Power drive system for modular dual pane rear-mounted window assembly

• US 5,822,922 A
• Filed: 11/27/1996
• Issued: 10/20/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dura Operating Corporation (Dura Automotive Systems)
• Original Assignee: Excel Industries Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Grumm, Darren M., Cripe, Todd E., Butler, Raymond S., Schamanek, Roger E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stodola, Daniel P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cohen, Curtis
• Application Number:
  US08/757,355
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 49/360, 49/361, 49/120, 49/121, 49/123, 49/369, 49/367, 49/368, 49/352, 49/380, 49/130, 49/413, 49/483.1, 49/489.1
• US Class Current: 49/360
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/1853 horizontally in direction transverse to vehicle longitudinal axis
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 11/505 for vehicle windows
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 11/535 for vehicle windows
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/643 operated by flexible elongated pulling elements, e.g. belts, chains or cables by flexible elongated push-pull mechanisms E05F15/635
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/11 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/40 Mounting location; Visibility of the elements
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows

Abstract

A modular sliding window assembly in a motor vehicle has two glazing panes, typically a sliding subassembly incorporating two vertically mounted transparent panes, which are slidably mounted in a circumferential frame slightly to the interior of, substantially parallel to and between two fixed panes. The sliding panes are mounted for sliding laterally back and forth between their open and closed positions. A motor and drive drum apparatus for powered operation of the window assembly is mounted to the vehicle body at a location remote from the frame. First and second cable fasteners are mounted to first and second sliding panes, respectively, and first and second cable guides are provided to guide a drive cable. The drive cable extends from the drive drum to the second cable fastener through the first cable guide, from the second cable fastener to the first cable fastener through the second cable guide, and from the first cable fastener to the drive drum through the first cable guide.

Claims

1. A modular window assembly mounted in a motor vehicle body comprising, in combination:

a circumferential frame member mounted in a window recess in the vehicle body;

a sliding subassembly comprising first and second sliding panes mounted in the frame member between first and second fixed panes, the sliding panes being slideable laterally back and forth between respective open and closed positions;

a drive subassembly to move the sliding panes laterally back and forth between their open and closed positions, the drive subassembly comprising a drive motor having an output member and a drive drum operatively engaging the output member for rotation upon actuation of the drive motor; and

a drive member operatively connecting the drive subassembly to the sliding panes, the drive member comprising a drive cable wrapped around the drive drum for pulling the sliding panes toward their open positions upon rotation of the drive drum in a first rotational direction, and for pulling the sliding panes toward their closed positions upon rotation of the drive drum in an opposite rotational direction;

wherein the sliding subassembly further comprises a first cable guide operably connected to the first fixed pane, a second cable guide operably connected to the second fixed pane, a first cable fastener secured to the first sliding pane, and a second cable fastener secured to the second sliding pane, the sliding subassembly and drive cable forming a closed loop, with the drive cable extending from the drive drum to the second cable fastener through the first cable guide, from the second cable fastener to the first cable fastener through the second cable guide, and from the first cable fastener to the drive drum through the first cable guide.

2. The modular window assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first cable fastener is secured to the first sliding pane proximate a lower edge of the first sliding pane, the second cable fastener is secured to the second sliding pane proximate a lower edge thereof, first cable guide is proximate a lower edge of the first fixed pane, and the second cable guide is proximate a lower edge of the second fixed pane.

3. The modular window assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first and second cable fasteners each comprise a pair of sockets formed in respective ends thereof to hold respective cable ends formed on the drive cable.

4. The modular window assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein tensioning means are provided on the drive cable for adjusting the tension in the drive cable.

5. The modular window assembly in accordance with claim 4 wherein the tensioning means are located proximate the drive drum and portions of the drive cable extending from the tensioning means to the first cable guide are enclosed in a conduit.

6. The modular window assembly in accordance with claim 5 wherein the first cable guide has a pair of sockets formed therein to releasably hold corresponding ends of the conduit enclosing the drive cable.

7. The modular window assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein the sliding subassembly further comprises a channel member, the first and second cable guides being matingly engaged with first and second ends of the channel member, respectively, the first and second cable fasteners being slidingly engageable within a recess of the channel member such that the sliding panes move laterally between their open and closed positions as the cable fasteners slide laterally left and right within the recess.

8. A modular window assembly mounted in a motor vehicle body comprising, in combination:

a circumferential frame member mounted in a window recess in the vehicle body;

a sliding subassembly comprising first and second sliding panes mounted in the frame member between first and second fixed panes, the sliding panes sliding laterally back and forth between their open positions and their closed positions; and

a pull-pull cable drive subassembly for moving the sliding panes laterally back and forth between their open and closed positions, the pull-pull cable drive subassembly comprising;

a drive apparatus mounted to the vehicle body remote from the frame member, comprising a drive motor having an output member and a drive drum operatively engaging the output member for rotation upon actuation of the drive motor; and

a drive cable attached to the sliding subassembly and wrapped around the drive drum for pulling the sliding panes substantially laterally toward their open positions upon rotation of the drive drum in a first rotational direction, and for pulling the sliding panes substantially laterally toward their closed positions upon rotation of the drive drum in the opposite rotational direction;

wherein the sliding subassembly further comprises a first cable guide operably connected to the first fixed pane, a second cable guide operably connected to the second fixed pane, a first cable fastener secured to the first sliding pane, and a second cable fastener secured to the second sliding pane, the sliding subassembly and drive cable forming a closed loop, with the drive cable extending from the drive drum to the second cable fastener through the first cable guide, from the second cable fastener to the first cable fastener through the second cable guide, and from the first cable fastener to the drive drum through the first cable guide.

9. The modular window assembly in accordance with claim 8 wherein the second cable guide comprises a substantially semicircular portion to receive the drive cable extending from the first cable fastener proximate a lower portion of the second cable guide and return the drive cable to the second cable fastener proximate an upper portion of the second cable guide.

10. The modular window assembly in accordance with claim 8 wherein the sliding subassembly further comprises a channel member, the first and second cable guides being matingly engaged with first and second ends of the channel member, respectively, the first and second cable fasteners being slidingly engageable within a recess of the channel member such that the sliding panes move laterally between their open and closed positions as the cable fasteners slide laterally left and right within the recess.

11. The modular window assembly in accordance with claim 8 wherein the sliding panes are substantially quadrilateral, having substantially frameless lower edges extending between first and second lower corners of the sliding panes and substantially frameless upper edges extending between first and second upper corners of the sliding panes, the lower and upper edges being slidingly received in laterally extending sliding travel channels in lower and upper portions of the frame member, respectively.

12. The modular window assembly in accordance with claim 8 further comprising sealing means for providing a substantially weather-tight seal between the sliding panes in their closed positions and the fixed panes.

13. The modular window assembly in accordance with claim 12 wherein the sealing means comprises O-seals extending on inside surfaces of the fixed panes proximate their peripheral edges adjacent the sliding panes, the sliding panes at least partially compressing the O-seals.

14. The modular window assembly in accordance with claim 12 wherein the sealing means comprises blade seals extending on inside surfaces of the fixed panes proximate their peripheral edges adjacent the sliding panes, the sliding panes at least partially compressing the blade seal.

15. The modular window assembly in accordance with claim 8 further comprising sealing means for providing a substantially weather-tight seal between the sliding panes in their closed positions.

16. The modular window assembly in accordance with claim 15 wherein the sealing means comprises a first side flange extending on a second side vertical edge of the second sliding pane, a second side flange extending on a first side vertical edge of the first sliding pane, and a seal member extending along the second side flange, the sliding panes at least partially compressing the seal member when the sliding panes are in their closed positions.

17. The modular window assembly in accordance with claim 8 wherein the second cable fastener comprises a pulley.

18. The modular window assembly in accordance with claim 8 wherein the sliding subassembly further comprises a channel member secured to the frame member, the first cable guide being matingly engaged with a first end thereof and the second cable guide being matingly engaged with a second end thereof, the first and second cable fasteners being slidingly engageable within a recess of the channel member such that the sliding panes move laterally between their open and closed positions as the cable fasteners slide laterally left and right within the recess.

19. The modular window assembly in accordance with claim 18 wherein the first and second cable fasteners comprise first and second securing means secured to the first and second sliding panes, respectively, and first and second sliding guides secured to the first and second securing means, respectively, the first and second sliding guides being slidingly engageable within a recess of the channel member such that the sliding panes move laterally between their open and closed positions as the cable fasteners slide laterally left and right within the recess.

20. The modular window assembly in accordance with claim 19 wherein the first and second securing means comprise L shaped brackets secured at first ends thereof to the first and second sliding panes, respectively, and at second ends thereof to the first and second sliding guides, respectively.

21. The modular window assembly in accordance with claim 19 wherein the first and second sliding guides have apertures formed therein through which the drive cable passes.

22. The modular window assembly in accordance with claim 19 further comprising:

first and second cable stops formed on the drive cable;

first and second apertures formed in the first and second sliding guides, respectively;

first and second sockets formed in central portions of the first and second apertures, respectively, to receive the fastening means.

23. The modular window assembly in accordance with claim 22 wherein the cable stops comprise balls to be received by the sockets.

24. The modular window assembly in accordance with claim 18 further comprising conduit enclosing the drive cable between the drive drum and the sliding subassembly, wherein the first cable guide comprises first and second through bores formed therein to allow the drive cable to pass therethrough and first and second sockets to receive the conduit enclosing the drive cable.

25. The modular window assembly in accordance with claim 18 wherein the second cable guide comprises a pulley rotatably secured to the channel member.

26. The modular window assembly in accordance with claim 25 further comprising a guide member proximate the pulley, the guide member positioning the cable between the pulley and the second cable fastener.

27. The modular window assembly in accordance with claim 26 wherein the guide member comprises a tab formed on a lower portion of the channel member, the drive cable riding along a surface of the tab and being aligned between the pulley and the second cable fastener.

28. The modular window assembly in accordance with claim 8 further comprising an electrical switch operably connected to the drive motor and suitable for mounting in the motor vehicle remote from the frame member and from the drive subassembly.

29. The modular window assembly in accordance with claim 8 wherein the sliding subassembly further comprises:

a channel member secured to the vehicle body, the first cable guide on a first end thereof and the second cable guide on a second end thereof;

the first and second cable fasteners being slidingly engageable within a recess of the channel member such that the sliding panes move laterally between their open and closed positions as the cable fasteners slide laterally left and right within the recess.

30. A modular window assembly mounted in a motor vehicle body comprising, in combination:

a circumferential frame member mounted in a window recess in the vehicle body;

a sliding subassembly comprising first and second sliding panes mounted in the frame member between first and second fixed panes, the sliding panes sliding laterally back and forth between their open positions and their closed positions; and

a pull-pull cable drive subassembly for moving the sliding panes laterally back and forth between their open and closed positions, the pull-pull cable drive subassembly comprising;

a drive apparatus mounted to the vehicle body remote from the frame member, comprising a drive motor having an output member and a drive drum operatively engaging the output member for rotation upon actuation of the drive motor; and

a drive cable attached to the sliding subassembly and wrapped around the drive drum for pulling the sliding panes substantially laterally toward their open positions upon rotation of the drive drum in a first rotational direction, and for pulling the sliding panes substantially laterally toward their closed positions upon rotation of the drive drum in the opposite rotational direction

wherein the sliding subassembly further comprises a first cable guide operably connected to the first fixed pane, a second cable guide operably connected to the second fixed pane, the sliding subassembly and drive cable forming a closed loop, with the drive cable extending from the drive drum, through the first cable guide, along the second sliding pane to which the drive cable is directly bonded, through the second cable guide and back along the first sliding pane to which the drive cable is directly bonded, and then through the first cable guide back to the drive drum.