Movable or removable closures – Stored in housing – Reciprocates vertically in and out of housing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-18
2001-03-27
Stodola, Daniel P. (Department: 3634)
Movable or removable closures
Stored in housing
Reciprocates vertically in and out of housing
Reexamination Certificate
active
06205711
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a device for securing an adjustable window of a motor vehicle to a guide mechanism of a window lifter, wherein installation and adjustment of the window are simple and secure and the operational reliability of the window is increased at the same time.
DE 43 16 651 A1 disclosed a securing device for connecting a gripper of a window lifter to a window, wherein an attachment component of the gripper in the form of a bolt engages an opening within the window. The diameter of the head of the bolt is enlarged in relation to the cavity. The bolt is inserted, perpendicularly to the window surface, into the window opening with a corresponding diameter, and subsequently displaced into a guide area. The dimensions of the guide area thereby correspond to the diameter of the shaft.
DE 31 08 244 A1 disclosed a coupling device between a window lifter and a window of a motor vehicle, which basically consists of a retaining device secured to the bottom edge of the window and at least one coupling jaw which is equipped with a means of locking and projects towards a coupling component which is equipped with adaptable locking components and connected to the window lifting mechanism. When the connecting components are brought together, this results in an elastic deformation of at least one of the coupling components until the connection is brought about by the interlocking of the components.
A disadvantage, however, is that in order to bring about the connection between the window and the window lifter, the expansion area must have a minimum resilience, so that the locking components can interlock. However, this resilience also brings with it the risk that, in the case of heavy loads such as those that may arise when the window is frozen to the frame, the locking components unlock again.
This would mean that the window lifting mechanism could no longer perform its function. In addition to this, it is difficult to position the locking components so precisely in relation to each other that they are able to interlock. Therefore, it is often necessary to move the window back and forth in the X-direction in order to bring about positive locking.
JP 6-135228 A disclosed a device for connecting a window to a window lifter. On the window lifter, there are U-shaped profile components running parallel to the bottom edge of the window, whereby the free sides of the U-shaped profile have hook-like extensions pointing inwards. Corresponding to these profile components are adaptable coupling components that can lock into the U-shaped cavity. These coupling components are secured to the bottom edge of the window. In order to facilitate the connection, the free ends of the coupling components are wedge-shaped and their barbed extensions can engage the extensions of the U-shaped profile. Nonetheless, it is generally necessary for the worker to apply pressure upon the window in the assembly direction, in order to bring about the required positive locking. Screws are used to secure the area between the window lifter and the window in line with the cavities and grooves. There is just as little possibility of adjusting the window in the X-direction (longitudinal axis of the vehicle) in order to reach an ideal position as there was with the design that was initially described.
DE 44 23 440 A1 disclosed a further window connection using elastically deforming and thereby pivotable regions. The pivotable regions form the upper edge of the recesses of two parallel lateral sides, into which a connecting component of the window can lock. Suitable connecting components are supposedly a bolt positioned in a window cavity, a component stuck onto the window or a component formed from the window itself.
Even this securing device presents the disadvantage that the elastic fields of the lateral sides have a reduced load-bearing capacity. Therefore, there is a risk of the connection coming apart in the event of strong forces on the window.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to create a device that locks itself during window assembly onto the window lifter in such a way that the weight of the window is sufficient to allow interlocking of the components and also to ensure that the window can be adjusted in the X-direction. In addition to this, in comparison with other previously disclosed devices, the securing device according to the invention should significantly increase the load-bearing capacity in relation to the window.
According to the invention, there is an entry passage for insertion of the stopper into the elongated recess extending in the X-direction so that there is no need for elastic or expanding fields of the securing device. This is facilitated by a functional division of the securing device into two areas: namely into one area exclusively for insertion of the stopper into the positive-locking area of the associated component of the securing device; and into another area exclusively for transferring the shifting forces of the window lifter.
The transfer of the stopper from the entry area into the attachment area formed by the elongated recess takes place by means of displacement in the X-direction. This displacement can be initiated either by the worker or automatically through the alignment of the window in the frame of the motor vehicle door during the first closing operation of the window lifter. In order to ensure reliable operation of the securing device according to the invention, it is important that after window assembly the vertical axes of the entry area (the entry passage) and of the stopper are positioned at least as far away from each other as to ensure a sufficiently large overlap between the stopper and the elongated recess and hence sufficient load-bearing capacity of the securing device.
In addition to this, there must be a means of preventing any unintended sliding of the stopper out of the elongated recess and into the entry passage. The securing device would not work if this happened. On the one hand it is necessary not to impede assembly movement and on the other hand it is necessary to prevent backward movement of the stopper. An appropriate, simple solution is the use of serrated locking components positioned, on the one hand, on the component bearing the stopper and, on the other hand, on the component bearing the elongated recess, whereby these locking components interlock by means of a spring. The upright side of the serrated profile is thereby pointing contrary to the direction of assembly of the stopper. The spring elasticity of the connection of the locking components allows problem-free assembly of the securing device, as the locking components can simply slide on top of each other in the assembly direction.
It is useful if the width of the entry passage and the breadth of the stopper correspond as closely as possible. In order to facilitate entry of the stopper, the stopper has a rounded—possibly circular—contour in its lower area at least. Also, in front of the entry passage, there are conical guide surfaces opening in the direction of the stopper.
The two components of the securing device according to the invention can either be connected to the window or to the guide mechanism of the window, as one chooses. This means that either the stopper is secured to the window and the corresponding elongated recess is secured to the guide mechanism of the window lifter or the other way round. Ideally, the component connected to the guide mechanism will form a single, homogenous component with the gripper of a cable window lifter. The component to be connected to the window also forms a single component and is for example stuck to the bottom edge of the window or positively locked in a window cavity in the region of the bottom edge of the window. If synthetic windows are used, it is also possible for the corresponding component to be molded in the material of the window.
The forces exerted upon the windows can differ significantly from vehicle to vehicle. Accordingly, therefore, the stability requirements of the force-tran
Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG
Christie Parker & Hale LLP
Cohen Curtis A.
Stodola Daniel P.
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