Abstract: A spindle drive assembly includes a threaded spindle rotatable about a spindle axis; a threaded spindle nut disposed on the threaded spindle and configured to travel along the spindle axis via a rotation of the spindle; a ball stud attached to the spindle nut, the ball stud extending radially away from the spindle nut; an attachment plate configured to be attached to a part to be moved; and a ball socket connected to the attachment plate and having a cavity dimensioned for receiving the ball stud. The cavity of the ball socket has a first diameter in a direction perpendicular to the spindle axis and a second diameter parallel to the spindle axis, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter.

Abstract: A friction brake assembly includes a brake housing; an input coupling element; an output coupling element; and a torsion spring. The input coupling element has an axial protrusion forming a partial cylinder wall with an angular gap over a defined angular range. The output coupling element has a projection protruding into the at least one angular gap, wherein the projection has an angular width smaller than the angular gap; wherein the torsion spring is a coil spring with coil ends forming two radially inward pins protruding into the angular gap in the input coupling element between the partial cylinder wall and the projection so that the projection is between the two inward pins. The torsion spring has a diameter that expands to form a friction lock with a surrounding cylindrical wall when the projection of the output coupling element engages and moves either one of the inward pins.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes a door module and a door panel. The door module has a back plate with a periphery bearing attachment orifices defining a base plane. At least one guide rail extends in a rail direction in a rail plane offset from the base plane and has a connected edge and a free edge. The connected edge is attached to the back plate, and the free edge is shaped for slidably attaching a carrier plate for a window. The guide rail vertically protrudes beyond the periphery of the back platen. A void in the rail plane intersects a trajectory of the connected edge. The void provides access through the rail plane to the periphery of the back plate, wherein an attachment orifice is disposed in the void. The door panel has a central hole and attachment openings aligned with the attachment orifices of the door module.

Abstract: A window regulator assembly for moving a side window of a vehicle in an upward direction and in a downward direction along a guide rail, includes a carrier plate having a rail channel for movably engaging the guide rail. A first cable end pocket laterally offset from the rail channel is configured for receiving a cable end extending from a bottom end of the guide rail, and a separate second cable end pocket, likewise laterally offset from the rail channel, is configured for receiving a cable end extending from a top end of the guide rail. At a top end of the first cable end pocket in an installed position, the first cable end pocket is longitudinally delimited by a radial step having a depth of at most ½ of a width of the first cable end pocket.

Abstract: A planetary gear box assembly includes a plastic gear box housing and a first and a second monolithic housing part. The first-stage and second-stage housing parts each have an end face on one axial end of the housing part, and a surrounding wall. A first-stage ring gear is formed inside the surrounding wall of the first-stage housing part, and a second-stage ring gear is formed inside the surrounding wall of the second-stage housing part. The planetary gear box assembly has a planetary gear carrier with a generally cylindrical carrier body with a cylinder wall and a window extending through the cylinder wall. The window is axially adjoined by a first and a first radial pocket. The first and first radial pockets are radial indentations in a radially outer surface of the cylinder wall and accommodate planetary shaft ends of planetary gears.

Abstract: A window clamp and assembly for an automotive window regulator assembly. The window clamp provided features a body foundation and a U-shaped bridge extending from the foundation configured to deflect away from the foundation to allow a window panel to be inserted into a slot of the window clamp. Claws formed on the bridge pass through and interlock with holes in the window panel to secure and support the panel. Shoulders formed on and protruding from the bridge guide the window panel into position and aid in supporting the panel. The window clamp design facilitates rapid and accurate assembly of the window clamp assembly while providing increased stability of the window panel and reduced size of the window clamp.

Abstract: A single-rail window regulator for moving a side window of a vehicle in an upward direction and in a downward direction includes a guide rail defining and a carrier plate having a central guide structure for movably engaging the guide rail, a first lateral extension extending to a first lateral side of the guide rail, and a second lateral extension extending to a second lateral side of the guide rail body opposite the first lateral side. The carrier plate has a first cable attachment pocket on the first lateral extension and a second cable attachment pocket on the second lateral extension. Accordingly, the two attachment pockets are arranged on opposite lateral sides. As one cable end pulls the carrier plate upward and the other cable end pulls the carrier plate downward, the arrangement causes torques in the same rotational direction, even when reversing the direction of movement.

Abstract: A rattle mitigation assembly for a window regulator installed in a vehicle door includes drive unit housing having a port with a mouth of a cylindrical cavity adapted to receive a connector of a sheathed cable; a profiled end face extending around the mouth; and a slot extending radially outward from the cylindrical cavity, along the cylindrical cavity and through the end face. The end face forms a radially sloped ramp profile configured to exert a radial bias on a compression spring surrounding the connector and abutting the end face. An optimal slope angle of the ramp for urging the spring in the radial direction lies in the range of 45° through 80° with respect to a plane extending radially relative to the cylindrical cavity. An optional wedge profile with an increasing elevation along a direction away from the radially sloped ramp profile may be arranged opposite the ramp profile to exert an axial bias on the compression spring.

Abstract: A glass removal tool for removing a glass panel from a window regulator clamp includes a horizontal cross bar; two parallel legs extending downward from the cross bar; at least one pair of ramps arranged between the parallel legs; and a vertical slot extending between the ramps of the pair of ramps. Two pairs of ramps may be included that are laterally offset from each other. The ramps may be recessed from the front surface and form at least one pair of wedges with the rear surface. The legs may include a first taper formed on the inner surface of each of the legs toward bottom ends of the legs and a second taper formed on the rear surface of the legs toward bottom ends of the legs.

Abstract: A window regulator assembly is described that comprises a window bracket that is in contact with the bottom edge of the window; a cable; a carrier plate that is in contact with the window bracket and both ends of the cable; a tension spring located on each end of the cable; an upper bracket assembly; a drum housing having a cable drum; a hollow conduit located between the upper bracket assembly and the drum housing; and a drive unit. The upper bracket assembly, cable drum, and conduit are capable of slideably receiving the cable, while the tension springs provide a predetermined amount of tension to the cable in order for the window regulator assembly to move the window between open and closed positions. Many of the components of the window regulator assembly may be formed from a thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A window carrier assembly for an automotive window regulator. The carrier assembly is a composite assembly of a center body section preferably formed of injection molded plastic material and a pair of window clamps that are snap assembled to the carrier body section. The window regulator assembly preferably is used in connection with a single rail-type window regulator. The body section of the carrier assembly features a cable end receiving socket which allows both ends of the drive cable to be installed in a manner which can be done rapidly in component assembly.

Abstract: The present specification provides a rear window assembly for a vehicle having a window frame, at least one fixed window panel whose perimeter edge defines a portion of an opening, a movable window panel capable of opening or closing the opening and that is allowed to slidably move past the surface of the fixed window panel, a seal member present on the perimeter surface of at least one of the window panels, and a closure track integrally formed in at least one edge of the window frame. The closure track may force the movable window panel and the fixed window panel closer together, thereby, placing the seal member under compression.

Abstract: An integrated gas strut actuator assembly particularly adapted for providing power actuation of a motor vehicle lift gate or other opening closure. The assembly integrates the function of a counterbalancing gas spring and that of a electrically powered actuator. The integrated gas strut assembly includes a gas charged cylinder, internal plunger and a threaded rod. Rotation of the threaded rod through a cable drive system causes the internal plunger to be advanced or retracted within the cylinder. Other features of the invention are various embodiments of couplers between the plunger and rod and connectors for connecting the assembly to the vehicle.

Abstract: An integrated gas strut actuator strut assembly particularly adapted for providing power actuation of a motor vehicle lift gate or other opening closure. The system integrates the function of a counterbalancing gas spring and that of a electrically powered actuator. The system incorporates a strut assembly including a gas charged cylinder, and internal plunger and a threaded rod. Rotation of the threaded rod through a cable drive system causes the internal plunger to be advanced or retracted within the cylinder. Another feature of the invention are various embodiments of couplers between the gas cylinder plunger and rod and connectors for the assembly to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating window regulators of the type having a reversible electric motor connected to a slide/carrier plate by means of cables. The apparatus comprises a first transducer such as a piezoelectric accelerometer or a laser for generating a first signal quantity related to periodic noise produced by the motor during operation thereof, a second transducer such as a piezoelectric accelerometer for producing a second signal quantity representing transient noise produced by irregularities in the slide/carrier plate assembly during travel of the carrier plate along the slide, and a processor for decoding the first and second waveforms and using data derived therefrom as a basis for identifying unacceptably noisy window regulator assemblies. The method comprises placing the window regulators on a test fixture, operating the window regulator with a simulated glass load, and generating and processing the first and second signal quantities as described above.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating window regulators of the type having a reversible electric motor connected to a-slide/carrier plate by means of cables. The apparatus comprises a first transducer such as a piezoelectric accelerometer or a laser for generating a first signal quantity related to periodic noise produced by the motor during operation thereof, a second transducer such as a piezoelectric accelerometer for producing a second signal quantity representing transient noise produced by irregularities in the slide/carrier plate assembly during travel of the carrier plate along the slide, and a processor for decoding the first and second waveforms and using data derived therefrom as a basis for identifying unacceptably noisy window regulator assemblies. The method comprises placing the window regulators on a test fixture, operating the window regulator with a simulated glass load, and generating and processing the first and second signal quantities as described above.