Window support for a side movable panel of a vehicle
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-04-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-18
AI Technical Summary
Existing window support systems for side-opening vehicles fail to provide optimal adjustment and retention of windows, requiring additional cushioning and complex assembly processes, and are not adaptable to different glass thicknesses or geometric shapes.
A single-piece window support with a lower part connected to the window lift device, an intermediate part, and an upper wall with flexible holding tabs and fixing elements that automatically adjust to the window's shape, eliminating the need for additional components and simplifying assembly.
The solution provides secure, automatic adjustment and retention of windows, reducing manufacturing costs, eliminating gaps and vibrations, and accommodating various glass thicknesses and shapes without the use of screws, glue, or bi-material parts.
Smart Images
Figure FR2024050458_21112024_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
DESCRIPTION TITLE OF THE INVENTION: Window support for a side opening of a vehicle
[0001] The present invention claims priority from French application 2304719 filed on May 12, 2023, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference. The present invention relates to a window support intended to connect a window and a window regulator device of a side opening of a vehicle.
[0002] Automotive window regulators typically include an electric motor (or a crank for manual operation) that drives a pulley causing drive cables to be pulled, thereby sliding a sliding window retaining device.
[0003] The sliding fixing device is moved along a guide causing the glass to be driven up or down through the corresponding guides and seals fitted to the vehicle door or door frame.
[0004] The fixing devices are generally formed by a body provided with a main fixing lug and auxiliary fixing lugs formed in a staggered manner at the upper part thereof.
[0005] The lower end of the glass is housed between the tabs. The main fixing tab includes a projection fitted into a hole formed in the lower end of the glass for the purpose of being coupled thereto and being forced to be moved up or down with the fixing device.
[0006] Patent EP1659251 describes such a sliding window fixing system comprising a support with a clipping mechanism inserted into a hole provided in the window and a tab for pressing the window against the support. An elastomer shim is positioned between the support and the tab to support the window and ensure a certain flexibility.
[0007] This solution allows the mounting system to adjust to the glass, but its fit and retention on the glass are not optimal. In addition, it is necessary to add a shim to ensure some flexibility.
[0008] The aim of the invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a window support intended to connect a window and a window regulator device of a side opening of a vehicle which is simpler, automatically adjusting to the window in a more efficient manner and better held to the window.
[0009] To this end, the invention thus relates, in its broadest sense, to a window support intended to connect a window and a window regulator device of a side opening of a vehicle. The window support is formed from a single piece and comprises a lower part intended to be connected to the window regulator device, an intermediate part and an upper wall extending from the intermediate part in a direction opposite to the lower part and intended to bear against a first face of the window.
[0010] The window support comprises a holding element extending from the intermediate part in a direction opposite to the lower part and comprising a flexible holding tab intended to bear against a second face of the window, opposite to the first face.
[0011] According to the invention, the holding element comprises a bearing surface intended to support a first lower edge of the window.
[0012] The top wall and the flexible retaining tab are spaced apart so as to allow the glass to be held on the bearing surface between the top wall and the flexible retaining tab. The top wall comprises two fixing elements including a first fixing element positioned in a first upper corner of the top wall and a second fixing element positioned in a second upper corner of the top wall. Each fixing element projects from the top wall and is intended to be inserted into an orifice provided in the glass to lock the glass against the top wall.
[0013] The invention thus provides a simpler window support, which automatically adjusts to the window more efficiently and is better held to the window.
[0014] In fact, the two fixing elements allow the glass holder to be better fixed to the glass. The rotational movement of the holder is prevented, unlike known holders.
[0015] According to one variant, the fixing elements are clips.
[0016] According to another variant, the intermediate part comprises a first lateral holding tab extending from a first transverse edge of the intermediate part and a second lateral holding tab extending from a second transverse edge of the intermediate part, opposite the first transverse edge.
[0017] Each side retaining tab is elastic and can be deformed in a first direction to adjust the position of the window support relative to the window.
[0018] This takes into account the particular geometric shape of the glass, the second lower edge and the third lower edge of the glass being inclined relative to the first lower edge of the glass.
[0019] The side retaining tabs form a stop and prevent the glass support from moving relative to the glass in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction.
[0020] According to another variant, the first lateral retaining tab has a curved section with a first convex surface intended to support a second lower edge of the glass. The second lateral retaining tab has a curved section with a second convex surface intended to support a third lower edge of the glass.
[0021] According to another variant, the lateral retaining tabs each comprise a retaining edge projecting from the respective convex surfaces and intended to bear against the second face of the window.
[0022] Each retaining edge forms a stop to block the glass between the retaining edge and the upper wall.
[0023] The bracket is better held on the glass and allows the use of a smaller flexible retaining tab to save material.
[0024] According to another variant, the retaining edge extends along the side retaining tab and has a curved shape.
[0025] According to another variant, the flexible retaining tab has a curved shape and a convex surface oriented towards the upper wall and intended to rest against the second face of the window.
[0026] According to another variant, the flexible retaining tab is positioned in the center of the intermediate part.
[0027] According to another variant, the upper wall comprises a central recess. The holding element is positioned opposite the central recess. The flexible holding tab has smaller dimensions than those of the central recess.
[0028] This saves material and reduces costs.
[0029] The invention eliminates the need for spacers, simplifying the support, which is made from a single piece, and simplifying manufacturing. Manufacturing costs are thus reduced.
[0030] When assembling the glass to the glass support, the flexible retaining tab and the flexible side retaining tabs automatically adjust to the glass, eliminating gaps between the glass and these elements. Vibrations and potential noise are eliminated. No fixing screws, glue, or bi-material parts (plastic with rubber and / or felt) are required.
[0031] The glass holder is self-adjusting. Different glass thicknesses can be used.
[0032] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a window support as defined above. The window support connects a window and a window regulator device of a side opening of the vehicle.
[0033] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended figures in which:
[0034] [Fig.1] schematically illustrates a window support fixed to a window of a side opening of a vehicle;
[0035] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a detailed view of the glass support;
[0036] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a fixing element inserted into a hole in the glass;
[0037] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a holding element supporting a portion of the glass and bearing against the glass;
[0038] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a side retaining tab supporting part of the glass.
[0039] The terms "lower" and "upper" shall be understood according to their usual definition, in which the term "lower" indicates a greater proximity to the ground in the vertical direction than the term "upper"
[0040] In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure and / or similar functions will be designated by the same reference.
[0041] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a window support 1 fixed to a lower part 30 of a window 2. The window support 1 is intended to connect the window 2 with a window lifting device of a side opening of a vehicle, such as a door.
[0042] The glass support 1 is formed from a single piece. The glass support 1 is made of polymer and is formed from a single material, by plastic injection molding, for example.
[0043] The window support 1 comprises a lower part 3 intended to be connected to the window regulator device, an intermediate part 4 and an upper wall 5 extending from the intermediate part 4 in a direction opposite to the lower part 3, that is to say in a first direction X. The intermediate part 4 is positioned between the lower part 3 and the upper wall 5. The intermediate part 4 extends along a first lower edge 26 of the lower part 30 of the window 2 in a second direction Y, perpendicular to the first direction X.
[0044] The upper wall 5 is intended to be opposite and in abutment against a first face 8 of the window 2.
[0045] The window support 1 comprises a holding element 14 extending from the intermediate part 4 in a direction opposite to the lower part 3, that is to say in the first direction X. The holding element 14 comprises a flexible holding tab 6 intended to bear against a second face 9 of the window 2, opposite to the first face 8.
[0046] The holding element 14 comprises a bearing surface 7, as illustrated in FIG. 4, intended to support the first lower edge 26 of the window 2. The bearing surface 7 extends perpendicularly to the X and Y directions.
[0047] The upper wall 5 and the flexible retaining tab 6 are spaced apart so as to allow the window 2 to be held on the support surface 7 between the upper wall 5 and the flexible retaining tab 6.
[0048] The upper wall 5 comprises two fixing elements 10, 11 including a first fixing element 10 positioned in a first upper corner 16 of the upper wall 5 and a second fixing element 11 positioned in a second upper corner 17 of the upper wall 5. Each fixing element 10, 11 projects from the upper wall 5 and is inserted into a respective orifice 12, 13 provided in the window 2 to fix the window 2 to the window support 1. Figure 3 shows the detail of the first fixing element 10.
[0049] Preferably, the fixing elements 10, 11 are clips allowing their insertion and automatic locking in the orifices 12, 13 of the window 2.
[0050] The fixing elements 10, 11 each comprise two legs 31, 32 parallel to each other and separated by a space 33. The legs 31, 32 form a circular section assembly. The fixing elements 10, 11 each comprise a conical head 35 comprising a shoulder 34 forming a stop against the second face 9 of the window 2.
[0051] As illustrated in Figure 4, the flexible retaining tab 6 has a curved shape and a convex surface 15 oriented towards the upper wall 5 and bearing against the second face 9 of the window 2. The flexible retaining tab 6 extends from the bearing surface 7 in the first direction X.
[0052] The window 2 is blocked between the flexible retaining tab 6 and the upper wall 5. The flexible retaining tab 6 is elastic and can be deformed like a spring to be compressed against the upper wall 5.
[0053] The flexible retaining tab 6 is positioned in the center of the intermediate part 4 along the second direction Y.
[0054] Alternatively, the upper wall 5 comprises a central recess 29 positioned between the two fixing elements 10, 11 and the intermediate part 4. The central recess 29 is positioned opposite the flexible retaining tab 6.
[0055] The flexible retaining tab 6 has smaller dimensions than those of the central recess 29, i.e. a width l and a height h smaller than those of the central recess 29.
[0056] For example, the width l of the flexible retaining tab 6 corresponds to less than one third of the width of the upper wall 5 and the height h of the flexible retaining tab 6 corresponds to less than half of the height of the upper wall 5.
[0057] According to a variant, the intermediate part 4 comprises a first lateral holding tab 18 extending from a first transverse edge 20 of the intermediate part 4 and a second lateral holding tab 19 extending from a second transverse edge 21 of the intermediate part 4, opposite the first transverse edge 20.
[0058] The first lateral holding tab 18 has a C-shaped curved section in the X, Y plane with a first convex surface 24 intended to support a second lower edge 27 of the window 2. The second lateral holding tab 19 has a C-shaped curved section in the X, Y plane with a second convex surface 25 intended to support a third lower edge 28 of the window 2.
[0059] Each lateral retaining tab 18, 19 is elastic and can be deformed in the first direction X to adjust the position of the window support 1 relative to the window 2.
[0060] This makes it possible to take into account the particular geometric shape of the window 2, the second lower edge 27 and the third lower edge 28 of the window 2 being inclined relative to the first lower edge 26 of the window 2.
[0061] The lateral retaining tabs 18, 19 form a stop and prevent the glass support 1 from moving relative to the glass in the first direction X and the second direction Y.
[0062] The lateral retaining tabs 18, 19 each comprise a retaining edge 22, 23 bearing against the second face 9 of the window 2, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The retaining edge 22, 23 is perpendicular relative to the corresponding convex surface 24, 25 and projects from this convex surface 24, 25 along the plane X, Y.
[0063] The retaining edge 22, 23 extends along the lateral retaining tab 18, 19 in the second direction Y and has a curved shape.
[0064] Each retaining edge 22, 23 forms a stop for blocking the window 2 between the retaining edge 22, 23 and the upper wall 5.
[0065] The retaining edges 22, 23 are generally aligned with the flexible retaining tab 6.
[0066] The invention provides a very simple assembly process. The operator clips the window support 1 onto the window 2, and then places the window 2 inside the side opening (door). When the window 2 descends, the window support 1 automatically clips onto the window regulator device without the need for any additional operation.
[0067] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising at least one window support 1 as defined above. The window support 1 connects a window 2 and a window regulator device of a side opening of the vehicle.
[0068] The invention can be applied regardless of the size of the window 2.
[0069] When the window 2 is considered small, only one window support 1 is fixed in the center of the lower part 30 of the window 2.
[0070] Alternatively, when the window 2 is considered large, two window supports 1 are used per window 2 to prevent the window 2 from twisting during maneuvers. The two window supports 1 are uniformly distributed over the lower part 30 of the window 2.
[0071] The invention can be used for passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, buses, trucks or agricultural machinery, for example.
Claims
CLAIMS 1. Window support (1) intended to connect a window (2) and a window lifting device of a side opening of a vehicle, the window support (1) being formed from a single piece and comprising a lower part (3) intended to be connected to the window regulator device, an intermediate part (4) and an upper wall (5) extending from the intermediate part (4) in a direction opposite to the lower part (3) and intended to bear against a first face (8) of the window (2), the window support (1) comprising a holding element (14) extending from the intermediate part (4) in a direction opposite to the lower part (3) and comprising a flexible holding tab (6) intended to bear against a second face (9) of the window (2), opposite to the first face (8), characterized in that the holding element (14) comprises a bearing surface (7) intended to support a first lower edge (26) of the window (2),the upper wall (5) and the flexible retaining tab (6) being spaced apart so as to allow the window (2) to be held on the bearing surface (7) between the upper wall (5) and the flexible retaining tab (6), the upper wall (5) comprising two fixing elements (10, 11) including a first fixing element (10) positioned in a first upper corner (16) of the upper wall (5) and a second fixing element (11) positioned in a second upper corner (17) of the upper wall (5), each fixing element (10, 11) projecting from the upper wall (5) and being intended to be inserted into an orifice (12, 13) provided in the window (2) to block the window, (2) against the upper wall (5).
2. Window support (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing elements (10, 11) are clips.
3. Window support (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the intermediate part (4) comprises a first lateral holding tab (18) extending from a first transverse edge (20) of the intermediate part (4) and a second lateral holding tab (19) extending from a second transverse edge (21) of the intermediate part (4), opposite the first transverse edge (20).
4. Window support (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the first lateral holding tab (18) has a curved section with a first convex surface (24) intended to support a second lower edge (27) of the window (2), the second lateral holding tab (19) having a curved section with a second convex surface (25) intended to support a third lower edge (28) of the window (2).
5. Window support (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the lateral holding tabs (18, 19) each comprise a holding rim (22, 23) projecting from the respective convex surfaces (24, 25) and intended to bear against the second face (9) of the window (2).
6. Window support (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the retaining edge (22, 23) extends along the lateral retaining tab (18, 19) and has a curved shape.
7. Window support (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the flexible retaining tab (6) has a curved shape and a convex surface (15) oriented towards the upper wall (5) and intended to bear against the second face (9) of the window (2).
8. Window support (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the flexible retaining tab (6) is positioned in the center of the intermediate part (4).
9. Window support (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the upper wall (5) comprises a central recess (29), the holding element (14) being positioned opposite the central recess (29), the flexible holding tab (6) having smaller dimensions than those of the central recess (29).
10. Vehicle characterized in that it comprises a window support (1) as defined according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the window support (1) connecting a window (2) and a window lifting device of a side opening of the vehicle.