Rigid window regulator for automated installation
AssigneeBrose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
InventorShane ALEXANDER
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A window regulator for use in a vehicle and configured to move a windowpane between an open position and a closed position. The window regulator including a first guide rail, a second guide rail, a first slider, a second slider, and a cross-brace assembly. The first slider configured to move along the first guide rail and the second slider configured to move along the second guide rail to collectively move the windowpane between the open position and the closed position. The cross-brace assembly extending between and rigidly connecting the first guide rail to the second guide rail.
Claims20
A window regulator for use in a vehicle and configured to move a windowpane between an open position and a closed position, the window regulator comprising:
- a first guide rail;
- a second guide rail;
- a first slider;
- a second slider, the first slider configured to move along the first guide rail and the second slider configured to move along the second guide rail to collectively move the windowpane between the open position and the closed position;
- a drum housing;
- one or more cables operatively connected to the drum housing and the first and second sliders;
- a motor fixed to the drum housing and configured to wind and unwind the one or more cables to move the first and second sliders,
- a cross-brace assembly extending between and rigidly connecting the first guide rail to the second guide rail, wherein the cross-brace assembly includes,
- a first brace including a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion fixed to an upper end region of the first guide rail and the second end portion fixed to a lower end region of the second guide rail, and
- a second brace including a third end portion and a fourth end portion, the third end portion fixed to an upper end region of the second guide rail and the fourth end portion fixed to a lower end region of the first guide rail, wherein the first brace and the second brace intersect one another and are fixed to the drum housing;
- a first pulley fixed to the upper end region of the first guide rail;
- and
- a second pulley fixed to the lower end region of the second guide rail,
- wherein the first guide rail includes a medial region extending between the upper end region and the lower end region of the first guide rail, wherein the medial region defines one or more slots configured to receive an engagement member of a robotic arm configured to fix the window regulator to a door panel of the vehicle, and
- wherein the first guide rail and the second guide rail each include a first side and a second side, the second side opposing the first side, wherein the first guide rail and the second guide rail each include second pulleys disposed on the first side, and the first end portion of the first brace is disposed on the second side of the first guide rail.
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A method of installing a window regulator to a vehicle closure, the window regulator including a pair of guide rails and a pair of sliders operatively connected to a gearbox assembly by one or more cables, the pair of sliders collectively configured to move along the pair of guide rails to move a windowpane between an open position and a closed position, the method comprising:
- attaching a first cross-brace member to a first guide rail and a second guide rail of the pair of guide rails;
- attaching a second cross-brace member to the first guide rail and the second guide rail;
- grasping, by a robot, the window regulator assembly;
- and
- fixing, by the robot, the window regulator assembly to at least one door panel of the vehicle closure.
A method of installing a window regulator to a vehicle closure, the window regulator including a pair of guide rails and a pair of sliders operatively connected to a drum housing by one or more cables, the pair of sliders collectively configured to move along the pair of guide rails to move a windowpane between an open position and a closed position, the method comprising:
- attaching a first cross-brace member to a first guide rail and a second guide rail of the pair of guide rails;
- attaching a second cross-brace member to the first guide rail and the second guide rail to form a rigid window regulator assembly, the rigid window regulator assembly including the window regulator;
- grasping and placing, by a robot, the rigid window regulator assembly on a panel of the vehicle closure;
- fixing, by the robot, the rigid window regulator assembly to the panel of the vehicle closure;
- and
- removing, by the robot, the first cross-brace member from the rigid window regulator assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.