US3440892A - Drive assembly for window regulators - Google Patents

Description

April 29, 1969 ESKRA 3,440,892

DRIVE ASSEMBLY FOR WINDOW REGULATORS Filed Oct. 24, 1967 Sheet of 4 INVENTOR.

l RUDOLPH ESKRA AmKuE April 29, 1969 R, ESKRA 3,440,892

DRIVE ASSEMBLY FOR WINDOW REGULATORS Filed Oct. 24. 1967 Sheet 2 of 4 d- Q m d 050 Na \m 02 YQ ifli 98 (\l 0) S2 0 LL m m 1 3 1 on m fix

INVENTOR. B Ruooum ESKRA P'TTORNEU April 29, 1969 R. ESKRA 3,440,892

DRIVE ASSEMBLY FOR WINDOW REGULATORS Filed Oct. 24, 1967 Sheet of 4 INVENTOR.

RUDOLPH ESKR A wym.

ATTOQ EV April 29, 1969 R. ESKRA 3,440,892

DRIVE ASSEMBLY FOR WlNDOW REGULATORS Filed Oct. 24. 1967 Sheet 4 of 4 INVENTOR. K RQDOLiH EsKRA ATV OWE? United States Patent Office 3,440,892 Patented Apr. 29, 1969 York Filed Oct. 24, 1967, Ser. No. 677,671 Int. Cl. F16h 1/06 US. Cl. 74-8918 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A flat type reversible electric motor and drive assembly in which the motor drives through gearing to a spring clutch assembly embodying a pinion for actuating the window regulator mechanism in one direction or the other in response to the direction of rotation of the motor. The spring clutch assembly prevents retrograde movement of the driven pinion when the motor is idle, thereby to retain the window in its adjusted position. An adaptation provides a hang-on drive for regulators to fit the usual handle stem of a manual regulator, a drive adaptor actuated by the electric motor through gearing being designed to .fit the handle stem.

Summary Electric motor drives for window regulators have, in the main, been objectionable because of the space occupied in the vehicle body. One such drive employs a motor driven worm shaft and a wheel meshing therewith, and an objection to this is based in the relatively low efiiciency of the worm gear necessary to prevent retrograde movement of the window. This not infrequently presents problems, particularly in starting the drive from a window locked position.

According to this invention, a compact assembly is provided in which a fiat type reversible electric motor is arranged in a relatively flat housing and drives through gearing disposed within the housing to a spring clutch assembly which embodies a pinion disposed on the outside of the housing for engagement with the gear sector of the window regulator mechanism. Thus, the electric motor, its gearing and driven parts are completely housed in a relatively flat housing to provide a unit which can be readily and conveniently mounted in position of use so as to occupy a minimum of space. The motor operates with a minimum amount of noise and requires a minimum 1 of attention.

By relatively simple modification, the motor drive assembly may be adapted as a hang-on regulator to connect to the usual handle stem of manual regulators presently in use. This enables manual regulators to be converted quickly and conveniently to an electric motor driven regulator.

Brief description of the drawings FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the reversible motor drive assembly connected to a gear sector having a swinging window actuating arm, particularly adapted for actuating a rear quarter window panel of an automobile to and from closed position, the mounting plate for connecting the assembly to the vehicle body being omitted;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the motor drive assembly showing the electric motor, gearing, spring clutch device and a portion of the mounting plate;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the spring clutch assembly and associated parts;

FIGURE 4 is an exploded view of the spring clutch parts and associated members shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the motor drive assembly above described adapted for use as a hang-on regulator to enable the assembly to be applied to the handle stern of a manual regulator thereby to convert it to a power operated regulator;

FIGURE 6 is a composite view in perspective showing the adaptor drive member and the actuator which is connected to it as illustrated in FIGURE 5, and

FIGURE 7 is an exploded, somewhat diagrammatic perspective view showing the hang-on motor drive assembly, illustrating the manner of connecting it to a cross arm regulator connected to a vertically moveable window panel.

Description of the preferred embodimen Referring to particularly, FIGURES 1 and 2, there is shown a sheet metal dished housing 10 which has a pair of generally circular contiguous portions 10a and 10b, adjacent to which there is a flat depressed area 11 which extends about both of the circular portions of the housing, but predominantly in the region of the circular portion 10b. Within the housing portion 10a and suitably fixed thereto is a permanent magnet 12 in the form of a fiat ring forming part of a reversible electric motor. Concentric of the permanent magnet 12 in the housing portion 10a is a countersunk portion 13 through which extends a bearing pin 14, one end of which is fixed to the countersunk portion, as by riveting. Upon the bearing pin 14 rotates a metal hub plates 15 and adhesively fixed to the underface of the hub plate 15 is a fiat circular disk-type armature plate 16. The armature plate 16 is extremely thin and may be of the order of of an inch in thickness. It is described in detail in co-pending application, Ser. No. 288,152 filed June 17, 1963, and owned by the assignee of this invention. The theory of operation of the motor is described in detail in the above mentioned application and the general theory of operation is well understood by those skilled in the electrical motor art. The armature 16 comprises a disk formed from a plurality of layers of copper conductor segments and insulation means and in the preferred embodiment each conductor segment has a substantially identical pattern and each conductor segment in each layer is identical. The ends of the segments in the different layers are connected together to form a continuous wave winding. Portions of the conductor segments on one outer face of the armature also serve as commutator bars, such disktype armature being preferred because of its relative high torgue output. Rigid with the hub plate 15 and molded thereto to form an integral assembly is a concentric gear toothed pinion 17 which may be made of nylon or glassfiber reinforced nylon. Spaced slightly below the disk armature plate 16 is a centrally apertured steel backing plate 18. Depending from the rim of the depressed housing area 11 and extending around the same is a flange 19, the outer edge of the steel backing plate 18 abutting the flange 19 throughout a substantial portion of its periphery.

At one side of the pinion 17 and formed in the steel backing plate 18-, is a pair of holes 20 (only one appearing on FIGURE 2. but the general location of them being indicated on FIGURE 1). In each hole is a sleeve 21 in which armature engaging brushes 22 are slidable. Electric current is supplied to the brushes through leads 24 which extend through a rubber grommet 25. For mounting the brush sleeves 21 is a socketed retainer plate 220 and at one end thereof is a rubber block 22b which bears against the backing plate 18. The brush retainer 220 and the rubber block 22b bear against a housing cover plate 26 which has an upwardly flanged edge portion 27 and a generally flat laterally extending rim 28, the edge of which abuts against the housing flange 19. The lower end of the bearing pin 14 is socketed in the adjacent portion of the cover plate 26.

Interposed between the rim portions of the cover plate 26 and the backing plate 18 is a rubber sealing ring 29. Complimentary embossed contact ridges on the cover plate 26 and backing plate 18 are indicated at 30 and 31 respectively. At the opposite end of the cover plate 26 the ridge 30 abuts a ridge 32 on the housing for confining the adjacent portion of the sealing ring 2-9. The cover plate 26 and the housing are secured together by a series of tabs 30a constituting extensions of the flange 19, which are bent over against the adjacent flange portion of the cover plate 26.

A relatively large spur gear 33, preferably of a phenolic material or other suitable plastic, has its teeth meshing with those of the pinion '17 and rotates freely upon an enlarged circular bearing portion 34, forming a part of a rigid bearing pin 35, the opposite end of which projects outwardly beyond the face of the housing portion 10b. Arranged about the bearing pin 35 is a spring clutch assembly 36 which consists of a flanged cup-shaped sheet metal housing 37, the flange of which overlaps the face of the housing portion 10b and is secured thereto by screws 38. The screws 38 also clamp in place a metal backed rubber sealing disk 39 which provides a liquid tight seal with the spring clutch assembly 36.

In the spring clutch assembly 36 and disposed within the cup housing 37, is a driver member 40 which has a central sleeve 42 to rotate upon the bearing pin 35. Projecting outwardly from the sleeve 42 is a pair of oppositely spaced driving lugs 43 which project into holes 44 in the spur gear 32 on opposite sides of the bearing portion 34. Thus, rotation of the gear 33 transmits rotation to the driver member 40 through the lugs 43. The driver member 40 has a cylindrical wall 45 which is broken by an opening 46. Between the cylindrical wall 45 and the inner wall of the cup housing 37 is a helical spring 47, the ends of which are inturned to engage opposite edges of the opening 46, as shown in FIGURE 4. 'Extending somewhat freely into the space 46 so as to have slight lost motion therein, is a lug 50 of a driven member 51. The driven member 51 has a sleeve body 52 to fit over and rotate upon the bearing pin 35 and integral with the outer end portion of the driven member 51 is a pinion 53 which has toothed engagement with a gear sector of the regulator as will hereinafter appear.

In the operation of the motor drive assembly, the reversible electric motor through its pinion 17 drives the large gear 33 which through the lugs 43 imparts rotation in one direction or the other to the driver member 40 of the spring clutch assembly. The direction of rotation is such as to cause through the inturned end 49 the helical spring 47 to be slightly wound up and contracted away from the walls of the cup housing 37 to afford free rotation and through engagement with the lug 50 impart rotation to the driven member 51 and its pinion 53. When the motor is idle, slight opposite or retrograde movement of the driven member 51 by engagement with the inturned end 48 of the coil spring, imparts expanding or unwinding movement to the :coil spring causing it frictionally to engage the walls of the cup housing 37 and thus, block retrograde movement of the pinion 53. Consequently, no retrograde or reverse movement is imparted to the motor driven gear 33. Additionally, by preventing retrograde movement of the drive pinion 53, the regulator arm which actuates the window panel is held against further movement, thus ensuring that the window panel is retained in its position of adjustment.

The motor drive assembly is secured to a mounting plate, a portion of which is shown at 54, by screws 58 (only one of which is shown), the mounting plate being suitably secured to the automobile body to support the mechanism in the desired position of use. The mounting plate has an embossed portion 55, which is apertured to receive the outer end portion of the pin 35, and retains the pinion 53 in the desired position. The terminal portion of the embossed portion 55 bears against a gear sector 56, the teeth of which mesh with those of the pinion 53. An upwardly embossed portion 57 of the mounting plate portion 54 engages the underside of the gear sector 56 to ensure its proper position relative to the pinion 53. The gear sector 56 has a pivot pin 59 which is suitably supported by the mounting plate and is fixed to the lower end of a regulator arm 60 for window actuation. Encircling the pivot pin 59 is a spiral counterbalance spring 60', one end of which is anchored to the pin and the opposite end of which is hooked over a tab 62 which forms a part of the mounting plate, the arrangement being such that when the window panel is lowered, the spiral spring is wound up to assist in moving the window panel in the opposite direction.

On the outer end of the regulator arm 60 is a button 63 shiftable in a horizontal guide channel 64 in a retainer plate 65 which depends from a channel member 66 embracing the edge portion of a glass window panel 67. In this instance, the window panel 67 constitutes a rear quarter window for an automobile and is moved to and from open position, as is well understood by those skilled in this art.

FIGURES 5 to 7 illustrate an adaptation of the motor drive assembly above described for use as which is called a hang-on regulator. This is for use on vehicles presently equipped with a hand operated window regulator to adapt such regulator for motor operation. For this purpose the usual crank handle and the escutcheon are removed and the motor drive assembly is applied to the handle stem. Thereafter, the window panel can be shifted by the simple manipulation of a switch for causing the motor to rotate in one direction or the other for opening or closing the window, depending upon the actuation of the usual control switch. Such arrangement is particularly useful in enabling the driver of the automobile to have the switches for the several Iwin'riows easily accessible and to enable the windows to be moved without the necessity of the driver moving or assuming an awkward position to operate the windows.

The motor drive assembly above described, is employed in this connection with certain changes to enable it to be applied to the regulator handle stem. On FIG- URE 5, the parts in common with the structure above described have been given the same reference numbers and in this figure, the spring clutch assembly above described, except for the flanged cup housing 37, is replaced by a cylindrical adaptor drive member 68, which has a nice rotating fit within the cup housing 37. The drive member 68 has an outer Wall and a parallel inner wall, the inner wall having a central hole around which is a cylindrical row of splines 69. At the lower end on the outer side of the inner wall is a cylindrical row of splines 70 to receive a sheet metal actuator which is provided with a flat body 71 having a central hole surrounded by a cylindrical row of splines 72. The splines 72 of the actuator fit the splines 70 of the drive member 68 for securing the actuator rigidly in place. The splines 72 are upset as indicated at 73, so that in effect, the actuator is a rigid part of the ldrive member 68. The actuator 71 has a pair of oppositely arranged lugs 74, which extend into the holes 44 of the motor driven spur gear 33. Thus, the lugs 74 correspond to the lugs 43 above described and consequently, the rotation of the spur gear 33 by the electric motor causes rotation of the adaptor drive member 68 in one direction or the other, through the connection between the lugs 74 and the gear 33.

75 represents the regulator handle stem of the usual manual regulator, such handle stem at its outer end portion provided with a cylindrical row of splines 76, which when used as a manual regulator, receive the crank handle. As above mentioned, in this connection, the crank handle as well as the usual escutcheon, are removed and the drive assembly herein described is applied to the handle stem so that instead of the handle stem being rotated manually, it is rotated in one direction or the other by the reversible electric motor through the gearing above described. As shown, the metal backed rubber sealing disk39 is employed in this connection forengagement with the outer face of the adaptor drive member 68.

To provide a bearing about which the spur gear 33 can rotate, a bearing member 77 fits the central hole in the gear. The bearing member 77 is provided with a laterally extending flange or washer portion 78 against which the adjacent portion of the outer face of the gear bears. The other side of the washer part 78 beans against the inner face of the cover plate 2 6, a portion of the bearing member extending through the cover plate 26 and being riveted or upset, as indicated at 79. Formed in the inner face of the bearing member 177, is a cup or depression 80 to accommodate different lengths of handle stems. If desired, the assembly may be enclosed by a decorative cover 81 which completely covers the assembly and is secured by screws to the vehicle body.

The assembly of the hang-on regulator unit is shown on FIGURE 7 in which 82 represents the reversible motor drive assembly incorporating the features described in connection with FIGURES 5 and 6, except for the decorative cover :plate 81. It will be observed that the handle stem 75 forms a part of the regulator mechanism and is directly connected to a part of the spring clutch assembly 83. The spring clutch assembly 83 in operation is similar to the assembly 51 above described, but is of the usual construction well known in the art. Detailed description of this spring clutch is not believed necessary. Suffice it to say, that this spring clutch assembly enables the handle stem to be turned in either direction to raise or lower the window panel 84. It prevents retrograde movement of the pinion 85 which forms a part of the clutch assembly so that the Window panel is retained in its adjusted position.

As shown, a mounting plate '86 is provided for the regulator and this is fixed in any suitable manner to the automobile body. A gear sector 87 has a pivotal mounting 88 on the mounting plate and meshes with the pinion 85. Fixed to the gear sector 87 is an arm 89 of a cross arm regulator, the other arm 90 of which is pivoted to the arm 89 centrally thereof. The lower end of the arm 90 has a button which travels in a stationary horizontal guide channel 92. To the lower edge of the window panel 84 at opposite ends are channels 93 and 94 in which buttons on the ends of the arms 89 and 90 respectively travel.

It should be noted that the motor drive assembly in connection with FIGURES 1 to 4 may be suitably connected to a cross arm regulator mechanism as will be well understood by those skilled in this art.

Numerous changes in details of construction, arrangement and operation may be effected without departing from the spirit of the invention, especially as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A self contained drive for window regulators comprising:

a relatively flat housing;

a reversible electric motor disposed generally at one end portion of said housing, said motor including a flat permanent magnet ring fixed to said housing;

an armature disk adjacent said magnet ring;

a bearing pin secured to said housing and arranged 6 concentric of said magnet ring and said armature disk;

a steel backing plate adjacent said armature disk;

spring urged brushes extending through holes in said backing plate into engagement with said armature disk;

leads for carrying electrical potential to said brushes from outside said housing;

a plate fixed to said armature disk having a sleeve rotatable on said bearing pin;

a toothed pinion on said sleeve for rotation therewith;

a relatively large gear having teeth meshing with said pinion;

a bearing member for said gear carried by said housa driven member adjacent said bearing member having a pair of lugs arranged respectively on opposite sides of said bearing member, said gear having holes to receive said lugs, thereby to impart rotation to said driven member from said gear; and

output means associated with said driven means for operatively engaging a regulator part for actuating same.

2. A self contained drive for window regulators as claimed in claim 1, in which said plate, sleeve and toothed pinion constitute an integral unit of plastic material.

3. -A self contained drive for window regulators as claimed in claim 1 in which said housing constitutes an open dished compartment, a cover closing said compartment, and releasable means for securing the cover to the compartment.

4. A self contained drive for window regulators as claimed in claim 1 comprising a plate support for said brushes bearing against said housing and said steel backing plate respectively, sockets on said plate to receive said brushes, and coil springs in said sockets for urging said brushes against said armature disk.

5. A self contained drive for window regulators as claimed in claim 1 in which said housing comprises a housing part having a generally flat wall, a fiat cover plate and in which the magnet ring, the armature disk, the steel backing plate and spur gear are disposed in closely spaced parallel arrangement, thereby to provide a relatively thin assembly and occupy a minimum amount of space.

6. A self contained drive for window regulators as claimed in claim 1 in which said bearing member for said spur gear comprises a cylindrical enlargement, a rigid connection between said enlargement and said housing, a bearing pin integral with said cylindrical enlargement, said driven member rotating on said bearing pm.

7. A self contained drive for window regulators as claimed in claim 1 comprising a flanged cup having a central hole and into which said driven member extends, said driven member being cylindrical for bearing contact with said cup, said driven member having a central opening adapted to receive the end of the hahdle stern of a manual regulator thereby to provide a motor drive for such regulator, and means to prevent said cylindrical member from turning relative to such handle stem.

8. A self contained drive for wondow regulators as claimed in claim 7 in which a separate lug-carrying part is secured to said cylindrical driven member.

9. A self contained drive for window regulators comprising an elongate relatively shallow enclosed housing, a flat disk-type reversible electric motor at one end portion of said housing along one face thereof, a pinion gear fixed to, and concentric with said motor and along the opposite face of said housing, a relatively large spur gear along said opposite housing face meshing with said pinion gear, and extending to the opposite end portion of said housing, an output pinion gear projecting outside of said one face of said housing and disposed concentrical- 3,273,410 9/ 1966 Pickles 74-8918 1y of said spur gear, and drive means from said spur 3,383,535 5/1968 Lohr 310268 gear to said output pinion gear including a coil spring 3,374,372 3/ 1968 Tinder et a1 31083 clutch for preventing movement of said output pinion gear upon stopping of said electric motor. 5 FRED C. MATFERN, JR, Primary Examiner.

References Cited W. S. RATLIFF, JR., Assistant Examiner.-

UNITED STATES PATENTS s -c1 3,167,675 12/1962 Vindevogel 310268 310268 3,235,248 2/1966 Golde 7489.18 10

Images