WINDOW PULLEY AND REGULATOR COMPRISING THE PULLEY

Abstract

A pulley includes a main winding portion comprising an annular main winding groove into which a cable is wound, formed between a first flange and a second flange; and an auxiliary winding portion comprising an auxiliary winding groove into which the cable is wound, formed between the second flange and the third flange. The auxiliary winding groove includes a nearer portion, closer to the main winding groove in the radial direction thereof, and a curved portion that is curved toward the main winding groove at a point adjacent to the nearer portion, such that the curved portion joins the main winding groove at the nearer portion. The third flange includes an auxiliary guide portion that extends in the radial direction of the auxiliary winding groove such that the groove depth of the curved portion becomes greater than that of the nearer portion.This structure can provide a pulley that allows for the easy winding of a cable.

Description

WINDOW PULLEY AND REGULATOR COMPRISING THE PULLEY Field of Invention The present invention relates to a pulley and a window regulator including the pulley. Background of the Invention In a window regulator configured to raise and lower a vehicle window pane, for example, a pulley is used to change the extension direction of a cable used to raise and lower the window pane. To easily wind a cable around a pulley during window regulator assembly, a pulley described in Patent Literature (hereinafter referred to as (PTL)) 1 is used. The pulley includes a support groove, an assembly groove having a smaller diameter than the support groove, and a transition area connecting the support groove to the mounting groove. The pulley is designed as follows: the cable is temporarily wound around the assembly groove, and then the pulley is rotated, thereby positioning the cable from the assembly groove through the transition area to be wound around the support groove.To obtain the configuration, the outer flange, which forms the assembly groove located in the portion corresponding to iv nnnn / eznz / E / YiAi. Ref. 341246 - 2 transition area, projects axially into the transition area so that the cable is guided from the assembly slot through the transition area to the support slot. APPOINTMENT LIST Patent Literature PTL 1 Publication of Unexamined Japanese Patent Application (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2001-513858 Summary of the Invention Technical Problem The PTL 1 pulley has a substantially constant groove depth in the region from the assembly groove to the transition area. Therefore, when the pulley is rotated to guide the cable from the assembly groove through the transition area to the support groove, the cable sometimes passes over the protruding flange portion into the transition area. In such cases, the cable is pulled away from the assembly groove, making it difficult to wind the cable around the support groove. An objective of the present invention is to provide a pulley that allows for the easy winding of a cable and a window regulator that includes the pulley. iv nnnn / eznz / E / YiAi - 3 Solution to the problem A pulley of the present invention around which a cable is wound and which is rotatable about an axis of rotation includes: a main winding portion comprising a first flange, a second flange, and a main winding groove in an annular shape formed between the first flange and the second flange, wherein the cable is wound around the main winding groove; and an auxiliary winding portion comprising the second flange, a third flange, and an auxiliary winding groove in an annular shape formed between the second flange and the third flange, wherein the cable is wound around the auxiliary winding groove;and the auxiliary winding groove has a shorter overall peripheral length than the main winding groove, wherein the auxiliary winding groove includes a nearer portion that is closer to the main winding groove in a radial direction of the main winding groove; in a portion adjacent to the nearer portion of the auxiliary winding groove, the auxiliary winding groove extends inward in the radial direction of the main winding groove as the distance from the nearer portion increases; the auxiliary winding groove further includes a portion iv nnnn / eznz / E / YiAi; - 5 pulley according to a modality of the present invention as viewed diagonally from the top; Figure 2B is a perspective view of the pulley according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed diagonally from the bottom; Figure 3A is a front view of the pulley according to the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3B is a rear view of the pulley according to the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3C is a plan view of the pulley according to the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3D is a bottom view of the pulley according to the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3E is a right side view of the pulley according to the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3F is a left side view of the pulley according to the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4A is a front view of the pulley according to the embodiment of the present invention, indicating the characteristic portion of the pulley with a continuous line; Figure 4B is a rear view of the pulley according to the embodiment of the present invention, indicating the characteristic portion of the pulley with a continuous line; Figure 4C is a plan view of the pulley at n / nnnn / cznz / E / YiAi - 6 in accordance with the modality of the present invention which indicates the characteristic portion of the pulley with a continuous line; Figure 4D is a bottom view of the pulley according to the embodiment of the present invention, indicating the characteristic portion of the pulley with a continuous line; Figure 4E is a right side view of the pulley according to the embodiment of the present invention, indicating the characteristic portion of the pulley with a continuous line; Figure 4F is a left side view of the pulley, according to the embodiment of the present invention, indicating the characteristic portion of the pulley with a continuous line; Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of Figure 4A; Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of Figure 4A; Figure 5C is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of Figure 4A; Figure 5D is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD of Figure 4A; Figure 5E is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE of Figure 4A; Figure 5F is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF of Figure 4A; - 7 Figure 5G is a cross-sectional view taken along line GG of Figure 4A; Figure 6A is a front view illustrating a state in which a cable is temporarily wound around an auxiliary winding portion of the pulley according to the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6B is a bottom view of Figure 6A; Figure 7A is a front view illustrating a state in which the pulley is rotated from the state illustrated in Figure 6A; Figure 7B is a bottom view of Figure 7A; Figure 7C is a cross-sectional view taken along line HH of Figure 7A; Figure 8A is a front view illustrating a state in which the pulley is rotated from the state illustrated in Figure 7A; Figure 8B is a bottom view of Figure 8A; Figure 9A is a front view illustrating a conventional pulley in a state in which the position relationship of the pulley to the cable is the same as in the state illustrated in Figure 7A; Figure 9B is a bottom view of Figure 9A; and Figure 9C is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of Figure 9A. iv nnnn / eznz / E / YiAi - 8 Detailed Description of the Invention A pulley and window regulator according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described, with reference to the figures. The embodiment shown below is only an example, and the pulley and window regulator of the present invention are not limited to the following embodiment. As illustrated in Figure 1, the cables W1, W2 and W3 (hereinafter collectively referred to as cable W) are capable of being wound around pulley 1 of the present embodiment. Pulley 1 is a member configured to change the extension direction of the wound cable W. Pulley 1 can be applied, for example, to the window regulator WR configured to raise and lower a vehicle window pane, as illustrated in Figure 1. Details of pulley 1 will be described below with reference to an exemplary pulley applied to the window regulator WR. The pulley of the present invention is applicable not only to a window regulator but also to other applications in which a cable is wound and the extension direction of the cable needs to be changed. As illustrated in Figure 1, the window regulator (WR) includes a drive section (DR); a cable W to be driven by the drive section DR; movable membersCP1 and CP2, to which cable W is connected and to which a window pane (not shown) can be attached; guide rails GR1 and GR2 for guiding the movable members CP1 and CP2; and pulleys 1 rotatably attached to guide rails GR1 and GR2 and around which cable W is wound. The window regulator WR raises and lowers the window pane attached to the movable members CP1 and CP2 by raising and lowering the movable members CP1 and CP2 in an upward and downward direction L along guide rails GR1 and GR2 using cable W driven by drive section DR. The window regulator WR is attached, for example, to a mounting target such as a door panel (not shown) of a vehicle.In the following description, the upper side of the lifting or lowering direction L of the window glass will be referred to as the upper, upward, or top side, and the lower side of the lifting and lowering direction L of the window glass will be referred to as the lower, downward, or bottom side. Cable W transmits the driving force to the DR drive section to move members CP1 and CP2, specifically the operating targets. To transmit the driving force from the DR drive section to the moving members CP1 and CP2, cable W is routed to the DR drive section, moving members CP1 and CP2 and guide rails GR1 and GR2 along a predetermined path. - 10 Any route is applicable for cable W, provided that cable W can transmit the driving force from the drive section DR to the movable members CP1 and CP2. In the present embodiment, cable W is directed so as to form a loop with a figure-eight shape, as illustrated in Figure 1. Cable W is configured as a flexible elongated member so that cable W can be directed along a predetermined route. As cable W, for example, an inner wire of a known control cable, in which a plurality of metal wires are twisted together, can be used. As illustrated in Figure 1, cable W can be inserted through an outer sheath OC, which slideably accommodates cable W in the longitudinal direction of cable W, at least along part of the route. In this embodiment, cable W comprises three cables, specifically the first cable W1, the second cable W2, and the third cable W3, as illustrated in Figure 1. The number of cables is not limited to three and there may be one, two, four, or more. The first cable W1, the second cable W2, and the third cable W3 are connected to each other by means of the drive section DR and the moving members CP1 and CP2, and are routed to form a figure-eight loop, as described above. As illustrated in Figure 1, the routing details are as follows. One (first) end of the first cable - 11 W1 connects to the drive section DR and the other (second) end of the first cable W1 connects to the first moving member CP1. The first cable W1 extends from the drive section DR to the side of the lower end of the first guide rail GR1. The direction of the first cable W1 is changed by the pulley 1 provided on the lower end side of the first guide rail GR1, and the first cable W1 extends upward along the first guide rail GR1 to the first moving member CP1. One (first) end of the second cable W2 connects to the drive section DR, and the other (second) end of the second cable W2 connects to the second moving member CP2.The second cable W2 extends from the drive section DR to the upper end side of the second guide rail GR2. The direction of the second cable W2 is changed by pulley 1 provided on the upper end side of the second guide rail GR2, and a second cable W2 extends downward along the second guide rail GR2 to the second moving member CP2. One (first) end of the third cable W3 connects to the first moving member CP1, and the other (second) end of the third cable W3 connects to the second moving member CP2. The third cable W3 extends upward from the first moving member CP1 along the first guide rail GR1. The direction of the third cable W3 is changed by pulley 1 provided on the upper end side of the first guide rail GR1, and the third cable W3... - 12 extends on the lower end side of the second guide rail GR2. In addition, the direction of the third cable W3 is changed by the pulley 1 provided on the lower end side of the second guide rail GR2, and the third cable W3 extends upwards along the second guide rail GR2 to the second moving member CP2. The movable members CP1 and CP2 are raised and lowered in the upward and downward direction L along the guide rails GR1 and GR2 by the driving force transmitted by the cable W. The raising and lowering of the movable members CP1 and CP2 in the upward and downward direction L along the guide rails GR1 and GR2 raises and lowers the window pane attached to the movable members CP1 and CP2 in the upward and downward direction L along the guide rails GR1 and GR2. The movable members CP1 and CP2 are attached to the guide rails GR1 and GR2 so that they can move along the upward and downward direction L. In the present embodiment, the movable members CP1 and CP2 comprise two movable members, specifically a first movable member CP1 and a second movable member CP2, as illustrated in Figure 1.The first moving member CP1 and the second moving member CP2 are attached to the guide rails GR1 and GR2 in such a way that the moving members move together and parallel to each other. The number of moving members is not limited to two and can be one, three, or more. iv nnnn / eznz / E / YiAi - 13 The movable members CP1 and CP2 are connected to cable W such that the driving force along the lifting and lowering directions L is transmitted to the movable members, and the movable members move together with each other. Specifically, the second end of the first cable W1 and the first end of the third cable W3 are connected to the first movable member CP1, and the first movable member CP1 moves in the direction in which the first cable W1 is pulled or in the direction in which the third cable W3 is pulled. Furthermore, the second end of the second cable W2 and the second end of the third cable W3 are connected to the second movable member CP2, and the second movable member CP2 moves in the direction in which the second cable W2 is pulled or in the direction in which the third cable W3 is pulled. Guide rails GR1 and GR2 guide movable members CP1 and CP2 such that CP1 and CP2 move along the lifting or lowering direction L. Guide rails GR1 and GR2 are attached, for example, to the attachment target, such as a vehicle door panel (not shown). In the present embodiment, guide rails GR1 and GR2 include two movable members, specifically a first guide rail GR1 and a second guide rail GR2, as illustrated in Figure 1. The first guide rail GR1 guides the first movable member CP1 along the lifting and lowering direction L, and the second guide rail - 14 guide GR2 guides the second moving member CP2 along the lifting and lowering direction L. In other words, the first guide rail GR1 and the second guide rail GR2 are positioned so that they guide the first moving member CP1 and the second moving member CP2 along the same lifting and lowering direction L. The number of guide rails is not limited, and can be one. The DR drive section drives cable W, which is connected directly or indirectly to the DR drive section. The DR drive section can have any configuration as long as it can drive cable W. In the present embodiment, the DR drive section is fixed to the first guide rail GR1, as illustrated in Figure 1. Furthermore, the DR drive section is configured to drive cable W, for example, electrically or manually. In the present embodiment, the DR drive section drives cable W electrically. As illustrated in Figure 1, the DR drive section includes a DR1 motor and a DR2 cylinder that is rotated by the drive force of the DR1 motor. Motor DR1 is a drive source for rotating cylinder DR2. In this embodiment, motor DR1 is connected to cylinder DR2 via a known speed reduction mechanism and rotates cylinder DR2 in both forward and reverse directions. Cylinder DR2 Cylinder 15 is rotated in forward and reverse directions by the drive motor DR1, thereby winding and feeding the cable W (first cable W1 and second cable W2 in the example illustrated in Figure 1). Cylinder CD2 winds cable W by rotating in one direction or the other to pull the movable members CP1 and CP2 connected to cable W, and feeds cable W by rotating in one direction or the other to allow the movement of the movable members CP1 and CP2 connected to cable W. The more specific description with reference to Figure 1 is as follows: When motor DR1 is driven in the drive section DR to rotate cylinder DR2 in one direction (for example, counterclockwise in Figure 1), the first cable W1 is wound around cylinder DR2, and the second cable W2 is fed from cylinder DR2. As a result, the first moving member CP1, to which the first cable W1 is connected, is pulled downwards in the lifting and lowering direction L by the first cable W1. At the same time, the second moving member CP2, to which the third cable W3 is connected, is pulled downwards in the lifting and lowering direction L by the third cable W3 connected to the first moving member CP1. At this moment, the second cable W2 connected to the second moving member CP2 is pulled downwards in the direction of - 16 Lifting and lowering L by the second moving member CP2 and simultaneously is fed from the cylinder DR2 in this way to allow the downward movement of the second moving member CP2 in an lifting and lowering direction L. In this way, the first moving member CP1 and the second moving member CP2 move downwards in the lifting and lowering direction L in conjunction with each other. On the other hand, when motor DR1 is driven in the DR drive section to rotate cylinder DR2 in the opposite direction (e.g., clockwise in Figure 1), the second cable W2 is wound around cylinder DR2, and the first cable W1 is fed from cylinder DR2. As a result, the second moving member CP2, to which the second cable W2 is connected, is pulled upward in the lifting and lowering direction L by the second cable W2. Simultaneously, the first moving member CP1, to which the third cable W3 is connected, is pulled upward in the lifting and lowering direction L by the third cable W3, which is connected to the second moving member CP2.At this moment, the first cable W1 connected to the first moving member CP1 is pulled upwards in an upward and downward direction L by the first moving member CP1 and is simultaneously fed from the cylinder DR2, in order to allow the iv nnnn / eznz / E / YiAi. - 17 Upward movement of the first moving member CP1 in the uplift and downlift direction L. In this way, the first moving member CP1 and the second moving member CP2 move upwards in the uplift and downlift direction L together. As illustrated in Figure 1, pulley 1 is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation X and rotates in accordance with the movement of the wound cable W to change the extension direction of cable W. Pulley 1 is positioned such that the axis of rotation X is parallel to the perpendicular direction of both the extension directions of cable W before and after the cable direction changes. In this embodiment, pulleys 1 are rotatably provided in a total of four positions on the upper and lower end sides of both the first guide rail GR1 and the second guide rail GR2. The number and positions of pulleys 1 are not limited to the illustrated example and are appropriately determined according to the positions where the direction of cable W needs to be changed and the number of these positions.Pulleys 1 can thus be provided, for example, on one side of the upper end or on the sides of the lower end of guide rails GR1 and GR2. Pulley 1 includes a winding portion - 18 main 2 and an auxiliary winding portion 3, as illustrated in Figures 2A, 2B, and 3A to 3F. The main winding portion 2 is a portion where cable W is wound and the extension direction of cable W is changed. The auxiliary winding portion 3 is a portion where cable W is temporarily wound. The auxiliary winding portion 3 helps the temporarily wound cable W to be wound around the main winding portion 2. As described in detail later, after cable W is wound around the auxiliary winding portion 3 on pulley 1, pulley 1 and cable W are rotated together or rotated relative to each other around the rotation axis X, thus allowing cable W to be wound around the main winding portion 2 from the auxiliary winding portion 3.The main winding portion 2 and the auxiliary winding portion 3 can have any configuration, as long as the temporarily wound cable W can be wound around the main winding portion 2 from the auxiliary winding portion 3. In the present embodiment, the main winding portion 2 and the auxiliary winding portion 3 are adjacent to each other in the direction of rotation of the X axis and are substantially parallel and connected to each other. The main rolling portion 2 includes a - 19 first flange 21 and a second flange 22, as illustrated in Figures 2A, 2B and 3A to 3F. The annular main winding groove 23, where the cable W is wound, is formed between the first flange 21 and the second flange 22 in the main winding portion 2. The main winding groove 23 is a groove into which the cable W is wound in order to change the direction of the cable W. As illustrated in Figures 2A, 2B and 3A to 3F, the main winding groove 23 has an inwardly recessed shape in the radial direction with respect to the outer circumferences of the first flange 21 and the second flange 22. The main winding groove 23 is formed into a substantially annular shape about the rotation axis X. The first flange 21 and the second flange 22 prevent cable W from leaving the main winding groove 23 in the direction of the rotation axis X, and guide cable W along the extension direction of the main winding groove 23. In order to guide cable W along the extension direction of the main winding groove 23, each of the first flange 21 and the second flange 22 is provided along the extension direction of the main winding groove 23 and on one of the side surfaces of the main winding groove 23, as illustrated in Figures 2A, 2B, and 3A to 3F. - Twenty lateral surfaces of the main winding groove 23 are located on both sides of the main winding groove 23, each along the extension direction of the main winding groove 23. The first flange 21 and the second flange 22 can have any shape to the extent that the cable W can be guided along the extension direction of the main winding groove 23. In the present embodiment, the first flange 21 is formed around the rotation axis X into a substantially circular shape having a diameter larger than that of the main winding groove 23, as illustrated in Figure 3B. Furthermore, the second flange 22 is formed around the rotation axis X into a substantially circular shape having a diameter larger than that of the entire main winding groove 23, as illustrated in Figure 3A.As illustrated in Figures 2A, 2B, and 3D, in the vicinity of the nearest portion 321 described below of the auxiliary winding portion 3, the second flange 22 is inclined toward the first flange 21 in the direction of the rotation axis X, while the diameter of the second flange 22 decreases as it approaches the nearest portion 321 in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, the second flange 22 is shaped such that its outer edge in the radial direction is located at the same height as the portion iv nnnn / eznz / E / YiAi. - 21 lower of the main winding groove 23 at the position where the second flange 22 is closest to the nearest portion 321 (the second flange 22 substantially disappears). Hereinafter, the term lower means the lowest part of a groove. The auxiliary winding portion 3 includes a second flange 22 and a third flange 31 as illustrated in Figures 2A, 2B, and 3A to 3F. The auxiliary winding portion 3 shares the second flange 22 with the main winding portion 2. The annular auxiliary winding groove 32, into which the cable W is wound, is formed between the second flange 22 and the third flange 31 in the auxiliary winding portion 3. The auxiliary winding slot 32 is a slot into which the cable W is temporarily wound to guide the cable W to the main winding slot 23. As illustrated in Figures 2a, 2B and 3A to 3F, the auxiliary winding slot 32 has a shape that is at least partially recessed inwards in the radial direction with respect to the outer circumferences of the second flange 22 and the third flange 31. The auxiliary winding slot 32 is formed into an annular shape so that the cable W can be wound into it. In order to guide the temporarily wound cable W to the main winding slot 23, the iv nnnn / eznz / E / YiAi - A winding slot 32 is provided as follows, as illustrated in Figure 3A: at least a portion of the auxiliary winding slot 32 is joined to the main winding slot 23 in the radial direction of the main winding slot 23. In addition, the auxiliary winding slot 32 includes the nearest portion 321 that is closest to the main winding slot 23 in the radial direction of the main winding slot 23. In a portion adjacent to the nearest portion 321 in the auxiliary winding slot 32, the auxiliary winding slot 32 extends inward in the radial direction of the main winding slot 23 as the distance from the nearest portion 321 increases in the circumferential direction.In the present embodiment, the auxiliary winding slot 32 is formed into a substantially triangular, annular shape that is rounded in the front view (when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis X), and a vertex of the substantially triangular shape joins with the main winding slot 23 in the radial direction to form the nearest portion 321, as illustrated in Figure 3A. The auxiliary winding slot 32 is located within the main winding slot 23 in the radial direction and has a shorter overall peripheral length than the main winding slot 23. As a result, the cable W, whose... - The length 23 is adjusted so that the cable can be wound around the main winding slot 23 and easily wound around the auxiliary winding slot 32. The auxiliary winding slot 32 is not limited to the illustrated example, insofar as at least a portion of the auxiliary winding slot 32 joins the main winding slot 23 in the radial direction and has a shorter overall peripheral length than the main winding slot 23. The auxiliary winding slot 23 can thus be shaped, for example, into a substantially circular form in the front view. As illustrated in Figures 2A, 2B, and 3D, the auxiliary winding slot 32 includes a curved portion 322 that curves toward the main winding slot 23 at a point adjacent to the nearest portion 321, such that the curved portion joins the main winding slot 23 at the nearest portion 321. At the point adjacent to the nearest portion 321, the curved portion 322 curves toward the main winding slot 23 in the direction of the rotation axis X as the curved portion 322 approaches the nearest portion 321 in the circumferential direction. The curved portion 322 ultimately joins the main winding slot 23 at the nearest position 321. As a result, the curved portion 322 can guide the temporarily wound cable W from the - 24 auxiliary winding slot 32 to main winding slot 23. The curved portion 322 can have any structure, provided that the curved portion 322 can guide the cable W, which is temporarily wound around the auxiliary winding groove 32, to the main winding groove 23. In the present embodiment, the curved portion 322 includes a first curved portion 322a and a second curved portion 322b, as illustrated in Figures 2A, 2B, and 3D. The first curved portion 322a is adjacent to the nearest portion 321 in the circumferential direction of the auxiliary winding groove 32, and the second curved portion 322b is adjacent to the first curved portion 322a on the opposite side of the nearest portion 321 in the circumferential direction of the auxiliary winding groove 32. The first curved portion 322a is curved with a larger curvature than the second curved portion 322b.As a result, the curvature gradually increases from the auxiliary winding groove 32 towards the main winding groove 23, and in this way, the cable W can be curved and wound around the main winding groove 23 without receiving a large bending deformation when the cable W is curved along the curved portion 322 towards the direction of the rotation axis X. The second rim 22 and the third rim 31 prevent - 25 that the cable W comes out of the auxiliary winding slot 32 in the direction of the rotation axis X, and the guide cable W along the extension direction of the auxiliary winding slot 32. In order to guide the cable W along the extension direction of the auxiliary winding slot 32, every second flange 22 and third flange 31 are provided along the extension direction of the auxiliary winding slot 32 and on one of the side surfaces of the auxiliary winding slot 32, as illustrated in Figures 2A, 2B and 3A to 3F. The side surfaces are located on both sides of the auxiliary winding slot 32 along the extension direction of the auxiliary winding slot 32. The second flange 22 can have any shape, provided that the second flange 22 can prevent the cable W from slipping out of at least a portion of the auxiliary winding groove 32 on the opposite side of the third flange 31 in the direction of the rotation axis X and can guide the cable W along the extension direction of the auxiliary winding groove 32 into the main winding groove 23. In the present embodiment, the second flange 22 is formed about the rotation axis X in a substantially circular shape having a diameter larger than that of the auxiliary winding groove 32 in its entirety, as illustrated in Figure 3A. As described in the iv nnnn / eznz / E / YiAi - 26 above, the second flange 22 has the following features, as illustrated in Figures 2A, 2B and 3D: in the vicinity of the nearest portion 321 of the auxiliary winding portion 3, the second flange 22 is inclined towards the first flange 21 in the direction of the rotation axis X while the diameter of the second flange 22 is reduced as the second flange 22 approaches the nearest portion 321 in the circumferential direction; and the second flange 22 is shaped such that the outer edge of the second flange 22 in the radial direction is located at the same height as the bottom of the auxiliary winding groove 32 in the position where the second flange 22 is closest to the nearest portion 321 (the second flange 22 substantially disappears). The third flange 31 can have any shape, provided that the third flange can prevent the cable W from coming out from at least a portion of the auxiliary winding groove 32 to the outside of the third flange 31 in the direction of the rotation axis X, and can guide the cable W along the extension direction of the auxiliary winding groove 32 into the main winding groove 23. In the present embodiment, the third flange 31 is formed into a substantially triangular shape that is rounded in its front view (when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis X), specifically corresponding substantially to the auxiliary winding groove 32, and is provided along the extension direction of the auxiliary winding groove 32, as illustrated in Figure 3A. In the present embodiment, in the vicinity of the nearest portion 321 of the auxiliary winding portion 3, the surface of the third flange 31 on the side of the second flange 22 is curved toward the first flange 21 in the direction of the rotation axis X as the third flange 31 approaches the nearest portion 321 in the circumferential direction, as illustrated in Figures 2A, 2B, and 3D to 3F. As a result, a curved portion 322 of the auxiliary winding groove 32 is shaped so that it is curved toward the main winding groove 23 in the direction of the rotation axis X and joins the main winding groove 23 at the nearest portion 321.Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the third flange 31 is shaped such that the outer edge of the third flange 321 in the radial direction is located at the same height as the bottom of the auxiliary winding groove 32 in a portion opposite the nearest portion 321 in the radial direction (the third flange 31 substantially disappears), as illustrated in Figures 3A, 3E, and 3F. As a result, the cable W can be easily placed in the auxiliary winding groove 32. - 28 portion opposite the nearest portion 321 in the radial direction without the cable W having to cross over the third flange 31; therefore, the cable W can be easily wound around the auxiliary winding groove 32 by means of the portion opposite the nearest portion 321 in the radial direction. As illustrated in Figures 2A, 2B, 3A, 3D to 3F and Figures 5B to 5F, the third flange 31 includes an auxiliary guide portion 311 that extends in the radial direction of the auxiliary winding groove 32 such that the groove depth D2 of the curved portion 322 becomes greater than the groove depth DI of the nearest portion 321 (see, in particular, Figures 3A and 5B to 5F). Herein, groove depths Di and D2 each mean the distance in the radial direction from the outer edge of the third flange 31 to the bottom of the auxiliary winding groove 32.When, for example, the auxiliary guide portion 311 is provided on the side, when the cable W is guided towards the main winding slot 23, in the circumferential direction of the auxiliary winding portion 3 (for example, in the case of the auxiliary guide portion 311 on the right side of figure 7A), the following is impossible: during the winding of the cable W from the auxiliary winding portion 3 to the main winding portion 2, the cable W can iv nnnn / eznz / E / YiAi. - 29 to be guided towards the main winding groove 23 along the curved portion 322 even when cable W is separated from the bottom of the curved portion 322 in the radial direction of the auxiliary winding groove 32. As cable W has rigidity while having flexibility, the following may occur during winding of cable W from the auxiliary winding portion 3 to the main winding portion 2: cable W cannot be bent in a way that corresponds to the curvature of the curved portion 322, and therefore floats upwards from the bottom of the curved portion 322, deviates from the rail of the curved portion 322 and passes over a portion of the third flange 31 - the portion located in the position corresponding to the nearest portion 321 - in some cases.However, in the present embodiment, providing the third flange 31 with an auxiliary guide portion 311 facilitates the bending of cable W along the curved portion 322 and prevents cable W from being deflected from the rail of the curved portion 322 even when cable W can float upwards from the bottom of the curved portion 322. As a result, cable W is prevented from passing over the portion of the third flange 31 located at the position corresponding to the nearest portion 321, and cable W can be easily guided from the auxiliary winding portion 3 to the main winding portion 2. Therefore, cable W can be wound iv nnnn / eznz / E / YiAi. - 30 easily around the main winding portion 2 on pulley 1 of the present mode. Furthermore, when, for example, the auxiliary guide portion 311 is provided on a side opposite the side where the cable W is guided to the main winding groove 23, in the circumferential direction of the auxiliary winding portion 3 (for example, in the case of the auxiliary guide portion 311 on the left side of Figure 7A), the following is possible: the cable W can be guided to the auxiliary winding groove 32 again without allowing the cable W to be separated from the auxiliary winding portion 3 in the direction of the rotation axis X, even when the cable W passes over the portion of the third flange 31 located in the portion corresponding to the nearest portion 321. When the cable W is separated from the auxiliary winding portion 3 in the direction of the rotation axis X, it is necessary to wind the cable W around the auxiliary winding portion 3 again.However, when a state in which cable W is wound at least around the auxiliary winding portion 3 can be maintained, the operation of guiding cable W from the auxiliary winding groove 32 to the main winding groove 23 can be repeated by continuously rotating pulley 1 or cable W. This configuration can eliminate repetitive winding of cable W around the portion. - 31 auxiliary winding 3 and can easily wind the cable W around the main winding portion 2. Furthermore, when, for example, the auxiliary guide portion 311 is provided on either side or on either side of the nearest portion 321 in the circumferential direction of the auxiliary winding groove 32 (for example, in the case of the auxiliary guide portion 311 on the right and / or left side in Figure 7A), the following is possible: the cable W can be guided along the auxiliary winding groove 32 towards the main winding groove 23 without allowing the cable W to separate from the auxiliary winding portion 3 in the direction of the rotation axis X, even when the tension of the cable W becomes high and the rotation axis X of pulley 1 is tilted. Therefore, the cable W can be easily wound around the main winding portion 2 on pulley 1 in this embodiment. The auxiliary guide portion 311 is provided in at least one of the positions corresponding to the curved portion 322 in order to guide the cable W along the curved portion 322. In the present embodiment, the auxiliary guide portion 311 is provided so as to correspond with the first curved portion 322a in the curved portions 322 as illustrated in Figures 2A, 2B, and 3D. In the portion of the curved portion 322 that has a curvature iv nnnn / eznz / E / YiAi - 32 large (first curved portion 322a), the rigid cable W cannot be curved to match the curvature of the curved portion 322, and is more likely to be deflected from the rail of the curved portion 322 and float upwards. In pulley 1 of the present embodiment, providing the auxiliary guide portion 311 to match the portion having a large curvature (first curved portion 322a) can more reliably prevent cable W from separating from the curved portion 322. Furthermore, when cable W passes over the portion of the third flange 31 located at the position corresponding to the nearest portion 321, it is highly likely that cable W will separate from the auxiliary winding portion 3 at the portion having the largest curvature (first curved portion 322a).Therefore, providing the auxiliary guide portion 311 so as to correspond with the portion having a large bend (first curved portion 322a) can further prevent the cable W from separating from the auxiliary winding portion 3. The cable W can be guided more reliably to the main winding slot 23 by providing the auxiliary guide portion 311 so as to correspond with the portion (first curved portion 322a) adjacent to the nearest portion 321, which is the junction of the main winding slot 23 and the auxiliary winding slot 32, not in an alleged portion of the. - 33 nearest portion 321. In addition, when cable W passes over the portion of the third flange 31 located in the position corresponding to the nearest portion 321, cable W can be returned to the auxiliary winding slot 32 more reliably by returning cable W to the auxiliary winding slot 32 immediately after passing over it.The auxiliary guide portion 311 may be of any size, provided that the auxiliary guide portion 311 extends in the radial direction of the auxiliary winding groove 32 such that at least the groove depth D2 of the curved portion 322 is greater than the groove depth DI of the nearest portion 321. In the present embodiment, the auxiliary guide portion 311 extends at least to a position corresponding to the outer edge of the first flange 21 over a predetermined width in the circumferential direction of the auxiliary winding portion 3, as illustrated in Figures 3A, 5B, 5C, 5E, and 5F. As a result, the auxiliary guide portion 311 can guide cable W along the curved portion 322 to prevent cable W from deviating from the rail of the curved portion 322 even when cable W can float upwards from the bottom of the curved portion 322 to the position corresponding to the outer edge of the first flange 21.Furthermore, when cable W passes over the portion of the third flange 31 located at the position corresponding to the nearest portion 321, cable W can be returned to the auxiliary winding groove 32 more reliably. As clearly illustrated in Figure 3A, the auxiliary guide portion 311 is shaped such that the groove depth of the auxiliary winding groove 32 increases as the distance from the nearest portion 321 in the circumferential direction of the auxiliary winding groove 32 increases. As a result, cable W can be guided along the curved portion 322 more reliably, and cable W passes over the portion of the third flange 31 located at the position corresponding to the nearest portion 321 and can be returned to the auxiliary winding groove 32 more reliably. The default width of the auxiliary guide portion 311 in the circumferential direction of the auxiliary winding portion 3 can be appropriately set so as to satisfy the following: the cable W is separated from the bottom of the curved portion 322 in the radial direction of the auxiliary winding groove 32 and can be guided along the curved portion 322; or the cable W passes over a portion of the third flange 31—the portion located in the position corresponding to the nearest portion 321—and can be returned to the auxiliary winding groove 32. (v nnnn / eznz / E / YiAi The default width of the auxiliary guide portion 311 is not limited, but may be defined, for example, by the angle Θ from the nearest portion 321 around the rotation axis X, as illustrated in Figure 3A. The angle θ is not limited, but is preferably, for example, equal to or less than an angle between a straight line connecting the rotation axis X to the nearest portion 321 and a straight line connecting the intersection Y1 to the rotation axis X. The intersection Y1 is a point where the straight line Y intersects the outer edge of the second flange 22 (or first flange 21) where the straight line Y is parallel to the straight line connecting the rotation axis X to the nearest portion 321, and is in contact with the outer edge of the auxiliary winding portion 3 (third flange 31).Setting the angle Θ to this angle or less can reduce a portion of the third flange 31—the portion higher than the bottom of the auxiliary winding groove 32—thus allowing the cable W to be easily wound around the auxiliary winding groove 32. A specific maximum preferred value for the angle Θ is, for example, 55°. From the above perspective, the angle Θ is preferably 55° or less, more preferably 40° or less, and even more preferably 25° or less. Furthermore, the angle θ can have any value greater than 0°, but it can be equal to or greater than the angle. - 36 minimum that satisfies the following: the cable W can be guided along the curved portion 322; or the cable W can be returned to the auxiliary winding groove 32. The minimum value of the angle θ may also change depending, for example, on the size of the auxiliary winding groove 32 or the diameter of the cable W. A specific preferred minimum value of the angle Θ is, for example, 5°. From the above point of view, the angle Θ is preferably 5° greater, more preferably 10° or more, and even more preferably 15° or more. In the present embodiment, the auxiliary guide portions 311 are provided with the nearest portion 321 between them so that they correspond on both sides of the nearest portion 321 in the circumferential direction of the auxiliary winding groove 32, as illustrated in Figures 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3D. Because the auxiliary guide portions 311 are provided so that they correspond on both sides of the nearest portion 321 in the circumferential direction, the cable W can be easily guided from the auxiliary winding groove 32 to the main winding groove 23 regardless of the direction in which the pulley 1 and cable W are rotated. When the cable W is passed over the portion of the third flange 31 located in the position corresponding to the nearest portion 321 by rotating the pulley 1 and cable W in - 37 In any direction, the cable W can be easily returned to the auxiliary winding slot 32. The auxiliary guide portion 311 can be provided in any configuration, insofar as the auxiliary guide portion is provided so as to correspond to the curved portion 322 adjacent to the nearest portion 321 and can be provided so as to correspond to one of the sides of the nearest portions 321 in the circumferential direction. The following section describes in detail the operation of the cable W winding from the auxiliary winding portion 3 to the main winding portion 2 on pulley 1 of the present embodiment, in comparison with a pulley of the prior art, with reference to Figures 6A, 6B, 7A to 7C, 8A, 8B, and 9A to 9C. However, the pulley of the present invention is not limited to the following description. Furthermore, in Figures 9A to 9C, which illustrate the pulley of the prior art, the same reference numbers are provided for the corresponding components of pulley 1 of the present embodiment for ease of understanding, which does not mean that the components with the same reference numbers are the same. Moreover, Figures 9A to 9C are used only to explain the working effect of pulley 1 of the present embodiment, but do not indicate that the - 38 all of the components included in the illustrated structure are known in advance. As illustrated in Figures 6A and 6B, cable W is wound around the auxiliary winding groove 32 of the auxiliary winding portion 3. At this point, cable W is wound around the auxiliary winding portion 3 from the position (top side in Figure 6A) on the opposite side in the radial direction from the position where the auxiliary winding portion joins the main winding portion 2. At the position - on the opposite side in the radial direction from the position adjacent to the main winding portion 2 - on the auxiliary winding portion 3, the edge of the third flange 31 in the radial direction has substantially the same height as the bottom of the auxiliary winding groove 32 (see also Figures 3A, 3E, and 3F).Therefore, when cable W is wound around the auxiliary winding slot 32, cable W does not need to pass over the third flange 31, and in this way cable W can be easily wound around the auxiliary winding slot 32. After cable W is wound around auxiliary winding groove 32, pulley 1 is rotated counterclockwise around the rotation axis X in the front view, as shown - 39 is illustrated in Figures 7A to 7C. At this point, the guide rails GR1 and GR2, provided with pulley 1 beforehand, are attached to a joining target such as a vehicle door panel (not illustrated). Figure 7A illustrates the position of the rotated pulley 1 in the same position as in Figure 6A for ease of comparison with other states, and thus illustrates cable W as if it were rotating clockwise about pulley 1. Due to the rotation, cable W reaches the curved portion 322 of the auxiliary winding groove 32 and is guided to the nearest position 321 along the extension direction of the curved portion 322. At this point, cable W curves into the main winding groove 23 (downward in Figure 7B) in the direction of the rotation axis X along the extension direction of the curved portion 322.For example, as illustrated in Figures 9A to 9C, the following may occur in a pulley of the prior art: the cable W may not be curved to correspond to the curvature of the curved portion 322, it floats upward from the bottom of the curved portion 322 as illustrated in Figure 9C, it deviates from the rail of the curved portion 322 and passes over the portion of the third flange 31 located in the position corresponding to the nearest portion 321 in some cases as illustrated in Figure 9B. In such a case, the additional rotation. - 40 of pulley 1 may cause separation of cable W from the auxiliary winding portion 3. However, the third flange 31 is provided with the auxiliary guide portion 311 on pulley 1 of the present embodiment, the following is possible even when cable W can float upwards from the bottom of the curved portion 322, as illustrated in figure 7C: the auxiliary guide portion 311 prevents cable W from deviating from the rail of the curved portion 322, facilitates the bending of cable W along the curved portion 322 and guides cable W from the auxiliary winding groove 32 to the main winding groove 23 as illustrated in figure 7B. Even if cable W passes over the portion of the third flange 31 located in the position corresponding to the nearest portion 321, the auxiliary guide portion 311 on the left side of Figure 7A guides cable W back into the auxiliary winding groove 32 when pulley 1 is continuously rotated.Therefore, the operation of guiding cable W from auxiliary winding slot 32 to main winding slot 23 can be repeated by continuously rotating pulley 1. After cable W is guided to the nearest portion 321 by means of the curved portion 322 of the auxiliary winding groove 32, pulley 1 is further rotated counterclockwise about the rotation axis X in the view - 41 front, as illustrated in Figures 8A and 8B. As a result, the cable W guided towards the main winding groove 23 is guided along the main winding groove 23 and wound around the main winding groove 23. In the pulley of the prior art, meanwhile, the cable W passes over the portion of the third flange 31 located in the position corresponding to the nearest portion 321, and separates from the auxiliary winding groove 32 without being guided by the main winding groove 23. When pulley 1 is further rotated counterclockwise in the front view from the state illustrated in Figures 8A and 8B, cable W is guided along the main winding groove 23, and subsequently cable W is wound around pulley 1 and is all wound around the main winding groove 23. As described above, on pulley 1 of the present embodiment, cable W can be easily wound around the main winding groove 23 of the main winding portion 2. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS pulley main winding portion first flange 22 second flange 23 main winding groove 3 auxiliary winding portion 31 third flange 311 auxiliary guide portion 32 auxiliary winding groove 321 nearest portion 322 curved portion 322a first curved portion 322b second curved portion CP1 first moving member CP2 second moving member DI groove depth of nearest portion D2 groove depth of curved portion DR drive section DR1 motor DR2 cylinder GR1 first guide rail GR2 second guide rail L lifting and lowering direction OC outer cover W cable Wl first cable W2 second cable W3 third cable η / ηηηη / ρζηζ / Ε / γίΛΐ - 43 WR window regulator X axis of rotation And a straight line Y1 intersection Θ angle from the nearest portion It is hereby stated that, as of this date, the best method known to the applicant to implement the aforementioned invention is the one that is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

1. A pulley around which a cable is wound and which is rotatable about an axis of rotation, characterized in that it comprises: a main winding portion including a first flange, a second flange, and a main winding groove in an annular shape formed between the first flange and the second flange, wherein the cable is wound around the main winding groove; and an auxiliary winding portion including the second flange, a third flange, and an auxiliary winding groove in an annular shape formed between the second flange and the third flange, wherein the cable is wound around the auxiliary winding groove, and the auxiliary winding groove has a shorter overall peripheral length than that of the main winding groove.where: the auxiliary winding groove includes a nearer portion that is closer to the main winding groove in a radial direction of the main winding groove, -45 in a portion adjacent to the nearer portion of the auxiliary winding groove, the auxiliary winding groove extends inward in the radial direction of the main winding groove as the distance from the nearer portion increases, the auxiliary winding groove further includes a curved portion that is curved toward the main winding groove in the portion adjacent to the nearer portion such that the curved portion joins the main winding groove in the nearer portion,and the third flange includes an auxiliary guide portion that extends in a radial direction from the auxiliary winding groove such that a groove depth of the curved portion becomes greater than a groove depth of the nearest portion.

2. The pulley according to claim 1, characterized in that: the auxiliary guide portion extends at least to a portion corresponding to an outer edge of the first flange over a predetermined width in a circumferential direction of the auxiliary winding portion.

3. The pulley according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: the curved portion includes a first curved portion and a second curved portion; the first curved portion is adjacent to the nearest portion in a circumferential direction of the auxiliary winding groove; the second curved portion is adjacent to the first curved portion on a side opposite the nearest portion in the circumferential direction of the auxiliary winding groove; the first curved portion is curved with a greater curvature than the second curved portion; and the auxiliary guide portion is provided so as to correspond to the first curved portion.

4. The pulley according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: the auxiliary guide portion comprises a plurality of auxiliary guide portions provided with the nearest portion between them so as to correspond on both sides of the nearest portion in a circumferential direction of the auxiliary winding groove.

5. A window regulator, characterized in that it comprises: a drive section; a cable to be driven by the drive section; a movable member to which the cable is connected and a window pane that is attachable; a guide rail for guiding the movable member; and the pulley according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the pulley being rotatably attached to the guide rail and allowing the cable to be wound around the pulley.

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