Movable or removable closures – Panel with closure feature – With means to accommodate window accessory; e.g.,...
Patent
1996-09-30
1998-06-09
Redman, Jerry
Movable or removable closures
Panel with closure feature
With means to accommodate window accessory; e.g.,...
49352, B60J 504
Patent
active
057618518
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a vehicle door where at least some components associated with door operation are electrically operated.
2. Prior Art
The assembly of electrical wiring within the door cavity is expensive and time-consuming. In order to cut down the outlay involved in wiring the door, it has been proposed in British Patent Specification 2,212,767 to incorporate in the door construction a door cavity cover which has the desired arrangement of electrical conductors pre-formed on the surface of the cover.
Various mechanisms are known for raising and lowering a window in its guides. One known mechanism employs rigid plates hinged in a form of lazy tongs to raise or lower the window. An alternative known mechanism uses a Bowden cable, the inner cable of which passes around a drum which is turned by the motor, and is connected to an anchoring point on the window. Turning of the drum by the motor causes the end of the cable to raise or lower the window. One known form of cable mechanism is described in British Patent Specification 2,230,558. Alternatively, an electric window may be operated by a worm wheel mounted on a screw thread, the worm wheel being moved up or down the screw thread by turning of a motor. An example of such an electric window is described in European Patent Application 0348685.
A conventional vehicle door electric window winding mechanism is located in the door cavity, and is actuated by means of a switch. The motor for winding the window, together with any associated gearbox, is mounted in the door in a position corresponding to the position or a winding handle for a door with manually wound windows. The motor receives electric power by means of a wiring loom which passes through the door cavity.
The weight of components in the door cavity puts stress on the door hinges which may lead to fatigue and/or failure of one or more of the mounting components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle door having an electrically operated window, in which no electrical connections are made within the internal door cavity. The teachings of this invention can be applied to a vehicle door having electrically operated windows, wherein the door includes a motor for raising and lowering the windows, the motor being mounted in the door and having electrical terminals for providing power to the motor, which terminals are accessible from the hinge shut face of the door. The hinge shut face of the door is the face which mates with the A-pillar of the door when the door is closed. The door hinges are associated with this face.
By mounting the motor adjacent to the hinge shut Lace of the door the center of mass of the door may be brought closer to the hinges, thereby reducing stress on the hinges and other mounting elements. Any gearbox associated with the motor is mounted adjacent to the motor so that the center or gravity of the door is brought still closer to the hinges. However a remote gearbox may also be used, connected to the motor by a cable drive or other means. The motor may be mounted in the door cavity through an access opening in the hinge shut face of the door. The part of the motor which is then exposed at the hinge shut race may carry electrical terminals through which power is fed to the motor. The terminals may receive an end of a flying lead which can bridge the gap between the hinge shut face of the door and the A-pillar when the door is opened, but which can be housed between these faces when the door is closed.
Alternatively, the exposed face of the motor may carry terminals which will make electrical contact with a corresponding pair of terminals mounted on the A-pillar. In this case, electrical connection to the window operating motor will only be made when the door is closed. One set of terminals may spring-biased, so that the springs are compressed to hold the terminals in contact, when the door is closed.
The invention is suitable for use with any conventional mechanism for
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patent: 2232418 (1941-02-01), Warren
patent: 4074463 (1978-02-01), Colanzi
patent: 4986029 (1991-01-01), Richter
patent: 5012613 (1991-05-01), Sekine
patent: 5095659 (1992-03-01), Benoit et al.
patent: 5584144 (1996-12-01), Hisano
patent: 5588260 (1996-12-01), Suzuki et al.
Ford Global Technologies Inc.
Kelley David B.
Redman Jerry
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