Window regulator and method for manufacturing same

Abstract

According to the present invention, an insertion part for inserting a cable and a cable end fixed to an end part of the cable is formed in a lower portion of a housing so as to communicate with a drum accommodation part of the housing. A lead-out part for leading the cable to the outside of the housing is formed in an upper portion of the housing so as to communicate with the drum accommodation part. An end accommodation part for accommodating the cable end is formed in a drum so as to communicate with a spiral groove of the drum. An inner wall of the end accommodation part is a locking part that can lock the cable end. Such a structure can improve the work efficiency of window regulator assembly work.

Description

Window regulator and manufacturing method thereof

[0001] The present invention relates to a window regulator and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0002] A known prior art window regulator is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The configuration of the prior art window regulator will be briefly described as follows.

[0003] A window regulator has a guide rail that extends vertically and is attached to a door panel of a vehicle. A carrier plate that holds the window glass is mounted on the guide rail so that it can be raised and lowered. The window regulator has an ascending cable that pulls the carrier plate in an ascending direction and a descending cable that pulls the carrier plate in a descending direction.

[0004] The window regulator includes a drive unit that drives the carrier plate to move up and down. The drive unit includes a drum that winds and unwinds two cables (an ascending cable and a descending cable), and the outer circumferential surface of the drum is formed with spiral grooves around which the ascending cable and the descending cable are wound. The drive unit includes a housing provided at the lower end of the guide rail, and the housing has a drum accommodating section that rotatably accommodates the drum. A first locking section is formed on the front side of the drum, which can lock a first cable end fixed to the end of the ascending cable. A second locking section is formed on the back side of the drum, which can lock a second cable end fixed to the end of the descending cable.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-188311

[0006] However, when assembling a window regulator, after winding the descent-side cable around the drum, it is necessary to house the drum in the housing with the first cable end of the ascending-side cable locked in the first locking portion. In other words, before housing the drum in the housing, it is necessary to lock the second cable end of the descent-side cable in the second locking portion, and then wind the descent-side cable around the drum and lock the first cable end of the ascending-side cable in the first locking portion. Therefore, it is necessary to handle the first cable ends of the descent-side cable and the ascending-side cable outside the housing so that they do not come off the drum, which causes a problem that the assembly work of the window regulator becomes complicated.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a window regulator and a method for manufacturing the same that can improve the efficiency of assembly work for the window regulator.

[0008] To achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention provides a window regulator comprising: a drum having a spiral groove formed on its outer peripheral surface for winding and unwinding a cable; and a housing having a drum accommodating section for rotatably accommodating the drum. An insertion section for inserting the cable and a cable end fixed to an end of the cable is formed in a lower part of the housing and communicates with the drum accommodating section; an outlet section for guiding the cable to the outside of the housing is formed in an upper part of the housing and communicates with the drum accommodating section; an end accommodating section for accommodating the cable end is formed in the drum and communicates with the spiral groove; and a rear wall of the end accommodating section is a locking section for locking the cable end.

[0009] A method for manufacturing a window regulator according to one aspect of the present invention involves accommodating a drum in a drum accommodating section of a housing, positioning an end accommodating section formed on the drum so that it is located between an insertion section formed on the lower part of the housing and an outlet section formed on the upper part of the housing, inserting a cable into the insertion section and outletting it from the outlet section to the outside of the housing via the end accommodating section, and then pulling the cable further out of the housing from the outlet section, thereby accommodating the cable end fixed to the end of the cable from the insertion section to the end accommodating section and engaging it with the rear wall of the end accommodating section.

[0010] According to the window regulator and the manufacturing method thereof according to one aspect of the present invention, the work efficiency of the assembly work of the window regulator can be improved.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a window regulator according to this embodiment is installed on a door panel of a vehicle. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the window regulator according to this embodiment as viewed from inside the vehicle. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the window regulator according to this embodiment as viewed from outside the vehicle. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the housing as viewed from the front side. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the housing as viewed from the back side. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the front side of the housing. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the drum as viewed from the front side. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the front side of the drum. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the back side of the drum. FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view showing the periphery of a first end accommodating portion of the drum. FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view showing the periphery of a second end accommodating portion of the drum. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a method of manufacturing the window regulator according to this embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a method of manufacturing the window regulator according to this embodiment.

[0012] Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, "FD" indicates the front side of the vehicle, "RD" indicates the rear side of the vehicle, "UD" indicates the upper side, "DD" indicates the lower side, "ID" indicates the inner side of the vehicle, and "ED" indicates the outer side of the vehicle.

[0013] The configuration of a window regulator 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 11. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the window regulator 10 according to this embodiment installed on a door panel P of a vehicle. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the window regulator 10 according to this embodiment as viewed from inside the vehicle. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the window regulator 10 according to this embodiment as viewed from outside the vehicle. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the housing 46 as viewed from the front side. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the housing 46 as viewed from the back side. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the front side of the housing 46.

[0014] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the drum 42 as seen from the front side. Fig. 8 is a view showing the front side of the drum 42. Fig. 9 is a view showing the back side of the drum 42. Fig. 10 is a partial perspective view showing the periphery of the first end accommodating section 64 of the drum 42. Fig. 11 is a partial perspective view showing the periphery of the second end accommodating section 68 of the drum 42.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, a window regulator 10 according to this embodiment is a device for raising and lowering a window glass W of a vehicle, and is installed between an inner panel IP and an outer panel EP of a door panel P of the vehicle. In the following embodiment, a window regulator 10 for a vehicle will be described, but the window regulator according to the present invention is not limited to use in a vehicle.

[0016] 1 to 3, the window regulator 10 includes a guide rail 12 that extends at an incline toward the vehicle longitudinal direction relative to the vertical direction, and the guide rail 12 is attached to an inner panel IP via a bracket 14. The guide rail 12 has upright wall portions 16, 18 that rise from both sides in the width direction of the guide rail 12, and an extension portion 20 that extends outward in the width direction from an end of one of the upright wall portions 16. The guide rail 12 is made of a hard material such as stainless steel or an aluminum alloy. Note that the guide rail 12 may extend vertically instead of extending at an incline toward the vehicle longitudinal direction relative to the vertical direction.

[0017] A carrier plate 22 that holds the lower end of the window glass W is provided on the guide rail 12 and is capable of being raised and lowered. The carrier plate 22 has a clamping portion 24 that clamps one of the standing wall portions 16 so that it can slide along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 12. The carrier plate 22 is made of, for example, resin, aluminum alloy, etc. The window glass W can be raised and lowered by the carrier plate 22 rising and lowering along the guide rail 12.

[0018] The window regulator 10 includes an ascending cable 26 as a first cable that pulls the carrier plate 22 in the ascending direction. First cable ends 28 (see FIG. 8) are fixed to both ends of the ascending cable 26 by caulking. One end of the ascending cable 26 is connected to a predetermined location on the carrier plate 22 via the first cable end 28. A cable supporter 30 that supports the ascending cable 26 is provided on the longitudinal center side of the guide rail 12. Note that the cable supporter 30 can be omitted if there is no need to support the ascending cable 26.

[0019] The window regulator 10 includes a descending cable 32 as a second cable that pulls the carrier plate 22 in the downward direction. Second cable ends 34 (see FIG. 9 ) are fixed by crimping to both ends of the descending cable 32. One end of the descending cable 32 is connected to another predetermined portion of the carrier plate 22 via the second cable end 34.

[0020] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, a direction-changing member 36 that changes the direction of movement of the ascending cable 26 is provided at the upper end of the guide rail 12. The direction-changing member 36 is made of, for example, resin, aluminum alloy, or the like. The direction-changing member 36 has a semicircular shape when viewed from the outside and inside of the vehicle. A guide groove 38 is formed in the arc-shaped edge of the direction-changing member 36, through which the ascending cable 26 is slidably wound. Note that a pulley may also be used as the direction-changing member 36.

[0021] 2 and 3, a drive unit 40 for driving the carrier plate 22 to move up and down is provided at the lower end of the guide rail 12. The specific configuration of the drive unit 40 is as follows.

[0022] 2, 3, and 7, the drive unit 40 includes a drum 42 that winds and unwinds two cables (the ascending cable 26 and the descending cable 32). A spiral groove 44 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the drum 42, around which the ascending cable 26 and the descending cable 32 are wound. The other end of the ascending cable 26 is connected to a predetermined location on the front surface (the surface facing the vehicle's interior) of the drum 42 via a first cable end 28. The other end of the descending cable 32 is connected to a predetermined location on the back surface (the surface facing the vehicle's exterior) of the drum 42 via a second cable end 34.

[0023] 2 to 6, the drive unit 40 includes a housing 46 provided at the lower end of the guide rail 12. The housing 46 has a recessed drum accommodating portion 48 that rotatably accommodates the drum 42, and a support portion 50 that rotatably supports the drum 42 is formed in the center of the drum accommodating portion 48. In other words, the drum 42 is rotatably provided in the drum accommodating portion 48 within the housing 46. The housing 46 is made of, for example, resin, aluminum alloy, or the like.

[0024] 3, the drive unit 40 includes a cover member 52 that closes the open side of the housing 46. The cover member 52 is made of, for example, resin, aluminum alloy, or the like. The drive unit 40 also includes an electric motor 54 that rotates the drum 42 in forward and reverse directions, and the electric motor 54 is attached to the cover member 52. An output shaft (not shown) of the electric motor 54 is operatively connected to a rotating shaft (not shown) of the drum 42 via a reduction mechanism (not shown).

[0025] 2 and 3 , when the drum 42 is rotated in the forward direction by the driving of the electric motor 54, the descending cable 32 is unwound from the drum 42 while the ascending cable 26 is wound onto the drum 42. This causes the carrier plate 22 to rise along the guide rail 12, thereby lifting the window glass W. On the other hand, when the drum 42 is rotated in the reverse direction by the driving of the electric motor 54, the ascending cable 26 is unwound from the drum 42 while the descending cable 32 is wound onto the drum 42. This causes the carrier plate 22 to fall along the guide rail 12, thereby lowering the window glass W.

[0026] In addition, instead of the drive unit 40 raising and lowering the carrier plate 22 by driving the electric motor 54, the carrier plate 22 may be raised and lowered by manually operating an operating member (not shown) such as a handle that is interlocked with the rotating shaft of the drum 42.

[0027] As described above, the other end of the ascending cable 26 is connected to a predetermined portion on the front side of the drum 42 via the first cable end 28 (see FIG. 8). The other end of the descending cable 32 is connected to a predetermined portion on the back side of the drum 42 via the second cable end 34 (see FIG. 9). The configuration for connecting the other end of the ascending cable 26 to a predetermined portion on the front side of the drum 42 and the configuration for connecting the other end of the descending cable 32 to a predetermined portion on the back side of the drum 42 are as follows.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 , a recessed first insertion portion 56, through which the ascending-side cable 26 and the first cable end 28 are inserted, is formed in the rear side RD portion of the lower part of the housing 46 and communicates with the drum accommodating portion 48. A recessed first outlet portion 58, through which the ascending-side cable 26 is led from the drum 42 to the outside of the housing 46, is formed in the rear side RD portion of the upper part of the housing 46 and communicates with the drum accommodating portion 48. The first outlet portion 58 is located outward in the width direction of the housing 46 from the first insertion portion 56. Note that the first outlet portion 58 can be appropriately set depending on the mounting position of the guide rail 12 attached to the housing 46 and the width of the guide rail 12. For example, the first outlet portion 58 may be provided at a position corresponding to the extension direction of the first insertion portion 56.

[0029] A recessed second insertion portion 60, through which the descending-side cable 32 and the second cable end 34 are inserted, is formed in a front-side (FD) portion of the lower part of the housing 46 and communicates with the drum accommodating portion 48. A recessed second outlet portion 62, through which the descending-side cable 32 is led from the drum 42 to the outside of the housing 46, is formed in a front-side (FD) portion of the upper part of the housing 46 and communicates with the drum accommodating portion 48. The second outlet portion 62 is positioned outward in the width direction of the housing 46 from the second insertion portion 60. Note that the second outlet portion 62 can be appropriately set depending on the mounting position of the guide rail 12 attached to the housing 46 and the width of the guide rail 12. For example, the second outlet portion 62 may be provided at a position corresponding to the extension direction of the second insertion portion 60.

[0030] 6 to 8 and 10 , a recessed first end accommodating portion 64 for accommodating the first cable end 28 of the ascending-side cable 26 is formed on the surface side of the drum 42 and communicates with the spiral groove 44. The first end accommodating portion 64 can be positioned between the first insertion portion 56 and the first lead-out portion 58 of the housing 46 by rotation of the drum 42. A rear wall 64f of the first end accommodating portion 64 is a first locking portion that can lock the first cable end 28 of the ascending-side cable 26. By locking the first cable end 28 of the ascending-side cable 26 to the rear wall 64f of the first end accommodating portion 64, which serves as the first locking portion, the other end of the ascending-side cable 26 can be connected to the first end accommodating portion 64, which is a predetermined portion on the surface side of the drum 42. The first end accommodating portion 64 being located between the first insertion portion 56 and the first lead-out portion 58 of the housing 46 means that the ascending side cable 26 can be led out of the first lead-out portion 58 from the first insertion portion 56 via the first end accommodating portion 64.

[0031] 8 and 10 , a first notch 64n through which the ascending-side cable 26 is inserted is formed in the inner wall 64f of the first end accommodating portion 64, and the first notch 64n opens toward the outer peripheral surface of the drum 42. A first claw 66 extending along the longitudinal direction of the first end accommodating portion 64 is formed on the edge of the surface of the drum 42, and the first claw 66 constitutes part of the side wall of the first end accommodating portion 64. A tapered portion 66t is formed on the back surface of the first claw 66, which is inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the first claw 66 so as to become thinner toward the tip of the first claw 66.

[0032] As shown in Figures 6, 7, 9, and 11, a recessed second end accommodating portion 68 for accommodating the second cable end 34 of the descending cable 32 is formed on the back surface of the drum 42 and communicates with the spiral groove 44. The second end accommodating portion 68 can be positioned between the second insertion portion 60 and the second lead-out portion 62 of the housing 46 by rotation of the drum 42. A rear wall 68f of the second end accommodating portion 68 is a second locking portion that can lock the second cable end 34 of the descending cable 32. By locking the second cable end 34 of the descending cable 32 to the rear wall 68f of the second end accommodating portion 68, which serves as the second locking portion, the other end of the descending cable 32 can be connected to the second end accommodating portion 68, which is a predetermined portion on the back surface of the drum 42. The second end accommodating portion 68 being located between the second insertion portion 60 and the second lead-out portion 62 of the housing 46 means that the descending side cable 32 can be led out from the second insertion portion 60 via the second end accommodating portion 68 and out of the second lead-out portion 62.

[0033] 9 and 11 , a second notch 68n, through which the descending cable 32 is inserted, is formed in the inner wall 68f of the second end accommodating portion 68, and the second notch 68n opens toward the outer peripheral surface of the drum 42. A second claw 70 extending along the longitudinal direction of the second end accommodating portion 68 is formed on the edge of the rear surface of the drum 42, and the second claw 70 constitutes part of the side wall of the second end accommodating portion 68. A tapered portion 70t is formed on the rear surface of the second claw 70, which is inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the second claw 70 so as to become thinner toward the tip of the second claw 70.

[0034] According to the configuration of the window regulator 10 of this embodiment, as described above, the first insertion portion 56 is formed in the lower part of the housing 46 and communicates with the drum accommodating portion 48. The first lead-out portion 58 is formed in the upper part of the housing 46 and communicates with the drum accommodating portion 48. Furthermore, the first end accommodating portion 64 is formed on the surface side of the drum 42 and communicates with the spiral groove 44. Therefore, by inserting the ascending-side cable 26 into the first insertion portion 56 and leading it out of the housing 46 from the first lead-out portion 58 via the first end accommodating portion 64, the ascending-side cable 26 can be set on the drum 42 accommodated in the drum accommodating portion 48. The ascending-side cable 26 is then pulled out of the housing 46 from the first lead-out portion 58, whereby the first cable end 28 is accommodated in the first insertion portion 56 and engaged with the rear wall 64f of the first end accommodating portion 64. In other words, with the drum 42 accommodated in the drum accommodating portion 48 of the housing 46, the other end of the ascending side cable 26 can be connected to the first end accommodating portion 64, which is a predetermined portion on the surface side of the drum 42.

[0035] Similarly, a second insertion portion 60 is formed in the lower part of the housing 46 and communicates with the drum accommodating portion 48. A second lead-out portion 62 is formed in the upper part of the housing 46 and communicates with the drum accommodating portion 48. Furthermore, a second end accommodating portion 68 is formed in the back surface of the drum 42 and communicates with the spiral groove 44. Therefore, by inserting the descending-side cable 32 into the second insertion portion 60 and leading it out of the housing 46 from the second lead-out portion 62 via the second end accommodating portion 68, the descending-side cable 32 can be set on the drum 42 accommodated in the drum accommodating portion 48. Thereafter, by pulling the descending-side cable 32 out of the housing 46 from the second lead-out portion 62, the second cable end 34 is accommodated in the second end accommodating portion 68 from the second insertion portion 60 and engaged with the rear wall 68f of the second end accommodating portion 68. In other words, with the drum 42 accommodated in the drum accommodating portion 48 of the housing 46, the other end of the descending side cable 32 can be connected to the second end accommodating portion 68, which is a predetermined portion on the back side of the drum 42.

[0036] Therefore, with the window regulator 10 of this embodiment, there is no need to handle the ascending side cable 26, etc. outside the housing 46 so that it does not come off the drum 42, thereby improving the work efficiency of the assembly work of the window regulator 10.

[0037] Furthermore, with the configuration of the window regulator 10 according to this embodiment, as described above, the first notch 64n in the rear wall 64f of the first end accommodating portion 64 opens toward the outer peripheral surface of the drum 42. Therefore, the first cable end 28 can be engaged with the rear wall 64f of the first end accommodating portion 64 without the ascending cable 26 interfering with the rear wall 64f of the first end accommodating portion 64. Similarly, the second notch 68n in the rear wall 68f of the second end accommodating portion 68 opens toward the outer peripheral surface of the drum 42. Therefore, the second cable end 34 can be engaged with the rear wall 68f of the second end accommodating portion 68 without the descending cable 32 interfering with the rear wall 68f of the second end accommodating portion 68.

[0038] Therefore, according to the window regulator 10 of this embodiment, the locking operation of the first cable end 28 and the locking operation of the second cable end 34 are smooth, and the work efficiency of the assembly work of the window regulator 10 can be further improved.

[0039] Furthermore, with the configuration of the window regulator 10 according to this embodiment, as described above, the first claw portion 66 is formed on the edge of the front surface of the drum 42, and the first claw portion 66 constitutes part of the side wall of the first end accommodating portion 64. Therefore, the first claw portion 66 can prevent the first cable end 28 from coming off the first end accommodating portion 64. Similarly, the second claw portion 70 is formed on the edge of the back surface of the drum 42, and the second claw portion 70 constitutes part of the side wall of the second end accommodating portion 68. Therefore, the second claw portion 70 can prevent the second cable end 34 from coming off the second end accommodating portion 68.

[0040] Therefore, according to the window regulator 10 of this embodiment, the locked state of the first cable end 28 and the locked state of the second cable end 34 can be stabilized, thereby improving the operational reliability of the window regulator 10.

[0041] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the window regulator 10 according to this embodiment, a tapered portion 66t is formed on the rear surface of the first claw portion 66. Therefore, the first cable end 28 can be engaged with the rear wall 64f of the first end accommodating portion 64 without the ascending cable 26 getting caught on the first claw portion 66. Similarly, a tapered portion 70t is formed on the rear surface of the second claw portion 70. Therefore, the second cable end 34 can be engaged with the rear wall 68f of the second end accommodating portion 68 without the descending cable 32 getting caught on the second claw portion 70.

[0042] Therefore, according to the window regulator 10 of this embodiment, the locking operation of the first cable end 28 and the locking operation of the second cable end 34 are smooth, and the work efficiency of the assembly work of the window regulator 10 can be further improved.

[0043] Furthermore, with the configuration of the window regulator 10 according to this embodiment, as described above, the first lead-out portion 58 is disposed outward in the width direction of the housing 46 than the first insertion portion 56. Therefore, even if the outer diameter of the drum 42 is the same as that of the conventional drum, the ascending-side cable 26 can be led outward in the width direction of the housing 46 from the first lead-out portion 58. Similarly, the second lead-out portion 62 is disposed outward in the width direction of the housing 46 than the second insertion portion 60. Therefore, even if the outer diameter of the drum 42 is the same as that of the conventional drum, the descending-side cable 32 can be led outward in the width direction of the housing 46 from the second lead-out portion 62.

[0044] Therefore, according to the window regulator 10 of this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the drive unit 40 including the drum 42 from becoming large.

[0045] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the window regulator 10 according to this embodiment, a first insertion portion 56 is formed in the lower part of the housing 46 so as to communicate with the drum accommodating portion 48. A second insertion portion 60 is formed in the lower part of the housing 46 so as to communicate with the drum accommodating portion 48. Therefore, even if water seeps into the housing 46, the water can be discharged from the first insertion portion 56 or the second insertion portion 60.

[0046] Therefore, according to the window regulator 10 of this embodiment, the drainage performance of the drive unit 40 including the housing 46 can be improved.

[0047] Next, a method for manufacturing the window regulator according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 12 and 13. Figures 12 and 13 are diagrams for explaining the method for manufacturing the window regulator according to this embodiment.

[0048] 12 and 13, the method for manufacturing a window regulator according to this embodiment includes steps 1, 2, 3, and 4. The specific content of each step in the method for manufacturing a window regulator according to this embodiment is as follows:

[0049] 12, the drum 42 is rotated appropriately while it is housed in the drum housing portion 48 of the housing 46. This positions the first end housing portion 64 formed on the surface of the drum 42 between the first insertion portion 56 formed in the lower part of the housing 46 and the first lead-out portion 58 formed in the upper part of the housing 46.

[0050] Step 2: After the first step is completed, the ascending side cable 26 is inserted into the first insertion portion 56 and led out of the housing 46 from the first lead-out portion 58 via the first end accommodating portion 64, thereby setting the ascending side cable 26 on the drum 42 housed in the drum accommodating portion 48.

[0051] Third Step After the second step is completed, as shown in Fig. 13, one end of the ascending-side cable 26 is pulled out from the first lead-out portion 58 to the outside of the housing 46. This allows the first cable end 28 fixed to the other end of the ascending-side cable 26 to be housed in the first end housing portion 64 from the first insertion portion 56 and engaged with the inner wall 64f (see Fig. 10) of the first end housing portion 64. In other words, the other end of the ascending-side cable 26 can be connected to the first end housing portion 64, which is a predetermined portion on the surface side of the drum 42.

[0052] Step 4: After completing step 3, steps 1 to 3 are repeated for the descending cable 32, thereby connecting the other end of the descending cable 32 to the second end accommodating portion 68, which is a predetermined portion on the back side of the drum 42.

[0053] Specifically, the drum 42 is rotated appropriately while being housed in the drum housing portion 48 of the housing 46. As a result, the second end housing portion 68 formed on the back surface of the drum 42 is positioned between the second insertion portion 60 formed on the lower portion of the housing 46 and the second lead-out portion 62 formed on the upper portion of the housing 46.

[0054] Next, the descending side cable 32 (see Figure 3) is inserted into the second insertion portion 60 and led out from the second lead-out portion 62 to the outside of the housing 46 via the second end accommodating portion 68, thereby setting the descending side cable 32 on the drum 42 housed in the drum accommodating portion 48.

[0055] Thereafter, one end of the descending cable 32 is pulled out from the second lead-out portion 62 to the outside of the housing 46. As a result, the second cable end 34 fixed to the other end of the descending cable 32 can be accommodated in the second end accommodating portion 68 from the second insertion portion 60 and engaged with the inner wall 68f (see FIG. 11) of the second end accommodating portion 68.

[0056] According to the manufacturing method of the window regulator of this embodiment, the ascending-side cable 26 is inserted into the first insertion portion 56 and led out of the housing 46 from the first lead-out portion 58, thereby being set on the drum 42 housed in the drum accommodating portion 48. Thereafter, the ascending-side cable 26 is pulled out of the housing 46 from the first lead-out portion 58, thereby housing the first cable end 28 from the first insertion portion 56 into the first end accommodating portion 64 and engaging with the rear wall 64f thereof. In other words, with the drum 42 housed in the drum accommodating portion 48 of the housing 46, the other end of the ascending-side cable 26 can be connected to the first end accommodating portion 64, which is a predetermined portion on the surface side of the drum 42.

[0057] Similarly, the descending-side cable 32 is inserted into the second insertion portion 60 and led out of the housing 46 from the second lead-out portion 62, thereby being set on the drum 42 housed in the drum accommodating portion 48. Thereafter, the descending-side cable 32 is pulled out of the housing 46 from the second lead-out portion 62, thereby housing the second cable end 34 from the second insertion portion 60 into the second end accommodating portion 68 and engaging with its rear wall 68f. In other words, with the drum 42 housed in the drum accommodating portion 48 of the housing 46, the other end of the descending-side cable 32 can be connected to the second end accommodating portion 68, which is a predetermined portion on the back side of the drum 42.

[0058] Therefore, according to the manufacturing method of the window regulator of this embodiment, there is no need to handle the ascending side cable 26, etc. outside the housing 46 so that it does not come off the drum 42, and the work efficiency of the assembly work of the window regulator 10 can be improved.

[0059] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0060] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful as a window regulator that can improve the work efficiency of the assembly work of the window regulator.

[0061] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Window regulator 12 Guide rail 14 Bracket 16 Standing wall portion 18 Standing wall portion 20 Extension portion 22 Carrier plate 24 Clamping portion 26 Ascending side cable (first cable) 28 First cable end 30 Cable supporter 32 Descending side cable (second cable) 34 Second cable end 36 Direction change member 38 Guide groove 40 Drive portion 42 Drum 44 Spiral groove 46 Housing 48 Drum accommodating portion 50 Support portion 52 Cover member 54 Electric motor 56 First insertion portion 58 First lead-out portion 60 Second insertion portion 62 Second lead-out portion 64 First end accommodating portion 64f Back wall (first locking portion) 64n First notch portion 66 First claw portion 66t Tapered portion 68 Second end accommodating portion 68f Back wall (second locking portion) 68n Second notch portion 70 Second claw portion 70t Tapered portion P Door panel EP Outer panel IP Inner panel W Window glass

Claims

1. A window regulator comprising: a drum having a spiral groove formed on its outer peripheral surface around which a cable is wound and which winds and unwinds the cable; and a housing having a drum accommodating section for rotatably accommodating the drum, wherein an insertion section is formed in the lower part of the housing and communicates with the drum accommodating section, through which the cable and a cable end fixed to the end of the cable are inserted, and an outlet section is formed in the upper part of the housing and communicates with the drum accommodating section, through which the cable is led out of the housing; and an end accommodating section is formed in the drum and communicates with the spiral groove, for accommodating the cable end, and the back wall of the end accommodating section is a locking section capable of locking the cable end.

2. A window regulator according to claim 1, wherein a notch for inserting the cable is formed in the rear wall of the end housing portion, the notch opening toward the outer peripheral surface of the drum.

3. A window regulator as set forth in claim 1, wherein a claw portion extending along the longitudinal direction of the end accommodating portion is formed on the edge of the drum, and the claw portion forms part of the side wall of the end accommodating portion.

4. A window regulator according to claim 3, wherein a tapered portion is formed on the rear surface of each of the claws, the tapered portion being inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of each of the claws so as to become thinner toward the tip of each of the claws.

5. The window regulator according to claim 1, wherein the lead-out portion is disposed on the outer side of the insertion portion in the width direction of the housing.

6. A method for manufacturing a window regulator, comprising: with a drum accommodated in a drum accommodating section of a housing, positioning an end accommodating section formed in the drum so that it is located between an insertion section formed in the lower part of the housing and an outlet section formed in the upper part of the housing; inserting a cable into the insertion section and leading it out of the housing from the outlet section via the end accommodating section; and further pulling out the cable from the outlet section to the outside of the housing, thereby accommodating a cable end fixed to the end of the cable from the insertion section into the end accommodating section and engaging the back wall of the end accommodating section.

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