Carrier plate and window regulator including the carrier plate

Abstract

To provide a carrier plate capable of suppressing moisture from coming into contact with a cable.SOLUTION: The carrier plate 1 includes a window glass mounting portion 2 to which a window glass is mounted, a first housing portion 31 for housing a cable end C1 of an ascending cable C12, and a second housing portion 32 for housing a cable end C2 of a descending cable C22, wherein the first housing portion 31 has an opening on an upper side of the first housing portion 31, and the carrier plate 1 includes an upper D2 portion 5 extending in a roof shape along a width-direction D3 of the carrier plate 1 above the first housing portion 31 and the second housing portion 32 and at a position shifted from the opening in a thickness-direction D2 of the carrier plate 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a carrier plate and a window regulator including the carrier plate. [Background technology]

[0002] In a window regulator installed in a vehicle, moisture such as rainwater may seep into the door from outside the vehicle along the window glass. This moisture may flow down from the bottom edge of the window glass to the carrier plate that supports the window glass, potentially causing problems such as rust in the window regulator's components, such as cables, which are made of metal. To address this problem, various configurations have been disclosed for guiding moisture that flows down the carrier plate (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-18895 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Although the above-mentioned carrier plate can suppress problems such as rust, further improvements are required.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a carrier plate and a window regulator that can prevent moisture from coming into contact with a cable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The carrier plate of the present invention is a carrier plate configured to rise and fall along a guide rail, and comprises: a window glass mounting portion to which a window glass is attached; a first accommodating portion for accommodating a cable end of an ascending cable that raises the carrier plate along the guide rail; and a second accommodating portion for accommodating a cable end of a descending cable that lowers the carrier plate along the guide rail; the first accommodating portion has an opening above the first accommodating portion in the vertical direction of the carrier plate for inserting the cable end of the ascending cable into the first accommodating portion; and the carrier plate comprises an upper wall portion extending in a roof-like shape along the width direction of the carrier plate above the first accommodating portion and the second accommodating portion in the vertical direction and at a position shifted in the thickness direction of the carrier plate from the opening; and a vertical wall portion extending upward from the edge of the opening so as to separate the upper wall portion and the opening in the thickness direction.

[0007] The window regulator of the present invention also includes a drive unit, an ascending cable and a descending cable driven by the drive unit, the carrier plate, and a guide rail to which the carrier plate is attached. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the carrier plate and window regulator of the present invention, moisture can be prevented from coming into contact with the cable. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a window regulator equipped with a carrier plate according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to an attachment object. [Figure 2] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a view of the carrier plate as seen from the second surface side. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a view of the carrier plate as seen from the first surface side. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a top view of the carrier plate. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a carrier plate. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the carrier plate seen from another angle. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the carrier plate as seen from still another angle. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of water in a carrier plate. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of how to assemble a cable to a carrier plate. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of how to assemble a cable to a carrier plate. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of how to assemble a cable to a carrier plate. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the flow of water into the first guide portion of the carrier plate. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the positional relationship between the drop position of the carrier plate from the discharge section, the lowering cable, and the guide rail. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, a carrier plate and a window regulator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is merely an example, and the carrier plate and the window regulator of the present invention are not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0011] In this specification, the expressions "perpendicular to A" and similar expressions do not refer only to a direction that is completely perpendicular to A, but also refer to a direction that is approximately perpendicular to A. In this specification, the expressions "parallel to B" and similar expressions do not refer only to a direction that is completely parallel to B, but also refer to a direction that is approximately parallel to B. In this specification, the expressions "C-shape" and similar expressions do not refer only to a perfect C-shape, but also refer to a shape that visually resembles a C-shape (approximately a C-shape).

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the window regulator WR of this embodiment comprises a drive unit DR, an ascending cable C1 and a descending cable C2 driven by the drive unit DR, a carrier plate 1, and a guide rail GR to which the carrier plate 1 is attached.

[0013] In this specification, the up-down direction D1 of the carrier plate 1 (see FIGS. 1, 3, and 4) is the direction in which the carrier plate 1 ascends and descends along the guide rail GR when the window regulator WR is in use. In this embodiment, the up-down direction D1 of the carrier plate 1 is slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction (the up-down direction on the paper surface in FIG. 1) when the window regulator WR is in use, but it may be a direction parallel to the vertical direction. The up-down direction D1 can also be referred to as the ascending and descending direction (ascending and descending directions) of the carrier plate 1 or the longitudinal direction of the guide rail GR. In this specification, when the terms "upper," "upper part," "upper side," "lower," "lower part," and "lower side" are used with respect to components or parts constituting the window regulator WR or the carrier plate 1, they represent the direction, position, or positional relationship when the window regulator WR is in use. In addition, the thickness direction D2 of the carrier plate 1 (see FIG. 5) is a direction substantially parallel to the thickness direction of the window glass W when the window glass W is attached to the window regulator WR. In this embodiment, the thickness direction D2 of the carrier plate 1 is also a direction approximately parallel to the thickness direction of the guide rail GR. In this embodiment, the thickness direction D2 of the carrier plate 1, the thickness direction of the window glass W, and the thickness direction of the guide rail GR are the vehicle width direction when the window regulator WR is attached to the vehicle. The width direction D3 of the carrier plate 1 (see Figures 3 and 4) is a direction approximately perpendicular to the up-down direction D1 and the thickness direction D2. The width direction D3 of the carrier plate 1 is a direction approximately parallel to the front-rear direction of the vehicle when the window regulator WR is attached to the vehicle, or a direction slightly inclined relative to the front-rear direction. Note that in this embodiment, the width direction D3 of the carrier plate 1 is a direction approximately parallel to the width direction of the guide rail GR.

[0014] The window regulator WR uses a drive unit DR to drive cables C (raising cables and lowering cables; in this embodiment, first to third cables C1 to C3) to move the carrier plate 1 along the guide rail GR. This causes the window glass W (see Figure 1) attached to the carrier plate 1 to rise and fall. The window regulator WR is attached to a predetermined attachment target. Specifically, the window regulator WR is attached to a door panel (not shown) of the vehicle body to which it is attached.

[0015] The overall shape and structure of the window regulator WR are not particularly limited as long as the drive unit DR can drive the cable C and move the carrier plate 1 along the guide rail GR. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the window regulator WR includes a first guide rail GR1 provided on the front side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (the right side in FIG. 1), and a second guide rail GR2 provided on the rear side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (the left side in FIG. 1) and spaced apart from the first guide rail GR1. A first carrier plate 1A is attached to the first guide rail GR1, and a second carrier plate 1B is attached to the second guide rail GR2. A drive unit DR is attached to the first guide rail GR1. In this embodiment, the drive unit DR is configured to drive a first cable (a cable for raising the first carrier plate 1A) C1, a second cable (a cable for lowering the first carrier plate 1A) C2, and a third cable C3. The first cable C1, the second cable C2 and the third cable C3 are arranged in an eight-shaped configuration as shown in FIG.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1 , the first cable C1 is routed along a predetermined path, with one end of the first cable C1 connected to the first carrier plate 1A and the other end of the first cable C1 connected to the second carrier plate 1B. Specifically, the first cable C1 extends upward from the first carrier plate 1A along the first guide rail GR1, is redirected by a first direction-changing member P1 at the upper end of the first guide rail GR1, and extends toward the lower end of the second guide rail GR2. The first cable C1 is redirected by a fourth direction-changing member P4 at the lower end of the second guide rail GR2, extends upward along the second guide rail GR2, and is connected to the second carrier plate 1B. The second cable C2 is routed along a predetermined path, with one end of the second cable C2 connected to the first carrier plate 1A and the other end of the second cable C2 connected to the drive unit DR. Specifically, the second cable C2 extends downward from the first carrier plate 1A along the first guide rail GR1, is redirected by a second direction-changing member P2 at the lower end of the first guide rail GR1, and extends upward toward the drive unit DR. The second cable C2 extending toward the drive unit DR is connected to the drum DR2 of the drive unit DR. The third cable C3 is routed along a predetermined path, with one end of the third cable C3 connected to the second carrier plate 1B and the other end of the third cable C3 connected to the drive unit DR. Specifically, the third cable C3 extends upward from the second carrier plate 1B along the second guide rail GR2, is redirected by a third direction-changing member P3 at the upper end of the second guide rail GR2, and extends toward the drive unit DR. The third cable C3 extending toward the drive unit DR is connected to the drum DR2 of the drive unit DR.

[0017] In this embodiment, for the first carrier plate 1A, the first cable C1 is an ascending cable, and the second cable C2 is a descending cable. On the other hand, for the second carrier plate 1B, the third cable C3 is an ascending cable, and the first cable C1 is a descending cable. In this manner, one and the same cable may function as an ascending cable or as a descending cable. In this specification, the first to third cables C1 to C3 (or the ascending cables and descending cables) are collectively referred to as cables C. Furthermore, when describing the first carrier plate 1A, the first cable C1 may be referred to as the ascending cable C1, and the second cable C2 may be referred to as the descending cable C2. Furthermore, the first carrier plate 1A and the second carrier plate 1B are collectively referred to as carrier plates 1. The first carrier plate 1A and the second carrier plate 1B may have the same shape and structure, or may have different shapes and structures. Furthermore, the first guide rail GR1 and the second guide rail GR2 are collectively referred to as guide rails GR. The first guide rail GR1 and the second guide rail GR2 may have the same shape and structure, or may have different shapes and structures.

[0018] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, the window regulator WR is configured so that one window glass W is driven to rise and fall by a pair of carrier plates 1A, 1B (and a pair of guide rails GR1, GR2). However, the structure of the window regulator is not limited to the structure shown in Fig. 1, and the window regulator may have a structure different from that shown in Fig. 1. For example, the window regulator may be configured so that one window glass W is raised and lowered by only one carrier plate (and only one guide rail).

[0019] The drive unit DR is a drive source that drives the cable C. The drive unit DR may be either electrically driven or manually driven. In this embodiment, the drive unit DR includes a motor DR1 and a drum DR2, as shown in FIG. 1. More specifically, the drive unit DR includes a motor DR1 equipped with a metal yoke and a drum DR2 connected to the motor DR1 and rotated by the driving force of the motor DR1. The motor DR1 is configured to be rotatable forward and reverse, and rotates the drum DR2 forward and reverse. As a result, the cable C connected to the drum DR2 is wound onto the drum DR2 and unwound from the drum DR2.

[0020] The drive unit DR is connected to the guide rail GR (first guide rail GR1 in this embodiment). The position at which the drive unit DR is connected to the guide rail GR is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the drive unit DR is connected to a central region of the guide rail GR in the vertical direction D1 (a predetermined region centered on the middle of the guide rail GR in the vertical direction D1. For example, the middle region when the guide rail GR is divided into thirds in the vertical direction D1). Note that the drive unit DR may be provided not in the central region of the guide rail GR but in a lower end region (a predetermined region near the lower end of the guide rail GR in the vertical direction D1. For example, the lower 1 / 3 region when the guide rail GR is divided into thirds in the vertical direction D1).

[0021] The cable C transmits the driving force of the drive unit DR to the carrier plate 1, which is the object of operation, and moves the carrier plate 1 connected to the cable C in the up-down direction D1 (the direction in which the window glass W is raised and lowered). The cable C is routed along a predetermined routing path so as to transmit the driving force of the drive unit DR to the carrier plate 1. The routing path of the cable C is not particularly limited as long as it can transmit the driving force of the drive unit DR to the carrier plate 1. In this embodiment, the portion of the cable C that extends along the guide rail GR between the upper direction change member P1 and the lower direction change member P2 of the guide rail GR (and between the upper direction change member P3 and the lower direction change member P4) extends in the up-down direction D1 between the side edges E1 and E2 on both sides in the width direction of the guide rail GR (without protruding in the width direction D3 relative to the guide rail GR) (see FIG. 1). A portion of the cable C may be inserted into the outer casing OC (see FIG. 1). The cable C may be, for example, a known inner cable made of a metal wire. The cable C includes cable main bodies C11 and C21, and cable ends C12 and C22 provided at both ends of the cable main bodies C11 and C21.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the guide rail GR guides the carrier plate 1 so that the carrier plate 1 moves along a predetermined movement path extending in the up-down direction D1. The guide rail GR has a predetermined length to allow the carrier plate 1 to move a predetermined distance. The guide rail GR is fixed to an attachment object, such as a vehicle door panel, using known fixing means such as bolts. In this embodiment, the guide rail GR includes direction-changing members P1 and P3 at the upper end of the guide rail GR for changing the direction of the cable C, and direction-changing members P2 and P4 at the lower end of the guide rail GR for changing the direction of the cable C. In this embodiment, a drive unit DR is attached to the first guide rail GR1 of the pair of guide rails GR1 and GR2. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the guide rail GR includes an engaged portion EN that engages with the carrier plate 1. In this embodiment, the engaged portion EN is provided on the side edge E2 side of the two side edges E1 and E2 of the guide rail GR.

[0023] 1, the guide rail GR is configured so that, when the guide rail GR is attached to an attachment object (a vehicle in this embodiment), the upper end of the guide rail GR is inclined and offset to one side (toward the rear of the vehicle in this embodiment) in the width direction D3 relative to the lower end of the guide rail GR. Note that the guide rail may also be arranged so that, when attached to an attachment object, the guide rail extends in the vertical direction (the upper and lower ends of the guide rail are not offset).

[0024] The shape of the guide rail GR is not particularly limited as long as it can guide the carrier plate 1 along a predetermined movement path extending in the up-down direction D1, and various known shapes can be adopted. In this embodiment, the guide rail GR is formed in a long, narrow plate shape and curved in an arch shape along the length direction of the guide rail GR so as to follow the curvature of the object to be attached (e.g., a door panel, etc.), as shown in Fig. 1. More specifically, the guide rail GR is curved so that a central region in the up-down direction D1 in Fig. 1 bulges outward in the width direction of the vehicle (toward the viewer in Fig. 1) when attached to the vehicle.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail GR, the guide rail GR includes a central portion CT at the center in the width direction D3 and side portions SP1 and SP2 provided on both sides of the central portion CT in the width direction D3. More specifically, the central portion CT includes a flat portion CT1 facing the first surface S1 of the carrier plate 1 and extension portions CT2 extending in the thickness direction D2 from both sides of the flat portion CT1 in the width direction D3 toward the carrier plate 1. The side portions SP1 and SP2 extend outward in the width direction D3 relative to the extension portions CT2. In this embodiment, an engagement portion EN that engages with the carrier plate 1 is provided on the side portion SP2 on the side of the side edge E2. In this embodiment, the side portion SP1 does not engage with the carrier plate 1, but both the side portions SP1 and SP2 may be configured to engage with the carrier plate 1. In this embodiment, the cable C is configured to extend within a recess defined by the flat plate portion CT1 and the extending portion CT2.

[0026] The material of the guide rail GR is not particularly limited as long as it has a predetermined rigidity required to withstand the tension applied by the cable C, but the guide rail GR can be made of metal, for example.

[0027] The carrier plate 1 is driven by a cable C and moves up and down in the vertical direction D1. As a result, the window glass W attached directly or indirectly to the carrier plate 1 moves up and down in the vertical direction D1. In this embodiment, the carrier plate 1 is configured to move up and down along a guide rail GR. More specifically, the carrier plate 1 engages with the guide rail GR and is guided in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail GR, and moves up and down in the vertical direction D1 by a cable C driven by a drive unit DR. In the following description, the configuration of the first carrier plate 1A of the carrier plates 1 in FIG. 1 will be described. In addition, the second carrier plate 1B may have the same configuration as the first carrier plate 1A, and the following description can also be applied to the second carrier plate 1B. In addition, the second carrier plate 1B may have a configuration different from that of the first carrier plate 1A.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the carrier plate 1 includes a window glass mounting section 2 to which a window glass W is attached and a housing section 3 that houses cable ends C12 and C22 of a cable C that moves the carrier plate 1 along the guide rail GR. In this embodiment, the window glass mounting section 2 is provided on one side of the housing section 3 (or the overlap region R1 described later) in the width direction D3. The carrier plate 1 also includes a guide rail engaging section 4 that engages with the guide rail GR (engaged portion EN) so as to be guided in the up-down direction D1 relative to the guide rail GR (see FIGS. 4 and 5). In this embodiment, the carrier plate 1 has a first surface S1 facing the guide rail GR and a second surface S2 opposite the first surface S1. FIG. 4 is a view of the carrier plate 1 viewed from the first surface S1 side in the thickness direction D2, and FIG. 3 is a view of the carrier plate 1 viewed from the second surface S2 side in the thickness direction D2. The "first surface S1 facing the guide rail GR" means that the first surface S1 is a surface including a portion facing the guide rail GR among both surfaces of the carrier plate GR in the thickness direction D2. At least a portion of the first surface S1 must face the guide rail GR. In this embodiment, the first surface S1 faces the interior side of the vehicle, and the second surface S2 faces the exterior side of the vehicle. The first surface S1 and the second surface S2 must include planar portions extending in the vertical direction D1 and the width direction D3. The first surface S1 and the second surface S2 do not need to be entirely flat, and may have openings or recesses on their surfaces as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0029] In this embodiment, the carrier plate 1 has an overlap region R1 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) that overlaps with the guide rail GR in the thickness direction D2 when attached to the guide rail GR. The carrier plate 1 also has a non-overlapping region R2 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) that does not overlap with the guide rail GR in the thickness direction D2 when attached to the guide rail GR. The overlap region R1 is a region that has a predetermined area extending in the up-down direction D1 and the width direction D3 and that overlaps with the guide rail GR when viewed in the thickness direction D2. The non-overlapping region R2 is a region that has a predetermined area extending in the up-down direction D1 and the width direction D3 and that does not overlap with the guide rail GR when viewed in the thickness direction D2.

[0030] The windowpane mounting portion 2 is a portion to which the windowpane W is directly or indirectly mounted. In this embodiment, the windowpane W is indirectly mounted to the windowpane mounting portion 2, for example, via a windowpane holder WH (see FIGS. 1 and 3) provided at the lower end of the windowpane W. The windowpane mounting portion 2 is provided at the upper end of the carrier plate 1 in the up-down direction D1. In this embodiment, the windowpane mounting portion 2 has mounting holes H (see FIGS. 3 and 4) into which fixing members such as bolts are inserted to mount the windowpane W to the carrier plate 1. Note that in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the fixing portion of the windowpane W that is fixed to the carrier plate 1 partially protrudes downward relative to other portions adjacent to the fixing portion in the width direction D3. In such a case, as will be described later, moisture adhering to the windowpane W is more likely to flow to the fixing portion.

[0031] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , the window glass mounting portion 2 is provided adjacent to the overlap region R1 in the width direction D3. More specifically, the window glass mounting portion 2 is provided on only one side of the overlap region R1 in the width direction D3. In other words, the non-overlapping region R2 including the window glass mounting portion 2 is provided on only one side of the overlap region R1 in the width direction D3. Here, the "non-overlapping region R2 including the window glass mounting portion 2" refers to a continuous region of the carrier plate 1 that does not overlap with the guide rail GR and includes the window glass mounting portion 2. For example, in FIG. 3 , this refers to the window glass mounting portion 2 and the region below the window glass mounting portion 2. Note that the window glass mounting portion 2 may be provided on both sides of the overlap region R1 in the width direction D3. In other words, the non-overlapping region R2 including the window glass mounting portion 2 may be provided on both sides of the overlap region R1 in the width direction D3.

[0032] The accommodating section 3 is a section in which the cable C is accommodated and connected so that the carrier plate 1 can move along the guide rail GR by the operating force of the cable C. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the accommodating section 3 includes a first accommodating section 31 that accommodates a cable end C12 of an ascending cable C1 that ascends the carrier plate 1 along the guide rail GR, and a second accommodating section 32 that accommodates a cable end C22 of a descending cable C2 that descends the carrier plate 1 along the guide rail GR. In this embodiment, the accommodating section 3 (the first accommodating section 31 and the second accommodating section 32) is provided at a position on the opposite side of the upper wall section 5 with respect to the standing wall section 6 described later in the thickness direction D2.

[0033] In this embodiment, the housing sections 3 (first housing section 31 and second housing section 32) are arranged in the overlap region R1 as shown in FIG. 3. Specifically, the housing sections 3 (first housing section 31 and second housing section 32) are provided at positions corresponding to the center section CT (flat section CT1; see FIGS. 2 and 5) in the width direction D3 of the guide rail GR. In this embodiment, the first housing section 31 and the second housing section 32 are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction D3. Note that in this embodiment, the cable end C12 of the ascending cable C1 is connected to the first housing section 31, and the cable end C22 of the descending cable C2 is connected to the second housing section 32. However, the cable end C22 of the descending cable C2 may be connected to the first housing section 31, and the cable end C12 of the ascending cable C1 may be connected to the second housing section 32.

[0034] The shape and structure of the accommodating section 3 are not particularly limited as long as it can accommodate and connect the cable C so that the carrier plate 1 can move along the guide rail GR by the operating force of the cable C. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a portion of the accommodating section 3 is open in the thickness direction D2. More specifically, the accommodating section 3 is open in the thickness direction D2 on the second surface S2 of the carrier plate 1. In this embodiment, the accommodating section 3 is partially open in the thickness direction D2 on the first surface S1 (see FIG. 4), but the open portion is closed by the guide rail GR.

[0035] 5, 6, and 8, the first accommodating section 31 has an opening OP on the upper side of the first accommodating section 31 in the vertical direction D1 of the carrier plate 1, for inserting the cable end C12 of the ascending cable C1 into the first accommodating section 31. The opening OP is opened on the upper surface of the carrier plate 1 with a size that allows the cable end C12 of the ascending cable C1 to be inserted toward the first accommodating section 31.

[0036] 6, the first accommodating section 31 has an inclined surface 312 below the opening OP that is inclined downward in the up-down direction D1 and approaches the second surface S2 in the thickness direction D2. An engagement portion 311 with which the cable end C12 of the climbing cable C1 engages in the up-down direction D1 is provided below the inclined surface 312. The inclined surface 312 is formed with a slit 313 (see FIGS. 3 and 7) through which the cable main C11 of the climbing cable C1 is inserted with the cable end C12 engaged with the engagement portion 311. The cable end C12 of the climbing cable C1 inserted through the opening OP moves downward along the inclined surface 312 and toward the second surface S2 in the thickness direction D2. After the cable end C12 of the ascending cable C1 is moved below the position of the engagement portion 311, the cable end C12 engages with the engagement portion 311 and the cable main body C11 is inserted into the slit 313, thereby completing the attachment of the ascending cable C1 to the carrier plate 1.

[0037] The second accommodating section 32 opens in the thickness direction D2 at the second surface S2, and the upper side of the second accommodating section 32 in the up-down direction D1 is covered by a closing wall section 322. The second accommodating section 32 has an engaging section 321 with which the cable end C22 of the descending cable C2 engages in the up-down direction D1. The second accommodating section 32 has a slit 323 below the engaging section 321 through which the cable main C21 of the descending cable C2 is inserted. The descending cable C2 is attached by accommodating the cable end C22 of the descending cable C2 from the part of the second accommodating section 32 that opens in the thickness direction D2, and then moving the cable main C21 in a predetermined direction with the cable end C22 engaged with the engaging section 321 (see FIGS. 11 to 13, described below). In addition, the second accommodating section 32 has a detachment prevention section 324 whose opening width is smaller than the width of the cable end C22 to prevent the cable end C22 from detaching from the second accommodating section 32 in the thickness direction D2 when the cable end C22 of the descending cable C2 is positioned at a position where it engages with the engagement section 321.

[0038] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 to 7, the carrier plate 1 has an upper wall portion 5 extending in a roof-like shape along the width direction D3 of the carrier plate 1 above the first storage section 31 and the second storage section 32 in the vertical direction D1 and at a position shifted in the thickness direction D2 of the carrier plate 1 relative to the opening OP, and a standing wall portion 6 extending upward from the edge of the opening OP so as to separate the upper wall portion 5 and the opening OP in the thickness direction D2.

[0039] The upper wall portion 5 functions as a roof (eaves) for the first storage portion 31 and the second storage portion 32 to prevent moisture such as rainwater from entering the first storage portion 31 and the second storage portion 32. The upper wall portion 5 is located above the first storage portion 31 and the second storage portion 32 in the up-down direction D1, and is shifted in the thickness direction D2 from the opening OP (relative to the first storage portion 31 and the second storage portion 32) in the direction from the first surface S1 to the second surface S2 (hereinafter referred to as the front of the thickness direction D2; also, the direction from the second surface S2 to the first surface S1 in the thickness direction D2 is referred to as the rear of the thickness direction D2) (see FIG. 6). As a result, the upper wall portion 5 covers the upper part of the space in front of the first storage portion 31 and the second storage portion 32 in the thickness direction D2, which open forward in the thickness direction D2. As shown in FIG. 3, when the window glass W is attached to the carrier plate 1, the lower end of the window glass W passes above the upper wall portion 5.

[0040] Because the upper wall portion 5 is provided in a roof shape above the first accommodating portion 31 and the second accommodating portion 32 and in front of the opening OP, when moisture flows down from the upper sides of the first accommodating portion 31 and the second accommodating portion 32, the moisture is prevented from falling toward the first accommodating portion 31 and the second accommodating portion 32. This prevents moisture from adhering to the cable ends C12, C22 accommodated in the first accommodating portion 31 and the second accommodating portion 32 and the cable main body C21 of the descending cable C2 extending downward from the second accommodating portion 32.

[0041] The shape and structure of the upper wall portion 5 are not particularly limited as long as they function as a roof (eaves) for the first storage portion 31 and the second storage portion 32. In this embodiment, the upper wall portion 5 is formed in a plate shape having a predetermined length in the thickness direction D2 and the width direction D3 so as to cover the upper part of the space in front of the first storage portion 31 and the second storage portion 32 in the thickness direction D2. The width of the upper wall portion 5 in the thickness direction D2 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 0.5 to 1.5 times the length of the opening OP in the thickness direction D2 or the length of the first storage portion 31 and the second storage portion 32 in the thickness direction D2 (the length from the first surface S1 to the standing wall portion 6). The length of the upper wall portion 5 in the width direction D3 is also not particularly limited, but is preferably, for example, equal to or greater than the combined length of the first storage portion 31 and the second storage portion 32 in the width direction D3.

[0042] In this embodiment, when moisture adheres to the upper surface of the upper wall 5, the upper wall 5 is inclined so that moisture flows outward in the width direction D3 when the window regulator WR is in use (see FIG. 10 ) in order to prevent moisture from accumulating on the upper wall 5. More specifically, the upper wall 5 is inclined so that moisture is discharged toward the extension 7, which will be described later, when the window regulator WR is in use.

[0043] 6 and 7, in this embodiment, a standing portion 51 that protrudes upward in the vertical direction D1 from the upper surface of the upper wall portion 5 is provided at the front end (opposite the standing wall portion 6) in the thickness direction D2 of the upper wall portion 5. The standing portion 51 prevents moisture from falling downward from the front end in the thickness direction D2 of the upper wall portion 5. This further prevents moisture from adhering to the cable C.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 to 9 , the carrier plate 1 includes an extension portion 7 that extends continuously from the upper wall portion 5 toward the side of the carrier plate 1 in the width direction D3. The upper surface of the extension portion 7 is inclined so that its position shifts downward as it moves away from the upper wall portion 5 in the width direction D3. In this case, moisture that flows from the upper wall portion 5 to the extension portion 7 is easily discharged laterally in the width direction D3. The extension portion 7 is located further to the side of the upper wall portion 5, which is located in a position corresponding to the first housing portion 31 and the second housing portion 32 in the width direction D3. Therefore, moisture that falls from the tip of the extension portion 7 is further prevented from adhering to the cable C. In this embodiment, the extension portion 7 is inclined within a predetermined angle range with respect to the vertical direction when the window regulator WR is in use. For example, the extension portion 7 is inclined so that the angle of the surface of the extension portion 7 with respect to the vertical direction is 45° or less when the window regulator WR is in use. In this embodiment, the extension portion 7 is configured with a flat surface, but the extension portion may be configured with a curved surface.

[0045] 1 and 10, the guide rail GR is provided at an angle such that the upper end of the guide rail GR is offset to one side in the width direction D3 relative to the lower end of the guide rail GR, and the extension portion 7 extends such that the tip of the extension portion 7 is positioned outward in the width direction D3 (horizontal direction) relative to one of the two side edges E1, E2 of the guide rail GR in the width direction D3. In this case, even if moisture that has flowed to the tip of the extension portion 7 falls, there is no guide rail GR below the tip of the extension portion 7, so adhesion of moisture to the metal guide rail GR is suppressed, and rust on the guide rail GR can be suppressed.

[0046] The standing wall 6 is a wall that separates the upper wall 5 from the opening OP in the thickness direction D2. The standing wall 6 prevents moisture adhering to the upper surface of the upper wall 5 from moving toward the opening OP, and prevents moisture from entering the first storage section 31 from the opening OP.

[0047] The shape and structure of the standing wall portion 6 are not particularly limited as long as it extends upward from the edge of the opening OP so as to separate the upper wall portion 5 and the opening OP in the thickness direction D2. In this embodiment, the standing wall portion 6 is formed like a plate extending in the vertical direction D1 and the width direction D3, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 . The length of the standing wall portion 6 in the width direction D3 may be longer than the length of the opening OP in the width direction D3. In this embodiment, the standing wall portion 6 is configured to extend across the first storage section 31 and the second storage section 32 in the width direction D3 and to be longer than the total length of the first storage section 31 and the second storage section 32 in the width direction D3 (the length of the upper wall portion 5 in the width direction D3). In this case, moisture is prevented from migrating in the thickness direction D2 from the upper wall portion 5 not only to the opening OP but also to the closing wall portion 322 above the second storage section 32. This prevents moisture from migrating from the closing wall portion 322 to the opening OP and entering the first storage section 31. In this embodiment, the standing wall portion 6 extends along the upper wall portion 5 and the extending portion 7 (from the end of the upper wall portion 5 opposite the extending portion 7 in the width direction D3 to the tip of the extending portion 7). In this case, moisture adhering to the upper surface of the upper wall portion 5 is prevented from moving toward the guide rail GR located closer to the first surface S1 in the thickness direction D2 than the standing wall portion 6. Therefore, moisture is prevented from adhering to the guide rail GR.

[0048] The height of the standing wall portion 6 in the vertical direction D1 is not particularly limited as long as it is a height that can prevent moisture adhering to the upper surface of the upper wall portion 5 from moving toward the opening OP. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the standing wall portion 6 is configured so that the upper end of the standing wall portion 6 is higher than the lower end of the window glass W when the window glass W is attached to the window regulator WR. In this case, moisture that flows along the exterior surface of the window glass W (the surface toward the front of the page in Fig. 3) to the lower end of the window glass W is less likely to move beyond the upper end of the standing wall portion 6, thereby further preventing moisture from moving toward the opening OP.

[0049] In addition to preventing moisture from entering the opening OP, the vertical wall portion 6 also functions to guide the cable end C12 of the cable C (ascending cable C1) when inserting it into the first accommodating portion 31 through the opening OP. When inserting the cable end C12 into the opening OP, it is necessary to hold the cable main body C11 of the cable C and align the cable end C12 with the opening OP. Because the opening OP is not particularly large and the cable main body C11 is flexible, it is difficult to keep the cable end C12 aligned with the opening OP. By maintaining the position of the cable end C12 in the thickness direction D2 while it is in contact with the vertical wall portion 6, the cable end C12 in contact with the vertical wall portion 6 is prevented from wobbling in the width direction D3. Therefore, the cable end C12 can be easily inserted from the opening OP toward the first accommodating portion 31.

[0050] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8 , the opening edge of the opening OP has an inclined guide portion SL at a portion intersecting the vertical wall portion 6, which is inclined so as to shift upward with increasing distance from the opening edge. When the inclined guide portion SL is provided, when the cable end C12 is moved from the opening OP toward the first accommodating portion 31, the inclined guide portion SL, in addition to the vertical wall portion 6, serves as a guide for moving the cable end C12 toward the opening OP. This facilitates insertion of the cable end C12 into the first accommodating portion 31. The shape and structure of the inclined guide portion SL are not particularly limited as long as it is configured to guide the cable end C12 toward the opening OP. In this embodiment, a first inclined guide portion SL1 is provided between the opening OP and the closing wall portion 322 in the width direction D3, and a second inclined guide portion SL2 is provided on the opening edge of the opening OP, on the opposite side of the closing end portion 322 in the width direction D3. The first inclined guide portion SL1 is formed in a mountain shape in the width direction D3, and its height increases from the closed end 322 located on the upper side of the second storage section 32 toward the opening OP, and its height decreases from the top of the first inclined guide portion SL1 toward the opening OP. This prevents moisture from penetrating into the opening OP, even if moisture should adhere to the closed end 322. Note that the opening edge of the opening OP may have an inclined guide portion (not shown) on the rear side in the thickness direction D2 (the portion facing the standing wall portion 6 in the thickness direction D2) that is inclined so as to shift upward as it moves away from the opening edge in the thickness direction D2.

[0051] Next, the effect of suppressing adhesion of moisture to the cable C at the position of the upper wall portion 5 will be described in more detail using an example in which the window regulator WR is attached to a vehicle. Note that the following description is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the following description.

[0052] When moisture such as rainwater adheres to the outer surface of the windowpane W, it moves downward along the outer surface of the windowpane W and reaches the lower end of the windowpane W. Some of the moisture that reaches the lower end of the windowpane W adheres to the upper surface of the upper wall portion 5. The moisture that adheres to the upper surface of the upper wall portion 5 can move in the thickness direction D2 and the width direction D3. As shown in FIG. 6, a standing wall portion 6 is provided on the rear side of the upper wall portion 5 in the thickness direction D2. This prevents moisture from entering the first storage portion 31 from the upper wall portion 5 through the opening OP. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 9, the upper wall portion 5 extends in the width direction D3 at a position shifted forward in the thickness direction D2 relative to the opening OP (relative to the first storage portion 31 and the second storage portion 32). Therefore, even if moisture moves forward in the thickness direction D2 of the upper wall portion 5 and falls from the upper wall portion 5, the moisture passes through the space in front of the first storage portion 31 and the second storage portion 32 (the space on the front side of the paper in FIG. 10 ) and falls downward. This prevents moisture from entering the first storage portion 31 and the second storage portion 32. In this embodiment, the upright portion 51 is provided at the end of the upper wall portion 5 opposite the upright wall portion 6 in the thickness direction D2. This prevents moisture from falling from the front edge of the upper wall portion 5.

[0053] Furthermore, some of the moisture moving from the upper wall portion 5 in the width direction D2 is discharged via the extension portion 7 connected to the upper wall portion 5 in the width direction D3. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the extension portion 7 is located outward in the width direction D3 (horizontal direction) from the side edge E1 of the inclined guide rail GR. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, moisture dropping from the tip of the extension portion 7 drops from a position offset in the width direction D3 from the first storage portion 31 and the second storage portion 32 (see arrow A1 in FIG. 10). Therefore, almost no moisture enters the first storage portion 31 and the second storage portion 32. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 10, the guide rail GR is inclined downward so as to move away from the falling trajectory (a trajectory extending in the vertical direction; see arrow A1) of moisture dropping from the tip of the extension portion 7. Therefore, moisture dropping from the tip of the extension portion 7 is prevented from hitting the guide rail GR (and the cable main body C11 extending along the guide rail GR). In addition, in this embodiment, the upper wall portion 5 is inclined so that moisture flows toward the extension portion 7 when the window regulator WR is in use (see arrow A2 in FIG. 10). This promotes the discharge of moisture from the tip of the extension portion 7, which is a portion that has little effect on the guide rail GR, the cable C, etc.

[0054] Furthermore, a guide surface (a third guide portion G3, which will be described later) extending downward is provided at the end of the upper wall portion 5 opposite the extension portion 7 in the width direction D3. In this manner, in this embodiment, portions that discharge moisture from the upper wall portion 5 in the width direction D3 are provided on both sides of the upper wall portion 5 in the width direction D3. Therefore, even if moisture does not accumulate in the upper wall portion 5 and there is a large amount of moisture, the moisture is discharged to the third guide portion G3 side, and the intrusion of moisture toward the first storage portion 31 and the second storage portion 32 is suppressed.

[0055] Next, we will explain the drainage mechanism on the lower side of the carrier plate 1. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 7 to 9, the carrier plate 1 is provided with a plate-like first guide portion G1 that is provided on the lower side of the carrier plate 1 and is configured to drain moisture that has migrated downward along the carrier plate 1 laterally in the width direction D3 of the carrier plate 1 with respect to the storage portion 3. The first guide portion G1 has a predetermined width in the thickness direction D2 of the carrier plate 1 and extends at an angle so as to shift downward as it moves laterally in the width direction D3.

[0056] The first guide portion G1 guides moisture adhering to the carrier plate 1 so that it is discharged to the side of the accommodating portion 3. This prevents moisture guided by the first guiding portion G1 and falling downward from adhering to the cable C extending downward from the accommodating portion 3, as will be described later.

[0057] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 to 9, the first guide portion G1 is configured in a plate shape having a predetermined width in the thickness direction D2. As shown in FIG. 7, the first guide portion G1 has a first edge G11, which is the rear edge (toward the first surface S1) in the thickness direction D2, and a second edge G12, which is the front edge (toward the second surface S2) in the thickness direction D2. Because the first guide portion G1 is plate-shaped, a predetermined amount of moisture adhering to the upper and lower surfaces of the first guide portion G1 can be captured. In addition, the first guide portion G1 is inclined so as to shift downward as it moves laterally in the width direction D3, which makes it easier for moisture adhering to the first guide portion G1 to flow toward the tip side of the first guide portion G1.

[0058] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 to 9, the carrier plate 1 has a bent portion B extending downward from the tip of the first guide portion G1 so as to bend relative to the first guide portion G1. When the bent portion B is provided, moisture adhering to the upper and lower surfaces of the first guide portion G1 gathers at the tip of the bent portion B, making it easier for the moisture to fall to a predetermined intended position. The bent portion B is an optional configuration and does not necessarily have to be provided. In this specification, the tip side of the first guide portion G1 refers to the tip or a portion near the tip of the first guide portion G1, and when the bent portion B is provided, it refers to the tip or a portion near the tip of the portion including the first guide portion G1 and the bent portion B.

[0059] In this embodiment, the first guide portion G1 is formed in a flat shape, but it may also be a curved surface, a combination of flat and curved surfaces, or a combination of flat surfaces at different angles. Also, in this embodiment, the position of the tip of the first guide portion G1 in the width direction D3 is located outward in the width direction D3 from the position of the storage portion 3. In this case, moisture that drops from the tip side of the first guide portion G1 (in this embodiment, the bent portion B) is further prevented from adhering to the cable C (descending cable C2) extending downward from the storage portion 3.

[0060] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the window glass mounting portion 2 is provided on only one side of the overlap region R1 in the width direction D3, and the tip of the first guide portion G1 extends so as to protrude from the overlap region R1 to the other side in the width direction D3. In this case, the tip of the first guide portion G1 protrudes from the overlap region R1, i.e., from the guide rail GR, in the width direction D3, thereby preventing moisture dropping from the tip side of the first guide portion G1 from adhering to the guide rail GR. Furthermore, when the carrier plate 1 is attached to the guide rail GR, the window glass mounting portion 2 does not protrude from both sides of the overlap region R1 in the width direction D3, but only from one side. Therefore, only a small portion, such as the tip of the first guide portion G1, protrudes from the overlap region R1, i.e., the portion where the guide rail GR is provided, in the width direction D3 (in this embodiment, the above-mentioned extension portion 7 also protrudes), thereby preventing moisture from adhering to the guide rail GR with a compact configuration. In particular, in this embodiment, the guide rail GR is provided at an incline as shown in FIG. 1, and the first guide portion G1 extends so that the tip of the first guide portion G1 is located outward in the width direction D3 from one of the two side edges E1, E2 of the guide rail GR in the width direction D3 as shown in FIG. 14. In this embodiment, the guide rail GR is inclined downward so as to move away from the falling trajectory (a trajectory extending in the vertical direction; see arrow A3 in FIG. 14) of water falling from the tip side (bent portion B) of the first guide portion G1. This prevents water falling from the tip side of the first guide portion G1 from hitting the guide rail GR (and the cable main C11 extending along the guide rail GR). The amount of protrusion of the first guide portion G1 in the width direction D3 from the side edge E1 of the guide rail GR is not particularly limited, but is preferably 20% or less, and more preferably 10% or less, of the length of the guide rail GR in the width direction D3.

[0061] In this embodiment, the first guide portion G1 is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction D1. The inclination angle of the first guide portion G1 is not particularly limited, but for example, the angle of the first guide portion G1 with respect to the vertical direction D1 (or the angle between the cable C extending downward from the housing portion C and the underside of the first guide portion G1) can be 30 to 60 degrees. Furthermore, the first guide portion G1 can be configured to be inclined at an angle of 45 degrees or less, preferably 30 degrees or less, with respect to the vertical direction when the window regulator WR is in use. In this case, moisture adhering to the first guide portion G1 can easily reach the tip end of the first guide portion G1 without falling off before reaching the tip end, thereby further suppressing adhesion of moisture to the cable C and the guide rail GR.

[0062] The position where the first guide portion G1 is provided is not particularly limited as long as it can guide moisture adhering to the carrier plate 1 so as to be discharged to the side of the storage portion 3. In this embodiment, the first guide portion G1 is provided in the lower portion of the carrier plate 1. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3, 7, and 9, the first guide portion G1 extends obliquely downward from the center of the overlap region R1 in the width direction D3 toward the opposite side from the non-overlap region R2 at the lower portion of the carrier plate 1, and the tip of the first guide portion G1 slightly protrudes from the overlap region R1. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 11 to 13, the first guide portion G1 is disposed offset in the thickness direction D2 with respect to the storage portion 3. Specifically, the first guide portion G1 is disposed offset (forward) in the thickness direction D2 with respect to the second storage portion 32 that accommodates the cable end C22 of the descending cable C2. In this case, as will be described in detail later, the first guide portion G1 functions as a guide when assembling the cable C to the carrier plate 1. In this embodiment, the first edge G11 of the first guide portion G1 is located forward of the cable main body C21 in the thickness direction D2 so as to restrict forward movement of the descending cable C2 in the thickness direction D2 when the descending cable C2 is attached to the carrier plate 1. The second edge G12 is inclined so as to approach the first surface S1 (so that the distance between the first edge G11 and the second edge G12 becomes narrower) as it approaches the tip of the first guide portion G1.

[0063] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 7 to 9, the carrier plate 1 has a plate-shaped portion 8 extending from the underside of the first guide portion G1 and intersecting the first guide portion G1. The plate-shaped portion 8 collects at least a portion of the moisture flowing below the first guide portion G1 and merges with the first guide portion G1. In this embodiment, the plate-shaped portion 8 is tapered toward the tip of the first guide portion G1 so that the moisture that has flowed to the underside of the first guide portion G1 is collected toward the tip of the first guide portion G1. In this case, the moisture flowing below the first guide portion G1 is collected toward the tip of the first guide portion G1, and the moisture is prevented from falling below the housing portion 3 and adhering to the cable C. Furthermore, because the first guide portion G1 and the plate-shaped portion 8 are plate-shaped, the moisture can be captured by a wide receiving surface, and the moisture is prevented from falling before reaching the tip of the first guide portion G1. In this embodiment, the plate-shaped portion 8 extends substantially vertically downward from the underside of the first guide portion G1. The plate-shaped portion 8 extends across the entire first guide portion G1 in the width direction D3. The lower edge of the plate-shaped portion 8 is inclined so as to shift downward toward the tip of the first guide portion G1 so that moisture can easily move toward the tip of the first guide portion G1 when the window regulator WR is in use.

[0064] In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3, 7 and 9, the window glass mounting portion 2 has an outlet 21 that can discharge moisture to the underside of the window glass mounting portion 2, and the carrier plate 1 has a second guide portion G2 below the outlet 21 that guides the moisture that has flowed through the outlet 21 in the width direction D3 toward the underside of the first guide portion G1 or the plate-shaped portion 8.

[0065] The outlet 21 is an opening in the windowpane mounting portion 2 that discharges moisture that has flowed from the windowpane W toward the second guide portion G2. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3, 7, and 9, the outlet 21 is formed by a gap between a third guide portion G3 provided as a wall portion on one side (the storage portion 3 side) of the windowpane mounting portion 2 in the width direction D3, and a fourth guide portion G4 provided as a wall portion on the other side (the opposite side to the storage portion 3) of the windowpane mounting portion 2 in the width direction D3. The third guide portion G3 extends downward from the upper wall portion 5, moving away from the storage portion 3 in the width direction D3. In this embodiment, the extension portion 7 is provided on one side of the upper wall portion 5 in the width direction D3, and the third guide portion G3 is provided on the other side in the width direction D3, forming a gradient that allows moisture to be discharged to both sides of the upper wall portion 5 in the width direction D3. In this embodiment, the fourth guide portion G4 has a portion extending in the vertical direction D1 along the side edge of the carrier plate 1, and a portion extending in the width direction D3 at the window glass mounting portion 2 so as to face the lower end of the window glass W.

[0066] The second guide portion G2 guides moisture flowing downward from the discharge port 21 in the width direction D3 toward the underside of the first guide portion G1 or the plate-shaped portion 8. This allows moisture adhering to the carrier plate 1 to be collected and discharged at the first guide portion G1, further preventing moisture from adhering to the cable C or the guide rail GR. In this embodiment, the second guide portion G2 extends at an angle from below the window glass mounting portion 2 toward the underside of the first guide portion G1 or the plate-shaped portion 8, decreasing its height in the up-down direction D1. The second guide portion G2 also extends along the width direction D3 so as to at least partially cross the guide rail GR. In this embodiment, most of the moisture adhering to the window glass mounting portion 2 and below it crosses the guide rail GR in the width direction D3 and is discharged from the tip side of the first guide portion G1. This reduces the amount of moisture falling below the window glass mounting portion 2, preventing moisture from adhering to the cable C or the guide rail GR.

[0067] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3, 7, and 9, the end of the second guide portion G2 on the discharge port 21 side extends outward in the width direction D3 (toward the opposite side of the storage portion 3) from the position of the discharge port 21 so as to be able to receive moisture discharged downward from the discharge port 21. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the end of the second guide portion G2 on the first guide portion G1 side extends to the underside of the first guide portion G1 or near the underside of the first guide portion G1. In this embodiment, the end of the second guide portion G2 on the first guide portion G1 side is connected to the underside of the first guide portion G1. The second guide portion G2 is formed of a plate-like body having a width in the thickness direction D2 and is inclined so as to shift downward as it approaches the first guide portion G1. In this embodiment, the width of the end of the second guide portion G2 on the first guide portion G1 side in the thickness direction D2 gradually decreases as it approaches the underside of the first guide portion G1 near the underside of the first guide portion G1. In this case, moisture flowing from the second guide portion G2 can move smoothly to the lower surface of the first guide portion G1 or the surface of the plate-shaped portion 8. This prevents moisture from accumulating at the end of the second guide portion G2 and falling downward from the connection between the lower surface of the first guide portion G1 and the surface of the plate-shaped portion 8. The shape of the second guide portion G2 is not particularly limited as long as it can guide moisture flowing downward from the outlet 21 in the width direction D3 toward the lower surface of the first guide portion G1 or the plate-shaped portion 8. In this embodiment, the second guide portion G2 is formed of a curved surface, but it may also be formed of a flat surface or a combination of a curved surface and a flat surface.

[0068] Next, the discharge of moisture from the first guide portion G1 will be described in more detail using an example in which the window regulator WR is attached to a vehicle. Note that the following description is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the following description.

[0069] When moisture such as rainwater adheres to the outer surface of the windowpane W, it moves downward along the outer surface of the windowpane W and reaches the lower end of the windowpane W. Some of the moisture that reaches the lower end of the windowpane W adheres to the carrier plate 1. Some of the moisture that adheres above the first guide portion G1 flows along the upper surface of the first guide portion G1 toward the tip of the first guide portion G1 (see arrow A4 in FIG. 14). Moisture that adheres below the first guide portion G1 or to the windowpane mounting portion 2, etc., flows along the lower surface of the first guide portion G1 or the surface of the plate-shaped portion 8 toward the tip of the first guide portion G1 (see arrow A5 in FIG. 14). The first guide portion G1 is configured to discharge moisture laterally in the width direction D3 relative to the housing portion 3. This prevents moisture dropping from the tip of the first guide portion G1 (the tip of the bent portion B) (see arrow A3 in FIG. 14) from coming into contact with the cable C extending below the housing portion 3.

[0070] More specifically, moisture that falls along the window glass W attached to the window glass mounting portion 2 flows toward the outlet 21 using the third guide portion G3 and the fourth guide portion G4 (see arrow A6 in FIG. 14). Moisture that is discharged below the window glass mounting portion 2 via the outlet 21 flows toward the underside of the first guide portion G1 or the plate-shaped portion 8 by the second guide portion G2 (see arrow A7 in FIG. 14). Moisture that adheres to the underside of the first guide portion G1 or the plate-shaped portion 8 moves toward the tip side of the first guide portion G1 and falls from the tip of the bent portion B. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the guide rail GR is inclined so that as it moves downward, it moves away from the falling trajectory (a trajectory extending in the vertical direction; see arrow A3 in FIG. 14) of moisture falling from the tip side of the first guide portion G1. Therefore, moisture falling from the tip side of the first guide portion G1 is prevented from hitting the guide rail GR (and the cable main body C21 extending along the guide rail GR). In this manner, in this embodiment, the first guide portion G1, the plate-shaped portion 8, and the second guide portion G2 guide most of the moisture adhering to the carrier plate 1 toward the tip side of the first guide portion G1, causing it to fall downward from a position where it will not adhere to the cable C and the guide rail GR. Therefore, the occurrence of rust on the cable C and the guide rail GR can be significantly suppressed.

[0071] In addition to its moisture-removing effect, the first guide portion G1 of this embodiment also functions as a cable guide portion when assembling the cable C into the second housing portion 32. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11 , after the cable end C22 of the descending cable C2 is engaged with the second housing portion 32, the cable main C21 is slid along the second edge G12 of the first guide portion G1 toward the tip of the first guide portion G1 while being pulled so as not to release the engagement between the cable end C22 and the second housing portion 32 (see FIG. 12 ). At this time, the second edge G12 is inclined so as to approach the first surface S1 as it approaches the tip of the first guide portion G1, so that the cable main C21 moves smoothly toward the tip of the first guide portion G1. As shown in FIG. 12 , when the cable main C21 reaches the tip of the first guide portion G1, the cable main C21 is moved backward in the thickness direction D2 from the second edge G12 side to the first edge G11 side. In this embodiment, the first guide portion G1 and the bent portion B are connected so that the angle (the smaller angle) between them is an obtuse angle greater than 90°. In this case, the first guide portion G1 and the bent portion B are connected at a gentle angle, and there is no sharp corner on which the cable main C21 can get caught when the cable main C21 moves from the second edge G12 side to the first edge G11 side, thereby preventing damage to the cable main C21. When the cable main C21 moves toward the first edge G11, the assembly of the descending cable C2 is completed (see FIG. 13). The first edge G11 is located close to the cable main C21 so as to restrict the cable main C21 of the descending cable C2 from moving upward in FIG. 13 after the descending cable C2 is attached to the second housing portion 32, and functions as a retainer for the descending cable C2.

[0072] Next, the discharge unit 9 that moves and discharges moisture adhering to the carrier plate 1 from the second surface S2 to the first surface S1 will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 7 to 9, the carrier plate 1 is provided with a discharge unit 9 below the window glass mounting unit 2 that moves and discharges moisture that has moved downward along the carrier plate 1 from the second surface S2 toward the first surface S1. As shown in Figure 15, when the carrier plate 1 is viewed in the up-down direction D1, the discharge unit 9 is provided so that a guide rail GR is located between the position DP where the collected moisture falls from the discharge unit 9 and the descending cable C2.

[0073] Discharge unit 9, the details of which will be described later, moves the moisture collected on second surface S2 to first surface S1 and drops it downward from first surface S1. Also, by configuring the discharge unit 9 so that a portion of guide rail GR is positioned between the position DP where the moisture drops from discharge unit 9 and descending cable C2 (cable main body C21), adhesion of moisture to descending cable C2 is suppressed.

[0074] The shape and structure of the discharge portion 9 are not particularly limited as long as a portion of the guide rail GR is positioned between the drop position DP of the water from the discharge portion 9 and the lowering cable C2. In this embodiment, the discharge portion 9 has an inclined or curved surface that allows water to flow from the second surface S2 to the first surface S1 when the window regulator WR is in use. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 , the discharge portion 9 includes a receiving surface 91 that has a predetermined width in the thickness direction D2 and extends at an angle so as to shift downward as it extends laterally in the width direction D3, and a stopper surface 92 that extends upward from the tip of the receiving surface 91. The water is configured to be discharged downward via a discharge end 94 (see FIG. 8 ) that is the end of an intersection 93 between the receiving surface 91 and the stopper surface 92 in the thickness direction D2 and extends in the thickness direction D2. In addition, the discharge portion may have a flat plate shape that does not have a stopper surface, curves toward the first surface S1 in the thickness direction D2, and extends at a downward inclination, or may be a groove portion that is bent or curved toward the first surface S1 in the thickness direction D2.

[0075] The receiving surface 91 is configured to receive moisture that drops from above the receiving surface 91. The receiving surface 91 is configured by a plate-like portion having a predetermined width in the thickness direction D2. In this embodiment, the receiving surface 91 is inclined so as to shift downward as it moves laterally in the width direction D3 and also shift downward as it moves toward the first surface S1 in the thickness direction D2. In this embodiment, the receiving surface 91 is formed by a flat surface, but it may also be a curved surface or a combination of a flat surface and a curved surface.

[0076] The stopper surface 92 is configured to stop moisture that has flowed on the receiving surface 91 in the width direction D3 at a predetermined position and direct it toward the first surface S1. The stopper surface 92 restricts the movement of moisture in the width direction D3, and the moisture flows toward the first surface S1 along an intersection 93 between the receiving surface 91 and the stopper surface 92. The shape and structure of the stopper surface 92 are not particularly limited as long as it can stop the flow of a predetermined amount of moisture in the width direction D3. In this embodiment, the stopper surface 92 is a plate-like portion that extends and intersects with the receiving surface 91, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 . However, the stopper surface may be a protrusion or the like that protrudes upward from the receiving surface 91.

[0077] The discharge end 94 is the end of the discharge section 9 from which the water falls downward. There are no particular limitations on the discharge end 94, as long as it is an end configured to allow the water to fall downward. In this embodiment, the discharge end 94 is the end of the intersection 93 on the first surface S1 side in the thickness direction D2, which has a downward water discharge path. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the discharge section 9 has a protrusion 95 extending downward from the discharge end 94 to define the water fall position DP. When the protrusion 95 is provided, it becomes easier to accurately control the fall position DP of the water flowing down from the discharge section 9.

[0078] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 8, the discharge portion 9 has a second receiving surface 96 that protrudes from the lower end of the first surface S1 in the thickness direction D2 and connects to the receiving surface 91. The second receiving surface 96 captures moisture that has flowed downward along the first surface S1 of the carrier plate 1 and merges it with the moisture captured by the (first) receiving surface 91. This allows moisture that has flowed along the first surface S1 and the second surface S2 to the receiving surface 91 and the second receiving surface 96 to be collected and dropped from a predetermined location (discharge end 94). The second receiving surface 96 is inclined so as to shift downward as it moves laterally in the width direction D3. In this embodiment, the stopper surface 92 extends in the thickness direction D2 to the position where the second receiving surface 96 is provided, and a notch 97 is formed in the boundary area between the stopper surface 92 and the second receiving surface 96, cutting from the first surface S1 side to the second surface S2 side, making it easier for moisture to be discharged downward.

[0079] The discharge section may have a through-hole provided through the carrier plate 1 from the second surface S2 side to the first surface S1 side, as long as it can discharge moisture to the first surface S1 side. In this embodiment, the discharge section 9 is open at the top, unlike a through-hole that is closed at the top in the moisture migration path from the second surface S2 side to the first surface S1 side. In this case, even if the amount of moisture increases, the moisture is prevented from being stopped by surface tension or the like, as occurs with a through-hole, and the moisture can be discharged smoothly.

[0080] As described above, the position DP at which the water falls from the discharge unit 9 is not particularly limited as long as a part of the guide rail GR is located between the position DP at which the water falls from the discharge unit 9 and the descending cable C2. In this embodiment, the position DP at which the water falls from the discharge unit 9 is configured so that the falling trajectory of the water falling from the discharge unit 9 (a line extending vertically downward from the point at which the water falls from the discharge unit 9 (see arrow A9 in FIG. 1)) passes through a gap provided in the thickness direction D2 between the yoke of the motor DR1 of the drive unit DR and the guide rail GR. In this case, adhesion of water to the guide rail GR and the yoke of the motor DR1 is suppressed, and rusting of the guide rail GR and deterioration of performance due to rusting of the yoke of the motor DR1 are suppressed.

[0081] Next, the discharge of moisture from the discharge portion 9 will be described in more detail using an example in which the window regulator WR is attached to a vehicle. Note that the following description is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the following description.

[0082] When moisture such as rainwater adheres to the outer surface of the windowpane W, it moves downward along the outer surface of the windowpane W and reaches the lower end of the windowpane W. Some of the moisture that reaches the lower end of the windowpane W adheres to the carrier plate 1. Some of the moisture that adheres above the discharge portion 9 flows down to the discharge portion 9. The moisture that flows down to the discharge portion 9 is moved by the discharge portion 9 from the second surface S2 side to the first surface S1 side (see arrow A8 in FIG. 7) and falls downward (see arrow A9 in FIGS. 1 and 10). More specifically, the moisture that adheres to the receiving surface 91 flows from the receiving surface 91 to the stopper surface 92 in the width direction D3 (see arrow A10 in FIG. 7), and then moves along the intersection 93 from the second surface S2 side to the first surface S1 side (see arrow A8 in FIG. 7). Moisture that reaches the discharge end 94 at the end of the intersection 93 is collected by the protrusion 95 and falls downward (see arrow A9 in FIGS. 1 and 10).

[0083] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 15, when viewed in the vertical direction D1, the guide rail GR is located between the position DP where the collected moisture falls from the discharge unit 9 and the descending cable C2. In this case, the moisture that falls from the discharge unit 9 is prevented from adhering to the descending cable C2. In particular, even if an obstacle such as a part is present below the position DP where the moisture falls from the discharge unit 9 (on the line indicated by arrow A9 in Fig. 1) and moisture that comes into contact with the obstacle splashes and moves toward the descending cable C2, the guide rail GR acts as a shield to prevent the moisture from coming into contact with the descending cable C2.

[0084] As described above, in this embodiment, the upper end of the guide rail GR is inclined so as to be offset to one side in the width direction D3 relative to the lower end of the guide rail GR, and some of the moisture adhering to the carrier plate 1 is discharged via a portion protruding from one side edge E1 of the guide rail GR in the width direction D3 (although not limited to, in this embodiment, the first guide portion G1 and / or the extension portion 7). Furthermore, another portion of the moisture adhering to the carrier plate 1 is discharged by the discharge portion 9. In this case, the cable C and the guide rail GR are not present below the portion protruding from one side edge E1 of the guide rail GR in the width direction D3, so moisture is prevented from adhering to the cable C and the guide rail GR. On the other hand, the cable C and the guide rail GR are present below the portion of the carrier plate 1 protruding from the other side edge E2 of the guide rail GR in the width direction D3, but as described above, the guide rail GR acts as a shield to prevent moisture from adhering to the cable C. Furthermore, in this embodiment, most of the moisture adhering to the carrier plate 1 is discharged by the first guide portion G1 and the second guide portion G2 (or the extension portion 7), and the remaining small amount of moisture is moved from the second surface S2 side to the first surface S1 side by the discharge portion 9 and discharged. Therefore, most of the moisture is discharged without adhering to either the cable C or the guide rail GR, and the remaining small amount of moisture does not adhere to the cable C, so that less moisture adheres to the guide rail GR, making it less likely for rust to occur. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the drop position DP of the moisture from the discharge portion 9 is configured so that the trajectory of the moisture dropped from the discharge portion 9 (see arrow A9 in FIG. 1) passes through the gap provided in the thickness direction D2 between the yoke of the motor DR1 of the drive unit DR and the guide rail GR. Therefore, rusting of the guide rail GR and deterioration of performance due to rusting of the yoke of the motor DR1 are suppressed.

[0085] The carrier plate and window regulator of this embodiment have been described above, but the carrier plate and window regulator are not limited to the above-described configurations. Furthermore, among the above-described items, components not recited in the claims do not necessarily need to be provided, and only some or all of the above-described configurations may be provided. Furthermore, some of the above-described configurations may be selected and combined with each other.

[0086] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Note that the above-described embodiments mainly describe the invention having the following configurations.

[0087] (1) A carrier plate configured to rise and fall along a guide rail, The carrier plate is a window glass mounting portion to which the window glass is mounted; a first receiving portion that receives a cable end of an elevating cable that elevates the carrier plate along the guide rail; a second accommodating portion that accommodates a cable end of a lowering cable that lowers the carrier plate along the guide rail; Equipped with the first accommodating portion has an opening on an upper side of the first accommodating portion in the vertical direction of the carrier plate for inserting a cable end of the ascending cable into the first accommodating portion, The carrier plate is an upper wall portion extending in a roof shape along the width direction of the carrier plate at a position above the first accommodating portion and the second accommodating portion in the vertical direction and shifted in the thickness direction of the carrier plate with respect to the opening; a standing wall portion extending upward from an edge of the opening portion so as to separate the upper wall portion and the opening portion in the thickness direction; a carrier plate.

[0088] (2) The carrier plate described in (1) has an extension portion that extends continuously from the upper wall portion to the side of the carrier plate in the width direction, and the upper surface of the extension portion is inclined so that its position shifts downward as it moves away from the upper wall portion in the width direction.

[0089] (3) A carrier plate described in (1) or (2), in which the opening edge of the opening has an inclined guide portion at the portion that intersects with the vertical wall portion, which is inclined so as to shift upward as it moves away from the opening edge.

[0090] (4) a drive unit; an ascending cable and a descending cable driven by the drive unit; A carrier plate according to any one of (1) to (3), a guide rail to which the carrier plate is attached; Equipped with a window regulator.

[0091] (5) The carrier plate includes an extension portion that extends continuously from the upper wall portion toward the side of the carrier plate in the width direction, and the upper surface of the extension portion is inclined so as to shift downward as it moves away from the upper wall portion in the width direction. the guide rail is configured to be provided at an incline such that an upper end of the guide rail is offset to one side in the width direction relative to a lower end of the guide rail when the guide rail is attached to an attachment object, The window regulator described in (4), wherein the extension portion extends so that the tip of the extension portion is positioned outward in the width direction relative to one of the two side edges of the guide rail in the width direction.

[0092] (6) A window regulator as described in (4) or (5), wherein the vertical wall portion is configured so that, when a window glass is attached to the window regulator, the upper end of the vertical wall portion is higher than the lower end of the window glass. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1 carrier plate 1A First carrier plate 1B Second carrier plate 2 Window glass mounting part 21 Outlet 3. Storage section 31 First storage section 311 Engagement part 312 Slope 313 Slit 32 Second storage section 321 Engagement part 322 Closed wall section 323 Slit 324 Withdrawal Control Department 4 Guide rail engagement part 5 Upper wall 51 Standing section 6 Vertical wall 7 Extension 8 Plate-shaped part 9 Discharge section 91 Receiving surface 92 Stopper surface 93 Intersection 94 Discharge end 95 Protrusion 96 Second receiving surface 97 Notch B Bend section C Cable C1 First cable (ascending cable) C11 cable body C12 Cable End C2 Second cable (descent cable) C21 cable body C22 Cable End C3 3rd cable CT center CT1 flat plate part CT2 extension D1 Vertical direction D2 thickness direction D3 Width direction DP drop position DR drive unit DR1 motor DR2 Drums E1, E2 Side edges of guide rail EN Engaged part G1 1st information section G11 First Edge G12 Second Edge G2 2nd guide section G3 3rd information section G4 4th information section GR guide rail GR1 1st guide rail GR2 Second guide rail H Mounting hole OC outer casing OP opening P1 First direction change member P2 Second direction change member P3 Third direction change member P4 Fourth direction change member R1 overlap region R2 Non-overlapping region S1 First side S2 Second Side SL inclined guide section SL1 1st slope guide section SL2 2nd slope guide section SP1, SP2 side W Window Glass WH Window Glass Holder WR window regulator

Claims

1. a carrier plate configured to rise and fall along a guide rail, The carrier plate is a window glass mounting portion to which the window glass is mounted; a first receiving portion that receives a cable end of an elevating cable that elevates the carrier plate along the guide rail; a second receiving portion that receives a cable end of a descending cable that descends the carrier plate along the guide rail; Equipped with the first accommodating portion has an opening on an upper side of the first accommodating portion in the vertical direction of the carrier plate, for inserting a cable end of the ascending cable into the first accommodating portion, The carrier plate is an upper wall portion extending in a roof-like shape along the width direction of the carrier plate at a position above the first accommodating portion and the second accommodating portion in the vertical direction and shifted in the thickness direction of the carrier plate with respect to the opening; a standing wall portion extending upward from an edge of the opening portion so as to separate the upper wall portion and the opening portion in the thickness direction; a carrier plate.

2. 2. The carrier plate according to claim 1, wherein the carrier plate has an extension portion that extends continuously from the upper wall portion toward the side of the carrier plate in the width direction, and the upper surface of the extension portion is inclined so that its position shifts downward as it moves away from the upper wall portion in the width direction.

3. The carrier plate according to claim 1 , wherein an opening edge of the opening has an inclined guide portion at a portion that intersects with the upright wall portion, the inclined guide portion being inclined so as to shift upward with increasing distance from the opening edge.

4. A drive unit; an ascending cable and a descending cable driven by the drive unit; A carrier plate according to any one of claims 1 to 3; a guide rail to which the carrier plate is attached; Equipped with a window regulator.

5. the carrier plate includes an extension portion that extends continuously from the upper wall portion toward the side of the carrier plate in the width direction, and an upper surface of the extension portion is inclined so as to shift downward as it moves away from the upper wall portion in the width direction; the guide rail is configured to be provided at an incline such that an upper end of the guide rail is offset to one side in the width direction relative to a lower end of the guide rail when the guide rail is attached to an attachment object, 5. The window regulator according to claim 4, wherein the extension portion extends so that a tip end of the extension portion is positioned outward in the width direction relative to one of two side edges of the guide rail in the width direction.

6. 5. The window regulator according to claim 4, wherein the upright wall portion is configured such that an upper end of the upright wall portion is higher than a lower end of the window glass when the window glass is attached to the window regulator.

Images