Window regulator

Abstract

To improve workability of installation work of a window regulator while stably maintaining a connection state between a power supply terminal and a power receiving terminal.SOLUTION: In the window regulator, the carrier plate is configured to be capable of being raised and lowered and has a pair of attachment portions to which the pair of glass holders are attached, the terminal block is provided between the pair of attachment portions of the carrier plate and has a power supply terminal electrically connected to the power supply portion, and the power supply terminal is connectable to a power receiving terminal disposed on a vehicle inner side surface of the window glass.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a window regulator. [Background technology]

[0002] A prior art window regulator having a function of supplying power to a portion of a window glass for a vehicle is known from Patent Document 1. The configuration of the prior art window regulator will be briefly described as follows.

[0003] The window regulator includes a guide rail extending in the vertical direction. A carrier plate is mounted on the guide rail so that it can be raised and lowered, and the carrier plate has a mounting portion at its upper portion to which the window glass can be attached. A wire harness serving as a power supply portion for supplying power is supported on the carrier plate via a bracket. A power supply terminal is provided at the tip of the wire harness, and the power supply terminal is located at a position separated from the carrier plate. The power supply terminal can be connected to a power receiving terminal that is electrically connected to a conductive element that is part of the window glass. The conductive element generates heat, for example, to defog and defrost the window glass. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 1,131,8818 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, because the power supply terminal is located at a position separated from the carrier plate, when installing the window regulator on an installation object such as a vehicle, the power supply terminal must be connected to the power receiving terminal after the window glass is attached to the mounting portion of the carrier plate. In other words, when installing the window regulator, the work of attaching the window glass to the mounting portion of the carrier plate and the work of connecting the power supply terminal to the power receiving terminal must be separated. This increases the time required for installing the window regulator, making it difficult to improve the workability of the window regulator installation work.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a window regulator that can improve the workability of installing the window regulator while maintaining a stable connection state between the power supply terminal and the power receiving terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a window regulator according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a carrier plate having a pair of mounting portions for respectively mounting a pair of glass holders for holding window glasses, the carrier plate being configured to be able to rise and fall; a terminal block provided between the pair of mounting portions on the carrier plate, having a power supply terminal electrically connected to a power supply portion that supplies power, the power supply terminal being connectable to a power receiving terminal arranged on the interior surface of the window glass. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the window regulator according to one aspect of the present invention, the connection state between the power supply terminal and the power receiving terminal can be stably maintained, and the workability of the installation work of the window regulator can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a view of a window regulator according to this embodiment as seen from inside a vehicle. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a view of the window regulator according to this embodiment as seen from outside the vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the state shown in FIG. 1 with the vehicle window glass omitted. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the state shown in FIG. 2 with the vehicle window glass omitted. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion VI in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion VII in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state immediately before the pair of glass holders are positioned at positions where they can be attached to the pair of attachment portions of the carrier plate, as seen from inside the vehicle. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state immediately before the pair of glass holders are positioned at positions where they can be attached to the pair of attachment portions of the carrier plate, as seen from outside the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] This embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, "FD" indicates the front side of the vehicle, "RD" indicates the rear side of the vehicle, "UD" indicates the upper side or upward direction, "DD" indicates the lower side or downward direction, "ID" indicates the inside side of the vehicle, and "ED" indicates the outside side of the vehicle.

[0011] The configuration of a window regulator 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. FIG. 1 is a view of the window regulator 10 according to this embodiment as seen from inside the vehicle. FIG. 2 is a view of the window regulator 10 according to this embodiment as seen from outside the vehicle. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a view showing the state shown in FIG. 1 with the vehicle window glass 12 omitted. FIG. 5 is a view showing the state shown in FIG. 2 with the vehicle window glass 12 omitted. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion VI in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion VII in FIG. 5. FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views showing a pair of glass holders 32 just before they are positioned so that they can be attached to a pair of mounting portions 34 of a carrier plate 28. FIG. 8 is a view as seen from inside the vehicle, and FIG. 9 is a view as seen from outside the vehicle.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a window regulator 10 according to this embodiment is a device for raising and lowering a window glass 12 for a vehicle. The window regulator 10 is installed between an inner panel (not shown) and an outer panel (not shown) of a vehicle door (not shown). Before describing the specific configuration of the window regulator 10, the configuration of the window glass 12 to be raised and lowered will be described.

[0013] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 8, the window glass 12 includes a pair of glass plates 14 made of inorganic glass, organic glass, or the like, and a light control panel (light control film) 16 provided between the pair of glass plates 14. In other words, the window glass 12 is a laminated glass in which the light control panel 16 is interposed between the pair of glass plates 14. The light control panel 16 is an operating member that operates in response to supplied power, and the light transmittance of the light control panel 16 changes in response to the voltage value of the power. The window glass 12 may be curved so that the outside of the vehicle is convex.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 3, a pair of power receiving terminals 20 are mounted on the vehicle interior surface of the window glass 12 by known mounting means, and the pair of power receiving terminals 20 are electrically connected to the light control panel 16. Note that the pair of power receiving terminals 20 are not shown in Fig. 8.

[0015] Instead of including the light control panel 16 as an operating member, the window glass 12 may include another operating member such as a heating wire, a conductive film, an antenna, a liquid crystal display, or an organic EL display.

[0016] Next, a specific configuration of the window regulator 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5, the window regulator 10 includes a guide rail 22 extending in the vertical direction, which is attached to an inner panel via a bracket 24. The guide rail 22 is made of a hard material such as stainless steel or an aluminum alloy. The guide rail 22 has upright wall portions 26 rising from both sides in the width direction of the guide rail 22, and one of the pair of upright wall portions 26 is formed with an L-shaped cross section. Note that as long as the guide rail 22 extends in the vertical direction, it may be inclined toward the front or rear of the vehicle. If the window glass 12 is curved so that the outer side of the vehicle is convex, the guide rail 22 may also be curved along the window glass 12.

[0018] 1, 2, and 4 to 7, a carrier plate 28 is provided on the guide rail 22 so as to be movable up and down. In other words, the window regulator 10 includes a carrier plate 28 that is configured to be movable up and down via the guide rail 22. The carrier plate 28 is made of, for example, resin, aluminum alloy, or the like. The carrier plate 28 has a clamping portion 30 that clamps one of the upright wall portions 26 so as to be slidable along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 22.

[0019] The carrier plate 28 has, at its upper portion, a pair of mounting portions 34 for respectively mounting a pair of glass holders 32 that hold the lower ends of the window glasses 12. In other words, the carrier plate 28 has, at its upper portion, a pair of mounting portions 34 to which the window glasses 12 can be mounted via the pair of glass holders 32. The pair of mounting portions 34 are spaced apart in the width direction of the carrier plate 28 (the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle). Each mounting portion 34 of the carrier plate 28 is formed with an insertion hole 36 through which a mounting screw (not shown) for mounting the glass holder 32 is inserted. Furthermore, a guide wall 38 that guides each glass holder 32 to each mounting portion 34 is formed on the upper side of each mounting portion 34 of the carrier plate 28.

[0020] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, with the window glass 12 attached to a pair of mounting portions 34 of the carrier plate 28 via a pair of glass holders 32, the carrier plate 28 can be raised and lowered along the guide rails 22, thereby raising and lowering the window glass 12.

[0021] 1, 2, 4, and 5, the window regulator 10 includes an ascending cable 40 as a first cable that pulls the carrier plate 28 in an ascending direction. One end of the ascending cable 40 is connected to a predetermined portion of the carrier plate 28. The window regulator 10 also includes a descending cable 42 as a second cable that pulls the carrier plate 28 in a descending direction. One end of the descending cable 42 is connected to another predetermined portion of the carrier plate 28.

[0022] A first direction changing member 44 that changes the moving direction of the ascending cable 40 is provided at the upper end of the guide rail 22. The first direction changing member 44 is made of, for example, resin, aluminum alloy, or the like. A first guide groove (not shown) is formed in the first direction changing member 44 for slidably winding the ascending cable 40 around it. Note that the window regulator 10 may use a pulley as the first direction changing member 44.

[0023] A second direction changing member 46 that changes the moving direction of the descending cable 42 is provided at the lower end of the guide rail 22. The second direction changing member 46 is made of, for example, resin, aluminum alloy, or the like. A second guide groove (not shown) is formed in the second direction changing member 46 for slidably winding around the descending cable 42. Note that the window regulator 10 may use a pulley as the second direction changing member 46.

[0024] 1, 2, 4, and 5, a drive unit 48 that drives the carrier plate 28 to move up and down is provided at a position on the inner panel away from the guide rail 22. The specific configuration of the drive unit 48 is as follows.

[0025] The drive unit 48 includes a housing 50 provided at a position spaced apart from the guide rail 22 on the inner panel, and the housing 50 is made of, for example, resin, aluminum alloy, or the like. The drive unit 48 includes a drum 52 that winds and unwinds two cables (the ascending cable 40 and the descending cable 42), and the drum 52 is rotatably provided within the housing 50. The other end of the ascending cable 40 is connected to a predetermined portion of the side surface of the drum 52 on the inside of the vehicle. The other end of the descending cable 42 is connected to a predetermined portion of the side surface of the drum 52 on the outside of the vehicle.

[0026] The drive unit 48 includes an electric motor 54 that rotates the drum 52 in forward and reverse directions, and the electric motor 54 is provided at an appropriate position in the housing 50. An output shaft (not shown) of the electric motor 54 is operatively connected to a rotating shaft (not shown) of the drum 52 via a reduction mechanism (not shown).

[0027] A first outer casing 56 that houses a portion of the ascending cable 40 is provided between the first direction changing member 44 and the housing 50. The first outer casing 56 protects a portion of the ascending cable 40. Furthermore, a second outer casing 58 that houses a portion of the descending cable 42 is provided between the second direction changing member 46 and the housing 50. The second outer casing 58 protects a portion of the descending cable 42.

[0028] 1 and 2, when the electric motor 54 is driven to rotate the drum 52 in the forward direction, the descending cable 42 is unwound from the drum 52 while the ascending cable 40 is wound onto the drum 52. This causes the carrier plate 28 to rise along the guide rail 22, thereby lifting the window glass 12. On the other hand, when the electric motor 54 is driven to rotate the drum 52 in the reverse direction, the ascending cable 40 is unwound from the drum 52 while the descending cable 42 is wound onto the drum 52. This causes the carrier plate 28 to descend along the guide rail 22, thereby lowering the window glass 12.

[0029] In addition, instead of the drive unit 48 raising and lowering the carrier plate 28 by driving the electric motor 54, the carrier plate 28 may be raised and lowered by manually operating an operating member (not shown) such as a handle that is interlocked with the rotating shaft of the drum 52.

[0030] Next, a configuration for supplying power to the light control panel 16, which is part of the window glass 12, will be described.

[0031] 5, 7, and 9, a terminal block 60 is provided between the pair of mounting portions 34 on the upper part of the carrier plate 28. The terminal block 60 has a terminal block main body 62 provided between the pair of mounting portions 34 on the upper part of the carrier plate 28. The terminal block main body 62 is made of, for example, resin, aluminum alloy, or the like. A pair of grooves 64 are formed in the top-bottom direction on the surface (the vehicle interior surface) of the terminal block main body 62.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 , the terminal block 60 has power supply terminals 66 provided in the grooves 64 of the terminal block main body 62, and each power supply terminal 66 is configured to be elastically deformable (flexibly deformable) along the corresponding groove 64 of the terminal block main body 62. Each power supply terminal 66 is made of a highly conductive metal such as a copper alloy and is bent into an inverted U shape. The pair of power supply terminals 66 are electrically connected to wiring 70 of a power supply cable 68 serving as a power supply section for supplying power. Each power supply terminal 66 is capable of contacting a corresponding power receiving terminal 20 disposed on the interior surface of the window glass 12. The window regulator 10 is configured so that each power supply terminal 66 connects to the corresponding power receiving terminal 20 when the pair of glass holders 32 are positioned so that they can be attached to the pair of mounting sections 34 of the carrier plate 28.

[0033] 5 and 7, a recess 72 is formed in the carrier plate 28 to accommodate a power supply cable 68 serving as a power supply section. A connector 74 is connected to the base end of the power supply cable 68, and the connector 74 is attached to the guide rail 22 via a bracket 76. The connector 74 can be connected to a power source (not shown), such as a battery, via a power cable (not shown).

[0034] 3, 5, 7, and 9, the terminal block main body 62 is provided with a seal member 78 that is pressed against the vehicle interior surface of the window glass 12. The seal member 78 is disposed so as to surround the connection portion between the pair of power supply terminals 66 and the pair of power receiving terminals 20. The seal member 78 is made of an elastic material such as rubber.

[0035] The seal member 78 has a circumferential (annular) rib portion 80 that surrounds the connection portion between the pair of power supply terminals 66 and the pair of power receiving terminals 20, and the rib portion 80 is in pressure contact with the vehicle interior surface of the window glass 12. In other words, the rib portion 80 of the seal member 78 is in pressure contact with the vehicle interior surface of the window glass 12 while surrounding the connection portion between the pair of power supply terminals 66 and the pair of power receiving terminals 20. The rib portion 80 of the seal member 78 may be in direct pressure contact with the vehicle interior surface of the window glass 12. The rib portion 80 of the seal member 78 may also be in indirect pressure contact with the vehicle interior surface of the window glass 12 via a plate-shaped member (not shown).

[0036] Since the seal member 78 is made of an elastic material, the rib portion 80 is configured to be elastically deformable. An inner peripheral edge 80e of the rib portion 80 of the seal member 78 is an unconstrained free edge. In addition, a notch 82 is formed in the lower part of the seal member 78, through which the rain guard portion 86 of the power supply cable 68 is inserted.

[0037] 6 and 8, an inverted U-shaped retaining member 84 is attached to the vehicle interior surface of the window glass 12 by adhesive, and the retaining member 84 uses elastic force to hold the upper part of the terminal block main body 62 (terminal block 60) from the inside in the vehicle width direction via the sealing member 78. The retaining member 84 is made of an elastic material such as resin or rubber. The retaining member 84 also has a rain guard 86 at its upper part that prevents rainwater from entering the connection between the pair of power supply terminals 66 and the pair of power receiving terminals 20, and the rain guard 86 is formed in a roof shape.

[0038] According to the configuration of the window regulator 10 according to this embodiment, as described above, the terminal block 60 having the pair of power supply terminals 66 is provided between the pair of mounting portions 34 of the carrier plate 28. Each power supply terminal 66 of the terminal block 60 is capable of contacting a corresponding power receiving terminal 20 arranged on the vehicle interior surface of the window glass 12. Therefore, when the pair of glass holders 32 are attached to the pair of mounting portions 34 of the carrier plate 28, each power supply terminal 66 is connected to the corresponding power receiving terminal 20. In other words, during the installation work of the window regulator 10, the work of attaching the window glass 12 to the pair of mounting portions 34 of the carrier plate 28 via the pair of glass holders 32 and the work of connecting each power supply terminal 66 to the corresponding power receiving terminal 20 can be performed simultaneously.

[0039] Furthermore, since the terminal block 60 is provided between the pair of mounting portions 34 on the carrier plate 28, the contact state between each power supply terminal 66 and the corresponding power receiving terminal 20 can be stabilized.

[0040] Therefore, with the window regulator 10 according to this embodiment, the connection state between each power supply terminal 66 and the corresponding power receiving terminal 20 can be stably maintained, and the workability of the installation work of the window regulator 10 can be improved.

[0041] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the window regulator 10 according to this embodiment, as described above, each power supply terminal 66 is configured to be elastically deformable along the corresponding groove 64 of the terminal block main body 62. Therefore, even if there is variation in the mounting position of the carrier plate 28 relative to the window glass 12 in the vehicle width direction, at least one of the power supply terminals 66 is elastically deformed, and each power supply terminal 66 reliably contacts the corresponding power receiving terminal 20. Furthermore, when the lower end of the window glass 12 comes into contact with each power supply terminal 66 during installation, each power supply terminal 66 elastically deforms along the groove 64 so that the height by which each power supply terminal 66 protrudes from the groove 64 toward the window glass 12 decreases.

[0042] Therefore, the window regulator 10 according to this embodiment can more stably maintain the connection between each power supply terminal 66 and the corresponding power receiving terminal 20. Furthermore, since each power supply terminal 66 elastically deforms when the window glass 12 is attached, the window glass 12 can be easily attached.

[0043] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the window regulator 10 according to this embodiment, as described above, the terminal block main body 62 is provided with the seal member 78 that is pressed against the vehicle interior surface of the window glass 12. The seal member 78 is arranged to surround the connection portion between the pair of power supply terminals 66 and the pair of power receiving terminals 20. Therefore, the seal member 78 can seal the periphery of the connection portion between the pair of power supply terminals 66 and the pair of power receiving terminals 20.

[0044] Therefore, according to the window regulator 10 of this embodiment, it is possible to sufficiently prevent rainwater from entering the connection portions between the pair of power supply terminals 66 and the pair of power receiving terminals 20.

[0045] Furthermore, according to the window regulator 10 of this embodiment, as described above, the seal member 78 has a circumferential rib portion 80 that surrounds the connection portion between the pair of power supply terminals 66 and the pair of power receiving terminals 20. The rib portion 80 of the seal member 78 is configured to be elastically deformable. This further improves the sealing performance of the seal member 78. In particular, when the inner peripheral edge 80e of the rib portion 80 of the seal member 78 is an unconstrained free edge, the sealing performance of the seal member 78 can be further improved.

[0046] Therefore, according to the window regulator 10 of this embodiment, it is possible to more sufficiently prevent rainwater from entering the connection portions between the pair of power supply terminals 66 and the pair of power receiving terminals 20.

[0047] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the window regulator 10 according to this embodiment, as described above, the carrier plate 28 is formed with the recess 72 that accommodates the power supply cable 68. This prevents rainwater from above the carrier plate 28 from hitting the power supply cable 68.

[0048] Therefore, according to the window regulator 10 of this embodiment, the power supply performance of the power supply cable 68 as a power supply section can be stably maintained.

[0049] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the window regulator 10 of this embodiment, as described above, guide walls 38 are formed above each mounting portion 34 of the carrier plate 28 to guide each glass holder 32 to each mounting portion 34. Therefore, even if there is variation in the mounting position of the carrier plate 28 relative to the window glass 12 in the vehicle width direction, the pair of glass holders 32 can be easily positioned at positions where they can be attached to the pair of mounting portions 34 of the carrier plate 28. This simplifies the task of attaching the window glass 12 to the pair of mounting portions 34 of the carrier plate 28 via the pair of glass holders 32.

[0050] Therefore, according to the window regulator 10 according to this embodiment, the workability of the installation work of the window regulator 10 can be further improved.

[0051] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the window regulator 10 according to this embodiment, as described above, the notch 82 through which the wiring 70 of the power supply cable 68 is inserted is formed in the lower part of the sealing member 78. Therefore, the routing position of the wiring 70 of the power supply cable 68 can be regulated.

[0052] Therefore, according to the window regulator 10 of this embodiment, the efficiency of the installation work of the wiring 70 of the power supply cable 68 can be improved.

[0053] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the window regulator 10 according to this embodiment, as described above, the retaining member 84 is provided on the vehicle interior surface of the window glass 12, which uses elastic force to retain the upper part of the terminal block main body 62 from the inside in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, even if there is variation in the attachment position of the carrier plate 28 to the window glass 12 in the vehicle width direction, the rib portion 80 is reliably pressed against the vehicle interior surface of the window glass 12 while surrounding the connection portion between the pair of power supply terminals 66 and the pair of power receiving terminals 20.

[0054] Therefore, the window regulator 10 according to this embodiment can sufficiently and reliably prevent rainwater from entering the connection portions between the pair of power supply terminals 66 and the pair of power receiving terminals 20. In particular, when the holding member 84 has the rain protection portion 86, it can more sufficiently prevent rainwater from entering the connection portions between the pair of power supply terminals 66 and the pair of power receiving terminals 20.

[0055] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, as shown in Japanese Patent No. 5333662, various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention, such as raising and lowering the carrier plate 28 without using the guide rails 22. [Industrial Applicability]

[0056] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful as a window regulator that can sufficiently prevent rainwater from entering the connection portion between the power supply terminal and the power receiving terminal, thereby improving the workability of the installation work of the window regulator. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10 Window regulator 12 Window Glass 14 Glass Plate 16 Dimming panel (dimming film) 20 Power receiving terminal 22 Guide rail 24 Bracket 26 Vertical wall 28 Carrier Plate 30 Clamping part 32 Glass holder 34 Mounting part 36 Insertion hole 38 Guide Wall 40 ascending cable 42 Downward Cable 44 First direction change member 46 Second direction change member 48 Drive Unit 50 Housing 52 Drums 54 Electric motor 56 First outer casing 58 Second outer casing 60 terminal block 62 Terminal block body 64 Groove 66 Power supply terminal 68 Power Cable 70 Wiring 72 recess 74 Connector 76 Bracket 78 Sealing material 80 Rib section 80e inner rim 82 Notch 84 Retaining member 86 Rain cover

Claims

1. a carrier plate having a pair of mounting portions for respectively mounting a pair of glass holders for holding window glasses, the carrier plate being configured to be able to rise and fall; a terminal block provided between the pair of mounting portions on the carrier plate, the terminal block having a power supply terminal electrically connected to a power supply portion that supplies power, the power supply terminal being connectable to a power receiving terminal disposed on the vehicle interior surface of the window glass. Window regulator.

2. When the pair of glass holders are positioned at positions where they can be attached to the pair of attachment portions, the power supply terminals are configured to be connected to the power receiving terminals.

2. The window regulator according to claim 1.

3. the terminal block has a terminal block main body provided between the pair of mounting portions on the carrier plate and having a groove formed along the up-down direction, The power supply terminal is provided in the groove of the terminal block body and configured to be elastically deformable along the groove.

2. The window regulator according to claim 1.

4. a seal member provided on the terminal block, arranged to surround a connection portion between the power supply terminal and the power receiving terminal, and pressed against the vehicle interior surface of the window glass; 2. The window regulator according to claim 1.

5. the sealing member is configured to be elastically deformable and has a circumferential rib portion surrounding a connection portion between the power supply terminal and the power receiving terminal; 5. The window regulator according to claim 4.

6. The inner peripheral edge of the rib portion is a free edge.

6. The window regulator according to claim 5.

7. A recess for accommodating the power supply unit is formed in the carrier plate.

2. The window regulator according to claim 1.

8. A guide wall is formed on the upper side of each mounting portion of the carrier plate to guide each glass holder to each mounting portion.

2. The window regulator according to claim 1.

Images