Window regulator

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a window regulator that prevents moisture entering a housing of a slack removal device of the window regulator from adhering to a cable. Provided is a window regulator comprising an inner cable C1, an outer casing C2, a drive device, a slack removal device to which an end part of the outer casing C2 is connected and through which the inner cable C1 is inserted, and a fixing part F to which the slack removal device is fixed. The slack removal device comprises a housing 2 and a moving member 3 configured to remove slack of the inner cable C1. In a state in which the window regulator is installed on an attachment object, the housing 2 is arranged in an inclined state such that one end part 2A thereof in an axial direction D4 is positioned above the other end part 2B thereof. The housing 2 has, in the other end part 2B, a drainage opening 26 for discharging moisture that has entered the housing 2, at a position below the inner cable C1.

Description

Window regulator

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

[0002] The window regulator is driven by a cable routed along a predetermined path. The cable may stretch due to long-term use or repeated loading. When the cable stretches, the operation of the window regulator becomes unstable. Therefore, in order to apply tension to the stretched cable, an extension and take-up device as shown in Patent Document 1 is used. The extension and take-up device of Patent Document 1 has an insertion member to which an end portion of an outer casing is connected inserted into a housing having a cylindrical internal space. The insertion member is biased by a spring in a direction protruding from the housing, whereby extension and take-up (tensioning) of the cable is performed.

[0003] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 40746

[0004] The housing has an open end so that the insertion member can be inserted therein. Therefore, moisture may enter from the end of the housing. If moisture enters the housing and is not discharged, it may adhere to the cable and cause rusting of the cable.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a window regulator that suppresses moisture that has entered the housing of the extension and take-up device of the window regulator from adhering to the cable.

[0006] The window regulator of the present invention comprises an inner cable routed along a predetermined routing path, an outer casing through which the inner cable is inserted, a drive device for driving the inner cable, an extension device to which the end of the outer casing is connected and through which the inner cable is inserted, and a fixing part provided in a part of the routing path to which the extension device is fixed, wherein the extension device comprises a cylindrical housing fixed to the fixing part, and a movable member configured to move within the housing in the axial direction relative to the housing to take the extension of the inner cable, the movable member having a connecting part on one side in the axial direction of the housing to which the end of the outer casing is connected, the housing being positioned such that, when installed on the object to which the window regulator is mounted, one end is inclined in the axial direction above the other end, and the housing having a drainage opening at the other end below the inner cable for discharging moisture that has entered the housing.

[0007] According to the window regulator of the present invention, it is possible to suppress moisture that enters the housing of the extension device of the window regulator from adhering to the cable.

[0008] This is an overall view showing a window regulator according to one embodiment of the present invention. This is a perspective view showing the extension device of the window regulator according to one embodiment of the present invention. This is an exploded perspective view of the extension device of Figure 2. This is a cross-sectional view of the extension device of Figure 2, cut along the axial direction at a position passing through the drainage opening. This is a perspective view of the housing of the extension device of Figure 2, viewed from the opening side. This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the ratchet member of the extension device of Figure 2 is in the locked position. This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the inner cable has loosened from the state shown in Figure 6 and the ratchet member has moved to the unlocked position. This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the ratchet member and the moving member have moved to one side in the axial direction from the state shown in Figure 7 and the ratchet member has been held in the locked position. This is a schematic diagram illustrating the discharge of water from the drainage opening of the extension device of Figure 2.

[0009] A window regulator according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments shown below are merely examples, and the window regulator of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0010] In this specification, "perpendicular to A" and similar expressions shall not refer only to directions that are perfectly perpendicular to A, but shall also include directions that are approximately perpendicular to A. In this specification, "parallel to B" and similar expressions shall not refer only to directions that are perfectly parallel to B, but shall also include directions that are approximately parallel to B. In this specification, "C-shape" and similar expressions shall not refer only to perfect C-shapes, but shall also include shapes that visually resemble a C-shape (approximately C-shapes). In this specification, when "~" is used to indicate a numerical range, it shall include the values ​​at both ends of the range.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the window regulator WR of this embodiment includes an inner cable C1 routed along a predetermined routing path, an outer casing C2 through which the inner cable C1 is inserted, and a drive device DR for driving the inner cable C1. The window regulator WR of this embodiment also includes an extension device 1 to which the end of the outer casing C2 is connected and through which the inner cable C1 is inserted, and a fixing part F (in this embodiment, part of the guide rail GR) provided in a part of the routing path to which the extension device 1 is fixed. In this embodiment, the window regulator WR includes a carrier plate CP for raising and lowering the window glass W, and a guide rail GR to which the carrier plate CP is attached.

[0012] In this specification, the vertical direction D1 (see Figure 1) includes both the vertically upward and vertically downward directions. In this specification, when the terms "up," "upper," "upper part," and "upper side" are used simply, they refer to "up," "upper part," "upper part," and "upper side" in the vertical direction (vertical direction) D1. Furthermore, with respect to the window regulator WR, the thickness direction of the carrier plate CP or the thickness direction of the guide rail GR is called the thickness direction D2 (see Figure 2). In this embodiment, the thickness direction D2 is the direction in which the carrier plate CP and the guide rail GR face each other. Also, in this embodiment, the thickness direction D2 is also the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, with respect to the window regulator WR, the direction perpendicular to both the vertical direction D1 and the thickness direction D2 is called the width direction D3. In this embodiment, the width direction D3 is also the vehicle's front-rear direction. When describing each component of the window regulator WR using the above directions, these directions represent the direction in the window regulator WR's usage state (mounted state on the mounting object).

[0013] The window regulator WR is driven by the drive unit DR, which drives the inner cable C1, moving the carrier plate CP along the guide rail GR. This causes the window glass W (see Figure 1) attached to the carrier plate CP to move up and down. The window regulator WR is attached to a predetermined mounting target. Specifically, the window regulator WR is attached to the door panel (not shown) of the vehicle body to which it is attached.

[0014] The overall shape and structure of the window regulator WR are not particularly limited. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the window regulator WR includes a first guide rail GR1 provided on the front side (right side in Figure 1) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a second guide rail GR2 provided on the rear side (left side in Figure 1) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, spaced apart from the first guide rail GR1. A first carrier plate CP1 is attached to the first guide rail GR1, and a second carrier plate CP2 is attached to the second guide rail GR2. In this embodiment, the first carrier plate CP1 and the second carrier plate CP2 are configured to move up and down by a first inner cable (a cable for lowering the first carrier plate CP1) C11, a second inner cable (a cable for raising the first carrier plate CP1) C12, and a third inner cable C13 (a cable for raising the second carrier plate CP2), which are driven by a drive unit DR. The first inner cable C11 is housed in the first outer casing C21, the second inner cable C12 is housed in the second outer casing C22, and the third inner cable C13 is housed in the third outer casing C23. Hereinafter, the first inner cables C11 to the third inner cables C13 may be collectively referred to as inner cable C1, and the first outer casings C21 to the third outer casings C23 may be collectively referred to as outer casing C2. In addition, the first carrier plate CP1 and the second carrier plate CP2 may be collectively referred to as carrier plate CP, and the first guide rail GR1 and the second guide rail GR2 may be collectively referred to as guide rail GR.

[0015] In this embodiment, the first inner cable C11 extends between the drive unit DR and the first carrier plate CP1. Specifically, the first inner cable C11 extends upward from the drive unit DR, through the extension device 1 attached to the lower fixing part F of the first guide rail GR1, via the direction changing member P1 provided at the lower end of the first guide rail GR1, and is connected to the first carrier plate CP1. The first outer casing C21 through which the first inner cable C11 is inserted extends between the drive unit DR and the extension device 1. One end of the first outer casing C21 is fixed to the extension device 1. The other end of the first outer casing C21 is attached to the drive unit DR. The second inner cable C12 extends between the first carrier plate CP1 and the second carrier plate CP2. Specifically, the second inner cable C12 extends upward from the first carrier plate CP1, changes direction via a direction-changing member P2 provided at the upper end of the first guide rail GR1, and extends toward the lower end of the second guide rail GR2. The second inner cable C12 extends upward via a direction-changing member P3 provided at the lower end of the second guide rail GR2 and is connected to the second carrier plate CP2. The second outer casing C22 through which the second inner cable C12 is inserted extends between the upper end of the first guide rail GR1 and the lower end of the second guide rail GR2. The third inner cable C13 extends between the second carrier plate CP2 and the drive unit DR. Specifically, the third inner cable C13 extends upward from the second carrier plate CP2, changes direction via a direction-changing member P4 provided at the upper end of the second guide rail GR2, and extends toward the drive unit DR. The third outer casing C23, through which the third inner cable C13 is inserted, extends between the upper end of the second guide rail GR2 and the drive unit DR.

[0016] The drive unit DR is a drive source that drives the inner cable C1. In this embodiment, the drive unit DR comprises a motor DR1 and a drum DR2, as shown in Figure 1. More specifically, the drive unit DR comprises a motor DR1, a drum DR2 connected to the motor DR1 and rotated by the driving force of the motor DR1, and a drum housing DR3 in which the drum DR2 is rotatably housed. The motor DR1 is configured to rotate in both forward and reverse directions, causing the drum DR2 to rotate in both directions. As a result, the inner cable C1 connected to the drum DR2 is wound onto the drum DR2 and unwound from the drum DR2. In this embodiment, the drive unit DR is provided separately from the guide rail GR. However, the drive unit DR may be attached to the guide rail GR.

[0017] The inner cable C1 transmits the driving force of the drive unit DR to the carrier plate CP, which is the object to be operated, and moves the carrier plate CP connected to the inner cable C1 in the vertical direction D1 (the direction in which the window glass W moves up and down). The inner cable C1 is routed along a predetermined routing path so that it can transmit the driving force of the drive unit DR to the carrier plate CP. The inner cable C1 only needs to be able to transmit the driving force of the drive unit DR to the carrier plate CP, and its routing path is not particularly limited. For example, a known inner cable made of metal wire can be used as the inner cable C1. The inner cable C1 comprises a cable body and cable ends provided at both ends of the cable body. In this embodiment, the inner cable C1 (cable body) is inserted into the extension device 1.

[0018] The outer casing C2 houses the inner cable C1 in at least a portion of the cable routing path. A known outer casing can be used for the outer casing C2. In this embodiment, one end of the outer casing C21 is connected to the extension device 1. The other end of the outer casing C21 is connected to the drive unit DR (drum housing DR3). The other end of the outer casing, one end of which is connected to the extension device 1, may be attached to a location other than the drive unit DR, depending on the layout of the window regulator WR, etc. In this embodiment, one end of the outer casing C22 is connected to the upper end of the first guide rail GR1, and the other end of the outer casing C22 is connected to the lower end of the second guide rail GR2. Furthermore, one end of the outer casing C23 is connected to the upper end of the second guide rail GR2, and the other end of the outer casing C22 is connected to the drive unit DR.

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, the guide rail GR guides the carrier plate CP so that it moves up and down along a predetermined movement path. The guide rail GR has a predetermined length to move the carrier plate CP by a predetermined distance. The guide rail GR is fixed to an object to be mounted, such as a vehicle door panel, by known fastening means such as bolts.

[0020] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the guide rail GR is installed at an angle such that, when the guide rail GR is attached to the mounting object (vehicle in this embodiment), the upper end of the guide rail GR is offset in one direction (towards the rear of the vehicle in this embodiment) in the width direction D3 relative to the lower end of the guide rail GR. Alternatively, the guide rail may be installed so that, when attached to the mounting object, the guide rail extends vertically (the upper and lower ends of the guide rail are not offset).

[0021] The shape of the guide rail GR is not particularly limited as long as it can guide the carrier plate 1 along a predetermined movement path extending in the vertical direction D1, and various known shapes can be adopted. The material of the guide rail GR is not particularly limited as long as it is a material that has a predetermined rigidity necessary to withstand the tension applied by the inner cable C1, but the guide rail GR can be made of metal, for example.

[0022] In this embodiment, the extension device 1 (housing 2) is fixed to the guide rail GR, and a part of the guide rail GR (the lower end in this embodiment) constitutes a fixing part F to which the extension device 1 is fixed. However, the fixing part is not particularly limited as long as it is a part to which the extension device 1 can be fixed. For example, the fixing part may be another part of the guide rail GR, a drum housing DR3, a part of the vehicle body, or the other mounting target.

[0023] The carrier plate CP is driven by an inner cable C1 and moves up and down in the vertical direction D1. This causes the window glass W, which is directly or indirectly attached to the carrier plate CP, to move up and down in the vertical direction D1. In this embodiment, the carrier plate CP is configured to move up and down along the guide rail GR. More specifically, the carrier plate CP engages with the guide rail GR and is guided in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail GR, and moves up and down in the vertical direction D1 by an inner cable C1 driven by a drive unit DR.

[0024] The stretch-removing device 1 is a device that removes slack from the inner cable C1 and applies tension to the inner cable C1 when slack occurs due to stretching of the inner cable C1. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the stretch-removing device 1 comprises a cylindrical housing 2 fixed to a fixing part F, and a movable member 3 configured to remove the stretch of the inner cable C1 by moving within the housing 2 in the axial direction D4 relative to the housing 2. As will be described in detail later, the stretch-removing device 1 moves the outer casing C2 connected to the movable member 3 by the movable member 3 moving in the axial direction D4 relative to the housing 2. By moving the outer casing C2, the routing path of the inner cable C1 inserted inside the outer casing C2 is changed so that the slack of the inner cable C1 is removed. As a result, the stretch of the inner cable C1 is removed.

[0025] The structure of the cable tensioning device 1 is not particularly limited, as long as it comprises a housing 2 and a movable member 3, and the movement of the movable member 3 can remove the slack in the inner cable C1. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the cable tensioning device 1 comprises a rack member 4 provided inside the housing 2 and having a plurality of rack teeth 41 provided adjacent to each other along the axial direction D4, a ratchet member 5 having ratchet teeth 51 that mesh with the rack teeth 41 of the rack member 4, and a biasing member 6 that biases the movable member 3 to push out from inside the housing 2.

[0026] The housing 2 accommodates at least a portion of the movable member 3 so as to be movable in the axial direction D4. The axial direction D4 of the housing 2 is the direction in which the axis X of the housing 2 extends, and in this embodiment, it is also the direction in which the axis of the inner cable C1 inserted into the housing 2 extends. The housing 2 has an opening 21 (see Figure 3) at one end in the axial direction D4 into which the movable member 3 is inserted. The housing 2 also has an outlet 22 (see Figure 5) at the other end in the axial direction D4 into which the inner cable C1 is led out.

[0027] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, the housing 2 includes a movable member housing section 23 in which the movable member 3 is housed, and a rack member housing section 24 located below the movable member housing section 23 in which the rack member 4 is housed.

[0028] The movable member housing 23 has an internal space in which at least a portion of the movable member 3 is housed. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the movable member housing 23 houses a portion of the movable member 3, and the other portion of the movable member 3 protrudes from an opening 21 provided at one end of the housing 2. The shape of the movable member housing 23 is not particularly limited as long as it can house the movable member 3 so as to be movable in the axial direction D4. In this embodiment, the movable member housing 23 has a shape corresponding to the outer circumference shape of the movable member 3. In this embodiment, the inner surface of the movable member housing 23 is configured to engage circumferentially with the outer circumference of the movable member 3 so as to prevent the movable member 3 from rotating about axis X within the movable member housing 23.

[0029] The rack member housing section 24 has an internal space for housing the rack member 4. In this embodiment, the rack member housing section 24 houses the rack member 4 so that it does not move in the axial direction D4 inside the housing 2. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5, the rack member housing section 24 is open on one side in the axial direction D4 and is configured to allow insertion of the rack member 4 in the axial direction D4. In this embodiment, when the rack member 4 is housed in the rack member housing section 24, the end of the rack member 4 is prevented from detaching from the rack member housing section 24 by the end of the biasing member 6.

[0030] As shown in Figure 5, the rack member housing section 24 has an opposing surface 241 that faces the bottom surface 42 of the rack member 4. In this embodiment, the opposing surface 241 of the rack member housing section 24 has a projection PR that protrudes from the opposing surface 241. The rack member housing section 24 also has a regulating surface 242 that engages with the rack member 4 (in this embodiment, the side edge 43 of the rack member 4) in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction D4. The rack member 4 housed in the rack member housing section 24 is held between the opposing surface 241 (projection PR) and the regulating surface 242, with rattling suppressed within the rack member housing section 24. In this embodiment, the projection PR is shown as a single ridge extending in the axial direction D4 on the opposing surface 241. However, the number and shape of the projections are not particularly limited. For example, the projection may be composed of multiple ridges or multiple point-like projections. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the protruding portion PR is provided on the opposing surface 241 of the rack member housing portion 24, but it may also be provided on the bottom surface 42 of the rack member 4, or it may be provided on both the opposing surface 241 of the rack member housing portion 24 and the bottom surface 42 of the rack member 4.

[0031] In this embodiment, the internal space of the rack member housing section 24 is in communication with the internal space of the movable member housing section 23. As a result, as shown in Figure 4, the rack member 4 housed in the rack member housing section 24 and the ratchet member 5 housed in the movable member housing section 23 together with the movable member 3 can engage with each other.

[0032] In this embodiment, the rack member housing section 24 is located below the movable member housing section 23 when the window regulator WR is installed. However, the position of the rack member housing section 24 is not particularly limited as long as water can be discharged from the drainage opening 26, which will be described later.

[0033] In this embodiment, the housing 2 includes a fixed portion 25 that is fixed to the fixing portion F, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The fixed portion 25 is provided at the other end of the housing 2, where an outlet 22 is provided through which the inner cable C1 is routed. The shape and structure of the fixed portion 25 are not particularly limited, as long as the housing 2 can be fixed to the fixing portion F. In this embodiment, the fixed portion 25 is fixed to the guide rail GR by being inserted into a notch (not shown) provided in the guide rail GR.

[0034] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, the housing 2 has a receiving seat 27 at one end where an opening 21 into which the movable member 3 is inserted is provided, into which one end of the biasing member 6 engages. The other end of the biasing member 6 engages with the flange portion 31 of the movable member 3 that protrudes from the housing 2 (see Figure 4). Furthermore, the housing 2 has a holding portion 28 to hold the movable member 3 in a compressed state (see Figure 4) when the window regulator WR is being transported or in the state before the extension device 1 is used, by pushing the movable member 3 into the housing 2. The holding portion 28 is provided on the outer surface of the housing 2 and is provided so as to be able to engage with a hook portion 32 provided on the flange portion 31 of the movable member 3. When the flange portion 31 of the movable member 3 engages with the holding portion 28 of the housing 2 in the axial direction D4, the movement of the movable member 3 in the direction of protruding from the housing 2 in the axial direction D4 is restricted. In this embodiment, the retaining portion 28 is provided so as to be removable from the outer surface of the housing 2 (for example, by breaking off the base portion) and is removed when the extension device 1 is used. With the retaining portion 28 removed, the movable member 3 can move in a direction that protrudes from the housing 2 in the axial direction D4. The shape and structure of the biasing member 6 are not particularly limited as long as they can bias the movable member 3 to push it out from inside the housing 2. In this embodiment, the biasing member 6 is a coil spring that can expand and contract in the axial direction D4.

[0035] The movable member 3 moves axially D4 relative to the housing 2 to allow the inner cable C1 to stretch. In this embodiment, the movable member 3 is configured to move relative to the housing 2 by being biased by the biasing member 6 in a direction that protrudes from the housing 2 in the axial direction D4. However, the movable member 3 may be configured to move axially D4 relative to the housing 2 by manual means or other means without the biasing member 6. The shape and structure of the movable member 3 are not particularly limited as long as the movable member 3 can allow the inner cable C1 to stretch by moving axially D4 relative to the housing 2. In this embodiment, the movable member 3 is an axial member that extends in the axial direction D4.

[0036] In this embodiment, the movable member 3 is provided so as to be movable in an axial direction D4 relative to the housing 2 and the rack member 4. In this embodiment, the movable member 3 is configured to move in an axial direction D4 together with the ratchet member 5. The movable member 3 has a housing portion 33 that houses the ratchet member 5. The housing portion 33 houses the ratchet member 5 so that the ratchet member 5 is movable between a locked position (see Figures 6 and 8) in which the ratchet teeth 51 engage with the rack teeth 41 and an unlocked position (see Figure 7) in which the ratchet teeth 51 do not engage with the rack teeth 41. In this embodiment, the ratchet member 5 moves in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction D4 between the locked position and the unlocked position. The locked position is the position in which the ratchet teeth 51 fully engage with the rack teeth 41. As will be described later, when tension is applied to the inner cable C1, the ratchet member 5 receives a force in the direction that moves it toward the locked position from the inner cable C1, and the ratchet member 5 is held in the locked position. Furthermore, the unlocked position is the position where the ratchet member 5 moves away from the rack member 4, and the ratchet teeth 51 do not fully engage with the rack teeth 41. As will be described later, when the inner cable C1 loosens, the force from the inner cable C1 that moves the ratchet member 5 to the locked position weakens, and the ratchet member 5 can move to the unlocked position.

[0037] The housing portion 33 has space that allows the ratchet member 5 to move in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction D4 between the locked position and the unlocked position. In this embodiment, the space of the housing portion 33 also allows the ratchet member 5 to move slightly in the axial direction D4 within the housing portion 33. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the housing portion 33 includes a first wall portion 331 facing one end of the ratchet member 5 in the axial direction D4, and a second wall portion 332 facing the other end of the ratchet member 5 in the axial direction D4. As shown in Figure 4, the distance in the axial direction D4 between the first wall portion 331 and the second wall portion 332 is longer than the length from one end to the other end of the ratchet member 5 in the axial direction D4.

[0038] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the movable member 3 has a connecting portion 34 on one side in the axial direction D4 to which the end of the outer casing C2 is connected. The movable member 3 also has an insertion passage (not shown) through which the inner cable C1 can be inserted in the axial direction D4. As shown in Figure 2, the outer casing C2 is connected to one end of the movable member 3 in the axial direction D4, and the inner cable C1 is led out from the other end of the movable member 3 in the axial direction D4.

[0039] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the rack member 4 has a plurality of rack teeth 41. Specifically, the rack member 4 has a plurality of rack teeth 41 arranged continuously in the axial direction D4. Each of the rack teeth 41 is inclined such that, when a force is applied to the ratchet member 5 in one direction in the axial direction D4 while the ratchet teeth 51 of the ratchet member 5 are engaged in the locked position, one ratchet tooth 51 of the ratchet member 5 moves along the inclination of one rack tooth 41 and can overcome that one rack tooth 41 (see Figures 7 and 8). Specifically, the rack teeth 41 are inclined such that the height of the rack teeth 41 increases as they advance in one direction in the axial direction D4.

[0040] As described above, the rack member 4 is housed in the rack member housing section 24 of the housing 2. In this embodiment, the rack member 4 is prevented from detaching from the rack member housing section 24 by the other end of the biasing member 6 in the axial direction D4 (see Figure 2).

[0041] When tension is applied to the inner cable C1 and the ratchet member 5 is held in the locked position (see Figures 6 and 8), the ratchet member 5 engages with the rack member 4 in the axial direction D4, restricting the movement member 3 from moving in the axial direction D4 even if a biasing force is applied in one direction from the biasing member 6. Furthermore, when the inner cable C1 slackens and the ratchet member 5 is in the unlocked position (see Figure 7), the engagement with the rack member 4 in the axial direction D4 is released, allowing the movement member 3 to move in the axial direction D4 due to the biasing force of the biasing member 6.

[0042] As shown in Figure 4, the ratchet member 5 has ratchet teeth 51 that mesh with the rack teeth 41 of the rack member 4. Each of the ratchet teeth 51 is inclined such that when a force is applied to the ratchet member 5 in one direction in the axial direction D4, one ratchet tooth 51 of the ratchet member 5 moves along the inclination of one rack tooth 41 and overcomes that rack tooth 41. Specifically, the ratchet teeth 51 are inclined such that the height of the teeth decreases as they move in one direction in the axial direction D4.

[0043] The number of ratchet teeth 51 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, two or three (two in this embodiment). In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the ratchet teeth 51 are arranged in the axial direction D4 with a gap of at least the length of one rack tooth 41 between them. By having two or three ratchet teeth 51, which is fewer than the number of rack teeth 41, high dimensional accuracy is not required for the ratchet teeth 51 and the rack teeth 41, and the ratchet teeth 51 and the rack teeth 41 can be reliably engaged. Note that if there is one ratchet tooth 51, the ratchet member 5 rotates easily relative to the rack member 4, but if there are two or more ratchet teeth 51, the ratchet member 5 becomes difficult to rotate. Specifically, from the state shown in Figure 8, when the drive unit DR is driven and the inner cable C1 is wound onto the drum DR2 of the drive unit DR (to the right in Figure 8), tension is applied, and the outer casing C2 is pulled toward the extension device 1, causing the moving member 3 to move to the right in Figure 8. In this case, for example, if the ratchet member 5 has only one ratchet tooth 51 (for example, only the right ratchet tooth 51 in Figure 8), the ratchet member 5 may rotate in the direction of arrow AR with that ratchet tooth 51 as the pivot point. On the other hand, if there are two (or three) ratchet teeth 51, the teeth other than the pivot ratchet tooth 51 (the left ratchet tooth 51 in Figure 8) engage with the rack teeth 41, thereby suppressing the rotation of the ratchet member 5 in the direction of arrow AR. When two or more ratchet teeth 51 are provided, it is preferable that one ratchet tooth 51 is provided on one side in the axial direction D4 from the center of the axial direction D4 of the ratchet member 5, and the other ratchet tooth 51 is provided on the other side in the axial direction D4 from the center of the axial direction D4. In this embodiment, the ratchet member 5 has two ratchet teeth 51, one ratchet tooth 51 is provided on one end in the axial direction D4 (the end facing the second wall portion 332 of the housing portion 33), and the other ratchet tooth 51 is provided in the central portion between the center of the axial direction D4 of the ratchet member 5 and the other end in the axial direction D4 (the end facing the first wall portion 331).Also, a gap G is formed between the lower surface of the ratchet member 5 and the rack teeth 41 between a pair of ratchet teeth 51 arranged apart in the axial direction D4. Therefore, it becomes difficult for moisture to stay between the ratchet member 5 and the rack member 4, and it becomes easier for the moisture to be discharged from a drain opening 26 described later.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, the ratchet member 5 has an insertion portion 52 through which the inner cable C1 is inserted. The insertion portion 52 includes a pair of side walls 521, 522 extending along the axial direction D4 and a bottom portion 523 extending between the side wall 521 and the side wall 522. The bottom portion 523 faces the inner cable C1 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction D4 (the direction in which the rack member 4 and the ratchet member 5 face each other). The bottom portion 523 is formed so as to contact the inner cable C1 in a state where tension is applied to the inner cable C1 (a non-relaxed state) when the ratchet member 5 is in the locked position. In the present embodiment, the central portion of the bottom portion 523 in the axial direction D4 is curved so as to be the farthest from the rack member 4 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction D4. When the bottom portion 523 is formed in a curved shape within the housing 2, as shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to suppress the contact between the slack inner cable C1 and the corner portions 523a, 523b at both ends of the bottom portion 523 in the axial direction D4. Therefore, by suppressing the contact between the inner cable C1 and the sharp corner portions 523a, 523b, damage to the inner cable C1 is suppressed. The degree of curvature such as the curvature of the curved surface of the bottom portion 523 is not particularly limited as long as the curved surface of the bottom portion 523 is curved so as not to contact the corner portions 523a, 523b at both ends of the bottom portion 523 in the axial direction D4 in a state where the inner cable C1 is slack. Note that the bottom portion 523 may be provided linearly in parallel with the axial direction D4.

[0045] The principle of removing the elongation of the inner cable C1 in this embodiment will be briefly explained below using Figures 6 to 8. Figure 6 shows a state in which the inner cable C1 is not elongated and tension is applied to the inner cable C1. In this state, the inner cable C1 is in contact with (or close to contact with) the bottom portion 523 of the ratchet member 5, and the ratchet member 5 is held in the locked position. In this case, even if the biasing member 6 biases the moving member 3 and applies force in one direction in the axial direction D4, the ratchet member 5 cannot move to the unlocked position due to the tension applied to the inner cable C1. Therefore, the ratchet member 5 is held in the locked position engaged with the rack member 4, and the movement of the moving member 3 in one direction in the axial direction D4 is restricted.

[0046] On the other hand, if the inner cable C1 stretches, it becomes slack (see Figure 7). When the inner cable C1 becomes slack, the force applied by the inner cable C1 to press the ratchet member 5 to the locked position weakens. As a result, the ratchet member 5 becomes movable from the locked position to the unlocked position. In this state, when a biasing force is applied to the moving member 3 in the axial direction D4 from the biasing member 6, the moving member 3 presses the ratchet member 5 in the axial direction D4. As a result, as shown in Figure 7, the ratchet teeth 51 of the ratchet member 5 move toward the unlocked position so as to overcome the rack teeth 41 of the rack member 4. Therefore, the moving member 3 and the ratchet member 5 move in the axial direction D4, and one ratchet tooth 51 overcomes one rack tooth 41. When the moving member 3 moves in the axial direction D4, the outer casing C2 connected to the moving member 3 also moves, and the routing path of the outer casing C2 changes. The change in the cable routing path of the outer casing C2 causes the inner cable C1 inside the outer casing C2 to be pulled. This removes the slack in the inner cable C1 inside the moving member 3 and applies tension to the inner cable C1. When tension is applied to the inner cable C1, a pressing force is applied from the inner cable C1 to the bottom 523 of the ratchet member 5 toward the rack member 4. Therefore, as shown in Figure 8, the ratchet member 5 moves from the unlocked position toward the locked position, and the ratchet teeth 51 and the rack teeth 41 engage. In this way, the elongation of the inner cable C1 is removed. Note that the above description is merely an example, and unless otherwise specified in the claims, the present invention is not limited by the above description.

[0047] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, in the installed state of the housing 2 on the object to which the window regulator WR is attached, one end 2A in the axial direction D4 is inclined so as to be above the other end 2B. That is, the housing 2 is provided in an inclined state such that the opening 21 side of the housing 2 into which the moving member 3 is inserted is located above, and the outlet 22 side from which the inner cable C1 is led out is located below. In this case, there is a possibility that moisture may enter the housing 2 from the opening 21.

[0048] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the housing 2 has a drain opening 26 at the other end 2B for discharging the moisture that has entered the housing 2 below the inner cable C1. As described above, when the housing 2 is disposed in an inclined manner, moisture enters the housing 2 from the opening 21 side, but the moisture that has entered the housing 2 can be easily discharged from the drain opening 26 provided at the other end 2B located on the lower side. That is, the moisture that has entered from the opening 21 located above flows downward along the inclination of the housing 2 inside the housing 2 and is discharged from the drain opening 26 located below, so that the retention of moisture in the housing 2 is suppressed. Further, since the drain opening 26 is located below the inner cable C1, the moisture retained in the housing 2 is prevented from coming into contact with the inner cable C1. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water from accumulating inside the housing 2 of the extension and retraction device 1 and coming into contact with the inner cable C1, making the inner cable C1 more likely to rust. The size of the drain opening 26 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the cross-sectional area of the drain opening 26 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the water inlet cross-section on the opening 21 side where moisture enters. Specifically, on the opening 21 side, moisture enters through a slight gap such as the gap between the inner wall of the opening 21 and the outer peripheral surface of the moving member 3. It is preferable that the cross-sectional area of the drain opening 26 is larger than the cross-sectional area of such a gap.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a protrusion PR is provided on the opposing surface 241 (and / or the bottom surface 42 of the rack member 4), creating a gap G2 (see Figure 9) between the opposing surface 241 of the housing 2 and the bottom surface 42 of the rack member 4, into which moisture can enter. In this embodiment, the gap G2 created between the bottom surface 42 and the opposing surface 241 by the protrusion PR is connected to a drainage opening 26 (a first opening 261 described later). In this case, moisture that moves downward within the housing 2 is easily discharged from the drainage opening 26 via the gap G2.

[0050] The location of the drainage opening 26 is not particularly limited, as long as it is provided below the inner cable C1 at the other end 2B. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2, 4 to 9, the drainage opening 26 includes a first opening 261 provided on the opposing surface 241 of the housing 2, opening downward perpendicular to the axial direction D4. Because the first opening 261 is provided on the opposing surface 241, moisture that reaches the opposing surface 241 is easily discharged, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 9. Note that in Figure 9, the shape of the housing 2 has been simplified for ease of illustration. In this embodiment, the first opening 261 is provided at the corner where the other end of the opposing surface 241 in the axial direction D4 intersects with an end face (end wall) 29 extending from the other end of the opposing surface 241 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction D4. Moisture tends to accumulate in the corners inside the housing 2, but the provision of the first opening 261 at these corners makes it even easier to discharge the moisture.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the other end face 29 of the housing 2, 2B, is provided with a second opening 262 that penetrates in the axial direction D4. When the second opening 262 is provided, if a large amount of moisture enters the housing 2, or if moisture flows along the upper surface of the movable member 3, it can be discharged through the second opening 262. Therefore, the discharge of moisture becomes more reliable.

[0052] The number of first openings 261 and second openings 262 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, two first openings 261 are provided in a direction perpendicular to both the axial direction D4 and the direction in which the rack member 4 and the ratchet member 5 face each other (the direction perpendicular to the axial direction D4) (hereinafter referred to as the width direction of the housing 2). More specifically, a pair of first openings 261 are provided in the width direction of the housing 2 with a protrusion PR in between (see Figures 2 and 5). In this case, moisture flowing on one side in the width direction of the housing 2 is discharged from one first opening 261, and moisture flowing on the other side in the width direction of the housing 2 is discharged from the other first opening 261. In this embodiment, the width direction of the housing 2 is parallel to the thickness direction D2 (see Figure 2). As shown in Figure 5, there are two second openings 262 located below the outlet 22 in the width direction of the housing 2 (only one second opening 262 is visible in Figure 5, and the other second opening is hidden).

[0053] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, the other end of the bottom surface 42 of the rack member 4 in the axial direction D4 is curved or inclined so as it moves away from the opposing surface 241 as it moves toward the other end in the axial direction D4 at the corner where the opposing surface 241 and the end surface 29 of the housing 2 intersect. In this case, the bottom surface 42 of the rack member 4 prevents the first opening 261 from being blocked at the corner where the opposing surface 241 and the end surface 29 of the housing 2 intersect. Therefore, the discharge of moisture from the first opening 261 is promoted.

[0054] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. The embodiments described above mainly describe an invention having the following configuration.

[0055] (1) A window regulator comprising: an inner cable routed along a predetermined routing path; an outer casing through which the inner cable is inserted; a drive device for driving the inner cable; an extension device to which the end of the outer casing is connected and through which the inner cable is inserted; and a fixing part provided in a part of the routing path to which the extension device is fixed, wherein the extension device comprises a cylindrical housing fixed to the fixing part, and a movable member configured to move within the housing in the axial direction relative to the housing to take up the extension of the inner cable, the movable member having a connecting part on one side in the axial direction of the housing to which the end of the outer casing is connected, the housing being positioned such that, when installed on the object to which the window regulator is mounted, one end is inclined in the axial direction to be above the other end, and the housing having a drainage opening at the other end, below the inner cable, for discharging moisture that has entered the housing.

[0056] (2) The extension device is provided inside the housing and comprises a rack member having a plurality of rack teeth provided adjacent to each other along the axial direction, a ratchet member having ratchet teeth that engage with the rack teeth of the rack member, and a biasing member that biases the movable member to push out from inside the housing, wherein the movable member is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction relative to the housing and the rack member, and the ratchet member is housed in a housing provided in the movable member such that it is movable between a locked position in which the ratchet teeth engage with the rack teeth and an unlock position in which the ratchet teeth do not engage with the rack teeth, as in (1).

[0057] (3) The window regulator according to (1) or (2), wherein the housing comprises a movable member housing portion in which the movable member is housed, and a rack member housing portion located below the movable member housing portion in which the rack member is housed, the rack member housing portion having an opposing surface facing the bottom surface of the rack member, the opposing surface of the rack member housing portion and / or the bottom surface of the rack member having a protrusion that protrudes from the opposing surface and / or the bottom surface, and the gap created between the bottom surface and the opposing surface by the protrusion is connected to the drainage opening.

[0058] (4) The window regulator according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the drainage opening comprises a first opening provided on the opposing surface of the housing facing the bottom surface of the rack member, opening downward perpendicular to the axial direction, and a second opening provided on the end face of the other end of the housing, penetrating in the axial direction.

[0059] (5) The window regulator according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the number of ratchet teeth is two or three, and the ratchet teeth are arranged in the axial direction with a gap of at least the length of one rack tooth between them.

[0060] 1 Extension device 2 Housing 21 Opening 22 Outlet 23 Movable member housing 24 Rack member housing 241 Opposing surface 242 Restricting surface 25 Fixed part 26 Drainage opening 261 First opening 262 Second opening 27 Receiving seat 28 Holding part 29 End face 2A One end 2B The other end 3 Movable member 31 Flange part 32 Hooking part 33 Housing part 331 First wall part 332 Second wall part 34 Connecting part 4 Rack member 41 Rack teeth 42 Bottom surface 43 Side edge part 5 Ratchet member 51 Ratchet teeth 52 Insertion part 521, 522 Side wall 523 Bottom part 6 Biasing member C1 Inner cable C11 First inner cable C12 Second inner cable C13 Third inner cable C2 Outer casing C21 First outer casing C22 Second outer casing C23 Third outer casing CP Carrier plate CP1 First carrier plate Cp2 Second carrier plate D1 Vertical direction D2 Thickness direction D3 Width direction D4 Axial direction of housing DR Drive unit DR1 Motor DR2 Drum DR3 Drum housing F Fixing part G Gap between the lower surface of the ratchet member and the rack teeth G2 Gap between the opposing surface of the housing and the bottom surface of the rack member GR Guide rail GR1 First guide rail GR2 Second guide rail P1, P2, P3, P4 Direction changing member PR Protrusion W Window glass WR Window regulator X Axle of housing

Claims

1. A window regulator comprising: an inner cable routed along a predetermined routing path; an outer casing through which the inner cable is inserted; a drive device for driving the inner cable; an extension device to which the end of the outer casing is connected and through which the inner cable is inserted; and a fixing part provided in a part of the routing path to which the extension device is fixed, wherein the extension device comprises a cylindrical housing fixed to the fixing part, and a movable member configured to move within the housing in the axial direction relative to the housing to take up the extension of the inner cable, the movable member having a connecting part on one side in the axial direction of the housing to which the end of the outer casing is connected, the housing being positioned such that, when installed on the object to which the window regulator is mounted, one end is inclined in the axial direction above the other end, and the housing having a drainage opening at the other end below the inner cable for discharging moisture that has entered the housing.

2. The extension device comprises a rack member provided inside the housing and having a plurality of rack teeth provided adjacent to each other along the axial direction, a ratchet member having ratchet teeth that engage with the rack teeth of the rack member, and a biasing member that biases the movable member to push out from inside the housing, wherein the movable member is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction relative to the housing and the rack member, and the ratchet member is housed in a housing provided in the movable member such that it is movable between a locked position in which the ratchet teeth engage with the rack teeth and an unlock position in which the ratchet teeth do not engage with the rack teeth, according to claim 1.

3. The window regulator according to claim 2, wherein the housing comprises a movable member housing portion in which the movable member is housed, and a rack member housing portion located below the movable member housing portion in which the rack member is housed, the rack member housing portion having an opposing surface facing the bottom surface of the rack member, the opposing surface of the rack member housing portion and / or the bottom surface of the rack member having a protrusion that protrudes from the opposing surface and / or the bottom surface, and the gap created between the bottom surface and the opposing surface by the protrusion is connected to the drainage opening.

4. The window regulator according to claim 2, wherein the drainage opening comprises a first opening provided on the opposing surface of the housing facing the bottom surface of the rack member, opening downward perpendicular to the axial direction, and a second opening provided on the end face of the other end of the housing, penetrating in the axial direction.

5. The window regulator according to claim 2, wherein the number of ratchet teeth is two or three, and the ratchet teeth are arranged with a gap of at least the length of one rack tooth between them in the axial direction.

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