Abstract:
The invention concerns a window assembly in a vehicle having a window pane that is fixed in a window frame that is also used for movable windows, and a method for mounting the fixed window pane in the window assembly. The method may include: mounting a window mounting assembly to a vehicle structure adjacent to the window opening; sliding the window pane into run channels of the vehicle window frame; mounting a lower edge of the window pane onto a peripheral support surface of a window support cam of the window mounting assembly; rotating a cam lobe of the window support cam into contact with the lower edge of the window pane until the window pane slides upward into a fully closed position; and locking the window support cam, against rotation allowing the window pane to lower, as the window pane is lifted into the fully closed position.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/425,424, filed Jun. 21, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a window in a vehicle, and in particular to a mounting assembly for a vehicle window. 
     For some automotive vehicles, customers are offered an option—for certain windows on the vehicle—to have fixed glass or a window that can open. The windows that can open typically have a window pane that slides in guide channels between inner and outer portions of a seal in a window opening. The opening and closing motion may be driven by a hand crank, a so-called manually opening window, or by a motor, a so-called power window. For the fixed glass configuration, the window pane is typically bonded in place over the window opening with urethane and encapsulated with a rubber weatherstrip surround. 
     The look of the window for a fixed glass window, then, is different from the look of the window in the same vehicle when a moving window option is chosen. Moreover, the shape of the window pane is different for the two, requiring two different shaped pieces of glass, one for each type of construction. This also requires a different door/vehicle body construction for fixed and moving glass systems. Thus, the application of two different mounting techniques for fixed and moving window options in a particular vehicle is undesirable, since it does not allow a particular vehicle to have a common appearance for the different window options, and it requires a different construction for the window pane and structure. 
     In order to overcome these drawbacks, some have employed a window pane and door construction for a movable window—whether or not the window pane is meant to be fixed. For the movable window configurations, the usual manual or power window mechanisms (also called regulators) are employed. For a fixed window, most of the manual window mechanism is installed. The window pane is also installed and mounted to the manual window mechanism. Then, the mechanism is used once at the assembly plant to move the window pane into the full up (closed) position, and is locked in this position. No window crank handle is put on the inside of the door so it can never be rolled down. This gives the customer a fixed glass window while maintaining the same look of vehicles whether they have a fixed window, manually opening, or a power opening window. Moreover, the same window pane and essentially the same door construction can be employed for all of the configurations. However, this one time use of the manual regulator assembly includes most of the components necessary for a manually opening window, such as a cable system, clutch drive mechanism, long rails for guiding the window to its full up and down positions, etc. So this configuration adds significantly to the weight, number of parts, complexity and cost of the more conventional fixed window. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     An embodiment contemplates a window mounting assembly for mounting a window pane between an inner and an outer portion of a window sealing assembly of a window opening in a vehicle. The assembly may comprise a cam support configured to mount to a vehicle structure, a window support cam and a cam lock. The window support cam may be mounted to the cam support and pivotable about a cam axis, with the window support cam having a lobe portion extending away from the cam axis and a peripheral window support surface for supporting a lower edge of the window pane. The cam lock may include a ratchet gear rotationally fixed to the window support cam and a ratchet arm configured to selectively prevent the lobe portion of the window support cam from rotating in a direction that allows the window pane to drop. 
     An embodiment contemplates a window mounting assembly for mounting a window pane between an inner and an outer portion of a window sealing assembly of a window opening in a vehicle. The assembly may comprise a cam support configured to mount to a vehicle structure, a window support cam and a cam lock. The window support cam may be mounted to the cam support and pivotable about a cam axis, with the window support cam having a lobe portion extending away from the cam axis and a peripheral window support surface for supporting a lower edge of the window pane. The cam lock may include a tension spring having a first end and an opposed second end, with the first end connected to the window support cam adjacent to the lobe portion and the second end fixed relative to vehicle structure at a location that will create a pivot inflection point for the window support cam such that when the window support cam is rotated to a first side of the inflection point the lobe portion will be pulled down away from the window pane and when the window support cam is rotated to a second side of the inflection point the lobe portion will be pulled up toward the window pane to thereby support a lower edge of the window pane. 
     An embodiment contemplates a method of fixedly mounting a window pane in a window opening of a vehicle window frame, the method comprising the steps of: mounting a window mounting assembly to a vehicle structure adjacent to the window opening; sliding the window pane into run channels of the vehicle window frame; mounting a lower edge of the window pane onto a peripheral support surface of a window support cam of the window mounting bracket assembly; rotating a cam lobe of the window support cam into contact with the lower edge of the window pane until the window pane slides upward through the run channels into a fully closed position; and locking the window support cam, against rotation allowing the window pane to lower, as the window pane is lifted into the fully closed position. 
     An advantage of an embodiment is that the window mounting bracket assembly allows for the use of the same window pane, same sealing assembly, and same door in white for both movable and fixed windows, while not incurring the unneeded extra expense, parts, assembly time and weight of a manual window regulator for a fixed window. 
     An advantage of an embodiment is that, while the window pane acts as a fixed window (in a fixed window application), the window mounting bracket assembly still allows for variation in build tolerances and adjustment of the window pane, should servicing needs require this. Moreover, when service of the window pane is needed, the window mounting bracket assembly can be reused. 
     An advantage of an embodiment is that seal set that occurs over time is accounted for to assure a good seal between the window pane and the sealing assembly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a partially schematic perspective view of a portion of a vehicle window assembly. 
         FIG. 2  is a section cut, on an enlarged scale, taken along line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 , but without the run channel shown. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic elevation view of a portion of a door and window assembly. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic, side view of a window mounting bracket assembly. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic elevation view of the window mounting bracket assembly. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic elevation view of a portion of a door frame. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic elevation view of a bracket support plate and fasteners. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a window mounting bracket assembly according to a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is another perspective view of the window mounting bracket according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic elevation view of a window and support cam according to a third embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a vehicle window assembly, indicated generally at  20 , that includes a window frame  22  defining a window opening  24 . Extending along the window frame  22  around the window opening  24  is a sealing assembly  26 . The sealing assembly  26  includes a window seal  28  (also called a weatherstrip) having an inner portion  30  facing into the vehicle and an outer portion  32  facing outward from the vehicle, with a gap  31  defined between them. The window frame  22  also includes window run channels  34 , within which portions of the sealing assembly  26  are mounted. The window run channels  34  retain and guide a window pane  36  in the gap  31 , while allowing the window pane  36  to slide up and down. The vehicle window assembly  20  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  allows for use of the conventional manual and power window regulators as well as a window mounting bracket assembly  40 , which will be discussed relative to  FIGS. 3-7 . 
       FIGS. 3-7  illustrate the vehicle window assembly  20  as part of a vehicle door assembly, indicated generally at  42 . While this embodiment illustrates a window frame  22  defining a window opening  24  in the door assembly  42 , the present invention can be employed anywhere on a vehicle where there is an option between a fixed window and a moving window, such as, for example a rear door on an extended cab pickup, a van sliding door, or a back light of a pickup truck. 
     A door frame  44  of the door assembly  42  includes three slotted mounting holes  46  located below the window opening  24 . Each slotted mounting hole  46  may include a larger diameter upper portion  48  and a smaller diameter lower portion  50 . Although three holes  46  are shown in this embodiment, other numbers may be employed instead, if so desired. 
     The window mounting bracket assembly  40  includes a bracket support plate  52 , having three mounting fasteners  54  extending therefrom and located so that each one aligns with a respective one of the slotted mounting holes  46 . Each mounting fastener  54  includes a head  56  that is small enough to be received through a respective one of the upper portions  48 , but is large enough that it cannot slide through the corresponding lower portion  50 . While fasteners and holes are illustrated as a means for mounting the support plate to vehicle structure, other means of mounting may be employed instead, if so desired. 
     A cam shaft  58  extends through the bracket support plate  52  and is centered about a cam axis  60 . The cam shaft  58  also includes a cam rotation feature  61 . 
     A window support cam  62  is mounted on the cam shaft  58  and is spaced from the bracket support plate  52  by a spacer  64 . The window support cam  62  includes a peripheral support surface  66  for supporting a lower edge  38  of the window pane  36 . The shape of the peripheral support surface  66  may be a semi-cylindrical concave surface for receiving and centering the window pane  36  relative to the window support cam  62 . This surface may have a different shape, if so desired. The window support cam  62  includes a cam lobe  68 , where the peripheral support surface  66  extends farther from the cam axis  60  than at other locations along the peripheral support surface  66 . 
     The window mounting bracket assembly  40  also includes a cam lock  70 . The cam lock  70  can be inserted between the bracket support plate  52  and the window support cam  62  to lock the two together so they cannot rotate relative to each other. With the cam lock  70  removed, the window support cam  62  can rotate relative to the bracket support plate  52 , particularly when driven by the cam rotation feature  61 . 
     The installation procedure for installing a fixed window configuration with the window mounting bracket assembly  40  will now be discussed. The window mounting bracket assembly  40  is assembled. The bracket support plate  52  is attached to the door frame  44  (which may be a door inner panel) by mounting the heads  56  of the mounting fasteners  54  in the upper portions  48  of the three slotted mounting holes  46  and sliding the plate  52  down. The heads  56  are now trapped in the lower portions  50  of the holes  46 . 
     The window pane  36  is then loaded into the window frame  22  by sliding it up in the window run channels  34  between the inner and outer portions  30 ,  32  of the window seal  28 . The lower edge  38  of the window pane  36  is mounted in the peripheral support surface  66  of the window support cam  62  while the support cam  62  is oriented so that it is at or near its lowest position (i.e., the cam lobe  68  is not extending upward). Then, the window support cam  62  is rotated (using the cam rotation feature  61 , if desired) to rotate the cam lobe  68  upward, thus pushing the window pane  36  into its full up (closed) position. The cam lock  70  is then inserted into the mounting bracket assembly  40  to lock the support cam  62  in position and thus lock the window pane  36  permanently in the fully closed position. This also holds the mounting fasteners  54  in the lower portion  50  of the slotted mounting holes  46  so the heads  56  cannot slide out of the upper portions  48  of the mounting holes  46 . 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate a second embodiment of the window mounting bracket assembly  140 . Since this embodiment is similar to the first, similar element numbers will be used for similar elements, but employing 100-series numbers. The window mounting bracket assembly  140  includes a bracket support plate  152 , having three support arms  174  extending therefrom, with a mounting fastener  154  supported by and extending from each arm  174  and located so that each fastener  154  aligns with a respective one of the slotted mounting holes (shown in  FIG. 6 ). 
     A cam shaft  158  extends through the bracket support plate  152  and is centered about a cam axis  160 . The cam shaft  158  is supported at its other end by a shaft support plate  172 . A cam rotation feature  161  is included on the cam shaft  158 . A window support cam  162  is also mounted on the cam shaft  158  and is rotationally fixed relative to the cam shaft  158  and the cam rotation feature  161 . The window support cam  162  includes a peripheral support surface  166  for supporting a bearing member  176  that can slide up and down on clip supports  178  extending from the bracket support plate  152 . A glass clip  180  is also mounted on the clip supports  178  and can be pushed up into contact with a lower edge of the window pane (shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). The glass clip  180  may include a slot  182  for receiving and supporting the lower edge of the window pane. The window support cam  162  includes a cam lobe  168 , where the peripheral support surface  166  extends farther from the cam axis  160  than at other locations along the peripheral support surface  166 . 
     The window mounting bracket assembly  140  also includes a cam lock  170 . The cam lock  170  includes a ratchet gear  184  that is mounted on the cam shaft  158  and rotationally fixed relative to the window support cam  162 . The cam lock  170  also includes a ratchet arm  186  that is pivotally mounted on the bracket support plate  152  and can pivot into contact with teeth on the ratchet gear  184 . The ratchet arm  186  is oriented relative to the gear  184  so that, when in contact, the ratchet arm  186  will only allow rotation of the ratchet gear  184 —and hence the window support cam  162 —in one direction (counterclockwise as seen in  FIG. 8 ). A cam spring  188  is connected at one end to the ratchet arm  186  and connected at the opposite end to the bracket support plate  152  at a location that will cause the cam spring  188  to be in tension, biasing the ratchet arm  186  into contact with the ratchet gear  184 . 
     The installation procedure for installing a fixed window configuration with the window mounting bracket assembly  140  will now be discussed. Preferably, the window mounting bracket assembly  140  comes to a vehicle assembly plant in a shipped position with the window support cam  162  rotated so the cam lobe  168  extends away from the vertical position. The window support cam  162  may be held in this shipped position by securing the cam rotation feature  161  relative to the bracket support plate  152 . 
     Then, the bracket support plate  152  is attached to the door frame. This may entail attaching the three mounting fasteners  154  to the slotted mounting holes in the door structure. The window pane is loaded into the window frame by sliding it up in the window run channels between the inner and outer portions of the window seal. The same door-in-white assembly, with the same window run channels and window seal are used for vehicles with power windows, manual window, or, in this case, a fixed window pane. The lower edge of the window pane is mounted in the slot  182  of the glass clip  180 , providing one central support to hold the bottom of the window pane. 
     Then, the cam rotation feature  161  is released from the bracket support plate  152  and is rotated clockwise (as seen in  FIG. 9 ). This will cause the window support cam  162  to rotate, pushing the cam lobe  168  into the bearing member  176 . As the window support cam  162  is rotated further, the cam lobe  168  will push the bearing member  176  into the glass clip  180 , which, in turn, pushes upward on the window pane. This pushes the window pane into its full up (closed) position. As the window support cam  162  rotates to push the window pane up into its closed position, the ratchet gear  184  rotates with the cam  162 . The ratchet arm  186  slides along the gear teeth as the cam  162  is rotating counterclockwise (as seen in  FIG. 8 ), but engages the teeth to prevent rotation in the other direction. Thus, the window pane ends up locked in its closed position by the cam lock  170 . 
     Even though the cam lock  170  provides a positive lock of the cam position, the engagement of the ratchet arm  186  to the ratchet gear  184  allows the cam to be rotated further if the portion of the seal along the upper edge of the window pane gives over time. In addition, if repair or replacement of the window pane is needed, one may pivot the ratchet arm  186  away from the ratchet gear  184  (against the bias of the cam spring  188 ), releasing the window support cam  162 . The cam lobe  168  can then be moved out of the way. With the cam lobe  168  pivoted away, the window pane can be removed and replaced. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a third embodiment of the window mounting bracket assembly  240 . Since this embodiment is similar to the first, similar element numbers will be used for similar elements, but employing 200-series numbers. In this embodiment, the window support cam  262  may mount to and pivot relative to the door frame  244 , with a cam axis  260  being defined as the location the cam  262  pivots relative to the door frame  244 . 
     A cam spring  288  has a first end  290  that mounts to the window support cam  262  near the cam lobe  268  and a second end  292  that mounts to the door frame  244 . The second end  292  is oriented relative to the cam axis  260  such that, when the window support cam  262  is rotated a certain amount in the counterclockwise direction (a pre-installation position shown in  FIG. 10  with solid lines), the cam spring  288  will tend to pull the cam further in that direction, and when the cam  262  is rotated a certain amount in the clockwise direction (an installed position shown in  FIG. 10  with phantom lines), the cam spring  288  will tend to pull the cam further in this opposite direction. At the inflexion point between the pull in the opposite directions, the orientation of the first end  290  relative to the second end  292  causes the cam spring  288  to be in tension and extending directly over the cam axis  260 . 
     The installation of the window pane  236  will now be discussed. The window support cam  262  is moved to the pre-installation position where it will be held by the cam spring  288  so that the cam lobe  268  is away from the lower edge  238  of the window pane  236 . The window pane  236  is then loaded into the window frame  222  by sliding it up in the window run channels between the inner and outer portions of the window seal  228 . A glass clip  280 , which may include a window support slot, is located between the window support cam  262  and the lower edge  238  of the window pane  236  and the window support cam  262  is rotated clockwise (as seen in  FIG. 10 ) past the inflection point for the cam spring  288 , causing the cam lobe  268  to press against the glass clip  280 , which in turn pushes up on the window pane  236 . The cam spring  288  is sized so that it provides enough force to hold the window pane  236  in its closed position—thus, the cam spring  288  acts as a cam lock for this embodiment. Since the window pane  236  is held by the tension in the spring, a significant range of build variation can be accommodated. Also, the cam spring  288  will accommodate seal set over time and maintain the window pane  236  securely in the upper portion of the window seal  228 . 
     As an alternative, the second end  292  of the cam spring  288 , the window support cam  262 , and the glass clip  280  may be mounted on a support bracket that attaches to door structure, similar to the other embodiments, if so desired. 
     While certain embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention as defined by the following claims.