Motor vehicle window regulator with low friction guide rails
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsChester S. Walawender, Joshua M. Myers, Edward T. Kozak, Douglas L. Wilson
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Abstract
A motor vehicle window regulator in which a matrix coating is applied to a metal blank. The matrix coating is comprised of particles of a fluoropolymer (such as polytetrafluoroethylene) carried in an organic polymer binder. The coated metal blank is cold-formed to the shape of a guide rail with a longitudinal track disposed along an edge of the guide rail. A window slider is mounted onto the guide rail to slide along the longitudinal track, so that the fluoropolymer particles lubricate the sliding of the window slider on the longitudinal track.
Claims13
A method of manufacturing a motor vehicle window regulator, comprising the steps of:
- applying a matrix coating to a metal blank, wherein the matrix coating is comprised of particles of a fluoropolymer carried in an organic polymer binder;
- cold-forming the coated metal blank to the shape of a guide rail with a longitudinal track disposed along an edge of the guide rail;
- and
- mounting a window slider onto the guide rail to slide along the longitudinal track, so that the particles of fluoropolymer lubricate the sliding of the window slider on the longitudinal track.
A window regulator for a motor vehicle, comprising:
- a guide rail having a body covered by a matrix coating comprised of particles of a fluoropolymer carried in an organic polymer binder, the guide rail having a longitudinal track disposed along an edge of the guide rail;
- and
- a window slider slidably mounted on the longitudinal track, so that the fluoropolymer particles lubricate the sliding of the window slider on the longitudinal track.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.