Integrated window regulator and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

A window regulator includes a panel and a guide rail. The panel may define a speaker aperture, and the speaker aperture may be configured to receive at least a portion of a speaker. The guide rail may be integrally formed to the panel and configured to carry a slider. The slider may be configured to move along the guide rail to move the window between a first position and a second position. The guide rail may include an aperture area portion, and the aperture area portion may extend across the speaker aperture in a first direction. The aperture area portion may include a first sidewall and a second sidewall, and the first sidewall and the second sidewall may each extend in a second direction, and the second direction may be substantially orthogonal to the first direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a window regulator, such as an integrated window regulator, for use in a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] A vehicle may include one or more windows that are movable between an open position and a closed position. The windows may be movable between the open position and the closed position by one or more devices, such as window regulators. The window regulators may include one or more rails that may be mounted adjacent to an opening for the windows. As an example, a window regulator may be positioned within a door cavity of the vehicle so that the door windows can be actuated. Some window regulators may be attached to an inner door panel, which may be attached to an outer door panel.

[0003] The door panel may provide other functional benefits, such as providing strength to resist forces associated with a crash or providing a mounting location for one or more components, such as an audio speaker, a latch mechanism, or one or more motors configured to actuate a window regulator, a latch, or both. As an example, an integrated window regulator may be integrally formed with the door panel. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one embodiment, a window regulator for use in a motor vehicle is provided. The window regulator may be configured to move a window between a first position and a second position and may include a panel and a guide rail. The panel may define a speaker aperture, which may be configured to receive at least a portion of a speaker. The guide rail may be integrally formed to the panel and configured to carry a slider. The slider may be configured to move along the guide rail to move the window between the first position and the second position. The guide rail may include an aperture area portion, which may extend across the speaker aperture in a first direction. The aperture area portion may include a first side wall and a second side wall, which may each extend in a second direction, and the second direction may be substantially orthogonal to the first direction.

[0005] According to another embodiment, a window regulator for a motor vehicle and configured to move a window between a first position and a second position is provided. The window regulator may include a panel and a guide rail. The panel may define a speaker aperture, which may be configured to receive at least a portion of a speaker. The periphery of the speaker aperture may form an annular speaker shelf and an annular sidewall that may extend from the outer periphery of the speaker shelf. The guide rail may be integrally formed to the panel and configured to carry a slider. The slider may be configured to move along the guide rail to move the window between a first position and a second position. The guide rail may include an aperture area portion that may extend across the speaker aperture in a first direction. The aperture area portion may include a first sidewall and a second sidewall, which may each extend in a second direction, and the second direction may be substantially orthogonal to the first direction. Portions of the first annular sidewall may terminate circumferentially at the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

[0006] According to yet another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a window regulator for a motor vehicle and configured to move a window between a first position and a second position is provided. The window regulator may include a panel and a guide rail. The panel may define a speaker aperture, which may be configured to receive at least a portion of a speaker. The guide rail may be integrally formed to the panel and configured to carry a slider. The slider may be configured to move along the guide rail to move the window between a first position and a second position. The guide rail may include an aperture area portion, which may extend across the speaker aperture in a first direction. The aperture area portion may include a first side wall, a second side wall, and a connecting portion extending therebetween. The first side wall and the second side wall may each extend in a second direction, which may be substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The method may include: injecting liquid plastic material into a cavity formed by a cavity mold half and a core mold half through a first slider to form a portion of a panel surrounding a speaker opening; translating a vertical slider along a second direction into the speaker opening to form a connecting portion; and translating a longitudinal slider along a first direction to form a first side wall or a second side wall or a first side wall and a second side wall. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of an illustrative vehicle door and an illustrative window regulator is shown.

[0008] Figure 2 A plan view of an illustrative window regulator is shown.

[0009] Figure 3 A partial perspective view of a first side of an illustrative window regulator is illustrated.

[0010] Figure 4A partial perspective view of a second side of an illustrative window regulator is illustrated.

[0011] Figure 5 A partial perspective view of a second side of an illustrative window regulator including a speaker is illustrated.

[0012] Figure 6 A partial perspective view of an illustrative core side mold half is shown.

[0013] Figure 7 A partial top view of an illustrative cavity side mold half is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and that other embodiments may take various and alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to adopt the embodiments in various ways. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings may be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combination of illustrated features provides representative embodiments for typical applications. However, various combinations and modifications of features consistent with the teachings of the present disclosure may be desirable for specific applications or implementations.

[0015] As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to a component in the singular is intended to include a plurality of components.

[0016] The terms "substantially" or "approximately" may be used herein to describe the disclosed or claimed embodiments. The terms "substantially" or "approximately" may modify a value or relative characteristic disclosed or claimed in this disclosure. In such cases, "substantially" or "approximately" may mean 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.

[0017] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, the element or layer may be directly on, engaged, connected, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may not be intervening elements or layers. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). The term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0018] The terms "integrated window regulator" or "door module" may be used herein to describe the disclosed or claimed embodiments. The term "integrated window regulator" may refer to a device constructed to move a window of a vehicle, such as a window regulator, including a guide track formed into a panel that is attachable to an outer panel of a vehicle, such as a vehicle door. The term "door module" may also refer to a device constructed to move a window of a vehicle, such as a window regulator, including a guide track formed into a panel that is attachable to an outer panel of a vehicle, such as a vehicle door. The term "door module" may refer to a device constructed to receive various components, such as a speaker, a latch, or other suitable components. Although the terms "integrated window regulator" or "window regulator" are used herein, the embodiments described or claimed herein may also apply to door modules and are not limited to window regulators.

[0019] A window regulator can include a pair of guide rails and a pair of sliders, each of which can travel along the guide rails to carry the window between one or more positions, such as open or closed. To mount the window to the sliders, a portion of the window can be inserted into one of the sliders and a second portion of the window can be inserted into the other slider. For assembly purposes, it can be advantageous to insert and attach the window to the sliders using a snap-in or force-fit condition, as compared to sliders that require additional fixing operations. The distance between each slider can be set by the distance between the guide rails. If the distance between the two sliders is too small (relative to the length of the window), it can be challenging to mount the window to the sliders. If sufficient distance is provided between the guide rails, the weight of the window can be more evenly distributed between the sliders. The even distribution of weight can prevent the glass from tipping over during installation.

[0020] Since the length of the panel of a window regulator is typically constrained to a certain size, it may not be possible to space the guide rails a sufficient distance apart. Extending one of the guide rails over the speaker aperture, as provided in the present disclosure, may address this problem. However, extending the guide rail over the speaker aperture may create its own challenges. For example, over the area of ​​the speaker aperture, the panel may not be able to directly support the guide rail. Therefore, the present disclosure provides one or more examples of how the guide rails may be supported in this area to provide the required rigidity. Manufacturing by injection molding to provide sufficient structure to support the guide rails in the speaker aperture area may present its own challenges.

[0021] A known tool and method for manufacturing a window regulator (including an integrated window regulator) is provided in DE Application No. 10 2018 202 473 A1, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. An exemplary door module is provided in U.S. Patent No. 10,603,990, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0022] Referring primarily to the accompanying drawings, a window regulator, such as an integrated window regulator 100, is provided. The integrated window regulator 100 can be configured to move a vehicle window (not shown) between a first position, such as closed, and an open position, such as open. The window regulator 100 can include a panel 102, which can include a first end 104 and a second end 106. The panel 102 can include a number of openings, recesses, or other features configured to receive one or more components when the window regulator is installed in a vehicle. As an example, the panel 102 can define a speaker aperture 110, which can be configured to receive a vehicle speaker 132.

[0023] The window regulator 100 may include a first guide rail 114 and a second guide rail 116. The first guide rail 114 and the second guide rail 116 may be integrally formed to the panel 102. As an example, the guide rails 114 and 116 may be integrally formed by injection molding. As an example, as plastic material flows into a tool for forming the panel, additional plastic material may flow to form the guide rails 114 and 116. In one or more embodiments, only the second guide rail 116 may be integrally formed to the panel 102. At least a portion of the second guide rail 116 may extend above the speaker aperture 110.

[0024] The window regulator 100 may include a first slider 118 and a second slider 120. The first slider 118 and the second slider 120 may each be configured to receive and carry a vehicle window as the first slider 118 moves along the first guide track 114 and as the second slider 120 moves along the second guide track 116. The first slider 118 and the second slider 120 may each be configured to receive a vehicle window such that the window is attached to the sliders 118, 120 by a force fit or a snap fit. The guide tracks 114, 116 may be spaced a sufficient distance apart so that the sliders 118, 120 engage the vehicle window by a force fit or a snap fit.

[0025] The panel 102 of the window regulator 100 can include a wet side 122 and a dry side 124. When the window regulator 100 is mounted or assembled to a portion of a vehicle, such as the door 10, the wet side 122 can be arranged toward an exterior surface of the door 10, and the dry side 124 can be arranged toward an interior portion of the vehicle. An outer perimeter 128 of the speaker aperture 110 can form a speaker shelf 154, which can be formed by a ring 130. The ring 130 can be formed on the dry side 124 of the panel 102 and can be configured to rest against a portion of the speaker 132 or against a seal (not shown) disposed between the speaker and the ring 130 when the speaker 132 is assembled or mounted to the panel 102. The ring 130 can include a first portion that can have a generally planar shape that can provide a watertight or waterproof joint between the speaker 132 and the ring 130. Another portion 131 of the ring 130 may have a non-planar shape, which may be formed by a number of ribs 133 .

[0026] The guide rail 116 may include an aperture area portion extending across the speaker aperture in a first direction (z direction). An aperture area portion 134 may extend between the second guide rail 116 and a peripheral portion 136 of the speaker aperture, which may be disposed on the wet side 122 of the panel 102. The aperture area portion 134 may include a plurality of side walls, such as a first side wall 138, a second side wall 140, and a third side wall 142. The first side wall 138, the second side wall 140, and the third side wall 142 may each extend from the second guide rail 116 to the peripheral portion 136. As an example, the second side wall 140 and the third side wall 142 may be spaced apart from each other to form a recess 144. The size of the recess 144 may be designed to accommodate at least a portion of the speaker 132, such as a magnet 146, when the speaker 132 is mounted to the panel 102. The first side wall 138 may be spaced apart from the second side wall 140 and the third side wall 142. The connecting portion 152 may extend between the first sidewall 138 and the second and third sidewalls 140 and 142 .

[0027] The second guide rail 116 can include a first edge 148 and a second edge 150. As an example, the first edge 148 can be formed or defined by the first sidewall 138. In one or more embodiments, the second sidewall 140 or the third sidewall 142 or the second and second sidewalls can be disposed between the first edge 148 and the second edge 150. The second slider 120 can engage the second edge 150 of the second guide rail 116 and translate along the second edge 150 of the second guide rail 116.

[0028] Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of an illustrative vehicle door 10 and window regulator 100 is shown, according to one or more embodiments. The vehicle door 10 can include an outer panel 12 that can be arranged to receive the window regulator 100. A wet side 122 of the window regulator 100 can be arranged to face toward the outer panel 12, and a dry side 124 of the window regulator 100 can be arranged to face in the opposite direction. As described above, a speaker shelf 154 formed by a ring 130 surrounding a speaker aperture 110 can be formed on the dry side 124 of the window regulator 100. A first guide rail 114 and a second guide rail 116 can extend from the wet side 122 of the window regulator 100.

[0029] Although the ring 130 is illustrated as being circular, the speaker aperture 110 and the ring 130 may have another shape.

[0030] The vehicle door 10 may include a first end 14 and a second end 16. When the vehicle door 10 is assembled to a vehicle body (not shown), the first end 14 may be positioned adjacent to a mid-portion of the vehicle body, such as a B-pillar, and the second end may be positioned adjacent to the vehicle's A-pillar. When the window regulator is assembled to the vehicle door 10, the first end 104 of the panel 102 may be positioned closer to the first end 14 of the vehicle door, and the second end 106 may be positioned closer to the second end 16 of the vehicle door 10.

[0031] Figure 2 A plan view of the window regulator 100 is shown. The panel 102 can include a top edge 156 and a lower edge 158. As an example, the first guide rail 114 or the second guide rail 116 or both can extend over the top edge 156, the lower edge 158, or both. The panel 102 can define a motor aperture 160 that can be configured to receive a motor, a gearbox, and a cable drum housing 162.

[0032] In one or more embodiments, the speaker opening 110 can be spaced apart from the first end 104 by a first distance L1 and spaced apart from the second end 106 by a second distance L2, which can be less than the first distance L1. The first end 104 and the second end 106 can be spaced apart from each other by a third distance L3. The first rail 114 and the second rail 116 can be spaced apart from each other by a fourth distance L4.

[0033] In one or more embodiments, the first distance L1 may range from 277 mm to 820 mm, the second distance L2 may range from 80 mm to 241 mm, the third distance L3 may range from 355 mm to 1072 mm, and the fourth distance L4 may range from 210 mm to 630 mm.

[0034] Figure 3 A partial perspective view of the dry side 124 of the window regulator 100 is shown. As described above, the second rail 116 extends above the speaker aperture 110. The second rail 116 includes an edge 150 along which the second slider 120 can move. The speaker shelf 154 can be formed by the ring 130 surrounding the speaker aperture and forming a planar portion of the ring 130. An inner perimeter 164 can extend from the ring 130 in an axial direction. The inner perimeter wall 164 can define a diameter configured to receive one or more portions of the speaker 132.

[0035] The inner peripheral wall 164 can extend between the first portion of the first side wall 138 and the second portion of the first side wall. Additionally, the inner peripheral wall can extend between the second side wall 140 and the third side wall 142. The connection between the inner peripheral wall 164 and the side walls 138, 140, 142 can be configured to increase the rigidity of the aperture area portion 134.

[0036] The outer peripheral wall 167 can extend in an axial direction from the ring 130 to the wet side 122 of the panel 102. As an example, one or more of the sidewalls 138, 140, 142 can extend in the z-direction to the outer peripheral wall 167 and can extend in the x-direction to the ring 130. The first sidewall 138, the second sidewall 140, a portion of the ring 130, and a portion of the outer peripheral wall 167 can form a first pocket 174. The first sidewall 138, the third sidewall 142, a portion of the ring 130, and a portion of the outer peripheral wall 167 can form a second pocket 176. The first pocket 174 and the second pocket 176 can provide tool access so that one or more plastic injection molding tools can form the sidewalls 138, 140, 142 to support the ring 130.

[0037] The non-planar portion 131 of the ring 130 can be formed by one or more ribs 133. As an example, a plurality of ribs 133 can extend in a radial direction. One or more fastener apertures 166 can be defined by the ring 130. The plurality of fastener apertures 166 can be configured to receive a plurality of fasteners (not shown) that can attach the speaker 132 to the panel 102.

[0038] Injection points 168 may be provided on the dry side 124 of the panel 102. The injection points 168 may be formed by protrusions spaced apart from the speaker aperture 110. The injection points 168 may be positioned so that the plastic material can flow in a manner suitable for injection molding.

[0039] Figure 4 A partial perspective view of the wet side 122 of the window regulator 100 is shown. The panel 102 can define one or more mounting apertures 172 that can be configured to receive fasteners to attach the window regulator 100 to the vehicle door. As an example, the mounting apertures can be referred to as "bayonet openings." The panel 102 can define a peripheral rib 180 that can be spaced apart from the first end 104 of the panel. The mounting apertures 172 can be disposed between the first end 104 and the peripheral rib 180.

[0040] In one or more embodiments, the panel 102 can include a number of support ribs 170 that can be configured to provide a relatively rigid structure around the speaker aperture 110. Because the second rail 116 extends across the speaker aperture 110 and extends from the perimeter of the speaker aperture 110, the surrounding portion can be sufficiently rigid to prevent the second rail 116 from flexing or bending. The support ribs 170 can extend between the perimeter wall 164 and the perimeter ribs 180. As an example, the support ribs 170 can extend in a substantially radial direction relative to the speaker aperture 110.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, the panel 102 can include one or more reinforcing ribs 182. One or more of the reinforcing ribs 182 can extend from the peripheral rib 180 to the protrusion 175. The protrusion 175 can define a recess or define a hollow space such that plastic material can flow from the protrusion 175 to form the reinforcing rib 182.

[0042] Figure 5 A partial perspective view of the wet side 122 of the panel including the speaker 132 is shown. The window regulator 100 may be provided with a cable drum housing 162 that may be configured to route the cable carrying the slider 120 ( Figure 4). The first side wall 138 can extend from the rail 116 to the panel 102 and can define a recess 144. The recess 144 can be sized to receive a portion of the speaker 132, such as a magnet 146.

[0043] Figure 6 and Figure 7 A partial perspective view of one mold half, such as the core side mold half 200, and a top view of another mold half, such as the cavity side mold half 210, are illustrated, respectively. The core side mold half 200 may include a support plate 202 including a core insert 204. The core insert 204 may include a core insert block 206. As heated liquid plastic is injected into the molds 200, 210, the heated liquid plastic may surround the core insert block 206 to form a portion of the orifice area portion 134 of the guide rail 116. The cavity side mold half 210 may include a cavity support plate 214, which may include a cavity insert 216. A slide plate 212 may be disposed near a top portion of the cavity insert and configured to provide a portion of the heated liquid plastic to the molds 200, 210 to form a portion of the panel 102 surrounding the speaker orifice 110 (see Figure 3 ).

[0044] The cavity side mold half 210 may include a vertical slide 218 and one or more longitudinal slides 220, 222. The vertical slide can translate in a vertical direction that is orthogonal to the Figure 7 140, 142.

[0045] Although illustrative embodiments have been 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 of limitation, and it should be understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. As previously mentioned, the features of the various embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the present invention that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. Although various embodiments may have been described as providing advantages or being superior to other embodiments or prior art implementations in terms of one or more desired features, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that one or more characteristics or features may be compromised to achieve the desired overall system properties, depending on the specific application and implementation. These properties may include, but are not limited to, cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, maintainability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. Therefore, to the extent that any embodiment is described as being less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations in terms of one or more features, these embodiments do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure and may be desirable for a particular application.

[0046] Parts List

[0047] The following is a list of reference numerals used in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the use of these terms is for illustrative purposes only with respect to one embodiment. Furthermore, the use of reference numerals associated with a term that is both illustrated in the drawings and in the claims is not intended to limit the claims to only cover the illustrated embodiment.

[0048] 10 Vehicle doors

[0049] 12 outer panels

[0050] 14 First End

[0051] 16 Second end

[0052] 100 window regulators

[0053] 102 Panel

[0054] 104 First End

[0055] 106 Second End

[0056] 110 speaker holes

[0057] 114 first guide rail

[0058] 116 second guide rail

[0059] 118 First Slider

[0060] 120 second slider

[0061] 122 wet side

[0062] 124 dry side

[0063] 128 outer perimeter

[0064] 130 rings

[0065] 131 non-planar part

[0066] 132 speakers

[0067] 133 ribs

[0068] 134 support members

[0069] 136 surrounding areas

[0070] 138 first side wall

[0071] 140 second side wall

[0072] 142 third side wall

[0073] 144 recess

[0074] 146 magnets

[0075] 148 First Edge

[0076] 150 Second Edge

[0077] 152 connection part

[0078] 154 speaker shelves

[0079] 156 top edge

[0080] 158 Edge

[0081] 160 motor opening

[0082] 162 cable drum housing

[0083] 164 annular peripheral wall

[0084] 166 orifice

[0085] 168 injection points

[0086] 170 support ribs

[0087] 172 mounting hole

[0088] 174 concave holes

[0089] 175 protrusions

[0090] 176 concave

[0091] 180 peripheral ribs

[0092] 182 reinforced ribs

[0093] 200 core side mold half

[0094] 202 support plate

[0095] 204 core insert

[0096] 206 core inserts

[0097] 210 cavity side mold half

[0098] 212 Skateboard

[0099] 214 cavity support plate

[0100] 216 cavity insert

[0101] 218 vertical slider

[0102] 220 first longitudinal slider

[0103] 222 second longitudinal slider

Claims

1. A window regulator for use in a motor vehicle and configured to move a vehicle window between a first position and a second position, the window regulator comprising: a panel defining a speaker aperture configured to receive at least a portion of a speaker; as well as a guide rail integrally formed to the panel and configured to carry a slider, wherein the slider is configured to move along the guide rail to move the window between a first position and a second position, wherein the guide rail includes an aperture area portion extending across the speaker aperture in a first direction, wherein the aperture area portion includes a first side wall and a second side wall, each of the first side wall and the second side wall extending in a second direction, the second direction being substantially orthogonal to the first direction, wherein the panel includes a wet side and a dry side, wherein the dry side is arranged to face toward an interior of the motor vehicle when the window regulator is installed in the motor vehicle, and wherein the window regulator further includes a wet side annular sidewall extending from the wet side of the panel around the speaker aperture in the second direction, wherein the wet side annular sidewall, in combination with the first side wall and the second side wall, is configured to increase the rigidity of the aperture area portion.

2. The window regulator according to claim 1, wherein The guide rail includes a first edge and a second edge, wherein the second sidewall is disposed between the first edge and the second edge.

3. The window regulator according to claim 2, wherein: The first sidewall forms the first edge.

4. The window regulator according to claim 1, wherein At least a portion of the outer periphery of the speaker aperture disposed on the dry side of the panel forms a ring configured to be placed against a portion of the speaker and a seal disposed between the portion and the ring when the speaker is mounted to the panel.

5. The window regulator according to claim 1, wherein The aperture area portion includes a third side wall, wherein the second side wall and the third side wall are spaced apart from each other to form a recess, wherein the recess is sized to receive at least a portion of the speaker when the speaker is mounted to the panel.

6. The window regulator according to claim 5, wherein The first portion of the ring, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall form a first recess.

7. The window regulator according to claim 6, wherein: The second portion of the ring, the first sidewall, and the third sidewall form a second recess. 8 . The window regulator of claim 4 , further comprising a stem-side annular sidewall extending from a portion of an inner periphery of the ring in the second direction.

9. The window regulator according to claim 8, wherein The stem-side annular sidewall extends between a first portion of the first sidewall and a second portion of the first sidewall.

10. The window regulator according to claim 9, wherein The stem-side annular sidewall includes a free edge spaced apart from the ring, wherein the free edge is spaced apart from a third portion of the first sidewall disposed between the first portion and the second portion.

11. A window regulator for use on a motor vehicle and configured to move a vehicle window between a first position and a second position, the window regulator comprising: a panel defining a speaker aperture configured to receive at least a portion of a speaker, wherein a perimeter of the speaker aperture forms an annular speaker shelf and an annular sidewall extending from an outer perimeter of the speaker shelf; and a guide rail integrally formed to the panel and configured to carry a slider, wherein the slider is configured to move along the guide rail to move the window between the first position and the second position, wherein the guide rail includes an aperture area portion extending across the speaker aperture in a first direction and having a first side wall and a second side wall, the first side wall and the second side wall each extending in a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction, and wherein portions of the annular side wall are circumferentially connected to the first side wall and the second side wall.

12. The window regulator according to claim 11, wherein A first portion of the annular speaker shelf is formed from a generally planar member configured to be placed against the speaker and extending from the annular sidewall. 13 . The window regulator of claim 11 , further comprising a second side wall and a third side wall, each of the second side wall and the third side wall extending between the annular speaker shelf and the guide rail.

14. The window regulator according to claim 12, wherein: The second portion of the annular speaker shelf is formed by a first rib extending radially from an inner periphery of the annular speaker shelf.

15. The window regulator according to claim 14, wherein The second portion includes bosses defining apertures or recesses, each boss being configured to receive a fastener configured to attach the speaker to the annular speaker shelf.

16. The window regulator according to claim 14, wherein The second side wall is tapered between the annular speaker shelf and the guide rail. 17 . The window regulator of claim 12 , the panel including a first end and a peripheral rib disposed between the first end and the speaker aperture. 18 . The window regulator of claim 17 , further comprising a plurality of support ribs extending between an inner periphery of the speaker aperture and the peripheral rib and / or the first end.

19. A method of manufacturing a window regulator for use in a motor vehicle and configured to move a vehicle window between a first position and a second position, the window regulator comprising a panel defining a speaker aperture configured to receive at least a portion of a speaker, and a guide rail integrally formed to the panel and configured to carry a slider, wherein: The slider is configured to move along the guide rail to move the vehicle window between a first position and a second position, wherein the guide rail includes an aperture area portion extending across the speaker aperture in a first direction, wherein the aperture area portion includes a first side wall and a second side wall and a connecting portion extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, wherein the first side wall and the second side wall each extend in a second direction, the second direction being substantially orthogonal to the first direction, a periphery of the speaker aperture forms an annular speaker shelf and an annular side wall extending from an outer periphery of the speaker shelf, a portion of the annular side wall being circumferentially connected to the first side wall and the second side wall, and the method comprises: injecting liquid plastic material into the cavity formed by the cavity mold half and the core mold half via the slide plate to form the portion of the panel surrounding the speaker aperture; translating a vertical slider into the speaker opening along the second direction to form the connecting portion; and The longitudinal slide is translated along the first direction to form the first side wall or the second side wall or the first side wall and the second side wall.

Images