Abstract:
A cable window regulator is provided which includes a carrier panel securable to a door. First and second pulleys are rotatably mounted to the carrier panel. A lift plate is securable to a window and the window is constrained to travel along a predefined path. The lift plate is not directly attached to the carrier panel. A pair of cables is trained respectively around the first and second pulleys and is fixed to the lift plate. A drive assembly is operably coupled to the first and second cables for moving the pair of cables. The lift plate moves to and fro in response to movement of the pair of cables by the drive assembly in order to move the window relative to the carrier panel.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the manually or power actuated windows and more specifically to window regulators for such windows. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  are respectively a front elevation and a perspective view of a typical conventional cable window lift system generally indicated by reference numeral  20 . The system  20  includes a window regulator rail  22  along which runs a lift plate  24  which in turn is attached to a window glass (not shown). A top pulley  26  and a bottom pulley  28  are mounted to opposite ends of the rail  22 . A cable  30  is attached to the lift plate  24  and extends over the top and bottom pulleys,  26  and  28  respectively. The cable  30  is operably connected to a window regulator motor  32  which causes the cable  30  to move longitudinally and in turn causes the lift plate  24  and any window attached thereto to move along the rail  22 . 
     The conventional cable window lift systems  20  tend to be vehicle specific. As the window glass moves with the lift plate  24 , and as window glass in automobiles is typically curved, the rail  22  must have a curvature corresponding to the glass and this will vary from vehicle to vehicle and from window to window within a given vehicle. Furthermore the rail must have a length consistent with the window travel which will vary from model to model, for example, a two door model versus a four door model. 
     Overall length of the rail  22  and top and bottom pulleys,  26  and  28  respectively, is also a concern as the vertical height available within, for example a door, is limited by the available space. The conventional cable window lift systems  20  have an overall height of approximately that of the travelled portion of the rail  22  plus the height of the top pulley  26  and that of the bottom pulley  28 . The placement of the top pulley  26  and bottom pulley  28  on the rail  22 , and typically in a plane parallel to the lift plate travel direction limits the travel of the lift plate  24  to the distance between the pulleys. Any attempt at further travel will result in the lift plate  24  striking either the top or bottom pulley  26  and  28  respectively. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The disadvantages of the prior art may be overcome by providing a cable window regulator, which is not vehicle specific. 
     It is further desirable to provide a cable window regulator, which does not require a rail. 
     It is yet further desirable to provide a cable window regulator in which a lift plate is moveable over a distance greater than the span between two pulleys. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, a cable window regulator is provided which has a first pulley rotatably mounted to a first pulley bracket for rotation about a first pulley axis and a second pulley rotatably mounted to a second pulley bracket for rotation about a second pulley axis. A lift plate is securable to a window glass constrained to travel in a window plane. Cables are affixed at opposite and distal ends of the lift plate and trained about the first and second pulleys. A drive assembly (e.g. motor, crank, etc.) is operably connected to the cables for causing movement of the cable and in turn moving lift plate relative to the first and second pulleys. The first pulley axis and the second pulley axis extending parallel to and spaced from the window plane. 
     The first and second pulley brackets may be mountable to the structure with the first and second pulley axis parallel to a plane of travel of the window. 
     The first and second pulley brackets may be mountable to the structure to position the first and second pulleys out of a path of movement of the window to avoid interference between the lift plate and the pulleys. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the cable window regulator of the present invention is incorporated into a carrier panel of a door module. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a cable window regulator assembly having at least four cable guiding elements, each rotatably mounted to a respective bracket that are spaced relative to each other in a generally rectangular configuration. A lift plate assembly is securable to a closure panel that is constrained to travel in a closure plane. A pair of first cables is affixed to opposite sides of the lift plate at opposite edges thereof. The cables are trained about a first pair of cable guiding elements to operatively engage a regulator drive assembly, whereby driven rotation of the drive assembly in opposite senses effects reciprocating travel of the lift plate. The first pair of cables extends between the drive assembly and the first pair of cable guiding elements along a first cable path. A second cable is affixed to the lift plate at opposite sides thereof and is trained about a second pair of said cable guiding elements to maintain coordinated travel of the lift plate. The second cable extends between the second pair of cable guiding elements along a second cable path. The first cable path crosses the second cable path. The at least four cable guiding elements has an axis of curvature that extends parallel to and is spaced from the closure plane. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a cable window regulator assembly is provided which has a carrier panel securable to a door. First and second pulleys are rotatably mounted to the carrier panel. A lift plate is securable to a window glass and the window glass is constrained to travel along a predefined path. The lift plate is not directly attached to the carrier panel. A pair of cables is trained respectively around the first and second pulleys and is fixed to the lift plate. A drive assembly is operably coupled to the first and second cables for moving the pair of cables. The lift plate moves to and fro in response to movement of the pair of cables by the drive assembly in order to move the window glass relative to the carrier panel. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying illustrations in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevation of a prior art cable window lift system; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the prior art cable window regulator of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of the mounting of one embodiment a cable window regulator according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration corresponding to  FIG. 3  showing an alternate mounting arrangement; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating a first end of a cable window regulator in a “glass up” configuration; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating a second end of a cable window regulator according to the present invention in a “glass down” configuration; 
         FIG. 7  is an end elevation illustrating a cable window regulator according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a front elevation illustrating a cable window regulator according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a front elevation illustrating a cable window regulator according to the present invention having one pair of first and second pulleys mounted to a door; 
         FIG. 10  is a front elevation illustrating a cable window regulator according to the present invention having two pairs of first and second pulleys mounted to a door; 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevational view illustrating a door module incorporating a window regulator according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a reverse elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is side elevational view illustrating a second embodiment of a door module incorporating a window regulator according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 14  is side elevational view illustrating a third embodiment of a door module incorporating a window regulator according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A cable window regulator assembly according to the present invention is generally depicted by reference numeral  40  in  FIGS. 3 through 10 . The assembly  40  has a first pulley  42  rotatably mounted in a first pulley bracket  44  for rotation about a first pulley axis  46 . The assembly  40  further has a second pulley  52  rotatably mounted in a second pulley bracket  54  for rotation about a second pulley axis  56 . The First  42  and second  52  pulleys are spaced apart from one another and define a distance therebetween. 
     A lift plate  60  is provided which is securable to a closure panel or window glass  70  and affixed to cables  80  and  81  for movement longitudinally therewith. Cables  80 ,  81  are trained about and guided by the first pulley  42  and second pulley  52 , respectively. As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the window regulating cable  80  has end  82  secured to a lower part  62  of the lift plate  60  at tabs  83  and cable  81  has end  84  secured to an upper part  64  of the lift plate  60  at tabs  85 . Such a mounting arrangement wherein the cables  80 ,  81  attached to the horizontally and vertically distal ends of the lift plate  60  increases the distance that the lift plate  60  can travel before tabs  83  engage the first pulley  42  (or the first pulley bracket  44 ) or tabs  85  engage the second pulley  52  (or the second pulley bracket  54 ). In this manner, the distance of window travel is not limited to the distance between the first pulley  42  and the second pulley  52  as the lift plate  60  moves a distance greater than the distance between the first pulley  42  and the second pulley  52 . Accordingly, brackets  44  and  54  may be mounted to a door panel structure  100  away from the upper and lower edges where the door is thinner and space is at a premium. 
     A regulator drive assembly  90  is operably connected to the cable for causing movement of the cables  80 ,  81  to in turn move the lift plate  60  and thereby move the window glass  70 . The drive assembly  90  can either be a power motor or actuator assembly or a manual crank assembly. Typically an outer sheath will be provided over the cable between the drive assembly  90  and the first and second pulley brackets  42  and  52  respectively to prevent relative movement therebetween. 
     Unlike prior art configurations, the drive assembly  90  and as well the first pulley bracket  42  and second pulley bracket  52  are separately mountable to a structure such as a door  100  housing the window glass or panel  70 . The window glass  70  may be mounted in guide rails  110  shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  to guide its movement to a closure or window plane. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates mounting the first pulley bracket  44  and the second pulley bracket  54  directly to the door panel structure  100 . Such a mounting would require that adequate structural integrity be provided by the door panel structure  100  and may be inconvenient during the assembly. The remaining Figures illustrate an intermediate bracket  102  extending between the first pulley bracket  44  and the second pulley bracket  54  to provide further support and accommodate the assembly. The intermediate bracket  102  may be integrated with the first pulley bracket  44  and the second pulley bracket  54 . 
     According to the present invention movement of the lift plate  60  is caused by movement of the cables  80 ,  81  and guided by the window glass  70 . The lift plate  60  does not run on a conventional rail. Guide rails  110  guide and constrain the window glass  70  to travel in a window plane. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the first pulley  42  and second pulley  52  may be offset from the window plane so as not to interfere with the lift plate  60 . Furthermore, the first pulley  42  and second pulley  52  are rotatably mounted perpendicular to the window plane unlike the prior art arrangement wherein the top pulley  26 , bottom pulley  24 , rail  22  and lift plate  24  are generally parallel to the window plane. The first pulley axis  46  and the second pulley axis  56  are generally parallel to and spaced from each other and the window plane. 
     In some instances, for example with larger window glass  70 , it may be preferable to have more than one pair of first and second pulleys  42  and  52  respectively along with respective first and second pulley brackets  44  and  54  and lift plates  60 . An arrangement where two pairs of the foregoing operated by cables  80 ,  81  interconnected by an intermediate cable (not shown) and window regulating motor  90  is shown in  FIG. 10 . The intermediate cable assists in maintaining coordinated travel of the glass  70  and prevents the glass  70  from twisting relative to the glass run channels and jamming therein. 
     It is now apparent to those skilled in the art that the first pulley  42  and the second pulley  52  could be replaced by arcuate non-rotating sliding surfaces. The arcuate sliding surfaces are commonly utilized in the window regulating industry to replace pulleys. Advantageously, the sliding surface could be molded directly to the mounting bracket. The arcuate sliding surface will have a center of curvature along the first and second pulley axi. Thus, the sliding surface is equivalent to a pulley and mount arrangement. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the window regulator of the present invention is incorporated into a door module. As is well known in the art, the door module may carry a variety of the door components and may be based on the sealed hardware carrier, non-sealed hardware carrier, trim panel, etc. For clarity and illustration purposes, the shown door module  200  comprises a carrier panel  202 , a window panel  204  and a pair of glass run channels  206  and  208 . The window panel  204  is slidable in the glass run channels  206 ,  208 . Glass run channels are optionally connected to the carrier panel  202  or affixed to the door frame (not illustrated). 
     The carrier panel  202  is preferably molded from an organic plastic material. The carrier panel  202  has integrally molded recess  248  for housing cable drum  216  and has a series of grooves  210  and  212  that intersect in a crossing pattern. The grooves  210  and  212  define cable paths. Alternatively, the cable paths can extend above the surface of the carrier panel  202 . Cable guiding elements, namely pulleys  214 ,  218  and  220 , are rotatably mounted at locations of the paths  210 ,  212  at turning points where the paths  210 ,  212  change direction. The cable drum  216  is drivingly mounted on a drive assembly  222  mounted on the reverse side of the carrier panel  202 . In the example illustrated, the cable drum  216  is located to serve also as one of the cable guiding elements. At least one of the pulleys is mounted on a movable pivot that is biased to apply a tensioning force to a cable  224 . In the example illustrated, pulley  220  is mounted in such a fashion, and the cable  224  is connected to the lift plate  242  by a tensioning device. 
     Carrier panel  202  is further provided with mounts  226 ,  228 ,  230  and  232 , spaced therabout in a generally rectangular configuration. Each of the mounts  226 ,  228 ,  230  and  232  generally comprise a series of flanges that extend perpendicularly to the face of the panel  202 . Preferably, mounts  226 ,  228 ,  230  and  232  are integrally molded onto the surface of the carrier panel  202 . However, it is possible to attach or affix the mounts  226 ,  228 ,  230  and  232  to the panel utilizing conventional bonding or fastening techniques. 
     Pulleys  234 ,  236 ,  238  and  240  are pivotally mounted on the mounts  226 ,  228 ,  230  and  232 . Pulleys  236 ,  238  rotate about a first and second upper pulley axi, which are parallel to each other. Pulleys  234 ,  240  rotate about a third and fourth lower pulley axi, which are parallel to each other. Upper and lower axi are also parallel to each other. The upper and lower axi also extend generally transverse to the direction of travel of the closure panel  204 . 
     Cable  224  extends from the drum  216  downwardly along the path  210 , about tensioning pulley  220 , about pulley  240  and upwardly to an upper edge of the right side of lift plate  242 . Cable  244  extends from the drum  216  upwardly, about pulley  236  and downwardly to the bottom edge of the left side of lift plate  242 . Cable  246  extends from the lower edge of the right side of lift plate  242  upwardly about pulley  238  downwardly about pulley  218  in groove  212 , about pulley  214  and pulley  234  and upwardly to the upper edge of the left side of lift plate  242 . 
     Lift plate  242  has been illustrated as a single element extending from pulley  236  to pulley  238 . However, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that lift plate  242  could be two separate elements. Also it is apparent to those skilled in the art, that the arrangement and number of the cable guiding elements, location of the cable drum, location and number of cable tensioning devices can vary without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     The examples of such variations are shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . In  FIG. 13  the cable drum  216 ′ is relocated towards the centre of the carrier panel  202 . Additional cable guiding pulley  330 ′ is located between the cable drum  216 ′ and the pulley  236 . The cable guided pulley  300 ′ is mounted on a movable pivot that is biased to apply a tensioning force to the cable  244 . In  FIG. 14  the cable drum  216  ″ is relocated towards the edge of the carrier panel  202 . Additional cable guiding pulley  300  ″ is located between the cable drum  216  ″ and the pulley  236 . In this embodiment the pulley  220  is attached directly to the carrier panel  202 . The cables  224  and  244  are tensioned by the devices positioned in other locations, e.g. in the liftplate  242 . 
     Energizing the drive assembly  222  in opposite senses drives the window panel  204  between open and closed positions. Cable  246  operates to maintain the window panel  204  to move squarely relative glass run channels  206 ,  208 . 
     As is apparent to those skilled in the art, the carrier panel  202  can be configured to support other components that are commonly found in vehicle doors, such as audio speakers, latches, switches, wire harnesses, etc. Additionally, the cable guiding elements along the cable paths  210 ,  212  could be replaced by non-rotating surfaces or slides to minimize costs. 
     The above description is intended in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. Variations may be apparent to those skilled in such structures without departing from the scope of the present invention which is defined by the claims set out below.