WO2007060037A1

WO2007060037A1 - Apparatus for connecting a crank-arm window lifter to the window pane of a motor vehicle, and crank-arm window lifter

Info

Publication number: WO2007060037A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/065514
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerhard Schust; Udo Taubmann
Original assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile Gmbh & Co. Kg, Coburg
Priority date: 2005-11-24
Filing date: 2006-08-21
Publication date: 2007-05-31
Also published as: DE202005018485U1

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for connecting a crank-arm window lifter to the displaceable window pane of a motor vehicle, having a guide profile (1), in which sliders (30) for coupling to an adjusting mechanism of the window lifter are guided in a slidably movable manner, and having two window-pane holding elements (10) which are spaced apart from one another and are secured on the guide profile by means of securing means (35, 36). The guide profile is configured as a hollow profile which is open on one side. The window-pane holding elements and the guide profile interact in such a way that the window-pane holding elements can be pushed onto the guide profile at the end sides of the latter and can be secured on the guide profile at variable spacings (X) from one another. The window-pane holding elements can be secured on the guide profile at variable spacings from one another with the aid of securing means. Window lifters having lifting rails of different length can be manufactured by simply cutting the guide profile to length.

Description

Device for connecting an arm window lifter to the window pane of a motor vehicle and arm window lifter

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to arm window regulators for motor vehicles and in particular relates to a simple and variable window connection to a cross arm window regulator for motor vehicles. The present application claims the priority of the German utility model application DE 20 2005 018 485.3 "Device for connecting an arm window lifter to the window pane of a motor vehicle and arm window lifter", filed on November 24, 2005, the content of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

Background of the Invention

A cross arm window lifter according to the closest prior art is disclosed in DE 196 50 265 Cl by the applicant. The window pane is clamped between jaws which are attached to a lifting rail at predetermined positions. The lifting rail also serves as a guide profile on which two sliders, which are coupled to the adjustment mechanism of the window lifter, are guided so as to be slidable. The position of the clamping jaws on the lifting rail is determined by impressions in the guide profile. These impressions interrupt the guide openings in the guide profile in which the sliders are guided. The maximum adjustment path is thus limited by the impressions.

With a window regulator of the aforementioned type, the distance between the clamping jaws cannot be changed. Therefore, for different types of motor vehicle doors, due to their different geometries, different types of window lifters have to be manufactured, temporarily stored and assembled, which is complex and costly. Summary of the invention

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for connecting an arm window lifter, in particular a cross arm window lifter, to the window pane of a motor vehicle, with which the arm window lifter can be adapted to different types of motor vehicle doors in a simple and cost-effective manner can, in particular can be provided or installed with lifting rails of different lengths. According to a further aspect of the present invention, an arm window lifter, in particular a cross arm window lifter, is also to be provided, which can be temporarily and easily secured in different delivery or transport positions in a simple and inexpensive manner. According to a further aspect of the present invention, an arm window lifter, in particular a cross arm window lifter, is also to be provided, which can be installed in an advantageously simple manner.

These and other objects are achieved according to the present invention by a device with the features according to claim 1 and by an arm window lifter with the features according to claim 23. Further advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent subclaims.

According to the invention, the guide profile, which according to a preferred variant also acts as a lifting rail, is designed as a hollow profile which is open on one side and which cooperates with the window pane holding elements in such a way that the window pane holding elements can be pushed onto the end faces of the guide profile as long as until a predetermined position is reached and the window pane holding elements are arranged at a predetermined distance, which can be matched, for example, to the geometry of a vehicle door in which the window regulator is to be installed. According to the invention, the window pane holding elements can thus be secured to the guide profile at variable distances from one another with the aid of securing means. By simply cutting the guide profile to length, window lifters with lifting rails of different lengths can thus be produced according to the invention. This cutting to length can also be carried out by means of simple tools or by means of laser radiation or the like Final assembly take place, so that according to the invention a type of window lifter for different types of motor vehicle doors can be delivered. According to the invention, this brings considerable cost advantages.

In particular, locking means for locking the window pane holding elements on the guide profile, preferably for releasable locking, serve as securing means in the sense of the present application, although any other securing means, for example screw connections, integral connections or positive connections, are also conceivable according to the invention.

The window pane holding elements interact with the guide profi according to the invention in such a way that the window pane holding elements are mounted on the guide profile so that they cannot tilt. According to a first embodiment, an inner profile of the window pane holding element is formed corresponding to the outer profile of the guide rail and the window pane holding elements encompass the guide profile in a tight fit. According to an alternative embodiment, a base acting as a sliding element is formed on the lower end of the window pane holding elements and has two crosspieces which extend essentially in the vertical direction and are gripped by legs of the guide profile. For more suitable support of the window pane holding elements and for securing against tilting, a guide groove can be formed on the base, in which one leg of the guide profile is received in a closely fitting manner.

According to a further embodiment, a plurality of securing means are assigned to each window pane holding element, which are provided or formed in or on the guide profile, so that the respective window pane holding element can be secured to the guide profile at different positions, viewed in the vehicle longitudinal direction. In this way, an indexed positioning of the window pane holding elements on the guide profile is possible according to the invention. Of course, in such an embodiment, the guide profile can be suitably cut to length on the end faces after the window pane holding elements have been secured at a suitable position on the guide profile. For a suitable indexed positioning of the window pane holding elements on the guide profile, the securing means can be provided or formed equidistantly from one another on the guide profile, for example in the form of through bores or blind bores which interact with a locking pin for locking the respective window pane holding element on the guide profile.

According to a further preferred embodiment, positioning means are also provided for releasably securing the sliders in or on the guide profile in a predetermined position. These positioning means can be used in particular to secure a delivery or. Serve transport position. This delivery or transport position can be matched in particular to the type of final assembly of the motor vehicle door. According to a preferred embodiment, the aforementioned delivery or transport part is selected such that the window pane, after it is connected to the window pane holding elements, still projects slightly vertically from the window gap.

The positioning means are preferably designed such that the aforementioned delivery or. Transport position is secured against forces that usually occur during storage and delivery. In principle, however, the aforementioned positioning means can be broken away, that is to say they can be broken off after final assembly, for example by actuating the window lift drive. According to a preferred variant, however, the positioning means are designed as mechanical securing means, which are released, for example removed, after the final assembly in order to release the delivery or transport position and to make the window lifter free. Such positioning means can be designed, for example, as a locking pin which engages through the slider and engages in a positioning hole or a recess which is designed as a through hole, square hole, opening or blind hole and which is formed in or on the guide profile.

In order to be able to specify the aforementioned delivery or transport position in a simple manner in a variable manner, the positioning holes can be provided or formed on the guide profile equidistantly from one another.

In order to enable simple assembly, the window pane holding elements are designed according to a preferred embodiment for blind assembly, in which the Window pane is simply inserted into the window gap of a motor vehicle door from above as part of the final assembly and is then automatically taken up by the window pane holding elements of the window lifter already installed in the motor vehicle door, without this requiring a visual inspection.

In order to enable blind assembly, in accordance with a further embodiment, inwardly inclined bevels can be formed on an upper edge of the window pane holding elements, which are inclined toward a window pane holder. A hook-like securing projection can be provided in the window pane receptacle, which can be beveled in particular at the upper edge and which extends through an opening formed at the lower edge of the window pane in order to bind the window pane.

Another aspect of the present invention further relates to a method for simple and variable installation of window regulators, in particular cross-arm window regulators, in motor vehicles.

Figure overview

In the following, the invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, from which further features, advantages and objects to be achieved will result and in which:

1 shows a schematic side view of a lifting rail with window pane holding elements of an arm window lifter according to the invention, in particular a cross arm window lifter;

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged side view of the lifting rail according to FIG. 1;

Fig. 3 shows in cross-section along the line A-A according to Fig. 2 the interaction of the window pane holding element with the guide profile;

Fig. 4 shows in cross section along the line B-B according to Fig. 2 the interaction of the slider with the guide profile of the lifting rail;

5 shows a perspective front view of a window pane holding element according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows the window pane holding element according to FIG. 5 in a perspective rear view; FIG. 7 shows the window pane holding element according to FIG. 5 in a right side view; and FIG. 8 shows the window pane holding element according to FIG. 5 in a cross section along the

Line C-C according to FIG. 6 shows.

In the figures, identical reference symbols designate identical or essentially identical elements or groups of elements.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

According to FIG. 1, two window pane holding elements 10 are secured on the lifting rail 1 acting as a guide profile near the end faces of the guide profile 1. The window pane holding elements each have three comb-like arms 12, 13 which extend transversely to the guide profile 1. The arms 12 can be flexible and interconnected. Overall, the window pane holding elements are mirror-symmetrical in relation to the holding projection 11 (see FIG. 3) used to connect the window pane to the holding element 10, with two symmetrically arranged lateral arms 12, between which the central holding arm 13 is spaced apart. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the guide profile is designed as a hollow profile open on one side, which has a smooth front, two adjoining bevels which merge into two rear, vertically extending legs, a bottom or lower leg 5, an upper leg 6, which each extend horizontally, inside the vehicle, and comprises two vertically extending rear legs. In the guide profile formed in this way, one or two correspondingly designed sliders 30 are slidably received, which can be moved in the vehicle longitudinal direction or parallel to the longitudinal direction of the lifting rail. To secure the position of the sliders in the guide profile, indexing holes 32 or indexed fixed points are provided or formed in the guide profile 1 equidistantly from one another according to FIG. 1. These can be designed as through holes or as blind holes open to the interior of the hollow profile. To secure the slider 30, a locking pin 31 projects through the slider 30 according to FIG. 4 in order to engage in the indexing hole 32.

Fig. 2 shows the left end of the guide profile 1 according to FIG. 1 with two different positions of the slider 30, each shown in dashed lines is. In the right position according to FIG. 2, the slider 30 is secured in one or both of the indexing holes 32 of the guide profile 1 with the aid of an indexing pin, not shown, as described above with reference to FIG. 4. After the respective indexing pin has been pulled out or broken away, the slider 30 can then be freely moved in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In the left position according to FIG. 2, the slider 30 is moved to the window pane holding element 10 to a minimum distance xmin, as will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 shows the window pane holding element in a section along the line AA according to FIG. 2, that is to say through the central ann 13 of the holding element 10. It can be seen that the inner profile of the holding element 10 in the region of the lateral arms 12 corresponds to the outer profile of the guide profile is designed so that the lateral arms 12 grip the guide profile in a close-fitting manner or act as receiving points of the guide profile. 3, at the rear, i.e. in Fig. 3 right, leg of the side arm 12, a thickened securing portion 25 is provided which leads to the guide area 8, i.e. to the inside of the guide profile, runs out and on its upper edge a hook-like projection 26 is formed, which engages behind the rear leg 7 of the guide profile.

3, in the left part of the middle arm 13, the holding element 10 lies directly against the guide profile, while in the right part the middle arm 13 is arranged at a distance from the guide profile. The reference character Y denotes the clear width between the inside of the middle arm 13 and the outside of the side ann 12. In the right part, an inclined connecting web 21 adjoins the middle arm 13 above the guide profile and merges into a rear side wall 16. The front side wall 15 and the rear side wall 16 of the holding element 10 form an overall U-shaped receptacle for receiving the window pane, not shown. At the upper edge of the side walls 15, 16, two bevels 17 are formed, which are used for the safe insertion of the window panes, not shown, into the window pane receptacle 18 and, in particular, enable blind mounting of the window pane. This is because when the window pane is inserted into the window gap of a motor vehicle door and the window pane is pressed down, it finally comes into contact with one of the bevels 17 and is thus automatically guided in a centered manner into the window pane receptacle 18. In the end the lower edge of the window pane comes into contact with the upper slope of the hook-like retaining projection 11. When the window pane is pressed further down, the side cheek 16 with the retaining projection 11 is finally pressed out until finally the hook-like retaining projection into a receiving or formed at the lower edge of the window pane Through hole engages and the resilient side wall 16 or the resilient right part of the middle arm 13 can snap back into the rest position according to FIG. 3 in order to secure the window pane, not shown. 3, the window pane receptacle 18 is at least partially lined with a soft material 40-42 in order to ensure reliable clamping of the window pane in the receptacle 18 and to avoid damage to the lower edge of the window pane.

3, on the front, i.e. In the left area, the retaining element 10, a locking pin 35 is mounted, which is biased, for example, by means of a return spring against the guide profile. In the guide profile there is at least one securing hole, which can preferably be designed as a through hole, for example as a square hole, but according to a further embodiment variant also as a blind hole, into which the front end of the securing pin 35 engages in order to latch the retaining element 10 on the guide profile . This latching can in principle be released again by pulling back or pushing back the locking pin 35. As can be seen from the overview of FIGS. 3 and 1, the position of the securing hole 36 in the guide profile, the position of the holding element 10 on the guide profile in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and thus the distance X between the two holding elements 10 are clearly predetermined. According to the invention, several, preferably equidistant, indexing holes can be provided or formed in or in the guide profile for each holding element, so that the holding elements 10 can be secured in several positions on the guide profile 1 which are clearly predetermined by the indexing holes.

A window pane holding element according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. According to FIG. 5, the window pane receptacle is formed by the front side cheek 15 and that of a rear side cheek, which is formed by two interconnected and centrally arranged side cheeks 13a, 13b (see FIG. 6). The side cheeks 13a, 13b are bridged by a U-shaped connecting web 120, which is designed to be resilient, and the holding projection 11 for engaging in a window pane to be received at the lower edge trained opening. The central side cheeks 13a, 13b are connected to the front side cheek 15 via a crosspiece 185, which at the same time forms a bottom of the window pane holder.

According to FIG. 5, a base 50, which acts as a sliding element, is formed at the lower end of the window pane holding element 10 and is inserted into the open guide profile shown by way of example in FIG. 3 in such a way that the vertical legs (reference number 7 in FIG. 3 ) engage behind the vertically protruding webs 51, 52 formed on the base 50 in order to support the window pane holding element 10 against tilting on the guide profi. On the side of the base 50 opposite the webs 51, 52, a curved area 54 is formed, the tips of which can rest directly on the side wall of the guide profile opposite the opening of the guide profile. For better support of the window pane holding element 10 on the guide profile, two supports 510 are pushed onto the upper web 51, which can be formed, for example, from a plastic.

FIG. 6 shows the window pane holding element 10 according to FIG. 5 in a perspective front view. It can be seen that a gap 14 is formed between the central side walls 13a, 13b and the connecting web 120 spanning them, which enables a certain elastic behavior of the connecting web 120 when the window pane is inserted into the window pane receptacle.

FIG. 7 shows the window pane holding element 10 according to FIG. 5 in a right side view. The essentially U-shaped window pane receptacle 18 can be seen, which extends from the rear side cheek 16 carrying the retaining projection 11, from the upper side 182 of the crossbar 185 du from the front side cheek 15 and the extensions 15a and 15b projecting laterally therefrom (cf. 5) is formed. At the bottom of the window pane holder 18, an element 40 made of a soft material, for example a rubber, is received. According to FIG. 7, a bead 180 is formed on the front side cheek opposite the holding projection 11, which presses the window pane to be accommodated against the opposite rear side cheek 16 in order to secure the window pane snugly in the window pane receptacle. According to FIG. 7, a locking pin 350 extends through the base 50, the front end 351 of which engages in a recess or bore in a side wall of the guide profile to secure the window pane holding element on the guide profile (cf. FIG. 3, reference number 36). The locking pin 350 can be elastically pretensioned against the side wall of the guide profile, for example by means of a restoring element accommodated in the base 50, in particular a spring. Alternatively, the locking pin 350 can also be inserted manually through the longitudinal slot of the guide profile into a through hole formed in the base 50, for engagement in the recess or hole in the side wall of the guide profile. FIG. 8 finally shows the window pane holding element 10 in a cross section along the line CC according to FIG. 6.

To secure the window pane holding element, alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, a locking element 353 can also be used, which is adjustably received between two resilient bridges 352 which are formed on the base 50. Such a locking element 353 can cooperate with a projection located on the opposite side wall of the guide profile in order to releasably secure the window pane holding element to the guide profile.

An important aspect of the present invention further relates to a method for mounting a cross arm window lifter and for connecting a window pane to a window lifter for motor vehicles. In this method, a guide profile with a suitable length is first provided. One or more indexing holes 32 are provided or formed in or on this guide profile at suitable positions for each slider. Then two sliders are inserted into the guide profile over the end faces of the guide profile. The lifting arms of the window lifter are then connected to the glider bores 33 (cf. FIG. 2). The position of the sliders on the guide profile is then secured with the aid of positioning means, in particular with the aid of locking pins, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, in order to determine a delivery or transport position. As will be readily apparent to the person skilled in the art when studying the present disclosure, the window lifter according to the invention can be preassembled on a door module carrier, preferably in the aforementioned delivery or transport position. The holding elements are then pushed over the respective end face of the guide profile onto the guide profile, so that the lateral Anne of the holding element engages tightly around the guide profile. The holding elements are moved along the guide profile until a suitable position or a suitable distance between the holding elements is achieved. In this position, the sliders are between the holding elements. Protruding side edges of the guide profile can thus be cut off in order to shorten the length of the lifting rail in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, should this be necessary for the particular geometry of the vehicle door. In the aforementioned position, the holding elements are secured to the guide profile, for example with the aid of a prestressed securing pin, as shown by way of example in FIG. 3. In order to be able to variably specify the aforementioned position of the holding elements in a reproducible manner, several, preferably equidistant, securing holes can be provided or formed in or on the guide profile. By selecting the respective securing hole in which the holding element is secured, the distance between the holding elements can be clearly and reproducibly determined.

In the aforementioned delivery or transport position, the window lifter according to the invention is installed in a vehicle door, in particular also preassembled on a door module carrier to be installed. Then the window pane is inserted through the window gap of the vehicle door and pressed down until the retaining projection on the middle arm of the retaining element engages in an opening provided at the lower edge of the window pane in order to secure the window pane and to bind it to the window regulator.

As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon studying the above disclosure, the principles of the present invention are also applicable to a single arm window regulator, although the foregoing disclosure relates only to a cross arm window regulator. The guide profile is expediently formed by deforming a metal sheet. The glider can be made of metal or plastic. To reduce frictional forces, a sliding coating can be provided on the inner surface of the guide profile and / or on the outer surface of the slider. The window pane holding element is preferably formed in one piece from a plastic, in particular injection molded. The soft material can be injection molded onto the holding element or is subsequently inserted into it and secured, for example by means of an adhesive connection. Reference symbol list

Guide profile / lifting rail, front, oblique rear leg, floor, upper leg, lower leg, guide area, window pane holding element, window pane securing element / retaining projection, side arm 0 connecting web, middle arm a, 13b, middle arms, gap, front side wall a, 15b, lateral extension of the front side wall 15, rear side wall, oblique window pane front wall, side window mount 0 Bottom 4 Rear side wall 5 Cross bar, front contact leg Bottom Oblique connecting bar, rear connecting bar Thickened securing section, projection, sliding element Indexing pin Indexing hole Articulated hole Locking pin Locking pin Front end of the locking pin Spring bar Locking element Locking hole Soft material Soft material Soft material Base Vertical bar Support element Vertical bar Guide groove Curvature

Claims

New PCT patent applicationBrose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, CoburgPatent claims

1. Device for connecting an arm window lifter, to the sliding window pane of a motor vehicle, with a guide profile (1) in which sliders (30) are slidably guided for coupling to an adjustment mechanism of the window lifter, and two window pane holding elements (10) spaced apart from one another. which are secured to the guide profile by means of securing means (35, 36), characterized in that the guide profile is designed as a hollow profile which is open on one side and that the window pane holding elements and the guide profile cooperate in such a way that the window pane holding elements on the end faces of the guide profile can be pushed on and can be secured to the guide profile at variable distances (X) from one another.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each window pane holding element (10) is assigned a plurality of securing means (35, 36) which are provided or formed in or on the guide profile in order to differentiate the respective window pane holding element (10) Secure positions on the guide profile so that the window pane holding elements (10) are secured to the guide profile at a predetermined distance (X) from one another in accordance with the securing means used in each case.

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the securing means are designed as latching means (35, 36; 350; 353) for releasably latching the respective window pane holding element (10) on the guide profile (1).

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the respective latching means (35, 36; 350; 353) is biased against the guide profile (1) or the window pane holding element (10).

5. The device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the respective locking means comprises a locking pin (35; 350) which cooperates with a hole (36) or a recess, the one or more is formed in the guide profile (1) in order to lock the associated window pane holding element (10) on the guide profile.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the securing means (36) are provided equidistant from one another.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising positioning means (31, 32) to releasably secure the sliders (30) in a predetermined position on the guide profile, in particular in a delivery or transport position.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the positioning means (31, 32) secure the slider (30) breakaway on the guide profile (1).

9. The device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the respective positioning means comprises a locking pin (31) which engages through the associated slider (30) and engages in a positioning hole (32) or a positioning recess which or which in the guide profile (1 ) is trained.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the respective slider (10) is assigned a plurality of positioning holes (32) which are arranged equidistant from one another.

11. The device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sliders (30) between the window pane holding elements (10) are slidably guided.

12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the window pane holding elements (10) have a clamping area (18) for clamping a window pane at a lower edge of the window pane, preferably an automatically clamping area.

13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the window pane holding elements (10) are designed for connecting a window pane to the window lifter by an image assembly process.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein at least one inwardly inclined bevel (17) is formed on an upper edge of the window pane holding elements (10) and at least one securing projection (11) near a bottom of a window pane holder (18) formed in the window pane holding elements. is provided, which is chamfered towards the upper edge in order to project through an opening formed at the lower edge of the window pane for connecting the window pane to the window pane holding element.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the securing projection (11) on a to a front side of the guide profile (1) spaced and extending transversely to the guiding profile holding arm (13) is provided or formed, which is spaced between two symmetrically formed and transverse to Lateral arms (12) extending guide profile is arranged, which engage tightly around the guide profile.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a projection formed on the side arms (12) engages behind one leg (7) of the guide profile and projects into the guide profile (1), whereby a maximum outwardly pushed position of the slider (30) in the guide profile is.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the securing projection (11) is provided or formed on a holding arm (13) which spans a lateral securing section (13a, 13b) of the window pane holder (18).

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the lateral securing portion of two interconnected webs (13a, 13b) is formed, which extend transversely to the guide profile, wherein the webs are rigid.

19. Device according to one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the holding arm (13) is resilient.

20. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an inner profile of the window pane holding elements (10) is formed corresponding to the outer profile of the guide rail (1) and the window pane holding elements surround the guide profile tightly.

21. Device according to one of claims 1 to 19, wherein at a lower end of the window pane holding elements (10) is formed a base (50) on which two vertical webs (51, 52) are formed, which are formed by legs (7) of the guide profile.

22. The device according to the preceding claim, wherein a guide groove (53) is also formed in the base (50), in which one of the legs (7) of the guide profile is received in a closely fitting manner.

23. Arm window lifter for motor vehicles, characterized by a device according to one of the preceding claims, in order to connect the sliding window pane of the motor vehicle to the arm window lifter.

24. Arm window lifter according to claim 23, which is designed as a cross arm window lifter, the sliders (30) being releasably secured in or on the guide profile (1) with the aid of positioning and securing means in a predetermined delivery or assembly position.