Window regulator unit mounting structure

Abstract

To reduce a load that is input from a support member of a window regulator unit toward a door inner panel when a vehicle door is closed.SOLUTION: A mounting structure of a window regulator unit is composed such that: at least one support member fixed on a door inner panel for supporting a guide member is provided between an upper end and a lower end of the guide member; an upper elastic member is interposed between the upper end of the guide member and an upper opposing part opposing the upper end in inward and outward directions of a vehicle interior, among the door inner panels; and the upper end and the upper opposing part approach each other due to elastic deformation caused by an acceleration when the vehicle door is closed, thereby compressing the upper elastic member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to an attachment structure of a window regulator unit.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a window regulator device having a drive motor provided with a drum around which a cable is wound, a carrier plate for supporting a window panel, a cable connection portion provided on the carrier plate to which the cable is connected, a sliding portion provided on the carrier plate, a guide rail having a guide groove with which the sliding portion slidably contacts to guide the up and down movement of the carrier plate, and a direction changing member for changing the direction of the cable along the guide rail, and arranging the cable connection portion and the sliding portion so as to overlap in the opening direction of the guide groove.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when the vehicle door is closed, there is a possibility that the load caused by the inertial force of the window regulator unit is intensively input from the support member of the window regulator unit toward the door inner panel of the vehicle door.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to reduce the load input from the support member of the window regulator unit toward the door inner panel when the vehicle door is closed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, a mounting structure for a window regulator unit is provided, in which at least one support member is fixed to the door inner panel and supports the guide member between the upper end and lower end of the guide member, and an upper elastic member is interposed between the upper end of the guide member and the upper opposing portion of the door inner panel that faces the upper end in the direction of the interior and exterior of the vehicle, and is configured such that the upper end and the upper opposing portion move closer to each other and compress the upper elastic member due to elastic deformation caused by the acceleration when the vehicle door is closed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the load applied from the support member of the window regulator unit toward the inner door panel when a vehicle door is closed can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a vehicle door according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle door shown in Figure 1, along line AA. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of a window regulator unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 3 shows the main part of the upper end of the guide member, and is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the upper elastic member in the window regulator unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the arrangement relationship between the upper elastic member and the door inner panel at the upper end of the guide member according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the lower elastic member according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows the main part of the lower end of the guide member according to the embodiment, and is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the arrangement relationship between the lower elastic member and the guide member. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view of the support member according to the embodiment. [Figure 9]This diagram illustrates the operation of the mounting structure of the window regulator unit according to the embodiment, and is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the cross-section shown in Figure 2, showing the relationship between the guide member and the door inner panel when the vehicle door is closed. [Figure 10] This graph illustrates the operation of the mounting structure for the window regulator unit according to the embodiment, and shows the relationship between the relative movement of the window regulator unit with respect to the door inner panel and the reaction forces from the upper elastic member and the lower elastic member. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The mounting structure of the window regulator unit according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each figure, FR and RR indicate the front and rear of the vehicle door in the longitudinal direction, respectively; IS and OS indicate the inward and outward directions in the interior-exterior direction; and UP and DN indicate the upper and lower directions in the vertical direction of the vehicle door, respectively. The front of the vehicle door in the longitudinal direction refers to the direction in which the pivot axis (hinge) that supports the vehicle door so as to be rotatable relative to the vehicle body is provided. The rear of the vehicle door in the longitudinal direction refers to the direction opposite to the direction in which the hinge is provided. In the following description, the front and rear of the vehicle door in the longitudinal direction, the upper and lower directions in the vertical direction of the vehicle door, and the inward and outward directions in the interior-exterior direction will be simply referred to as "front," "rear," "up," "down," "interior," and "exterior," respectively. Elements having the same function will be denoted by the same reference numeral, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0010] The mounting structure for the window regulator unit according to this embodiment can be used to mount a window regulator unit on the door of a passenger car or light truck (SUV, pickup truck, etc.).

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the mounting structure of the window regulator unit according to this embodiment includes a door inner panel 10, a guide member 50, and a support member 60.

[0012] The vehicle door 1 is a door that separates the interior and exterior of a vehicle (not shown), and is installed to the vehicle entrance so as to be openable and closable. In this embodiment, the vehicle door 1 is supported on the front side of the vehicle entrance via a hinge (not shown) so as to be rotatable (opens backward) in the interior-exit direction. However, for example, the vehicle door 1 may be supported on the rear side of the vehicle entrance via a hinge so as to be rotatable (opens forward).

[0013] As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle door 1 comprises a door inner panel 10 and a door outer panel 20. The door inner panel 10 is a plate-shaped member that forms the interior wall surface of the vehicle door 1 and has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from both inside and outside the vehicle. An inner opening 10a is formed on the upper side of the door inner panel 10. The door inner panel 10 may also include a reinforcing panel 10b that extends in the front-rear direction on its exterior side and reinforces the door inner panel 10. The door outer panel 20 is a plate-shaped member that forms the exterior wall surface of the vehicle door 1 and has substantially the same shape as the door inner panel 10 when viewed from both inside and outside the vehicle, and has a curved cross-sectional shape that bulges outward when viewed from both the front and rear directions. An outer opening 20a is formed on the upper side of the door outer panel 20. The edges of the inner opening 10a and the edges of the outer opening 20a substantially overlap when viewed from both inside and outside the vehicle.

[0014] The exterior of the vehicle door is formed by overlapping the door inner panel 10 and the door outer panel 20 in the direction of the interior and exterior of the vehicle, and the window portion of the vehicle door 1 is formed by the interior opening 10a and the exterior opening 20a. A space S is formed between the door inner panel 10 and the door outer panel 20. The window portion is opened and closed by the window panel 30 moving up and down between this space S and the window portion. For example, when the window panel 30 is raised to its highest position, the window portion is blocked by the window panel 30 (closed state), and when the window panel 30 is lowered, the window portion is not blocked by the window panel 30 (open state).

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 2, the window panel 30 is supported so as to be movable up and down by a window regulator unit 40 disposed in the space S. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the window regulator unit 40 includes a guide member 50, a support member 60, a lifting member 41, a drive unit 42, and a wire 43, and is disposed outside the vehicle compartment of the door inner panel 10. Note that the central portion of the door inner panel 10 is formed to bulge toward the vehicle compartment side so as to be able to accommodate the drive unit 42. Therefore, an increase in the thickness in the vehicle compartment and outside direction of the region of the vehicle door 1 that does not overlap with the drive unit 42 when viewed in the vehicle compartment and outside direction can be suppressed.

[0016] The guide member 50 is a long member having a cross-sectional hat shape that extends in the vertical direction outside the vehicle compartment of the door inner panel and opens to the outside of the vehicle compartment in a plan view. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the guide member 50 has a shape that bulges toward the outside of the vehicle compartment when viewed in the front and rear direction of the vehicle door. A support member 60 is provided between the upper end portion 50U and the lower end portion 50D of the guide member 50. The guide member 50 is supported by the door inner panel 10 when the support member 60 abuts against and is fixed to the door inner panel 10.

[0017] Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the surface (contact surface 60a) of the support member 60 that abuts against the door inner panel 10 is formed so as to be raised while bending its peripheral edge portion toward the outside of the vehicle compartment. In other words, the peripheral edge portion of the surface (contact surface 60a) of the support member 60 that abuts against the door inner panel 10 is bent upward toward the outside of the vehicle compartment. Therefore, a curved surface R that bends from the contact surface 60a toward the outside of the vehicle compartment is formed at the peripheral edge portion of the contact surface 60a.

[0018] Note that the upper end portion 50U of the guide member 50 refers to the region including the upper end edge of the guide member 50 and its vicinity. Specifically, it refers to the region extending downward from the upper end edge of the guide member 50 at a predetermined ratio with respect to the vertical dimension of the guide member 50. Note that the predetermined ratio can be appropriately set according to the dimension in the long side direction or short side direction of the guide member 50, the installation position with respect to the door inner panel 10, or the installation structure, etc. For example, in a certain embodiment, the predetermined ratio with respect to the vertical dimension of the guide member 50 may be 1 / 5. Also, in the present embodiment, among the guide member 50, the portion located above the upper support member 60U described later is the upper end portion 50U.

[0019] Also, the lower end portion 50D of the guide member 50 refers to the region including the lower end edge of the guide member 50 and its vicinity. Specifically, it refers to the region extending upward from the lower end edge of the guide member 50 at a predetermined ratio with respect to the vertical dimension of the guide member 50. Note that the predetermined ratio can be appropriately set according to the dimension in the long side direction or short side direction of the guide member 50, the installation position with respect to the door inner panel 10, or the installation method, etc. For example, in a certain embodiment, the predetermined ratio with respect to the vertical dimension of the guide member 50 may be 1 / 5. Also, in the present embodiment, among the guide member 50, the portion located below the lower support member 60D described later is the lower end portion 50D.

[0020] Note that the illustrated support member 60 includes the upper support member 60U located at the uppermost position and the lower support member 60D located at the lowermost position. However, the number of support members 60 may be one or two or more. In other words, at least one support member 60 for supporting the guide member 50 may be provided between the upper end portion 50U and the lower end portion 50D of the guide member 50.

[0021] The lifting member 41 is a block-shaped member that is supported on the outside side of the guide member 50 so as to be able to move up and down. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lower end of the window panel 30 is supported on the outside side of the lifting member 41 via fasteners such as brackets. In other words, the window panel 30 is supported on the guide member 50 so as to be able to move up and down. Therefore, as the lifting member 41 moves up and down along the guide member 50, the window panel 30 moves up and down between the window portion of the vehicle door 1 and the space S, opening and closing the window portion.

[0022] The drive unit 42 is fixed to the interior side of the guide member 50, approximately in the center in the vertical direction, via fasteners such as brackets. Furthermore, the interior side of the drive unit 42 is fixed to the door inner panel 10 via fasteners such as brackets. The drive unit 42 also includes a motor 42a and a winding unit 42b.

[0023] The winding unit 42b includes a cylindrical winding drum (not shown) with a winding shaft extending in the direction of the vehicle interior and exterior within the drive unit 42 as its central axis. The rotation of the motor 42a is transmitted to the winding drum via a worm gear (not shown) or a reduction gear (not shown) attached to the shaft. Therefore, the rotation of the winding drum around the winding shaft can be controlled by controlling the rotation direction of the motor 42a.

[0024] The wire 43 consists of an upward wire 43a and a downward wire 43b. One end of the upward wire 43a is fixed to the lifting member 41. The upward wire 43a extends upward from the lifting member 41, extends forward and downward along a guide pulley 51 pivotally supported at the upper end of the guide member 50, and after being wound around the winding drum a predetermined number of times, the other end is fixed to the winding drum. Furthermore, one end of the downward wire 43b is fixed to the lifting member 41. The downward wire 43b extends downward from the lifting member 41, extends forward and upward along a guide pulley 51 pivotally supported at the lower end of the guide member 50, and after being wound around the winding drum a predetermined number of times, the other end is fixed to the winding drum.

[0025] Therefore, by controlling the rotation of the motor 42a, the forward rotation (clockwise rotation in Figure 3) or reverse rotation (counterclockwise rotation in Figure 3) of the winding drum can be controlled, thereby controlling the winding or unwinding of the lifting wire 43a or the lowering wire 43b, and thus controlling the raising and lowering of the lifting member 41. For example, by transmitting the driving force of the motor 42a to the winding drum and causing the winding drum to rotate forward, the lifting wire 43a can be wound up on the winding drum and the lowering wire 43b can be unwinded from the winding drum, thereby raising the lifting member 41. Since the lifting member 41 supports the lower end of the window panel 30, the window panel 30 also rises, and the window portion of the vehicle door 1 can be closed. In this way, the window regulator unit 40 can control the raising and lowering of the window panel 30 and switch between the open and closed states of the window portion of the vehicle door 1.

[0026] Next, the configuration of the guide member 50 will be explained in more detail.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, an upper elastic member 70 is interposed between the upper end portion 50U of the guide member 50 and the area of ​​the door inner panel 10 that faces the upper end portion 50U of the guide member 50 in the direction of the interior and exterior of the vehicle (upper opposing portion 11). In the illustrated example, the upper elastic member 70 is fixed to the upper end portion 50U of the guide member 50, but the upper elastic member 70 may also be fixed to the upper opposing portion 11 of the door inner panel 10.

[0028] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the upper elastic member 70 is positioned such that there is a gap between it and the upper opposing portion 11 of the reinforcing panel 10b (door inner panel 10) in the direction of entering and leaving the vehicle. The size of this gap is not particularly limited, but is for example 0.1 mm to 1 mm. If the upper elastic member 70 is provided on the upper opposing portion 11, the upper elastic member 70 may be positioned such that there is a gap between it and the upper end portion 50U in the direction of entering and leaving the vehicle. In other words, the upper elastic member 70 may be positioned such that it is spaced apart from either the upper opposing portion 11 of the door inner panel 10 or the upper end portion 50U of the guide member 50 in the direction of entering and leaving the vehicle. However, the upper end portion 50U and the upper elastic member 70 may be in contact with each other in the direction of entering and leaving the vehicle, and the upper elastic member 70 may also be in contact with the upper opposing portion 11. Moreover, the upper elastic member 70 may be positioned in a compressed state where it is deformed and distorted by compression between the upper end portion 50U and the upper opposing portion 11.

[0029] The upper elastic member 70 shown in Figure 4 is entirely made of rubber material. However, the upper elastic member 70 only needs to include an upper rubber member 70a made of rubber material, which is provided on the vehicle interior side of the upper end portion 50U of the guide member 50. In the illustrated example, the upper rubber member 70a is directly fixed to the guide member 50. More specifically, a groove provided below the upper rubber member 70a, which is the upper elastic member 70, clamps the upper edge of the guide member 50, thereby directly fixing the upper rubber member 70a to the guide member 50. However, for example, the upper rubber member 70a may be directly fixed to the vehicle interior side of the upper end portion 50U of the guide member 50 using an adhesive or the like, or it may be directly fixed using other methods. This reduces the number of parts in the window regulator unit 40 according to this embodiment and allows for a simpler construction of the mounting structure of the window regulator unit 40 according to this embodiment.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the window regulator unit 40 according to this embodiment may have a lower elastic member 80 interposed between the lower end portion 50D of the guide member 50 and the area of ​​the door inner panel 10 that faces the lower end portion 50D in the direction of the interior and exterior of the vehicle (lower opposing portion 12). In the illustrated example, the lower elastic member 80 is fixed to the interior side of the lower end portion 50D of the guide member 50, but the lower elastic member 80 may also be fixed to the exterior side of the lower opposing portion 12 of the door inner panel 10.

[0031] In the example, the outer side of the lower elastic member 80 is fixed to the lower end 50D of the guide member 50, and the inner side is positioned in a state where it is pressed against the lower opposing portion 12 of the door inner panel 10. Therefore, the lower elastic member 80 is positioned in a compressed state by being pressed against the lower end 50D and the lower opposing portion 12 in the direction of both the interior and exterior of the vehicle. In other words, the lower elastic member 80 is positioned in a state where it is in contact with both the lower opposing portion 12 of the door inner panel 10 and the lower end 50D of the guide member 50 in the direction of both the interior and exterior of the vehicle, and in a compressed state. However, the positioning method is not limited to this, and the lower elastic member 80 fixed to the lower end 50D of the guide member 50 and the door inner panel 10 may be separated. Furthermore, if the lower elastic member 80 is fixed to the outer side of the lower opposing portion 12 of the door inner panel 10, the lower elastic member 80 and the guide member 50 may be separated.

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6 to 7, the lower elastic member 80 includes a leaf spring member 80b extending in the direction of the vehicle interior from the lower end 50D of the guide member 50, and a lower rubber member 80a provided on the vehicle interior side of the leaf spring member 80b.

[0033] The leaf spring member 80b is a bent, plate-shaped member having a roughly Z-shaped cross-section when viewed in the front-rear direction. The front-rear dimensions of the leaf spring member 80b and the front-rear dimensions of the lower end 50D of the guide member 50 are approximately the same. The upper side of the leaf spring member 80b is fixed to the interior side of the lower end 50D of the guide member 50. The lower side of the leaf spring member 80b extends upright from the guide member 50 toward the interior of the vehicle, and its tip is further bent downward. In this way, the leaf spring member 80b, which has elasticity in both the interior-interior and exterior-exterior directions, is fixed to the lower end 50D of the guide member 50.

[0034] The lower rubber member 80a is a member made of rubber material and has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape when viewed from both inside and outside the vehicle. The front-to-rear dimension of the lower rubber member 80a is slightly larger than the front-to-rear dimension of the leaf spring member 80b. The side of the lower rubber member 80a facing outwards is fixed to the leaf spring member 80b. The side of the lower rubber member 80a facing inwards has a surface that faces the lower opposing portion 12 of the door inner panel 10, and a recess 80c is formed on this surface. The recess 80c is a groove extending vertically on the surface of the lower rubber member and has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above. The formation of the recess 80c results in an uneven surface on the surface of the lower rubber member. In one embodiment, the front-to-rear dimension of the lower rubber member 80a is approximately 10 mm, and the front-to-rear dimension of the recess 80c is approximately 2 mm. However, these dimensions are not limiting.

[0035] Furthermore, the lower elastic member 80 is positioned so that its rearward side is pressed more strongly against the door inner panel 10 than its front side. Therefore, the distal portion 80d of the lower elastic member 80 is positioned in a more compressed state than the proximal portion 80e. More specifically, for example, the lower rubber member surface may be provided with a gradient in the front-rear direction so that, in a vertical view, the distal portion 80d is located further inside the vehicle interior than the proximal portion 80e. The distal portion 80d is the region of the lower elastic member 80 that is farther from the rotation axis (hinge) of the vehicle door 1, and the proximal portion 80e is the region of the lower elastic member 80 that is closer to the rotation axis (hinge) than the distal portion 80d.

[0036] The elastic modulus of the lower elastic member 80 may be set lower than that of the upper elastic member 70. For example, in one embodiment, a rubber member with a Shore hardness (Hs) of 60 may be used as the lower rubber member 80a, and a rubber member with a Shore hardness (Hs) of 70 may be used as the upper rubber member 70a.

[0037] Next, with reference to Figures 9 to 10, the operation of the mounting structure of the window regulator unit 40 according to this embodiment when the vehicle door 1 is closed will be explained.

[0038] When occupants board or alight from a vehicle, an operation is performed to close the vehicle door 1 from an open position. Since the front of the vehicle door 1 is attached to the vehicle via a hinge, in this operation, the vehicle door 1 first rotates on the hinge toward the vehicle entrance and approaches the entrance with a speed directed toward the interior of the vehicle. Then, as the periphery of the vehicle door 1 comes into contact with the periphery of the vehicle entrance and approaches the entrance, an external force directed toward the exterior of the vehicle is applied to the vehicle door 1. As a result, the vehicle door 1 experiences an acceleration toward the exterior of the vehicle, rapidly decreases speed, and comes to a stop relative to the vehicle. In other words, the vehicle door 1, which has come into contact with the vehicle entrance and approaches with a speed directed toward the interior of the vehicle, comes to a stop relative to the vehicle due to the acceleration generated when the vehicle door 1 is closed. The acceleration when closing the vehicle door 1 refers to the acceleration directed outward from the vehicle interior, which occurs when the peripheral edge of the vehicle door 1 comes into contact with the peripheral edge of the vehicle entrance / exit, resulting in an external force being applied to the vehicle door 1 directed outward from the vehicle interior.

[0039] When the vehicle door 1 is closed, acceleration occurs, generating an inertial force in the window regulator unit 40 directed towards the interior of the vehicle. As a result of this inertial force, a load in the direction of arrow B is applied from the support member 60 to the door inner panel 10, as shown in Figure 9. This causes the door inner panel 10 to elastically deform, bringing the upper end 50U of the guide member 50 and the upper opposing part 11 of the door inner panel 10 closer together. Also, the lower end 50D of the guide member 50 and the lower opposing part 12 of the door inner panel 10 closer together. The modes of elastic deformation of the door inner panel 10 include, for example, a mode in which the upper opposing part 11 and the lower opposing part 12 of the door inner panel 10 rotate in the direction of arrow C with the support member 60 as a fulcrum, or a mode in which the support member 60 is pushed against the door inner panel 10, causing the guide member 50 and the door inner panel 10 to move closer together as a whole.

[0040] (1) The mounting structure according to the embodiment is a mounting structure for a window regulator unit 40 and comprises a door inner panel 10 that constitutes the interior side of a vehicle door 1, and a guide member 50 that extends vertically on the exterior side of the door inner panel 10 and supports the window panel 30 so that it can move up and down. Between the upper end 50U and the lower end 50D of the guide member 50, there is provided at least one support member 60 that is fixed to the door inner panel 10 and supports the guide member 50, and an upper elastic member 70 is interposed between the upper end 50U of the guide member 50 and an upper opposing portion 11 of the door inner panel 10 that faces the upper end 50U in the interior-exterior direction, and is configured such that the upper end 50U and the upper opposing portion 11 move closer to each other and compress the upper elastic member 70 due to elastic deformation caused by the acceleration when the vehicle door 1 is closed.

[0041] Therefore, as the upper end portion 50U of the guide member 50 and the upper opposing portion 11 of the door inner panel 10 come relatively closer together, the upper elastic member 70 and the upper opposing portion 11 come into contact, and a compressive force is input to the upper elastic member 70 between the upper end portion 50U and the upper opposing portion 11. Then, the reaction force (restoring force) of the compressed upper elastic member 70 is input to the upper end portion 50U and the upper opposing portion 11. At this time, a portion of the load caused by the inertial force of the window regulator unit 40 directed towards the interior of the vehicle, due to the acceleration generated when the vehicle door 1 is closed, is input to the door inner panel 10 through the upper elastic member 70. Therefore, this load is distributed to the support member 60 and the upper elastic member 70 and input to the door inner panel 10. Accordingly, the load input from the support member 60 of the window regulator unit 40 toward the door inner panel 10 when the vehicle door 1 is closed can be reduced. Furthermore, when the vehicle door 1 is closed, the window portion of the vehicle door 1 is often in a closed state. In this case, since the window panel 30 is supported on the upper side of the guide member 50, the center of gravity of the window regulator unit 40 is located at a high position in the vertical direction. Therefore, when acceleration occurs when the vehicle door 1 is closed, a large inertial force is generated on the upper side of the guide member 50. For this reason, by providing an upper elastic member 70 at the upper end portion 50U, the number of components of the window regulator unit 40 according to this embodiment can be reduced while effectively distributing the load caused by the inertial force of the window regulator unit 40 to the support member 60 and the upper elastic member 70, thereby reducing the load input from the support member 60 toward the door inner panel 10.

[0042] (2) In the mounting structure according to the embodiment, the upper elastic member 70 includes an upper rubber member 70a provided on the vehicle interior side of the upper end portion 50U of the guide member 50.

[0043] Therefore, when the vehicle door 1 is closed, the load caused by the inertial force of the window regulator unit is distributed to the upper elastic member 70, which is absorbed by the upper rubber member 70a, and the generation of low-frequency noise due to contact between the upper opposing part 11 and the upper elastic member 70 can be suppressed.

[0044] (3) In the mounting structure according to the embodiment, the upper rubber member 70a is directly fixed to the guide member 50.

[0045] Therefore, the number of parts required to construct the mounting structure of the window regulator unit 40 according to the embodiment can be reduced, and the mounting structure can be easily constructed.

[0046] (4) In the mounting structure according to the embodiment, a lower elastic member 80 is interposed between the lower end portion 50D of the guide member 50 and the lower opposing portion 12 of the door inner panel 10 that faces the lower end portion 50D in the direction of the interior and exterior of the vehicle, and is configured such that the lower end portion 50D and the lower opposing portion 12 move closer to each other and compress the lower elastic member 80 due to the elastic deformation caused by the acceleration when the vehicle door 1 is closed.

[0047] Therefore, as the lower end portion 50D of the guide member 50 and the lower opposing portion 12 of the door inner panel 10 come relatively closer together, a compressive force is input to the lower elastic member 80 between the lower end portion 50D and the lower opposing portion 12. The reaction force (restoring force) of the compressed lower elastic member 80 is then input to the lower end portion 50D and the lower opposing portion 12. At this time, a portion of the load caused by the inertial force of the window regulator unit 40 directed towards the interior of the vehicle, resulting from the acceleration generated when the vehicle door 1 is closed, is input to the door inner panel 10 through the lower elastic member 80. Therefore, this load is distributed to the support member 60, the upper elastic member 70, and the lower elastic member 80 and input to the door inner panel 10. Consequently, the load input from the support member 60 of the window regulator unit 40 toward the door inner panel 10 when the vehicle door 1 is closed can be reduced more reliably. Furthermore, when the window is open when closing the vehicle door 1, the window panel 30 is supported on the lower side of the guide member 50, resulting in the center of gravity of the window regulator unit 40 being at a lower position in the vertical direction. Therefore, when acceleration occurs when closing the vehicle door 1, a larger inertial force is generated on the lower side of the guide member 50. Consequently, there is a risk that a larger load will be applied to the lower support member 60D when closing the vehicle door. Also, due to design constraints, it may be difficult to increase the rigidity of the part of the door inner panel 10 to which the lower support member 60D is fixed, or the surrounding area. Even in such cases, the load can be distributed to the lower elastic member 80, thereby more reliably reducing the load applied from the lower support member 60D to the door inner panel 10.

[0048] (5) In the mounting structure according to the embodiment, the elastic modulus of the lower elastic member 80 is lower than that of the upper elastic member 70.

[0049] Therefore, the reaction force that the compressed lower elastic member 80 exerts on the lower end 50D and the door inner panel 10 is smaller than the reaction force that the compressed upper elastic member 70 exerts on the upper end 50U and the door inner panel 10. This prevents the sum of the reaction forces of the upper elastic member 70 and the lower elastic member 80 from becoming excessively large, and allows the load caused by the inertial force of the window regulator unit 40 generated when the vehicle door 1 is closed to be more reliably distributed to the support member 60, the upper elastic member 70, and the lower elastic member 80. In other words, the elastic modulus of the upper elastic member 70 is higher than that of the lower elastic member 80. Therefore, even when the window panel 30 is raised and the center of gravity of the window regulator unit is at a high position in the vertical direction, the upper elastic member 70 is excessively compressed, which prevents the load caused by the inertial force of the window regulator unit 40 when the vehicle door 1 is closed from being excessively exerted on the upper support member 60U.

[0050] (6) In the mounting structure according to the embodiment, the upper elastic member 70 is positioned at a distance from either the upper opposing portion 11 of the door inner panel 10 or the upper end portion 50U of the guide member 50 in the direction of entering and leaving the vehicle, and the lower elastic member 80 is positioned in a compressed state in contact with both the lower opposing portion 12 of the door inner panel 10 and the lower end portion 50D of the guide member 50 in the direction of entering and leaving the vehicle.

[0051] The operation of such a configuration will be explained with reference to Figure 10, using as an example a mounting structure in which, for example, the upper elastic member 70 fixed to the interior side of the upper end portion 50U is positioned with a gap between it and the upper opposing portion 11 in the interior-exterior direction of the vehicle, and the lower elastic member 80 fixed to the interior side of the lower end portion 50D is pressed against the lower opposing portion 12 and positioned in a compressed state.

[0052] In Figure 10, the horizontal axis X represents the relative movement (indentation) of the window regulator unit 40 relative to the door inner panel 10 when the vehicle door 1 is closed. The vertical axis Y represents the sum of the magnitude of the reaction force that the lower elastic member 80 inputs to the lower end 50D and the lower opposing part 12, and the magnitude of the reaction force that the upper elastic member 70 inputs to the upper end 50U and the upper opposing part 11, at a given indentation amount (total reaction force). The solid line L represents the change in total reaction force with respect to a change in indentation amount. The origin O is the state in which no relative movement of the window regulator unit 40 relative to the door inner panel 10 occurs. XC represents the indentation amount when the upper end 50U and the upper opposing part 11 come relatively closer together due to the closing of the vehicle door 1, and the upper elastic member 70 and the upper opposing part 11 come into contact.

[0053] First, at the origin O, the upper elastic member 70 is not compressed and therefore has no reaction force. On the other hand, the lower elastic member 80 is positioned in a compressed state and has a predetermined reaction force of magnitude Y0. Then, as the amount of indentation increases due to closing the vehicle door 1, the lower elastic member 80 becomes more strongly compressed, and as shown by the change in the solid line L from the origin O to XC, the magnitude of the reaction force of the lower elastic member 80 increases to YC. In this state, the load caused by the inertial force of the window regulator unit 40 when the vehicle door 1 is closed is distributed to the support member 60 and the lower elastic member 80. Furthermore, after the upper elastic member 70 and the upper opposing part 11 come into contact at an indentation amount XC, when the indentation amount becomes greater than XC, the upper elastic member 70 becomes compressed between the upper end portion 50U and the upper opposing part 11. At this time, since the upper elastic member 70 and the lower elastic member 80 have reaction forces, the total reaction force increases more significantly compared to the case where the indentation amount is less than or equal to XC. In this state, the load is distributed to the support member 60, the upper elastic member 70, and the lower elastic member 80. According to the above action, regardless of the position of the window panel 30 in the vertical direction, the load caused by the inertial force of the window regulator unit 40 when the vehicle door 1 is closed is first distributed to the support member 60 and the lower elastic member 80. Next, as the upper end portion 50U and the upper opposing portion 11 move closer together, the upper elastic member 70 and the upper opposing portion 11 come into contact, and the load is further distributed to the upper elastic member 70. Therefore, regardless of the position of the window panel 30 in the vertical direction, the load can be more reliably distributed to the support member 60, the upper elastic member 70, and the lower elastic member 80. Furthermore, for example, if the window portion of the vehicle door 1 is closed and the center of gravity of the window regulator unit 40 is located at a high position in the vertical direction, after the upper elastic member 70 and the upper opposing portion 11 come into contact, a moment may be generated in which the window panel 30 rotates toward the interior of the vehicle and the lower end portion 50D rotates toward the exterior of the vehicle, with the upper elastic member 70 acting as a pivot point. Even in such a case, the load can be more reliably distributed to the lower elastic member 80 before the moment is generated.

[0054] (7) In the mounting structure according to the embodiment, the lower elastic member 80 includes a leaf spring member 80b extending in the direction toward the interior of the vehicle from the lower end portion 50D of the guide member 50, and a lower rubber member 80a provided on the interior side of the leaf spring member 80b.

[0055] Therefore, the load distributed to the lower elastic member 80 from the load caused by the inertial force of the window regulator unit 40 when the vehicle door 1 is closed can be absorbed by the leaf spring member 80b.

[0056] (8) In the mounting structure according to the embodiment, the lower rubber member 80a is provided with a recess 80c on the surface of the lower rubber member 80a facing the door inner panel 10.

[0057] Therefore, it is possible to suppress the lower rubber member 80a from inputting excessive reaction force to the door inner panel 10. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress the lower rubber member 80a from sticking to the door inner panel 10, and to suppress the generation of noise (attachment / detachment noise) that occurs when the lower rubber member 80a adheres to or detaches from the door inner panel.

[0058] (9) In the mounting structure according to the embodiment, the distal portion 80d of the lower elastic member 80, which is farther from the rotation axis of the vehicle door 1, is positioned in a more compressed state than the proximal portion 80e, which is closer to the rotation axis.

[0059] Therefore, when the vehicle door 1 is closed, the load applied by the distal portion 80d of the lower elastic member 80 to the door inner panel 10 is greater than the load applied by the proximal portion 80e to the door inner panel 10. This prevents the window regulator unit 40 from rotating towards the rear around its vertical axis when the vehicle door is closed.

[0060] (10) In the mounting structure according to the embodiment, the peripheral edge of at least one support member 60 on the surface that abuts the door inner panel 10 is curved toward the outside of the vehicle interior.

[0061] Therefore, when the vehicle door 1 is closed, the load caused by the inertial force of the window regulator unit 40 is distributed to the contact surface 60a or a curved surface R formed on its periphery and input to the door inner panel 10. Consequently, compared to the case where an edge is formed on the periphery of the contact surface 60a, it is possible to suppress the concentrated input of the load.

[0062] Furthermore, although the above embodiment was described using passenger cars and light trucks as examples, it goes without saying that the mounting structure of the window regulator unit 40 according to the embodiment can be used for window regulator units on vehicle doors of commercial vehicles such as large trucks. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0063] 1. Vehicle door 10 Door Inner Panel 11 Upper opposing part 12 Lower opposing section 30 Window Panel 40 Window Regulator Unit 50 Guide members 50U top end 50D bottom end 60 Support member 70 Upper elastic member 70a Upper rubber member 80 Lower elastic member 80a Lower rubber member 80b Leaf spring component 80c recess 80d distal part 80e Proximal part

Claims

1. A mounting structure for a window regulator unit, The door inner panel, which forms the interior side of the vehicle door, The door inner panel includes a guide member that extends vertically on the outside of the vehicle interior and supports the window panel so that it can be raised and lowered, Between the upper and lower ends of the guide member, at least one support member is provided, which is fixed to the door inner panel and supports the guide member. An upper elastic member is interposed between the upper end of the guide member and the upper opposing portion of the door inner panel that faces the upper end in the direction of the vehicle interior and exterior. The upper end and the upper opposing portion are configured to move closer to each other and compress the upper elastic member due to elastic deformation caused by the acceleration when the vehicle door is closed, A lower elastic member is interposed between the lower end of the guide member and the lower opposing portion of the door inner panel that faces the lower end in the direction of the vehicle interior and exterior. The lower end and the lower opposing portion are configured to move closer to each other and compress the lower elastic member due to elastic deformation caused by the acceleration when the vehicle door is closed, The upper elastic member is positioned such that it is spaced apart in the direction of the interior and exterior of the vehicle from either the upper opposing portion of the door inner panel or the upper end of the guide member. The mounting structure is such that the lower elastic member is positioned in a compressed state, in contact with both the lower opposing portion of the door inner panel and the lower end of the guide member in the direction of entering and leaving the vehicle.

2. A mounting structure for a window regulator unit, The door inner panel, which forms the interior side of the vehicle door, The door inner panel includes a guide member that extends vertically on the outside of the vehicle interior and supports the window panel so that it can be raised and lowered, Between the upper and lower ends of the guide member, at least one support member is provided, which is fixed to the door inner panel and supports the guide member. An upper elastic member is interposed between the upper end of the guide member and the upper opposing portion of the door inner panel that faces the upper end in the direction of the vehicle interior and exterior. The upper end and the upper opposing portion are configured to move closer to each other and compress the upper elastic member due to elastic deformation caused by the acceleration when the vehicle door is closed, A lower elastic member is interposed between the lower end of the guide member and the lower opposing portion of the door inner panel that faces the lower end in the direction of the vehicle interior and exterior. The lower end and the lower opposing portion are configured to move closer to each other and compress the lower elastic member due to elastic deformation caused by the acceleration when the vehicle door is closed, A mounting structure in which the distal portion of the lower elastic member, which is farther from the rotation axis of the vehicle door, is positioned in a more compressed state than the proximal portion, which is closer to the rotation axis.

3. The mounting structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper elastic member includes an upper rubber member provided on the vehicle interior side of the upper end of the guide member.

4. The mounting structure according to claim 3, wherein the upper rubber member is directly fixed to the guide member.

5. The mounting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the elastic modulus of the lower elastic member is lower than that of the upper elastic member.

6. The mounting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lower elastic member includes a leaf spring member extending in the direction toward the interior of the vehicle from the lower end of the guide member, and a lower rubber member provided on the interior side of the leaf spring member.

7. The mounting structure according to claim 6, wherein the lower rubber member has a recess on the surface of the lower rubber member facing the door inner panel.

8. The mounting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the peripheral edge of the surface of the at least one support member that abuts the door inner panel is curved toward the outside of the vehicle interior.

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