Pivoting cursor for frameless windows in vehicles

Abstract

A pivoting cursor for a frameless window of a vehicle door, comprising: a main body portion; a pivoting plate pivotally fixed to the main body portion for pivotal movement about an axis; a clamping plate; a sealing member; and a threaded adjuster for pivoting the pivoting plate relative to the main body portion.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 839,250, filed April 26, 2019, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference into this application. Background Art

[0003] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of vehicle windows, and more particularly, to a frameless window system.

[0004] Adjust the frameless window system to adjust the glass seal in the Y direction by adjusting the adjustment track with a slotted bracket or jack screw.

[0005] However, this approach can limit the rigidity of the system, be costly in tooling and components, and can adversely affect the deflection of the glazing system. Additionally, the door's track packaging requires additional clearance when adjustments are made on the track. Summary of the Invention

[0006] A pivoting cursor for a frameless window is disclosed.

[0007] Also disclosed is a pivoting cursor for a frameless window of a vehicle door, comprising: a main body portion; a pivot plate pivotally fixed to the main body portion for pivotal movement about an axis; a clamping plate; a seal; and a threaded adjuster for pivoting the pivot plate relative to the main body portion.

[0008] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the pivot plate is rotatably mounted on an axle fixed to the main body portion.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the threaded adjuster includes a nut and a threaded fastener.

[0010] In addition to or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, or in addition to one or more of the features described above, the threaded fastener threadably engages the nut and the threaded opening of the pivot plate.

[0011] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the threaded fastener is not threadably engaged with the opening of the clamping plate.

[0012] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the threaded fastener includes a flange portion located between the body portion and the clamping plate.

[0013] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the threads of the nut and the threaded opening are configured such that rotation of the threaded fastener therein will cause the pivot plate to pivot about the axis and move a portion of the pivot plate secured to the threaded fastener in a direction away from the main body portion and toward a portion of the threaded fastener, which will also cause the clamping plate, the seal, and the window housed in the seal to move.

[0014] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, a pair of sliders are fixed to the main body portion.

[0015] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the pair of sliders are each formed of a material different from a material of the main body portion.

[0016] A door module is also disclosed, comprising: a window regulator, which is fixed to the inner door panel of the door module, the window regulator including a pair of guide rails firmly fixed to the inner door panel of the door module; and a pivot cursor, which is used to slidably engage one of the pair of guide rails, the pivot cursor including: a main body part; a pivot plate, which is pivotally fixed to the main body part for pivotal movement around an axis; a clamping plate; a seal; and a threaded adjuster, which is used to pivot the pivot plate relative to the main body part.

[0017] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the pivot plate is rotatably mounted on an axle fixed to the main body portion.

[0018] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the threaded adjuster includes a nut and a threaded fastener.

[0019] In addition to or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, or in addition to one or more of the features described above, the threaded fastener threadably engages the nut and the threaded opening of the pivot plate.

[0020] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the threaded fastener is not threadably engaged with the opening of the clamping plate.

[0021] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the pivoting cursor further comprises a pair of sliders fixed to the body portion, the pair of sliders being configured to slidably engage one of the pair of guide rails.

[0022] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the door module is a front door module, and a frameless window is secured to the pivoting slider.

[0023] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the preceding embodiments, the door module is a rear door module, and a frameless window is secured to the pivoting slider.

[0024] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the pivoting cursor is a pair of pivoting cursors, each of the pair of pivoting cursors being slidably secured to a respective one of the pair of guide rails.

[0025] In addition to one or more of the above features, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the threads of the nut and the threaded opening are configured such that rotation of the threaded fastener therein will cause the pivot plate to pivot about the axis and move a portion of the pivot plate fixed to the threaded fastener in a direction away from the main body portion and closer to a portion of the threaded fastener, which will also move the clamping plate, the seal and the frameless window accommodated in the seal.

[0026] Also disclosed is a method for mounting a frameless window of a vehicle to a door module, comprising: securing a portion of the frameless window to a pivoting cursor, the pivoting cursor slidably engaging one of a pair of guide rails of a window regulator secured to the door module; and adjusting a position of the frameless window by pivoting a pivot plate of the pivoting cursor relative to a main body portion of the pivoting cursor, the pivoting cursor further comprising a threaded adjuster for pivoting the pivot plate relative to the main body portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The following description should not be considered limiting in any way. Referring to the following drawings, like elements are numbered like:

[0028] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pivoting cursor according to the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 2 is a side view of a pivoting cursor according to the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 3-5 are additional diagrams of pivoting cursors according to the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a pivoting cursor according to the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 7 and 8 are perspective views of components of a pivoting cursor according to the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 9 is an exterior view of a front door of a vehicle having a door module and a window regulator with a pivoting cursor according to the present disclosure, wherein the door outer panel is removed to view the interior components of the door;

[0034] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 an interior view of a front door with a trim strip removed to view the interior elements of the door;

[0035] Figure 11 yes Figure 9 An external view of the door module shown;

[0036] Figure 12 yes Figure 9 An interior view of the door module shown;

[0037] Figure 13 is an exterior view of a rear door of a vehicle having a door module and a window regulator with a pivoting cursor according to the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 14 yes Figure 13 is an exterior view of the rear door; and

[0039] Figure 15 yes Figure 13 An interior view of the door module is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and methods is presented herein by way of example and not limitation.

[0041] The present disclosure is directed to a cursor having four main elements: a die-cast body that follows the curvature of the track; a pivoting plate with a threaded adjuster; a clamping plate that has extending legs for alignment and stability and also ensures that the clamping screw engages the clamp squarely for screw alignment; and an isolator that is secured in the assembly by a clamping screw that is partially mounted in a subassembly for ease of assembly by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

[0042] Now refer to the diagram, especially Figure 1-8 , showing the door module 14 ( Figure 9-15 ) of window regulator 12( Figure 9-15). The pivoting cursor 10 includes a main body portion 16, a pivot plate 18 pivotally secured to the main body portion 16 for pivotal movement about an axis 20, a clamping plate 22, a seal 24, and a threaded adjuster 26 for pivoting the pivot plate 18 relative to the main body portion 16. In one embodiment, the pivot plate 18 is rotatably mounted to a shaft, rod, or elongated member 28 secured to the main body portion 16. In one embodiment, the threaded adjuster 26 includes a nut or self-locking nut 30 and a threaded rod, screw, threaded fastener, fastener, or equivalent 32, which, in one embodiment, may be an M6 screw. The threaded rod, screw, threaded fastener, fastener, or equivalent 32 threadingly engages the nut or self-locking nut 30 and a threaded opening 34 of the pivot plate 18. The threaded rod, screw, threaded fastener, fastener, or equivalent 32 does not threadably engage an opening 36 of the clamping plate 22. The threaded rod, screw, threaded fastener, fastener, or equivalent 32 may also have a flange portion 38 positioned between the body portion 16 and the clamping plate 22 .

[0043] like Figure 1-6 As shown, once the pivot plate 18 is secured to the main body portion 16 by the threaded rod, screw, threaded fastener, fastener, or equivalent 32 and the nut or self-locking nut 30, the threads of the nut 30 and the threaded opening 34 are configured such that further rotation of the threaded rod, screw, threaded fastener, fastener, or equivalent 32 will cause the pivot plate 18 to pivot about the axis 20 and cause a portion of the pivot plate 18 secured to the threaded rod, screw, threaded fastener, fastener, or equivalent 32 to move in the direction of arrow 40 away from the main body portion 16 toward a portion of the threaded rod, screw, threaded fastener, fastener, or equivalent 32, which will also cause movement of the clamping plate 22, the seal 24, and the window 42, such as a frameless window 42 received within the seal 24, which is disposed between the clamping plate 22 and the pivot plate 18. As described above, the clamping plate 22 is not threadedly engaged with the threaded rod, screw, threaded fastener, or the equivalent 32 and, therefore, the clamping plate 22 can slide along the threaded rod, screw, threaded fastener, or the equivalent 32 as the threaded rod, screw, threaded fastener, or the equivalent 32 is rotated to cause pivotal movement of the pivot plate 18.

[0044] Now refer to Figure 9 is an exterior view of a front door 44 of a vehicle having a door module 14 and a window regulator 12 with a pivoting cursor 10 according to the present disclosure (view of the vehicle with the outer panels removed from the exterior). The window regulator 12 includes a pair of guide rails 46 fixedly secured to an inner door panel 48 of the door module 14.

[0045] Now back Figures 1 to 5, a pair of sliders 50 are secured to the body portion 16 of the slider 10. The sliders 50 are configured to slidably engage one of the rails 16 to which the slider 10 is slidably secured. In one embodiment, the sliders 50 are formed of a material that is different from the material of the body portion 16. The sliders 50 are formed of a material that facilitates sliding engagement with the rails 46.

[0046] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 An interior view of the front door 44. The exterior view is opposite to the interior view. Figure 11 yes Figure 9 The exterior view of the door module 14 is shown. Figure 12 yes Figure 9 , which is an interior view of the door module 14 shown in FIG. To move the window or frameless window 42 up and down in the direction of arrow 52, ​​a motor 54 is configured to wind and unwind a cable around a cable drum 56. One end of the cable is secured to the slider 10 and the other end is secured to the cable drum 56. The cable is slidably housed in a cable jacket 58 and is routed around a pulley 60 rotatably secured to the guide rail 46.

[0047] Figure 13 is an exterior view of a rear door 70 of a vehicle having a door module 14 and a window regulator 12 with a pivoting slider 10 in accordance with the present disclosure. Figure 13 The movement of the window or frameless window 42 in the direction of arrow 52 is shown. Figure 13 In FIG. 4 , three positions of the window or frameless window 42 and the position of the cursor 10 for each position are shown.

[0048] Figure 14 Shown Figure 13 Exterior view of the rear door without windows 42. Figure 15 yes Figures 12 to 13 An interior view of the door module 14 is shown.

[0049] To secure the window or frameless window 42 to the pivoting cursor 10, the window or frameless window 42 is inserted into the gap 70 of the seal 24. Thereafter, a screw, threaded fastener, fastener, or the equivalent 72 is inserted through the opening of the body portion 16, the opening 74 of the pivot plate 18, through the openings 76 and 78 of the seal 24, the opening of the window or frameless window 42, and threadedly engages with the threaded opening 80. In this manner, the threaded fastener, fastener, or the equivalent 72 secures the window 42 to the pivoting cursor 10.

[0050] In an alternative embodiment, the clamping plate 22 is configured to have a shape as shown by the dashed line 82, so that the screw, threaded fastener, fastener, or equivalent 72 can be passed through in the direction of arrow 84, which will be below the seal 24 and the window 42 in this embodiment. As such, no opening (drilling) is required in the window 42 for the screw, threaded fastener, fastener, or equivalent 72 to pass through in this embodiment. Therefore, the window 42 in this embodiment can be easier to manufacture, thereby reducing the cost of the window 42.

[0051] As described above, once the window 42 is secured to the pivoting cursor 10, the pivot plate 18 is adjusted by rotating the threaded rod, screw, threaded fastener, fastener, or equivalent 32 to adjust the window 42 in the direction of arrow 40 and the opposite direction of arrow 40. It should also be noted that because the length of the pivot plate 18 is fixed from the rotation axis 20, movement of the pivot plate 18 in the direction of arrow 40 may cause the threaded rod, screw, threaded fastener, fastener, or equivalent 32 to deflect slightly in the direction shown in dashed lines about the rotation axis 86. Prior to the pivot plate 18 pivoting about the threaded rod's rotation axis 86, the screw, threaded fastener, fastener, or equivalent 32 is perpendicular to the rotation axis 20.

[0052] The door module 14 used for the front door 44 uses only the pivoting cursor 10 for the rear portion of the window 42 and a separate non-pivoting cursor 88 for the front portion of the window 42. The pivoting cursor 10 and the non-pivoting cursor 88 are each slidably received on one of the guide rails 46. In this case, the door module 14 used for the rear door 70 uses a pivoting cursor 10 on both the front portion of the window 42 and the rear portion 70 of the window 42, each slidably received on one of the guide rails 46.

[0053] During installation of the glass 42, the glass 42 is dropped into the preassembled cursor clamps (e.g., pivoting cursor 10 and cursor 88) of the front door 44 and the pivoting cursor 10 of the rear door 70. Once the glass is inserted into the cursors, X and Z adjustments are made by clamping the glass 42 to the cursors using screws, threaded fixtures, fasteners, or their equivalents, and Y adjustment is achieved by pivoting the cursor 10, which is pivoted by rotation of the threaded rod, screw, threaded fixture, fastener, or its equivalent 32.

[0054] The pivot cursor 10 can be adjusted from the inside of the vehicle, with the door closed or unlocked. The threaded rod, screw, threaded fastener, or equivalent 32 is rotatable at either end 90, 92 of the threaded rod, screw, threaded fastener, or equivalent 32. It can be pre-assembled at the assembly station and adjusted as needed in the door fixture or vehicle body. Once the adjustment is made to the exact geometry of the vehicle and the actual geometry varies due to construction tolerances, the threaded rod, screw, threaded fastener, or equivalent 32 is held in place at either end 90, 92 by a first tool, while the self-locking nut 30 is secured by a second tool, engaging the flange portion 38, sandwiching the body portion 16 and preventing any further rotation of the threaded rod, screw, threaded fastener, or equivalent 32.

[0055] The term "approximately" is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of a particular quantity based on the equipment available at the time the application was filed. For example, "about" may include a range of ±8%, 5%, or 2% of a given value.

[0056] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the terms "include" and / or "comprises," when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0057] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A pivoting cursor for a frameless window of a vehicle door, comprising: Main body; a pivot plate pivotally fixed to the main body portion for pivotal movement about an axis; Clamping plate; seals; as well as a threaded adjuster for pivoting the pivot plate relative to the main body portion; The thread adjuster includes a nut and a thread fixing member; the threaded fastener threadably engaging the nut and the threaded opening of the pivot plate; The threaded fastener is not threadably engaged with the opening of the clamping plate; the threaded fastener passes through the main body portion, the clamping plate, and the pivot plate in sequence; The frameless window is secured to the pivoting cursor by a screw that is inserted through an opening in the body portion, an opening in the pivot plate, an opening in the seal, and an opening in the frameless window and threadedly engaged with a threaded opening in the clamping plate.

2. The pivoting cursor according to claim 1, wherein: The pivot plate is rotatably mounted on a shaft fixed to the main body portion.

3. The pivoting cursor according to claim 1, wherein: The threaded fastener includes a flange portion positioned between the body portion and the clamping plate.

4. The pivoting cursor according to claim 1, wherein: The threads of the nut and the threaded opening are configured so that rotation of the threaded fastener therein will cause the pivot plate to pivot about the axis and move a portion of the pivot plate secured to the threaded fastener in a direction away from the body portion and toward a portion of the threaded fastener, which will also cause the clamping plate, the seal and the window accommodated in the seal to move.

5. The pivoting cursor of claim 1, further comprising a pair of sliders secured to the body portion.

6. The pivoting cursor according to claim 5, wherein: The pair of sliders are each formed of a material different from that of the main body portion.

7. A door module comprising: a window regulator secured to an inner door panel of the door module, the window regulator comprising a pair of guide rails securely secured to the inner door panel of the door module; and A pivoting cursor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, adapted to slidably engage one of the pair of guide rails.

8. The door module according to claim 7, wherein: The door module is a front door module, and a frameless window is secured to the pivoting slider.

9. The door module according to claim 7, wherein: The door module is a rear door module, and a frameless window is secured to the pivoting cursor.

10. The door module according to claim 7, wherein: The pivoting cursor is a pair of pivoting cursors, each of the pair of pivoting cursors being slidably secured to a corresponding one of the pair of guide rails.

11. A method of mounting a frameless window of a vehicle to a door module, comprising: securing a portion of the frameless window to a pivoting cursor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, the pivoting cursor slidably engaging one of a pair of guide rails of a window regulator secured to the door module; and The position of the frameless window is adjusted by pivoting the pivot plate of the pivot cursor relative to the main body portion of the pivot cursor.

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