Motor Driven Patents (Class 49/349)
  • Patent number: 7536927
    Abstract: A window lift system (10) includes a support bracket structure (12) including gear structure (18, 20). A fixed rack structure (22, 24) is associated with the gear structure. A motor (16) is carried by the support bracket structure and the motor has a rotatable shaft. A gear train (28, 30, 32, 34) is associated with the shaft and with the gear structure such that rotation of the shaft moves the gear train, with the gear train driving the gear structure so as to move the support bracket structure with respect to the rack structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Würzburg
    Inventor: Yakov Fleytman
  • Publication number: 20090077896
    Abstract: A window lift system includes a motor drive assembly (10) constructed and arranged to control movement window glass of a vehicle, and a door module (35) to which the drive assembly is coupled. The door module has surface features (36) disrupting a surface (37) of the door module to reduce the transfer of vibration energy from the door module to the drive assembly or vise versa. In an embodiment, the door module includes a diaphragm (34) and the surface features are annular, undulating, wave-like features in the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & CO. Kommanditgesellschaft, Wurzburg
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Warren, JR., Luis E. Acosta, Yakov Fleytman, Martin Schlechtriemen, Joachim Muller, Michael Salzmann, Frank Spitzenfeil
  • Publication number: 20090007494
    Abstract: In an embodiment an adjustable window regulator lifter plate assembly is provided. The adjustable window regulator lifter plate assembly includes a base, a window holder and a cross-car orientation adjustment mechanism. The base is configured for movement along a path. The base has an inboard side and an outboard side. The window holder is configured to receive and hold a vehicle window. The window holder is movably connected to the base. The cross-car orientation adjustment mechanism is operable by a cross-car orientation adjustment tool and is operatively connected to the window holder to control the cross-car orientation of the window holder. The cross-car orientation adjustment mechanism includes a cross-car orientation adjustment mechanism tool-receiving member configured to receive the cross-car orientation adjustment tool. The cross-car orientation adjustment mechanism tool-receiving member is accessible from the inboard side of the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Milos PAVLOVIC, Nick Marando
  • Publication number: 20090007495
    Abstract: A window regulator that resists backdrive forces directly at the lift plate and rail, rather than by the drive assembly. A locking shoe mounted within the lift plate and selectively frictionally engages the rail while the drive assembly is at rest. Thus, any backdrive forces are transmitted from the window glass to the lift plate, and then directly to the rail, avoiding the drive assembly. A release fork that is coupled to the drive cable automatically disengages the locking shoe when the drive assembly is activated, and engages the locking shoe when the drive assembly disengages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Peter J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20090007493
    Abstract: In a method and a device for adjusting a frameless window pane of a motor vehicle by means of a motorized window lifter activated by a control device, for adjusting the window pane between an open position and a closed position, in which the window pane upper edge is arranged in a window pane seal associated therewith and connected to the motor vehicle roof, the closed position of the window pane and/or the closing force with which the window pane bears against the window pane seal, is altered depending on the relative position of the window pane seal to the window pane upper edge. As a result, a connection of the window pane upper edge to the window pane seal which remains the same irrespective of the driving speed of the motor vehicle, is guaranteed and ensures that even at higher driving speeds there is no occurrence of leakages or increased wind noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Alexander Hohn, Felix Heckmann
  • Publication number: 20080263959
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drum housing, a hybrid door for a motor vehicle with a door module with a mounting area for mounting a cable drum of a either a power or manual window lift drive, whereby the mounting area exhibits a first area with a first diameter that is sufficient for mounting the cable drum for the power window lift, and a second area with a second diameter that is sufficient for mounting the cable drum for the manual window lift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Georg Brauer, Carsten Huege, Enrico Schliwa, Harald Koellner
  • Publication number: 20080229667
    Abstract: A slider window assembly for a motor vehicle includes a peripheral frame, at least one fixed panel located within the frame and adjacent an opening and a slider panel located within the frame and movable between a closed position wherein the slider panel covers the opening and an open position wherein the slider panel does not entirely close the opening. A drive assembly is operably connected to the slider panel to selectively move the slider panel between the closed and open positions. The drive assembly includes a rack secured to the slider panel, an electric motor secured to a fixed position on the slider window assembly, and a gear operably connected to the motor and operably engaging the rack so that operation of the motor in opposite directions moves the slider panel in opposite directions between the closed and open positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: William T. Dufour, Robert J. Cicala
  • Publication number: 20080202031
    Abstract: The invention relates to a force-transmission element for a window lifter (200; 300; 500) for transmitting a closing force (242; 342, 356) and an opening force (230; 330, 350) to a window (210; 310; 510), wherein the force-transmission element has a first force application point (216; 316, 316?; 416) for transmitting the closing force and a second force application point (222; 322, 322?; 422) for transmitting the opening force, and wherein the force application points are arranged in a displacement direction of the window and offset perpendicular to this displacement direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Carsten Huge, Claus Mangold
  • Publication number: 20080168714
    Abstract: A case is mounted to one of a motor vehicle and a pivotal door and has therein a gear receiving space. An electric motor is mounted to the case. A speed reduction mechanism is installed in the gear receiving space of the case and driven by the electric motor. An output gear is rotatably received in the gear receiving space of the case and driven by the speed reduction mechanism. An output arm is placed above the case and connected to the output gear through an output shaft that passes through an upper wall portion of the case. A connecting rod has one end pivotally connected to the output arm and the other end pivotally connected to the other of the motor vehicle and the pivotal door. The connecting rod is arranged beside the case in a manner to avoid overlapping thereof with the case in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction in which the connecting rod is moved by the output arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: Hirofumi Watanabe, Takuya Kakumae
  • Publication number: 20080155902
    Abstract: An integrated plastic window assembly for an automotive vehicle having molded-in functional features includes molded-in guide members to guide a movable panel within or across a plastic fixed panel. In one embodiment adapted to an automotive backlite, a movable panel slidably resides in guide members molded in the lateral edges of a fixed panel. In another embodiment adapted to a sunroof, the window assembly includes a fixed panel molded with a frame having molded-in guide members in which a movable panel slidably resides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: Clemens Kaiser
  • Publication number: 20080155901
    Abstract: A window lifter for a motor vehicle is provided. The window lifter comprising a guide rail with a rack toothing, along which a follower drive unit, which carries the pane, can be moved by means of a pinion which meshes with the rack toothing, and the follower drive unit is guided in relation to the guide rail via rolling bodies. The follower drive unit comprising a drive motor, a guide and gearing unit which holds the pinion and the at least one rolling body, and a support which holds drive motor and the guide and gearing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: Dalibor Rietdijk
  • Patent number: 7392618
    Abstract: A door for a vehicle includes a run channel and a door glass slidable up and down along the run channel. A rear edge of the door glass, which is in sliding contact with a rear channel of the run channel, has respective projecting portions at upper and lower end portions thereof. The projecting portions project more than a middle portion of the rear edge positioned centrally in an up-and-down direction of the rear edge. The rear edge is deeply received in a groove formed in the rear channel not throughout the length thereof but at the projecting portions so as to reduce a slide resistance which the door glass undergoes when sliding relative to the run channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hakurei Watanabe, Jiro Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20080127563
    Abstract: A rear slider window assembly for a vehicle and method of installing a rear slider window assembly at a vehicle includes providing a window module having a movable window panel that is movable along at least one guide rail, a drive mechanism that is operable to move the movable window panel, and a drive motor assembly that is selectively actuatable to rotatably drive the drive mechanism to move the movable window panel along the at least one guide rail. The drive motor assembly is connected to the drive mechanism via a snap connection and without any separate fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Troy F. Tooker
  • Patent number: 7363750
    Abstract: A sliding door for vehicles including a space frame formed from a U-shaped extruded aluminum tube and a crossbeam to which inner and outer aluminum door panels are attached. Hardware for operation of the door is mounted on the exposed inside surface of the door. The overall weight of the door is about 20 pounds and the door is about 35 mm thick. A movable window assembly for such a door and a method of making are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Dinesh C. Seksaria, John W. Cobes
  • Patent number: 7350334
    Abstract: A window regulator assembly including a shaft having a pinion gear and a counter balance spring mounted on the shaft which winds or unwinds as the shaft rotates. A spring housing is mounted on the shaft. A cable-guiding drum having an inner gear is driven directly by the pinion gear. The drum has a rotational axis that is offset from a rotational axis defined by the shaft, thus providing a mechanical advantage. A casing houses spring housing and the drum in an abutting relationship. A guide such as a rail is disposed on at least one of the spring housing and the drum for maintaining rotational alignment of the drum relative to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20080005971
    Abstract: A window regulator is provided for operating a window pane of an automotive vehicle including a guide rail extending between opposite upper and lower ends. A lifter plate is slidably coupled to the guide rail. The lifter plate includes an integrated drum housing and is adapted for supporting the window pane. A motor assembly is fixedly secured to the lifter plate and includes a drive housing and a reversible motor. A drive shaft is rotatably coupled to the drive housing for rotation by the reversible motor. A cable drum is disposed in the integrated drum housing of the lifter plate for being rotatably driven by the drive shaft. A pair of cables having first ends connected to the cable drum are at least partially wound around the cable drum in opposite directions while second ends are connected to the upper and lower ends of the guide rail. The lifter plate, cable drum and motor assembly move together upwardly and downwardly along the guide rail in response to rotation of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Robert Boyer DICKIE, David Lawrence Newkirk, Troy Donavan Allan, Douglas Chester Carson, Robert Brady Mooney
  • Patent number: 7267214
    Abstract: An electromagnetic frictionally engaged clutch for arranging inside a drive train connecting a drive motor and a vehicle door or flap. The arrangement ensures that the vehicle door is securely held in each intermediate position, when the clutch is in an idle state, while maintaining the possibility of a manual emergency actuation of the vehicle door. The rotor includes at least one permanent magnet in addition to the electric coil, such that when a current does not pass through the coil, the armature disk is pressed against the friction lining of the rotor, with a force which is strong enough for the vehicle door or vehicle flap to securely remain in position occupied when the clutch is an idle state, and for the friction engagement between the armature disk and the friction lining to be overcome when the vehicle door or vehicle flap is subsequently manually actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Valeo Sicherheitssysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Eric Bittner, Thomas Humez, Stephan Schachtl, Holger Zang, Alexander De Jong
  • Patent number: 7263804
    Abstract: A vehicle door, wherein a drive unit for raising and lowering a glass plate is constructed so that a plurality of pulleys across which wires are laid are provided at upper and lower sides of a base panel. The glass plate is moved up and down by driving the wires, and the glass plate is prevented from moving in a vehicle inward direction when the door is closed. Wire fixing portions are prevented from being damaged by large upward and downward stroke movements of the glass plate Furthermore, the wires are prevented from slackening when the wires are driven and stopped by providing a supporting rod along a path of upward and downward movement of the glass plate, and a contact member which has no contact with the supporting rod. Trumpet-shaped guide portions are provided at hole edges of the wire fixing portions, and the V-shaped circumferential surfaces of a tensioner eliminates slack in the wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushikikaisha Ansei
    Inventors: Koji Ishii, Shinichi Nishikawa, Takashi Nishio, Yoshihiro Ando
  • Patent number: 7175226
    Abstract: A split glass rear side window assembly is separable along a generally horizontal longitudinally extending line into an upper glass member and a lower glass member separated by a seal carried by the lower glass member to receive the upper glass member when raised to cover the corresponding body opening. The upper and lower glass members are connected by side links that are pivotally connected to the lower glass member and slidable along the ends of the upper glass member to permit the upper and lower glass members to be stored in a parallel orientation spaced transversely within the limited storage area above the rear wheel well in the vehicle body. A spring device urges the lower glass member into a pre-selected storage pocket spaced transversely of the path of movement of the upper glass member. A rack and pinion apparatus vertically moves the window members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence Queener
  • Patent number: 7140151
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical actuator for a window lift mechanism including a plurality of motors for driving an output shaft. The actuator may be incorporated into a window lift mechanism including a dual rack and pinion assembly, for driving the pinions along the racks. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a variety of anti-back-drive mechanisms, e.g. clutches. A clutch according to one embodiment includes locking pawls that resist back-drive. In another embodiment, locking cams rotate relative to a carrier to resist back-drive. An actuator consistent with the invention may incorporate an impact mechanism including a flexible carrier. The carrier flexes to prevent impact forces at an output gear train from coupling to an input gear train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Spaziani, John Murray, Irving Laskin, Macram Bishai, Eric Beishline, John Holloway, Bill Farmer
  • Patent number: 7124541
    Abstract: A curved vehicle door having a correspondingly curved windowpane and a correspondingly curved function carrier on which all of the add-on parts and door coverings are held and which can be used as protection for the occupant in the event of a lateral crash against the door. The function carrier is constructed in a sandwich-like manner from at least two shell bodies each having one of horizontal and vertical stiffening sections, the stiffening sections forming crossing points for fastening the shell bodies to each other so that the shell bodies form together a continuously closed frame of the function carrier. The outer shell body forms the curved outer side of the function carrier having at least two parallel grooves for accommodating a window lifting and lowering device which has a curvature matched to the curvature of the vehicle door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Inventor: Gerald Fellner
  • Patent number: 7121043
    Abstract: A connecting rod is provided with a bent portion in a substantially middle part thereof so that a lower section of the connecting rod below the substantially middle part in a vertical direction may be inclined, with respect to the longitudinal direction of a guide rail, toward a center of an opening, and at the same time, an upper section of the connecting rod above the substantially middle part may be substantially in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail and offset from a side face of the guide rail directed to the center of the opening toward the center of the opening, when the connecting rod is in a position corresponding to a closed position of an open/close member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Yokota
  • Patent number: 7104009
    Abstract: A vehicle door, wherein a drive unit for raising and lowering a glass plate is constructed so that a pluraity of pulleys across which wires are laid are provided at upper and lower sides of a base panel. The glass plate is moved up and down by driving the wires, the glass plate is prevented from moving in a vehicle inward direction when the door is closed. Wire fixing portions are prevented from being damaged by great upward and downward stroke movements of the glass plate. Furthermore, the wires are prevented from slackening when the wires are driven and stopped by a supporting rod along an upward and downward movement locus of the glass plate, and by a contact member which has no contact with the supporting rod. Trumpet-shaped guide portions are located at hole edges of the wire fixing portions, and the circumferential surfaces of a tensioner are V-shaped for eliminating slack in the wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushikikaisha Ansei
    Inventors: Koji Ishii, Shinichi Nishikawa, Takashi Nishio, Yoshihiro Ando
  • Patent number: 7076918
    Abstract: A window regulator comprises a front guide rail installed in a front portion of a door and extending upward and downward; a rear guide rail installed in a rear portion of the door and extending upward and downward; a front carrier unit fixed to a lower front portion of the window pane and slidably engaged with the front guide rail through a first mechanism; and a rear carrier unit fixed to a lower rear portion of the window pane and slidably engaged with the rear guide rail through a second mechanism. The first mechanism is constructed to permit a pivotal movement of the front carrier unit about an imaginary axis that extends along the front guide rail. The second mechanism has a with a channel construction includes a slider on the rear carrier unit that is slidably received in a channel construction of the rear guide rail. The construction has a generally C-shaped cross section with its open side facing to the outside an exterior of the door when the door is mounted on a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignees: Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisato Tatsumi, Yasuo Ohtsuki, Syunsuke Tamura, Kazuyuki Sasaki, Kenichi Hirooka
  • Patent number: 7069696
    Abstract: An assembly including a door panel, a window regulator housing component, and a window regulator drive system component. The door panel is secured to the window regulator housing component by a deformed portion to provide a subassembly. The deformed portion is utilized to releaseably secure the window regulator drive system component to the subassembly via a fourth component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems-France
    Inventors: Mark Graham Lawrie, Yann Le Gallo, Pascal de Vries, Klaus B. Wilhelm Blume, Charles Berry Hopson, Herve Laurandel, Simon Blair Dobson, Damien Cabanne
  • Patent number: 7059085
    Abstract: A window-raising device for a vehicle provides a two-cable winding drum, a hood to support and partially surrounding the drum on a support plate to form a cable passage. A flange extends from the winding drum to support sliding movement of an end of one of the cables. An opening in the flange is defined by an outer side ramp that is angled relative to an axis of rotation of the drum. The ramp is positioned between two walls that are roughly parallel to the axis of the drum and formed below the flange. The present invention thereby permits a reduction in the total height of the winding drum for the same number of grooves. The cable is inserted at an angle relative to the axis of the drum by sliding it on the ramp. Thus, the drum and the device as a whole are made more compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems France, LLC
    Inventor: Yi-Hwa Chu
  • Patent number: 7055284
    Abstract: A window regulator includes a threaded shaft (20) arranged at the concave side of the window (16) and extending in the direction of sliding of the same window, a nut screw (24) engaging the threaded shaft (20), which is movable up and down along the shaft, a driving member (26) fastened to a lower zone of the window (16), and a member for interconnecting the nut screw (24) and the driving member (26), adapted to ensure the interconnection of the driving member (26) and the nut screw (24) independently of their distance. The interconnection member includes at least a rigid connecting rod (36; 36a) articulated on one side to the nut screw (24) and on the other side to the driving member (26), which is able to assume different tilts when the distance between the driving member (26) and the nut screw (24) changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Inventors: Andrea Napoli, Antonio Solari, Roberto Mottola
  • Patent number: 7021004
    Abstract: An actuating device includes a base part and a part which can be moved and is coupled to the base part in a manner such that it can pivot about a pivot axis. A driving device has a cable which can be wound up on a cable drum to drive the movement of the part which can be moved. The driving device has a pull/push rod which is coupled by its one end to the part which can be moved at a distance from the pivot axis and is guided movably by its second end along a guide path, which extends approximately at right angles to the pivot axis, on the base part. In this case, the second end of the pull/push rod can be pulled by a first cable to a first end of the guide path and by a second cable to a second end of the guide path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Ritter
  • Patent number: 7021001
    Abstract: An anti-pinch power window system is comprised of a hub, a motor, a threaded rod, a base, a spring, a frame, a bracket, a threaded drive nut, a reversing switch and an electronic circuit. The motor rotates the hub. The rod is slidably attached to the hub. The base is attached to the rod. The spring surrounds the rod and is positioned such that it is compressed by movement of the base toward the hub. The bracket is attached to the frame and holds the drive nut. The rod is threaded into the drive nut. The reversing switch senses downward movement of the base and in response to such downward movement signals the electronic circuit to reverse the polarity of the motor input voltage, thereby reversing the direction of the travel of the frame. A closing window within the frame will reverse direction when it encounters an obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Paul T. Schooler
  • Patent number: 7017303
    Abstract: A vehicle door window glass regulator assembly that enables a window to ascend and descend silently without generating unwanted noise, thereby providing passenger comfort and a feeling of elegance to the vehicle. In one embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle door window glass regulator assembly may comprise a lifting arm and a glass rail slidably connected to the lifting arm, whereby vertical movement of the glass rail may be effected by rotary motion of the lifting arm. An auxiliary arm may also be hinged to the lifting arm and slidably connected to the glass rail. A support rail may slidably support the auxiliary arm. Two sliders may slidably connect the lifting arm and the auxiliary arm to the glass rail. A non-elastic stop bar may be slidably inserted into the glass rail and the two sliders, and connecting mechanism may connect the stop bar to one of the two sliders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Eui-Chan Cho
  • Patent number: 7010883
    Abstract: A window lifter has a first lever arm pivoting about a pivotal axis, an output element having a toothed segment with toothing and an opening extending along the toothing, the toothed segment pivoting about the pivotal axis and fixedly connected to the first lever arm, an axle element extending through the opening of the toothed segment, a drive unit which is connected to the first lever arm through the output element, a drive pinion connected to the drive unit which engages the toothing of the toothed segment, a second lever arm having a longer side and a shorter side opposite the longer side, and a slideway in which the axle element is guided. The axle element is mounted on the shorter side of the second lever arm. The second lever arm is pivotally connected to the first lever arm to pivot about an articulation axis spaced from the pivotal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Magnus Jaerpsten, Peter Thelin, Hilmar Dohles, Frank Faβbender, Ulf Keller
  • Patent number: 6971206
    Abstract: An opening movement control device of a sliding door on a vehicle body. The sliding door having an outer panel connected to an inner panel to define a space therebetween, with a window glass slidably supported between the panels. A link mechanism disposed in the space includes a drive link coupled to the glass to cause reciprocal motion thereof. A drive shaft is rotatably supported by a module base, with one end passing through the module base, and another end fixed to the drive link. A cam member is fixed on the one end of the drive shaft, and a cam follower is movably supported by the inner panel and contacting the cam member. A stopper coupled to the cam follower contacts the vehicle body only when the glass moves down to prevent movement of the door when the window glass is down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryoichi Fukumoto, Katsuhisa Yamada, Masayuki Uchitsunemi, Kenji Kobashi, Shinji Okada, Katsuaki Maruyama
  • Patent number: 6966148
    Abstract: A window glass interlock device for a vehicle sliding door adapted to limit the opening of the sliding door when the window glass exceeds a prescribed opening degree, thereby preventing jamming of a passenger's body part between the sliding door and the vehicle body and minimizing injury to the passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jae-Hong Choi
  • Patent number: 6966149
    Abstract: A dual rack and pinion system for a window lift mechanism includes window brackets for simple mounting to a window. The system includes a modular frame design to improve assembly of the window lift mechanism into the door of a vehicle. An assembly method is provided for the dual rack and pinion system. The system is also provided with a smart motor and incorporates resilient shock absorbers in the dual rack and pinion gear train to allow more time for the smart motor to detect and react to an obstruction in the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Inventor: Paul J. Fenelon
  • Patent number: 6957514
    Abstract: A driving member for a power window device of a motor vehicle has a U-shaped body (1) formed of two body-halves (2, 3) joined to each other by one of their ends, the body halves defining an interior portion (4) adapted to receive the lower end of a window pane of the vehicle. The U-shaped body (1) is adapted to be slidingly driven by a driving cable along a rail of the power window device, and the interior portion (4) of the body (1) is provided with parallel longitudinal protrusions (5) disposed in a stepped arrangement. The arrangement forms a first series of protrusions (6) which extend upwardly relative the window pane and a second series of protrusions (7) which extend downwardly relative the window pane both series (6, 7) of protrusions (5) being symmetrical so that the window pane rests on one of the series (6) slightly sloped according to the position that the window pane assumes in the power window device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Inventor: Melchor D. Castellon
  • Patent number: 6952898
    Abstract: An adjusting screw for adjusting the distance between a rail of a power window device and the lower portion of the door of the vehicle, threadeably extends through the rail of the power window device, a fixed nut being provided at one side of the rail, and a torsion spring is provided at the other side thereof whose ends are clamped against the rail, the adjusting screw threadably extending through the door of the vehicle and is axially retained in position relative to the door between two closing nuts. The torsion spring allows increasing the necessary torque to move the assembly so that movements of the rail towards or away from the door of the vehicle are carried out more accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Inventor: Melchor D. Castellon
  • Patent number: 6922944
    Abstract: A powered access window for machinery includes a powered window pane, two track members, an actuation device. The powered access window replaces a window pane in a sliding door of an automatic safety door. Each track member extends from an opposing end of the sliding door. Preferably, at least two roller bars are slidably received by a roller track member. The roller bars are also attached to one end of the powered window pane. The other end of the powered window pane is slidably retained by a retention track member. The actuation device is preferably attached to the roller track member. An actuation member of the actuation device is attached to the one end of the powered window pane. The actuation member makes a lateral motion relative to a body of the actuation device to raise and lower the powered window pane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Jackson Machine, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffery R. Krueger
  • Patent number: 6918209
    Abstract: A window regulator (10) for operating a window pane of vehicle comprises a base plate (12) having a guide rail (20). A lifter plate (26) is slidably coupled to the guide rail (20) and adapted for supporting the window pane. A motor assembly (32) is secured to the base plate (12) and includes a drive housing and a power motor. A drive shaft, rotatably journaled to the drive housing, has a disc flange supporting a cylindrical shaft and a key shaft spaced from and parallel to the cylindrical shaft. The top and bottom cable drums (34, 36) are supported on the drive shaft, with each of the cable drums including a key slot for aligning with and receiving the key shaft therethrough. The lifter plate is secured to a cable (38) between first and second pulleys (22, 24). At least one compression spring is coupled to one of the cable drums to maintain tension on the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures, Inc.
    Inventors: Luc R. Regnier, Denis R. Cloutier
  • Patent number: 6918208
    Abstract: A window-regulating assembly selectively moves a window of a vehicle door between an open position and a closed position. The window-regulating assembly includes a rail that is fixedly secured to the vehicle door. The rail extends through a radius of curvature. A lift plate is slidably engaged with the rail. The lift plate is also secured to the window. The lift plate moves the window between the open and closed positions. A lead screw is secured to the rail. The lift plate travels along the lead screw to move the window between the open and closed positions. A drive motor is secured to lift plate. The drive motor receives electrical energy and converts the electrical energy into a selectively bidirectional rotational force to drive the lift plate over the lead screw. A pivot mount extends between the drive motor and the lift plate allowing the drive motor to move through the radius of curvature as the lift plate slides along the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures Inc.
    Inventors: G. Clarke Oberheide, Denis R. Cloutier, Noel Chingcuanco, Peter J. Smith
  • Patent number: 6912811
    Abstract: A window regulator includes a main arm, a first sub-arm, and a second sub-arm. The main arm has a hole through it. A flange member surrounds the hole. The first sub-arm includes a shaft section which projects through the hole and is secured to the second-sub arm. In one embodiment, the distal edge portion of the flange member is curved. In a second embodiment, the flange member extends transversely from the main arm, and a low-friction member is between the distal edge portion of the flange member and a surface portion of the first sub-arm. In a further embodiment, the main arm and the second sub-arm have sliding surfaces in contact with each other, and a concave lubricant holding portion is provided on one of the sliding surfaces. The window regulator reduces noise during raising and lowering of the window and ensures rigidity of the first sub-arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kimio Kawashima, Nobuji Suzuki, Hideto Yamamura, Takenori Nishimura
  • Patent number: 6910730
    Abstract: A mounting device for mounting a cable-operated window regulator for a vehicle to an inner panel of the vehicle, the cable-operated window regulator includes a guide rail for guiding a window glass; a reversible winding unit for raising and lowering the window glass by winding and rewinding at least one cable which is wound on upper and lower guide members provided at upper and lower ends of the guide rail, respectively; upper and lower fixing member which are integrally formed with upper and lower ends of the guide rail, respectively; and a service hole formed on the inner panel. The lower fixing member is fixed to an outer surface of the inner panel near a lower edge of the service hole. The upper fixing member is fixed to an inner surface of the inner panel near an upper edge of the service hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignees: Shiroki Corporation, Hino Motors, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimihiro Kinoshita, Satoshi Takeda, Hideo Morita
  • Patent number: 6848215
    Abstract: An assembly includes a first, second and third components having respective first, second and third holes. The assembly further includes a locating feature assembled into the holes having a small portion and a large portion that provide a shoulder therebetween. The locating feature further includes a fixing portion near the small portion to secure the second component relative to the assembly and a fixing portion near the large portion to secure the third component relative to the assembly. The small portion is located in the second hole to align the locating feature relative to the second component, and the large portion is located in the third hole to align the locating feature relative to the third component. The second component is aligned relative to the third component, and the first component is situated between the second and third components and between the shoulder and the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems - France
    Inventors: Mark Graham Lawrie, Yann Le Gallo, Pascal De Vries, Klaus B. Wilhelm Blume, Charles Berry Hopson, Herve Laurandel, Simon Blair Dobson, Damien Cabanne
  • Publication number: 20040237409
    Abstract: A window regulator comprises a threaded shaft (20) arranged at the concave side of the window (16) and extending in the direction of sliding of the same window, a nut screw (24) engaging the threaded shaft (20), which is movable according a to-and-fro movement along the shaft, a driving member (26) fastened to a lower zone of the window (16), and means for interconnecting the nut screw (24) and the driving member (26), adapted to ensure the interconnection of the driving member (26) and the nut screw (24) independently of their distance. The interconnection means comprise at least a rigid connecting rod (36; 36a) articulated on one side to the nut screw (24) and on the other side to the driving member (26), according to an arrangement such as to assume a variable configuration when the distance between the driving member (26) and the nut screw (24) changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Andrea Napoli, Antonio Solari, Roberto Mottola
  • Patent number: 6823629
    Abstract: A method for eliminating squeaking noises occurring when operating a window lifter for motor vehicles which is driven by an electric motor is proposed. The squeaking noises are detected by a system for evaluating acoustic signals. This system generates for the duration of the squeaking noise a command signal which is delivered to a window lifter control device. This varies the speed of the electric motor within fixed limits, until the system for evaluating acoustic signals no longer detects any squeaking noise or it is recognised that speed variations are ineffective. The method is particularly advantageous if a voice control system which can be used as a system for evaluating acoustic signals is provided in the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Mersch
  • Patent number: 6820369
    Abstract: A window lift mechanism for raising and lowering a window in a vehicle door includes a support bracket mounted to the window and a motor supported on the support bracket, wherein the support bracket permits the axial and rotational movement of the window relative to the support bracket. A pair of parallel, vertical racks are mounted to the door and are positioned immediately adjacent to the window. A worm gear is driven by a worm with a lead angle greater than seven degrees coupled to a motor. A clutch mechanism is utilized to prevent back drive of the worm/worm gear system. The worm gear is operatively coupled to a pinion gear with resilient shock absorbers that are provided with notched surfaces to accommodate for compression of the resilient material with an enclosed space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: Paul J. Fenelon
  • Publication number: 20040226223
    Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a vehicle window. The apparatus includes a lift mechanism configured to move the window between a raised position and a lowered position. A strut may bias the window toward the raised position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Richard Lubaway
  • Publication number: 20040194389
    Abstract: An electric 12-volt air compressor provides the energy for the Pneumatic Power Window's working pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Antonio Ardavin
  • Publication number: 20040194390
    Abstract: An automotive windowpane support structure includes a slider bonded to an inner surface of a windowpane with an adhesive. The slider is vertically movable along a rail member. The rail member is divided into and comprised of two parts, an inner guide and an outer guide. The inner guide is provided at a sash portion of a door. The outer guide is provided at a garnish provided opposite to the sash portion and supports a side portion of the slider protruded from an edge of the windowpane. The garnish is provided such that its outer surface is flush with an outer surface of the windowpane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Ishikawa, Shun Kadota, Kazunori Watanabe, Hidetoshi Ijuin
  • Patent number: 6796085
    Abstract: A window regulator, e.g., for a vehicle window, which includes opposing block and pulley arrangements that interact via a lift pulley (36) mounted to a lift plate (16) that slides along a rail (22). Operative movement of a crank assembly (44) in a first sense tensions a cable (32a) to move the lift plate (16) toward a first end (34a) of the rail (22), and operative movement of the crank assembly (44) in a second sense, opposite the first sense, tensions a cable (32b) to move the lift plate (16) towards a second end (34b) of the rail (22). The regulator enables the reduction of the operating torque requirements without effecting the packaging of the crank assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventor: Peter J. Smith
  • Patent number: 6792719
    Abstract: A vehicle door includes a window regulator motor and an inner panel. The window regulator motor further includes a connector housing which houses electrical connector terminals. The connector housing is sealed against the inner panel of the vehicle door via a diaphragm seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems-France
    Inventors: Mark Graham Lawrie, Yann Le Gallo, Pascal de Vries, Klaus B. Wilhelm Blume, Charles Berry Hopson, Herve Laurandel, Simon Blair Dobson, Damien Cabanne