The length of the lift arm 66 and the angle through which the handle 62 is pivoted are predetermined to insure that the arcuate distance throughwhich pin 94 on the lift arm travels equals the vertical distance traversed by the window during movement between the open and closed positions. Accordingly, one single stroke of the handle is sufficient to effect full movement of the window from the closed to the open position thereof, FIGS..2 and 4. When it is desired to close the window the above procedure is merely reversed, it being understood that the window can be stopped in any intermediate position and held therein by the clutch 48.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed 1. In a vehicle body having a window opening and a window supported thereon for bodily movement between a closed position in said opening and an open position remote from said opening, a window regulator comprising, a handle supported on said vehicle body for pivotal movement about a fixed axis of the latter through a predetermined angular range less than 180, a lift arm supported on said vehicle body for pivotal movement about said fixed axis, means connecting said handle and said lift arm for unitary pivotal movement, a flexible drive member of finite length adapted to transmit forces in tension and in compression, guide means on said vehicle body defining a path of motion for said drive member including a first run disposed in a circular arc of predetermined radius about said fixed axis and a second run extending generally parallel to the path of motion of said window, the length of a sector of said circular arc subtended by an angle equal to said predetermined angular range of said handle being substantially equal to the distance traversed by said window during movement of the latter between the open and the closed positions, said drive member being disposed in said guide means for bodily movement in the pathv of motion defined thereby, means attaching said drive member to said lift arm, and means attaching said drive member to said window so that pivotal movement of said lift arm through said predetermined angular range in response to corresponding pivotal movement of said handle effects bodily movement of said window between the open and the closed positions thereof.

2. In a vehicle body having a window opening and a window supported thereon for bodily movement between a closed position in said opening and an open position remote from said opening, a window regulator comprising, a handle supported on said vehicle body for pivotal movement about a fixed axis of the latter through a predetermined angularrange less than 180, a lift arm of predetermined length supported on said vehicle body for pivotal movement about sad fixed axis, means connecting said handle and said lift arm for unitary pivotal movement, a generally flat tape-like flexible drive member adapted to transmit forces in tension and in compression having a first end and a second end, guide means on said vehicle body defining a path of motion for said drive member including a first run disposed in a circular arc about said fixed axis of radius generally equal to the length of said lift arm and a second run extending generally parallel to the path of motion of said window, the length of a sector of said circular arc subtended by an angle equal to said predetermined angular range of said handle being substantially equal to the distance traversed by said window during movement of the latter between the open and the closed positions, said drive member being supported on guide means for bodily shiftable movement during which said first end traverses a path of motion defined by said first run and said second end traverses a path of motion defined by said second run, means attaching said first end of said drive member to said lift arm and means attaching said second end of said drive member to said window so that pivotal movement of said lift arm through said predetermined angular range in response to corresponding pivotal movement of said handle effects bodily movement of said window between the open and the closed positions thereof.

3. In a vehicle body having a door supported thereon for swinging movement between an open position and a closed position defining a window opening in said vehicle body, a generally horizontal guard beam rigidly disposed within said door below said window opening, and a window supported on said door for generally vertical bodily movement between a raised position closing said window opening and a lowered position situated within said door remote from said window opening, a window regulator comprising, a handle supported on said door for pivotal movement about a fixed axis of the latter through a predetermined angular range less than 180, a lift arm of predetermined length supported on said door for pivotal movement about said fixed axis, clutch means connecting said handle and said lift arm and adapted to pivot the latter as a unit with the former in response to a rotary force input at said handle and to prevent pivotal movement of said lift arm in response to a rotary force input at said lift arm, a generally flat tape-like flexible drive member adapted to transmit forces in tension and in compression having a first end and a second end, a first channel shaped guide member supported on said door on one side of said guard beam with a portion thereof disposed in a circular are about said fixed axis of radius generally equal to the length of said lift arm, the length of a sector of said circular arc subtended by an angle equal to said predetermined angular range of said handle being substantially equal to the distance traversed by said window during movement of the latter between the open and the closed positions, a second channel shaped guide member supported on said door with a portion thereof disposed on the opposite side of said guard beam in generally parallel relation to the path of motion traversed by said window, said drive member being supported on said first and said second guide members for bodily shiftable movement during which said first end traverses a path of motion defined by said arcuate portion of first guide member and said second end traverses a path of motion defined by said parallel portion of said second guide member, a yoke rigidly atthdt 'dd' m b d'cents'dfirsted t re of, g rigidly? att he d t?) ifie distal end of seiid lift arm, said pin being captured by said yoke so that pivotal movement of said lift arm effects bodily shiftable movement of said drive member in the path of motion defined by said guide members, and means attaching said second end of said drive member to said window so that pivotal movement of said lift ami corresponding to pivotal movement of said handle through said predetermined angular range effects bodily movement of said window between the open and the closed positions thereof.

Claims

1. In a vehicle body having a window opening and a window supported thereon for bodily movement between a closed position in said opening and an open position remote from said opening, a window regulator comprising, a handle supported on said vehicle body for pivotal movement about a fixed axis of the latter through a predetermined angular range less than 180*, a lift arm supported on said vehicle body for pivotal movement about said fixed axis, means connecting said handle and said lift arm for unitary pivotal movement, a flexible drive member of finite length adapted to transmit forces in tension and in compression, guide means on said vehicle body defining a path of motion for said drive member including a first run disposed in a circular arc of predetermined radius about said fixed axis and a second run extending generally parallel to the path of motion of said window, the length of a sector of said circular arc subtended by an angle equal to said predetermined angular range of said handle being substantially equal to the distance traversed by said window during movement of the latter between the open and the closed positions, said drive member being disposed in said guide means for bodily movement in the path of motion defined thereby, means attaching said drive member to said lift arm, and means attaching said drive member to said window so that pivotal movement of said lift arm through said predetermined angular range in response to corresponding pivotal movement of said handle effects bodily movement of said window between the open and the closed positions thereof.

2. In a vehicle body having a window opening and a window supported thereon for bodily movement between a closed position in said opening and an open position remote from said opening, a window regulator comprising, a handle supported on said vehicle body for pivotal movement about a fixed axis of the latter through a predetermined angular range less than 180*, a lift arm of predetermined length supported on said vehicle body for pivotal movement about sad fixed axis, means connecting said handle and said lift arm for unitary pivotal movement, a generally flat tape-like flexible drive member adapted to transmit forces in tension and in compression having a first end and a second end, guide means on said vehicle body defining a path of motion for said drive member including a first run disposed in a circular arc about said fixed axis of radius generally equal to the length of said lift arm and a second run extending generally parallel to the path of motion of said window, the length of a sector of said circular arc subtended by an angle equal to said predetermined angular range of said handle being substantially equal to the distance traversed by said window during movement of the latter between the open and the closed positions, said drive member being supported on guide means for bodily shiftable movement during which said first end traverses a path of motion defined by said first run and said second end traverses a path of motion defined by said second run, means attaching said first end of said drive member to said lift arm and means attaching said second end of said drive member to said window so that pivotal movement of said lift arm through said predetermined angular range in response to corresponding pivotal movement of said handle effects bodily movement of said window between the open and the closed positions thereof.

3. In a vehicle body having a door supported thereon for swinging movement between an open position and a closed position defining a window opening in said vehicle body, a generally horizontal guard beam rigidly disposed within said door below said window opening, and a window supported on said door for generally vertical bodily movement between a raised position closing said window opening and a lowered position situated within said door remote from said window opening, a window regulator comprising, a handle supported on said door for pivotal movement about a fixed axis of the latter through a predetermined angular range less than 180*, a lift arm of predetermined length supported on said door for pivotal movement about said fixed axis, clutch means connecting said handle and said lift arm and adapted to pivot the latter as a unit with the former in response to a rotary force input at said handle and to prevent pivotal movement of said lift arm in response to a rotary force input at said lift arm, a generally flat tape-like flexible drive member adapted to transmit forces in tension and in compression having a first end and a second end, a first channel shaped guide member supported on said door on one side of said guard beam with a portion thereof disposed in a circular arc about said fixed axis of radius generally equal to the length of said lift arm, the length of a sector of said circular arc subtended by an angle equal to said predetermined angular range of said handle being substantially equal to the distance traversed by said window during movement of the latter between the open and the closed positions, a second channel shaped guide member supported on said door with a portion thereof disposed on the opposite side of said guard beam in generally parallel relation to the path of motion traversed by said window, said drive member being supported on said first and said second guide members for bodily shiftable movement during which said first end traverses a path of motion defined by said arcuate portion of first guide member and said second end traverses a path of motion defined by said parallel portion of said second guide member, a yoke rigidly attached to said drive member adjacent said first end thereof, a pin rigidly attached to the distal end of said lift arm, said pin being captured by said yoke so that pivotal movement of said lift arm effects bodily shiftable movement of said drive member in the path of motion defined by said guide members, and means attaching said second end of said drive member to said window so that pivotal movement of said lift arm corresponding to pivotal movement of said handle through said predetermined angular range effects bodily movement of said window between the open and the closed positions thereof.