Patent Publication Number: US-2023151664-A1

Title: Slider for window regulator with adjustment mechanism

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to window regulators for use in motor vehicles and more particularly to an adjustable slider of the window regulator. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Vehicles may include power windows operated by a window lifter or window regulator. The window regulator is configured to support and carry a windowpane between a first position, e.g, a bottom position, disposed within a cavity of the door or other vehicle member, and a second position e.g, top position, engaged with an upper portion of the door or roof Window regulators used in vehicle doors that do not include an upper member that receives the windowpane may be referred to as a frameless window regulator assembly. Frameless window regulator assemblies are generally used in convertibles or other vehicles that include a windowpane that engages a roof rail. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one embodiment, an adjustable slider of a window regulator includes a base body configured to connect with a cable of the window regulator and a clamp-plate assembly having first and second jaws configured to clamp a windowpane therebetween. A hinge plate supports the clamp-plate assembly. A first adjustment mechanism pivotally connects the hinge plate to the base body such that the clamp-plate assembly and the binge plate are pivotal relative to the base body allowing a vertical angle of the clamp-plate assembly to be changed. The first adjustment mechanism is actuatable to move the hinge plate relative to the base body in a fore-and-aft direction allowing a fore-and-aft position of the clamp-plate assembly to be adjusted. 
     The adjustable slider may further include a second adjustment mechanism connected between the base body and the hinge plate. The second adjustment mechanism is actuatable to pivot the hinge plate relative to the base body allowing adjustment of the vertical angle. The base body may have an upper portion supporting the first adjustment mechanism and a lower portion connected to the second adjustment mechanism. The second adjustment mechanism may be operable to move a lower portion of the hinge plate towards and away from the lower portion of the base body to pivot the binge plate. The upper portion of the base body may define a hole, and the hinge plate may define a hoop, wherein the first adjustment mechanism includes an elongate member extending through the hole and the hoop to pivotally connect the hinge plate to the base body. The hole and the elongate member threadably engage. 
     According to one or more aspects of this disclosure, the base body may define a threaded hole and the first adjustment mechanism may include a threaded fastener disposed in the hole, wherein rotation of the fastener moves the hinge plate relative to the base body in the fore-and-aft direction. For example, the hinge plate has a pair of loops that are spaced apart and the threaded hole is disposed between the loops and the fastener extends through the loops. 
     According to one or more further aspects of this disclosure, the base body defines a through hole that is elongated in the fore-and-aft direction, and further includes a fastener extending through the first jaw, the second jaw, and the hinge plate and disposed within the through hole. 
     According to another embodiment, an adjustable slider includes a base body configured to connect with a cable of a window regulator, a clamp-plate assembly configured to support a windowpane, and a first adjustment mechanism configured to move the clamp-plate assembly relative to the base body in a fore-and-aft direction. 
     According to yet another embodiment, a window regulator includes a guide rail, a cable supported on the guide rail, an actuator operably coupled to the cable and configured to move the cable relative to the guide rail, and a slider fixed on the cable and slidably connected to the guide rail. The slider includes a base body configured to connect with the cable, a clamp-plate assembly configured to support a windowpane, and a first adjustment mechanism configured to move the clamp-plate assembly relative to the base body in a fore-and-aft direction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a window assembly of a vehicle. 
         FIG.  2    is a front perspective view of an adjustable slider of a window regulator. 
         FIG.  3    is a side view of the adjustable slider. 
         FIG.  4    is a back perspective view of the adjustable slider with the jaws omitted for illustrative purposes. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and other embodiments, can take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures can be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. Various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particular applications or implementations. 
     As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular form “a,” “an,” and “the” comprise plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, reference to a component in the singular is intended to comprise a plurality of components. 
     The term “substantially” or “about” may be used herein to describe disclosed or claimed embodiments. The term “substantially” or “about” may modify a value or relative characteristic disclosed or claimed in the present disclosure. In such instances, “substantially” or “about” may signify that the value or relative characteristic it modifies is within ±0%, 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5% or 10% of the value or relative characteristic. 
     Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing, from the teachings of the example embodiments. 
     The terms “front,” “rear,” “upper” and “lower” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The terms, connected, attached, etc., refer to directly or indirectly connected, attached, etc., unless otherwise indicated explicitly or by context. 
     Window regulators may include one or more guide rails and a slider that may move or translate along the guide rails to adjust a windowpane. Frameless window regulators or window regulators configured to move a windowpane that does not engage an upper door rail or member may present a number of challenges that may not be associated with conventional window regulators. For example, the relative angular position of the windowpane may vary with respect to one or more mating features, such as a roof rail, a seal, or both that are each configured to receive the windowpane when the windowpane is in a top or uppermost position. If the angular position of the windowpane is greater than a predetermined tolerance, the windowpane and the seal may not form a sufficient seal. 
     Generally, one manufacturer may assemble and ship the window regulator to a vehicle integrator or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) that assembles the windowpane to the window regulator and the window regulator and glass to the associated vehicle component, e.g., door. Because an insufficient seal or fit between the windowpane and the mating seal or frame member may not be discovered until after the window regulator is shipped and assembled to the vehicle, it may be desirable to provide one or more adjustment mechanisms to adjust the vertical angle of the windowpane as well as the fore-and-aft position. This adjustment(s) may be made by the manufacturer of the window regulator, the OEM, or both. The OEM may inform the window regulator manufacturer of the desired angle or required adjustment so that the manufacturer may set the set these parameters of the slider prior to shipping the window regulators. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , a perspective view of an exemplary vehicle window assembly  20  is shown. The window assembly  20  includes a windowpane  22  that is opened and closed by a window regulator  24  typically installed within a vehicle door. The window regulator  24  may include one or more guide rails  26  (such as two) that may extend in a vertical direction with respect to the vehicle (not shown). One or more pulleys  28  may be pivotally coupled to the guide rails  26  and one or more cables  30  may be wound around the pulleys  28 . Adjustable sliders  32  may be supported on the guide rails  26  and attached to one or more of the cables  30  such that the sliders and cables are fixed. While a window assembly provided with guide rails is illustrated, the adjustable sliders  32  as described herein may be used in an integrated window regulator. As an example, applicant&#39;s co-pending application Ser. No. 16/917,305 describes an exemplary integrated window regulator and is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     An actuator  34 , such as an electric motor, drives the cables to adjust the sliders  32  up and down along the guide rails  26 . The sliders  32  connect to and directly support the windowpane  22 . The windowpane  22  is opened and closed within a vehicle by operating the electric motor. Operating the electric motor  34  in a first direction causes the sliders  32  to move downwardly to open the window, and operating the electric motor  34  and a second direction causes the sliders to move upwardly to close the window as is known in the art. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2 ,  3 , and  4   , the slider  32  includes a base body  40  connected to the cable  30  by a connection feature  42 . The connection feature is configured to attach with the cable  30  such that the slider  32  is fixed relative to the cable  30  so that movement of the cable translates the slider  32  along the guide rail. The base body  40  supports a clamp-plate assembly  44  configured to connect with the windowpane. The assembly  44  may include a first jaw  45  and a second jaw  48  that may generally extend in a vertical direction. The first and second jaws  45 ,  48  are configured to engage opposite sides of the windowpane and secure the windowpane to the slider  32 . A fastener  50  may extend through the assembly  44  and the windowpane to further secure the windowpane to the slider  32 . The base body  40  defines a through hole  41  that is elongated in the fore-and-aft direction allowing clearance for movement of the fastener  50 . 
     A first adjustment mechanism  46  is configured to change the angle or pitch  47  of the clamp-plate assembly  44  relative to the vertical axis to adjust the pitch of the windowpane to ensure proper fit in the vehicle. This may be referred to herein as the “vertical angle.” The clamp-assembly  44  may be pivotally connected to the base body  40  by a hinge plate  52 . The hinge plate  52  may include loops  54  that are pivotally attached to an upper portion  56  of the base body  40  by a pin assembly  58 . The pin assembly  58  includes an elongate member  60  that extends through the loops  54  and a hole  55  defined through the upper portion  56 . Pivoting of the hinge plate  52  about the elongate member  60  pivots the clamp-plate assembly  44  to adjust the vertical angle  47 . 
     The first adjustment mechanism  46 , according to one or more embodiments, may include a fastener assembly  62  located at a lower portion of the slider  32 . The fastener assembly  62  includes a shoulder  66  that secures to a lower portion  67  of the hinge plate  52 . For example, the shoulder  66  may define a groove  69  that receives the lower portion  67  therein. The shoulder  66  is supported on (or integral with) an adjustment screw  68  that is threadably received through a threaded hole  71  of the base body  40  in the illustrated example. Rotation of the adjustment screw  68  moves the lower portion of the hinge plate  52  towards or away from the base body  40  and pivots the jaws  45 ,  48  about the elongate member  60 . Rotation of the screw  68  in a first direction moves the lower portion  67  towards the base body  40 , and rotation of the screw  68  and a second direction moves the lower portion  67  away from the base body  40 . 
     The adjustment mechanism  46  is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. For example, Applicant&#39;s co-pending application Ser. No. 16/432,044 (filed Jun. 5, 2019), the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, describes another adjustment mechanism that may be used to adjust the pitch of the jaws. 
     The slider  32  includes a second adjustment mechanism  70  that allows the windowpane to be adjusted in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. The second adjustment mechanism  70  is configured to move the clamp-plate assembly  44  relative to the base body  40  in the fore-and-aft direction. 
     The second adjustment mechanism  70  may include the elongate member  60 . In one or more embodiments, the elongate member  60  is a threaded fastener having a shank  72  and a head  74 . The shank  72  may define threads (at least partially), and the head  74  may define a receptacle configured to receive a tool such as an Allen key. The hole  55  may define female threads that engage with the male threads of the fastener  60 . The shank  72  extends through the loops  54  and the hole  55 . The loops  54  are not threaded. A nut  76  is threadably received on the distal end of the threaded shank  72 . The nut  76  is tightened so that the loops  54  are squeezed between the head  74  and the nut  76 . This secures the hinge plate  52  to the fastener  60  so that fore-and-aft movement of the fastener  60  moves the hinge plate  52  and consequently moves the windowpane fore-and-aft relative to the guide rails. Rotation of the fastener  60  in a first direction moves the head  74  towards the hole  55  to move the clamp-plate assembly  44  (and the windowpane) to the left in  FIG.  2   , and rotation of the fastener  60  in a second direction moves the head  74  away from the hole  55  to move the clamp-plate assembly  44  (and the windowpane) to the right in  FIG.  2   . Slider  32  may be configured for between plus-or-minus 2 and 10 millimeters of fore-and-aft adjustment. 
     The following is a list of reference numbers shown in the Figures. However, it should be understood that the use of these terms is for illustrative purposes only with respect to one embodiment. And, use of reference numbers correlating a certain term that is both illustrated in the Figures and present in the claims is not intended to limit the claims to only cover the illustrated embodiment. 
     PARTS LIST 
     
         
         
           
               40  base body 
               41  hole 
               42  connection feature 
               44  clamp-plate assembly 
               45  first jaw 
               46  first adjustment mechanism 
               47  vertical angle 
               48  second jaw 
               50  fastener 
               52  hinge plate 
               54  loops 
               55  hole 
               56  upper portion 
               58  pin assembly 
               60  elongate member 
               62  fastener assembly 
               66  shoulder 
               67  portion 
               68  adjustment screw 
               69  groove 
               70  second adjustment mechanism 
               71  hole 
               72  shank 
               74  head 
               76  nut 
           
         
       
    
     While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims. The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously described, the features of various embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments of the invention that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments could have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that one or more features or characteristics can be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. These attributes can include, but are not limited to cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. As such, to the extent any embodiments are described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics, these embodiments are not outside the scope of the disclosure and can be desirable for particular applications.