Swivel slider for frameless glazing in a vehicle
The pivoting slider for frameless vehicle windows addresses rigidity and space issues by allowing interior adjustment, enhancing the deflection and reducing complexity and cost in frameless glazing systems.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2022003134
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2021-04-06
- Filing Date
- 2022-04-06
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-13
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-04-06
AI Technical Summary
Frameless glazing systems in vehicles face rigidity limitations, increased costs due to complex tooling, and require additional space for rail adjustments, which can compromise the deflection of the glazing system.
A pivoting slider for frameless windows comprising a main body, pivoting plate, glazing clamp plate, joint, adjustment screw, and lock nut, allowing for adjustment from the interior of the vehicle, enhancing rigidity and reducing space requirements.
The pivoting slider provides adjustable and rigid frameless glazing with reduced space needs, improving the deflection and ease of installation while maintaining structural integrity.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Pivoting slider for frameless glazing in a vehicle
[0001] BACKGROUND
[0002] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the art of vehicle windows and in particular to frameless window systems.
[0003] Frameless glass systems are adjusted for glazing sealing in the Y direction by adjusting the window regulator rails by means of slotted brackets or screw jacks.
[0004] However, this method can limit the rigidity of the system, is expensive in terms of tooling and components, and can impair the deflection of the glazing system. In addition, when the adjustment is carried out on the rail, additional spaces are required in the door for the conditioning of the rail.
[0005] BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0006] The present invention discloses a pivoting slider for a frameless window of a vehicle door, comprising: a main body portion; a pivoting plate pivotally attached to the main body portion for pivoting movement about an axis; a glazing clamping plate; a gasket; an adjusting screw for pivoting the pivoting plate relative to the main body portion, the adjusting screw having a first threaded portion for threadedly engaging an opening in the main body portion; and a locking nut for threadedly engaging a second threaded portion of the adjusting screw, wherein the locking nut is located on an inner side of the pivoting slider.
[0007] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as a variation of one of the preceding embodiments, the adjustment screw includes a flange portion that is larger than an opening in the clamping plate through which the adjustment screw slides.
[0008] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as a variation of one of the preceding embodiments, the flange portion is received in an opening of the pivot plate.
[0009] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as a variation of one of the preceding embodiments, a portion of a vehicle window is located between the pivot plate and the clamping plate.
[0010] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as a variation of one of the preceding embodiments, the seal is located between the glass and the pivot plate and the clamping plate.
[0011] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as a variation of one of the preceding embodiments, a glazing clamping screw secures the glass to the pivoting slider by threadedly engaging a threaded opening in the pivoting plate.
[0012] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as a variation of one of the preceding embodiments, the pivot plate is rotatably mounted on a pivot rod which is secured to the main body portion.
[0013] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as a variation of one of the preceding embodiments, the adjustment screw passes through an opening in the clamping plate and an opening in the pivot plate and the adjustment screw does not threadably engage the opening in the clamping plate and the opening in the pivot plate.
[0014] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as a variation of one of the preceding embodiments, the first threaded portion and the opening in the main body portion are configured such that rotation of the adjustment screw therein will cause the pivot plate to pivot about the axis and cause a portion of the pivot plate to move in a direction away from a portion of the main body portion proximate the adjustment screw, which will also cause movement of the glazing clamp plate, the gasket, and a glass pane that is received within the gasket.
[0015] The present invention also discloses a door module comprising: a window regulator attached to an inner door panel of the door module, the window regulator comprising a pair of guide rails securely attached to the inner door panel of the door module; and a pivoting slider for slidably engaging one of the pair of guide rails, the pivoting slider comprising: a main body portion; a pivoting plate pivotally attached to the main body portion for pivoting movement about an axis; a glazing clamping plate; a gasket; an adjustment screw for pivoting the pivoting plate relative to the main body portion, the adjustment screw having a first threaded portion for threadedly engaging an opening in the main body portion;and a lock nut for threadedly engaging a second threaded portion of the adjustment screw, wherein the lock nut is located on an inboard side of the pivot slider when the window regulator is attached to the door module. ;
[0016] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as a variation of one of the preceding embodiments, the adjustment screw includes a flange portion that is larger than an opening in the clamping plate through which the adjustment screw slides.
[0017] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as variant of one of the preceding embodiments, the flange portion is received in an opening of the pivot plate.
[0018] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as a variation of one of the preceding embodiments, a portion of a vehicle window is located between the pivot plate and the clamping plate.
[0019] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as a variation of one of the preceding embodiments, the seal is located between the glass and the pivot plate and the clamping plate.
[0020] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as a variation of one of the preceding embodiments, a glazing clamping screw secures the glass to the pivoting slider by threadedly engaging a threaded opening in the pivoting plate.
[0021] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as a variation of one of the preceding embodiments, the adjustment screw passes through an opening in the clamping plate and an opening in the pivot plate and the adjustment screw does not threadably engage the opening in the clamping plate and the opening in the pivot plate.
[0022] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as a variation of one of the preceding embodiments, the first threaded portion and the opening in the main body portion are configured such that rotation of the adjustment screw therein will cause the pivot plate to pivot about the axis and cause a portion of the pivot plate to move in a direction away from a portion of the main body portion proximate the adjustment screw, which will also cause movement of the glazing clamp plate, the gasket, and a glass pane that is received within the gasket.
[0023] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as a variation of one of the preceding embodiments, the door module is a front door module or a rear door module and a frameless window is attached to the pivoting slider.
[0024] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as a variation of one of the preceding embodiments, the pivoting slider is a pair of pivoting sliders, each of the pair of pivoting sliders being slidably attached to a respective one of the pair of guide rails.
[0025] The present invention also discloses a method of mounting a frameless window of a vehicle to a door module, comprising: attaching a portion of the frameless window to a pivoting slider slidably engaging one of a pair of guide rails of a window regulator attached to the door module; and adjusting a location of the frameless window by pivoting a pivoting plate of the pivoting slider relative to a main body portion of the pivoting slider, the pivoting slider further comprising an adjustment screw for pivoting the pivot plate relative to the main body portion, the adjustment screw having a first threaded portion for threadedly engaging an opening in the main body portion; and a lock nut for threadedly engaging a second threaded portion of the adjustment screw, wherein the lock nut is located on an inboard side of the pivoting slider when the window regulator is attached to the door module. Brief description of the drawings
[0026] The following descriptions should in no way be considered as limiting. With reference to the accompanying drawings, similar elements have the same numbering:
[0027] [Fig. 1] is a partial perspective view of a vehicle door and window with a pivoting slider according to the present disclosure;
[0028] [Fig.2] is a partial perspective view of an inner side of a window regulator with a pivoting slider according to the present disclosure;
[0029] [Fig.3] is a partial perspective view of an exterior side of a window regulator with a pivoting slider according to the present disclosure; and
[0030] [Fig.4] is a cross-sectional view of a pivoting slider attached to a window according to this disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method is presented herein by way of non-limiting example with reference to the figures.
[0032] The present disclosure relates to a slider with four main elements: a slider body that is configured to slide along a rail; a pivot plate or wobble plate with a threaded adjustment device; a clamping plate; and an insulator that is captured in the assembly by a clamping screw that is partially installed in the subassembly to facilitate assembly at the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).
[0033] Referring now to the figures and in particular to figures 1 to 4, a pivoting slider 10 for use with a window regulator 12 of a vehicle door module 14 is illustrated. The pivoting slider 10 comprises a main body portion 16, a pivot plate or wobble plate 18 pivotally attached to the main body portion 16 by a pivot rod 19 for pivoting movement about an axis 20, a clamping plate or glazing clamping plate 22, a gasket or insulator 24, an adjusting screw or threaded adjuster 26 for pivoting the pivot plate 18 relative to the body portion main body portion 16 and a locking nut 28 for holding the adjusting screw or threaded adjuster 26 in a desired position once the slider 10 has been adjusted via a rotational movement of the adjusting screw or threaded adjuster 26.
[0034] In one embodiment, the pivot plate or wobble plate 18 is rotatably or pivotally mounted on the pivot rod 19 or on a shaft, rod, or elongate member 19 that is secured to the main body portion 16. In one embodiment, the adjusting screw or threaded adjuster 26 includes a first threaded portion 30 for threadedly engaging a threaded opening 32 of the slider body 16. In addition, the adjusting screw or threaded adjuster 26 also includes a flange portion 34 that is larger than an opening 36 in the clamping plate or glazing clamping plate 22.The adjusting screw or threaded adjusting device 26 also includes a second threaded portion 38 which threadedly engages the threads 40 of the locking nut 28. In a non-limiting embodiment, the flange portion 34 is received in an opening 35 of the pivot plate or oscillating plate 18.
[0035] In a non-limiting embodiment, the adjusting screw or threaded adjusting device 26 does not threadedly engage with the clamping plate 22 and the pivoting plate or oscillating plate 18 but simply slides through the opening 36 and the opening 35.
[0036] A portion of a vehicle window 42 is located between the pivot plate or swing plate 18 and the glazing clamping plate 22. A gasket or insulator 24 is located between the window 42 and the pivot plate or swing plate 18 and the glazing clamping plate 22. In order to secure the window 42 to the pivoting slider 10, a glazing clamping screw 44 threadably engages a threaded opening 46 in the pivot plate or swing plate 18. The glazing clamping screw 44 has a head portion 48 that is larger than an opening 50 in the glazing clamping plate 22 such that the glazing clamping screw 44 secures the glazing 42 to the pivoting slider 10 when the glazing clamping screw 44 threadably engages the threaded opening 46 in the pivot plate or swing plate 18. oscillating 18. The glazing clamping screw 44 also passes through an opening 52 in the glass 42.
[0037] Once the pivot plate or swing plate 18 is secured to the main body portion 16 via a set screw or threaded adjuster 26 engaging the threaded opening 32, rotation of the set screw or threaded adjuster 26 about an axis 54 will cause the pivot plate or swing plate 18 and the glazing clamp plate 22 to move in the directions of the arrows 56 along the axis 54. This movement will cause the pivot plate or swing plate 18 to pivot about an axis 20 about the pivot rod 19, which in turn will cause movement of the glass 42 to provide adjustment in the Y direction when installing the window 42 in a vehicle. This is particularly useful in a frameless door window design. In addition, and by configuring the slider 10 so that the adjusting screw or threaded adjuster 26 can be turned by a tool from an interior side 58 of the vehicle, convenient access is permitted when the vehicle window 42 is installed in a vehicle.
[0038] As illustrated at least in FIGS. 1-3, the pivoting slider 10 is configured to slidably engage a rail 70 of the window regulator 12. In [Fig. 1], the window regulator 12 is a dual window regulator having a pair of guide rails 70 and a pair of sliders 10. As illustrated in [Fig. 2], the rails 70 of the window regulator 10 are located outside the vehicle window. [Fig.2] also illustrates that the adjustment screw or threaded adjustment device 26 has a recess 72 configured to engage with a complementary tool to adjust the position of the pivoting slider 10 by rotating the adjustment screw or threaded adjustment device 26.
[0039] In one non-limiting embodiment, a window regulator 12 for a front door assembly uses only the pivoting slider 10 for the rear portion of the window 42 while a separate non-pivoting slider is used for the front portion of the window 42, each being slidably attached to a respective one of the guide rails 70. In another non-limiting embodiment, the window regulator 12 for the front door assembly uses a pivoting slider 10 for both the rear portion of the window 42 and the front portion of the window 42, each being slidably attached to a respective one of the guide rails 70. In yet another non-limiting embodiment, the window regulator 12 used with a rear door assembly uses the pivoting slider 10 for both the front portion of the window 42 and the rear portion of the window 42, each being slidably attached to a respective one of the guide rails 70. guide rails 70.Still further and in yet another alternative embodiment, the window regulator for a rear door assembly may use a pivoting slider only for the rear portion of the window 42 and a separate non-pivoting slider for the front portion of the window 42, each being slidably attached to a respective one of the guide rails 70. In yet another alternative and in either the front door assembly or the rear door assembly, the pivoting slider may be used for the front portion of the window 42 and a non-pivoting slider may be used for the rear portion of the window, each being slidably attached to a respective one of the guide rails 70.
[0040] The pivoting sliders 10 are adjustable from an interior side of the vehicle with or without the door closed. The adjusting screw or threaded adjusting device 26 can be turned to adjust the location of the pivoting slider 10 and consequently of the window 42. Once the adjustment corresponds to the precise and actual geometry of the vehicle which varies due to construction tolerances, the adjusting screw or the ... therefore of the window 42. threaded adjustment 26 is held in position by a first tool inserted into the opening 72 while the lock nut 28 is tightened with a second tool so that the position of the pivot plate or wobble plate 18 relative to the main body portion 16 is defined and further rotation of the adjustment screw or threaded adjustment device 26 is prevented.
[0041] In an alternative embodiment, the guide rail 70 is a hollow tube or structure formed of a metal such as aluminum, steel, metal alloys or the hollow tube is formed of a plastic material, or a plastic composite material. Even further and in a non-limiting embodiment, the main body portion 16 of the pivoting slider 10 or a portion thereof is configured to completely surround a periphery of the guide rail 70. Thus, the portion of the main body portion 16 of the pivoting slider 10 surrounding the guide rail 70 will have multiple points of contact with the guide rail to prevent twisting of the pivoting slider as it slides up and down the guide rail 70.
[0042] In a non-limiting embodiment, the main body portion 16 of the pivoting slider 10 is formed of an easily molded material such as plastic or nylon and the main body portion 16 is configured to have an insert such as a polyoxymethylene (POM) insert that defines an opening for sliding the guide rail 70 therethrough. In one embodiment, the main body portion 16 of the pivoting slider 10 is overmolded over the insert 271. In one embodiment, the main body 16 of the pivoting slider 10 is a nylon slider overmolded over the polyoxymethylene (POM) insert.
[0043] The term "approximately" is intended to include the degree of error associated with the measurement of the particular quantity based on the equipment available at the time the application is filed. For example, the term "approximately" may include a range of ±8% or 5%, or 2% of a given value.
[0044] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. It is further understood that the terms "includes" and / or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of indicated 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.
[0045] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and that certain elements thereof may be substituted by equivalents without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, numerous modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of this disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Accordingly, it is intended that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiment described as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that this disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.
Claims
Claims
1. A pivot slider (10) for a frameless vehicle door window, comprising: a main body portion (16); a pivot plate (18) pivotally attached to the main body portion (16) for pivoting movement about an axis; a glazing clamping plate (22); a gasket (24); an adjustment screw (26) for pivoting the pivot plate (18) relative to the main body portion (16), the adjustment screw (26) having a first threaded portion (30) for threadedly engaging an opening (32) in the main body portion; and a lock nut (28) for threadedly engaging a second threaded portion of the adjustment screw (26), wherein the lock nut (28) is located on an inner side of the pivot slider.
2. The pivoting slider (10) of claim 1, wherein the adjustment screw (26) includes a flange portion (34) that is larger than an opening (36) in the clamping plate (22) through which the adjustment screw (26) slides.
3. A pivoting slider (10) according to claim 2, wherein the flange portion (34) is received in an opening of the pivoting plate (18).
4. A pivoting slider according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a portion of a vehicle window (42) is located between the pivoting plate (18) and the clamping plate (22).
5. A pivoting slider (10) according to claim 4, wherein the seal (24) is located between the glass (42) and the pivoting plate (18) and the clamping plate (22).
6. A pivoting slider (10) according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein a glazing clamping screw secures the glass (42) to the pivoting slider (10) by threadedly engaging a threaded opening in the pivot plate (18).
7. A pivoting slider (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the pivoting plate (18) is rotatably mounted on a pivot rod which is fixed to the main body portion (16).
8. A pivoting slider (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the adjusting screw (26) passes through an opening (36) in the clamping plate (22) and an opening in the pivoting plate (18) and the adjusting screw adjustment (26) does not engage by thread in the opening of the clamping plate (22) and the opening in the swivel plate (18).
9. The pivot slider (10) of one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first threaded portion and the opening in the main body portion (16) are configured such that rotation of the adjustment screw (26) therein will cause the pivot plate (18) to pivot about the axis (54) and cause a portion of the pivot plate (18) to move in a direction away from a portion of the main body portion (16) proximate the adjustment screw (26), which will also cause movement of the glazing clamp plate (22), the gasket (24), and a glass pane (42) that is received within the gasket (24).
10. A door module (14), comprising: a window regulator (12) attached to an inner door panel of the door module, the window regulator (12) comprising a pair of guide rails (70) securely attached to the inner door panel of the door module; and a pivoting slider (10) for slidingly engaging one of the pair of guide rails (70), the pivoting slider (10) comprising: a main body portion (16); a pivoting plate (18) pivotally attached to the main body portion (16) for pivoting movement about an axis; a glazing clamping plate (22); a gasket (24); an adjustment screw (26) for pivoting the pivot plate relative to the main body portion, the adjustment screw having a first threaded portion (30) for threadedly engaging an opening (32) in the main body portion (16);and a lock nut (28) for threadedly engaging a second threaded portion of the adjusting screw, wherein the lock nut (28) is located on an inner side of the pivoting slider when the window regulator is attached to the door module.;
11. The door module (14) of claim 10, wherein the adjustment screw comprises a flange portion (34) that is larger than an opening (36) in the clamping plate (22) through which the adjustment screw (26) slidably passes.
12. The door module (14) of claim 11, wherein the flange portion (34) is received in an opening of the pivot plate.
13. A door module (14) according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein a portion of a vehicle window (42) is located between the pivot plate (18) and the clamping plate (22).
14. The door module (14) of claim 13, wherein the seal (24) is located between the window (42) and the pivot plate (18) and the clamping plate (22).
15. A door module (14) according to one of claims 13 to 14, wherein a glazing clamping screw secures the glazing (42) to the pivoting slider (10) by threadedly engaging a threaded opening in the pivoting plate (18).
16. The door module (14) of any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the adjusting screw (26) extends through an opening (36) in the clamping plate (22) and an opening in the pivot plate and the adjusting screw does not threadably engage the opening in the clamping plate and the opening in the pivot plate.
17. The door module (14) of one of claims 10 to 16, wherein the first threaded portion and the opening in the main body portion (16) are configured such that rotation of the adjustment screw (26) therein will cause the pivot plate (18) to pivot about the axis (54) and cause a portion of the pivot plate (18) to move in a direction away from a portion of the main body portion (16) proximate the adjustment screw (26), which will also cause movement of the glazing clamp plate (22), the seal (24), and a glass pane (42) that is received within the seal (24).
18. The door module (14) of one of claims 10 to 17, wherein the door module is a front door module or a rear door module and a frameless window is attached to the pivoting slider.
19. The door module (14) of one of claims 10 to 18, wherein the pivoting slider (10) is a pair of pivoting sliders (10), each of the pair of pivoting sliders (10) being slidably attached to a respective one of the pair of guide rails (70).
20. A method of mounting a frameless window of a vehicle to a door module, comprising: attaching a portion of the frameless window (42) to a pivoting slider (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, slidably engaging with one of a pair of guide rails (70) of a window regulator attached to the door module; and adjusting a location of the frameless window by pivoting a pivot plate (18) of the pivot slider (10) relative to a main body portion of the pivot slider, the pivot slider (10) further comprising a glazing clamp plate (22); a gasket (24); an adjustment screw (26) for pivoting the pivot plate (18) relative to the main body portion (16), the adjustment screw (26) having a first threaded portion (30) for threadably engaging an opening (32) in the main body portion; and a lock nut (28) for threadably engaging a second threaded portion of the adjustment screw, wherein the lock nut (28) is located on an inner side of the pivot slider when the window regulator is attached to the door module (14).