Window regulator assembly of a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a window regulator assembly (1) of a vehicle, wherein the window regulator assembly (1) comprises a carrier element (2), wherein at least one pulley arrangement (3) for redirecting a cable (4) is mounted at the carrier element (2), wherein the pulley arrangement (3) comprises a pulley (5) which is arranged rotatable on a pulley shaft (6), which is mounted on the carrier element (2), wherein the pulley shaft (6) has a shaft end section (8) at one axial end, which shaft end section (8) is connected to the carrier element (2). To design such a window regulator assembly in such a way that fewer components are required and a simpler assembly process is possible, the invention suggests that the pulley arrangement (3) comprises a pulley interface (9) for receiving the pulley shaft (6), which is connected to the carrier element (2), wherein the pulley interface (9) comprises at least one snap fit tab (10, 10', 10") at an end section, wherein the snap fit tab (10, 10', 10") is elastically in a radial direction (r), wherein the shaft end section (8) is enlarged in diameter compared with an adjacent shaft section (11), wherein a snap fit tab (10, 10', 10") is elastically engaged into the adjacent shaft section (11) to establish an undercut in axial direction (a) and a snap fit tab (10, 10', 10") establishes an axial (a) pressing force onto the shaft end section (8).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a window regulator assembly of a vehicle, wherein the window regulator assembly comprises a carrier element, wherein at least one pulley arrangement for redirecting a cable is mounted at the carrier element, wherein the pulley arrangement comprises a pulley which is arranged rotatable on a pulley shaft, which pulley shaft extends in an axial direction and which is mounted on the carrier element, wherein the pulley shaft has a bearing section at one axial end for bearing the pulley and a shaft end section at the other axial end, which shaft end section is connected to the carrier element.

[0002] A window regulator assembly of the generic type is known from EP 4 269 737 A1. Such an arrangement is used in a vehicle door. Here, several pulley arrangements are arranged on a carrier element, each of the pulley arrangements having a pulley which is rotatably mounted in order to guide and redirect a cable. The pulley is mounted rotatable on a pulley shaft, which in turn is attached to the carrier element. The disadvantage of this solution is that the fastening process for the pulley shaft and pulley is still relatively complex and is carried out using a screw connection.

[0003] Another similar solution is known from US 10,550,926 B2. The pulley is mounted here rotatable on a metal bracket, which in turn is attached to the carrier element. The carrier plate is subjected to a forming process and thus given a desired shape. The disadvantage of this solution is that the manufacturing costs are high due to the relatively high complexity of the components required. Similarly, the assembly process is complex and therefore expensive.

[0004] In alternative solutions, the pulley shaft is fastened using a staking process, which is also relatively complex. In addition, washers are usually used here to keep the arrangement permanently functional.

[0005] Accordingly, the disadvantage of the pre-known solutions is that the manufacturing costs are high due to the relatively high complexity of the components required. Similarly, the assembly process is complex and therefore expensive.

[0006] The invention is therefore based on the object of designing a generic window regulator assembly in such a way that fewer components are required and a simpler assembly process is possible. This is intended to reduce the costs of manufacturing a window regulator assembly. Also, a waterproof arrangement is being sought.

[0007] The solution of this problem by the invention is characterized in that the pulley arrangement comprises a pulley interface for receiving and axially securing the pulley shaft, which pulley interface is connected to the carrier element, wherein the pulley interface comprises at least one snap fit tab at an end section remote from the pulley, wherein the snap fit tab is elastically in a radial direction, wherein the shaft end section of the pulley shaft is enlarged in diameter compared with an adjacent shaft section adjacent to the shaft end section, wherein one or more snap fit tabs are elastically engaged into the adjacent shaft section to establish an undercut in axial direction between at least one snap fit tab and the shaft end section and one or more snap fit tabs establish an axial pressing force onto the shaft end section.

[0008] The pulley shaft is reliably held in position and secured against slipping out thanks to the undercut achieved. The pressing force pushes the shaft end section away from the pulley (i.e. "downwards") and thus creates a certain pre-tension that ensures water tightness.

[0009] At least one snap fit tab can be designed to elastically engage into the adjacent shaft section and to press axially onto the shaft end section. Accordingly, in this case both functions (securing against slipping out and pre-tensioning / biasing the pulley shaft) are performed by one snap fit tab.

[0010] In this case at least one snap fit tab can be designed to have an interference fit between an edge section of the snap fit tab and an upper edge of the shaft end section. At least one snap fit tab can have a cylindrical section for contacting the adjacent shaft section. The edge section of the snap fit tab can be an inclined flat area; the inclined flat area can be arranged at an angle to the axial direction between 30° and 60°.

[0011] A plurality of snap fit tabs can be arranged in circumferential direction around the pulley shaft.

[0012] A preferred embodiment of the invention proposes that two different kinds of snap fit tabs are arranged at the pulley interface, wherein at least one of the snap fit tabs of the first kind engage elastically into the adjacent shaft section without contacting an upper edge of the shaft end section and wherein at least one of the snap fit tabs of the second kind are designed to press with the edge section axially onto the shaft end section by contacting an upper edge of the shaft end section.

[0013] That the snap fit tabs of the first and second kind can be arranged alternating in circumferential direction around the pulley shaft.

[0014] The pulley interface can be a separate part which is connected to the carrier element.

[0015] The transition from the shaft end section of the pulley shaft to the adjacent shaft section is preferably designed as a step in which the outer diameter of the shaft end section is reduced by at least 20 % compared to the outer diameter of the adjacent shaft section. This ensures secure engagement of the snap fit tabs and thus reliable retention of the pulley shaft.

[0016] The carrier element can be for example a guide rail of the window regulator or can be designed as a module plate.

[0017] With the proposed solution, it is possible to make the pulley arrangement much simpler and with fewer components. The required components have a simple design and are therefore inexpensive to manufacture. By using the elastic snap fit tabs, the assembly costs can be significantly reduced.

[0018] By using the pulley interface (especially made of plastic), this can provide a bearing surface for the pulley so that the use of a washer can be dispensed with.

[0019] The combination of securing the axial position of the pulley shaft by snapping in the snap fit tabs on one side and creating a preload in the axial direction on the pulley shaft on the other side ensures permanent functionality of the arrangement and tightness against water ingress.

[0020] The drawings show examples of embodiments of the invention. Fig. 1shows a top plan view of a window regulator assembly, Fig. 2shows an exploding view of a part of a pulley arrangement, namely of a pulley shaft with a pulley and a pulley interface on which those components are mounted, Fig. 3shows a sectional view of a pulley arrangement, mounted on a pulley interface and carrier element respectively, Fig. 4shows a side view of the lower end of the pulley shaft and the engagement of a snap fit tab according to a first embodiment of the invention and Fig. 5shows the side view according Figure 4 according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0021] In Figure 1, a window regulator assembly 1 is shown which includes window carriers 15, a cable 4 (only schematically depicted) and a drive unit 16. The window carrier 15 is engaged with a guide rail 17 and caused to travel up and down along the guide rail. In addition, the window carrier 15 includes a window clamp arrangement (not shown) which is engaged with the window. The window carrier 15 is attached or connected to the cable 4. Such attachments or connection may be made by clamps, fasteners, adhesives, press fitting, snap fittings, or any other means.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the drive unit 16 may be manually operated via a hand crank mechanism or powered, most commonly done using an electric motor (not shown) attached to a set of gears, such as worm and spur gears. The drive unit 16 interacts with the cable 4 to provide the cable tension necessary to cause the window carrier 15 and the window (not shown) to move between its open and closed positions. Furthermore, the drive unit 16 may be attached to the integrated carrier element 2.

[0023] In Figure 1, the unitarily formed guide rail 17 includes a pulley arrangement 3 with a pulley 5 coupled to the upper end of the guide rail 17. Furthermore, a pulley arrangement 3 with pulley 5 is also coupled to the lower end of the guide rail 17.

[0024] In Figures 2 to 5 details of the pulley arrangement 3 are shown.

[0025] Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a pulley shaft 6, which is inserted through the pulley 5 during assembly of the arrangement and then pushed into the carrier element 2 with its lower end, i.e. with the shaft end section 8. More precisely, a pulley interface 9 is mounted on the carrier element 2, which has the reception hole for the pulley shaft 6. The pulley shaft 6 is inserted into the pulley interface 9 in the axial direction a; the radial direction r is perpendicular to the axial direction a.

[0026] The pulley shaft 6 has a bearing section 7 in its upper area, which serves as a rotational bearing for the pulley 5. Figure 2 also shows that the shaft end section 8 has a certain outer diameter, which is adjoined by an adjacent shaft section 11 that is reduced in diameter.

[0027] This can be seen particularly well in Figure 3.

[0028] This figure shows that the pulley interface 9 has snap fit tabs 10', 10" at its lower end. These are projections moulded onto the upper part of the pulley interface 9, each of which extends over part of the circumference of the pulley shaft 6 and is elastic in the radial direction r.

[0029] Accordingly, if the pulley shaft 6 is pushed into the position shown in Figure 3 in axial direction a, the ends of the snap fit tabs 10', 10" snap into the adjacent shaft section 11 in radial direction r, so that an undercut is present in axial direction a and consequently the pulley shaft 6 can no longer slip out of the position shown.

[0030] However, it is essential that the pulley shaft 6 is not only secured in axial direction a in its reception in the pulley interface 9. To ensure safety against water ingress, the pulley shaft 6 must also be slightly preloaded in axial direction a (i.e. downwards in Figure 3) so that the pulley 5 rests against a sealing surface 18 of the pulley interface 9.

[0031] Two alternative solutions for doing so are illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.

[0032] Figure 4 shows that a snap fit tab 10 (preferably several of these are arranged around the circumference of the pulley shaft 6) has a cylindrical section 14, which is designed to bear against the adjacent shaft section 11. At the same time, an edge section 12 is moulded onto the snap fit tab 10, which is designed as a flat surface that is aligned at an angle of approx. 45° to the axial direction a (seen in a radial cross section). After assembly, this edge section 12 presses the snap fit tab 10 against an upper edge 13 of the shaft end section 8, so that a pressing or biasing force is exerted on the shaft end section 8, thereby creating a seal against water ingress.

[0033] Figure 5 shows a solution in which a first type of snap fit tabs 10' and a second type of snap fit tabs 10" are moulded onto the pulley interface 9. Again, several of these are preferably arranged around the circumference of the pulley shaft 6, preferably alternating.

[0034] The snap fit tabs 10' of the first type are somewhat shorter than those of the second type and are intended to rest with their cylindrical section 14 on the adjacent shaft section 11. The snap fit tabs 10" of the second type, however, are slightly longer and have the edge section 12 with which they press against the upper edge 13 of the shaft end section 8.

[0035] With this solution, the two functions of securing the pulley shaft 6 in the assembly position on one side and exerting a preload force on the other side are thus realised separately by the respective snap fit tabs 10' or 10".

[0036] The pre-tensioning force of the snap fit tabs 10 in Figure 4 or the snap fit tabs 10" in Figure 5 is generated by the fact that an interference (the amount of the interference is for example 0.25 to 1.0 mm) is provided between the edge section 12 and the upper edge 13 for the mounting position of the pulley shaft 6 provided by the design, so that the desired elastic pre-tensioning force is generated as a result of this and due to the elastic material property of the pulley interface 8 after completion of the mounting.

[0037] The combination of the two measures (retention to secure the position of the pulley shaft 6 on the one hand and interference to pre-tension the pulley shaft 6 on the other) results in a very easy assembly process that can be carried out cost-effectively. Furthermore, only relatively few components are required for the arrangement, which in turn can be manufactured cost-effectively. At the same time, it is ensured that the arrangement is securely held in place and is largely impermeable to water ingress.List of References:

[0038] 1Window regulator assembly 2Carrier element 3Pulley arrangement 4Cable 5Pulley 6Pulley shaft 7Bearing section 8Shaft end section 9Pulley interface 10Snap fit tab 10'Snap fit tab (first kind) 10"Snap fit tab (second kind) 11Adjacent shaft section 12Edge section of the snap fit tab 13Upper edge of the shaft end section 14Cylindrical section 15Window carrier 16Drive unit 17Guide rail 18Sealing surface aAxial direction rRadial direction

Claims

1. Window regulator assembly (1) of a vehicle, wherein the window regulator assembly (1) comprises a carrier element (2), wherein at least one pulley arrangement (3) for redirecting a cable (4) is mounted at the carrier element (2), wherein the pulley arrangement (3) comprises a pulley (5) which is arranged rotatable on a pulley shaft (6), which pulley shaft extends in an axial direction (a) and which is mounted on the carrier element (2), wherein the pulley shaft (6) has a bearing section (7) at one axial end for bearing the pulley (5) and a shaft end section (8) at the other axial end, which shaft end section (8) is connected to the carrier element (2), characterized in that the pulley arrangement (3) comprises a pulley interface (9) for receiving and axially securing the pulley shaft (6), which pulley interface (9) is connected to the carrier element (2), wherein the pulley interface (9) comprises at least one snap fit tab (10, 10', 10") at an end section remote from the pulley (5), wherein the snap fit tab (10, 10', 10") is elastically in a radial direction (r), wherein the shaft end section (8) of the pulley shaft (6) is enlarged in diameter compared with an adjacent shaft section (11) adjacent to the shaft end section (8), wherein one or more snap fit tabs (10, 10', 10") are elastically engaged into the adjacent shaft section (11) to establish an undercut in axial direction (a) between at least one snap fit tab (10, 10', 10") and the shaft end section (8) and one or more snap fit tabs (10, 10', 10") establish an axial (a) pressing force onto the shaft end section (8).

2. Window regulator assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one snap fit tab (10, 10") is designed to elastically engage into the adjacent shaft section (11) and to press axially onto the shaft end section (8).

3. Window regulator assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one snap fit tab (10, 10") is designed to have an interference fit between an edge section (12) of the snap fit tab (10, 10") and an upper edge (13) of the shaft end section (8).

4. Window regulator assembly according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one snap fit tab (10, 10') has a cylindrical section (14) for contacting the adjacent shaft section (11).

5. Window regulator assembly according to claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the edge section (12) of the snap fit tab (10, 10") is an inclined flat area.

6. Window regulator assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the inclined flat area is arranged at an angle to the axial direction (a) between 30° and 60°.

7. Window regulator assembly according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a plurality of snap fit tabs (10, 10', 10") is arranged in circumferential direction around the pulley shaft (6).

8. Window regulator assembly according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that two different kinds of snap fit tabs (10', 10") are arranged at the pulley interface (9), wherein at least one of the snap fit tabs of the first kind (10') engage elastically into the adjacent shaft section (11) without contacting an upper edge (13) of the shaft end section (8) and wherein at least one of the snap fit tabs of the second kind (10") are designed to press with the edge section (12) axially (a) onto the shaft end section (8) by contacting an upper edge (13) of the shaft end section (8).

9. Window regulator assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the snap fit tabs (10', 10") of the first and second kind are arranged alternating in circumferential direction around the pulley shaft (6).

10. Window regulator assembly according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the pulley interface (9) is a separate part which is connected to the carrier element (2).

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