RAIL-SLIDER ASSEMBLY AND WINDOW LIFTER OF A MOTOR VEHICLE HAVING SUCH AN ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A rail-slider assembly for a window lifter of a motor vehicle. The rail-slider assembly has a rail slider with a slider interface in relation to a guide rail and a driver-device interface for an in particular functionalized and/or electrically switchable or controllable window panel and also with at least one mechanical fastening interface. The rail-slider assembly further has an interface adapter, which is or can be mounted on the mechanical fastening interface of the rail slider, or on a window-panel adapter, and has retaining elements for the in particular form-fitting fastening of a cable guide or of an electric cable and/or of an electric power connector.

Claims

1. A rail slider assembly for a window lifter of a motor vehicle, the rail slider assembly comprising: a rail slider having a slider interface to a guide rail, a driver interface for a window pane, and at least one mechanical fastening interface; and an interface adapter mounted on said at least one mechanical fastening interface of said rail slider or on a pane adapter, said interface adapter having holding elements for fastening to a cable guide or an electrical cable and/or an electric connector plug.

2. The rail slider assembly according to claim 1, wherein: said rail slider has a flat side and a narrow side; said at least one mechanical fastening interface includes: a first mechanical fastening interface on said flat side which faces away from said slider interface and/or the guide rail; and/or a second fastening interface on said narrow side.

3. The rail slider assembly according to claim 1, wherein: said rail slider has a flat side and a narrow side; and said rail slider has a grid-shaped or strut-shaped joining contour as said at least one mechanical fastening interface for said interface adapter on said flat side which faces away from said slider interface and/or the guide rail.

4. The rail slider assembly according to claim 3, wherein said interface adapter has a plurality of joining elements, said joining elements correspond with said grid-shaped or struct-shaped joining contour for producing a latching or clip connection.

5. The rail slider assembly according to claim 3, wherein in a mounted state on said rail slider, said interface adapter spans said rail slider transversely with respect to a slider and/or rail longitudinal direction.

6. The rail slider assembly according to claim 1, wherein said rail slider has a narrow side, and on said narrow side said rail slider has a tubular or flute-shaped holding structure as said at least one mechanical fastening interface of said interface adapter.

7. The rail slider assembly according to claim 6, wherein said interface adapter has joining contours, corresponding to said tubular or flute-shaped holding structure, which produces a latching or clamping connection to said rail slider.

8. The rail slider assembly according to claim 1, wherein said interface adapter has, as said holding elements, a holding structure and/or holding brackets and/or a holding element and/or a holding contour and/or a clamp element for fastening the cable guide or the electrical cable and/or the connector plug.

9. The rail slider assembly according to claim 1, wherein said slider interface is configured as a rail wraparound means.

10. The rail slider assembly according to claim 1, wherein: the window pane is functionalized and/or can be switched or controlled electrically; and said holding elements fastening to the cable guide or the electrical cable and/or the electric connector plug in a form-locking manner.

11. The rail slider assembly according to claim 2, wherein said narrow side faces said slider interface.

12. The rail slider assembly according to claim 3, wherein in a mounted state on said rail slider, said interface adapter spans said rail slider, completely, transversely with respect to a slider and/or rail longitudinal direction.

13. The rail slider assembly according to claim 6, wherein said narrow side faces said slider interface and/or the guide rail.

14. The rail slider assembly according to claim 8, wherein said holding brackets are hose clip-shaped or cable tie-shaped holding brackets.

15. The rail slider assembly according to claim 9, wherein said rail wraparound means is L-shaped in cross section.

16. A window lifter of a motor vehicle, the window lifter comprising: at least one guide rail; and one rail slider assembly according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembly of a (cable) window lifter with a guide rail which is fixed to the carrier with a rail slider (driver), guided displaceably thereon, of a rail slider assembly, and with a lever arrangement with an electrical cable guided therein for energizing and/or controlling a functionalized window pane which is coupled to the rail slider, and with an (interface) adapter of the rail slider assembly for securing the electrical cable in the region of a connector plug on the rail slider;

[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rail slider with a driver function or interface and a joining contour as fastening interface for the interface adapter;

[0027] FIG. 3 is a side view of the rail slider with an L-shaped rail wraparound means as slider interface on a guide contour (a profile portion) of the guide rail;

[0028] FIG. 4 is a side view (turned in comparison with FIG. 3) of the rail slider with a view onto or into the driver interface;

[0029] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first variant of an interface adapter for use as a plug holder for a connector plug or for a cable or line portion, leading to this connector plug, on the rail slider;

[0030] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the rail slider with a mechanical fastening interface and an interface adapter according to FIG. 5 attached thereto;

[0031] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second variant of the interface adapter for use as a cable guide for the electrical cable;

[0032] FIG. 8 is a perspective illustration of the interface adapter according to FIG. 7 which is joined to the rail slider;

[0033] FIG. 9 is a perspective illustration of the rail slider with a mechanical fastening interface and an interface adapter according to FIGS. 7 and 8 attached thereto;

[0034] FIG. 10 is a perspective illustration showing details of the window lifter with a rail slider assembly which is guided movably on the guide rail and is attached to the window pane, with the rail slider and an interface adapter of a third variant fastened thereto for use as a cable guide for the electrical cable;

[0035] FIG. 11 is a perspective illustration of the interface adapter according to FIG. 10;

[0036] FIG. 12 is a perspective illustration of a fourth variant of the interface adapter;

[0037] FIG. 13 is a perspective illustration of a fifth variant of the interface adapter;

[0038] FIG. 14 is a perspective illustration showing details of the rail slider assembly which is guided on the guide rail, with the rail slider and an interface adapter according to FIG. 13 fastened thereto;

[0039] FIG. 15 is a further perspective illustration showing details of the rail slider assembly according to FIG. 12 with a view of the slider interface and that (lower) side of the interface adapter according to FIGS. 13 and 14 which faces it;

[0040] FIG. 16 is a perspective illustration of a sixth variant of the interface adapter;

[0041] FIG. 17 is a perspective illustration of the rail slider assembly with the interface adapter according to FIG. 16; and

[0042] FIG. 18 is a perspective illustration showing details of the rail slider assembly which is guided on the guide rail, with the rail slider and an interface adapter according to FIG. 16 fastened thereto, and an electrical cable held thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] Parts and sizes which correspond to one another are always provided with the same designations in all the figures.

[0044] Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a window lifter as adjusting device of a motor vehicle, with a rail slider assembly 1 and with a carrier plate (carrier) 2, for example of a door module, on which a guide rail 3 is mounted, on which the rail slider assembly 1 is guided.

[0045] In the following text, specifications with regard to the spatial directions are also indicated, in particular, in a coordinate system of the motor vehicle (vehicle coordinate system) with regard to an exemplary installed position of a window lifter in a side door of the motor vehicle. Here, the abscissa axis (X-axis, X-direction) is oriented along the vehicle longitudinal direction (driving direction), and the ordinate axis (Y-axis, Y-direction) is oriented along the vehicle transverse direction, and the applicate axis (Z-axis, Z-direction) is oriented along the vehicle height.

[0046] The rail slider assembly 1 has a rail slider 4 which is guided such that it can be moved slidingly on the guide rail 3 in the rail longitudinal direction L, or a driver with a rail slider function, or a rail slider with a driver function as a movable component, and an interface adapter 5. The (mounted) guide rail 3 which is arranged on the carrier plate 2 is oriented in the Z-direction. The carrier plate 2 lies or extends in the XZ-plane.

[0047] An electric motor drive (cable drive) 12 is coupled in a way which is not shown in greater detail to a cable drum, on which a pull cable 25 (FIG. 3) which is connected to the rail slider 4 as movable component and is guided over rail-side or carrier-side deflection elements 6 is wound as a loop, with the result that, during operation of the window lifter, one cable end is wound onto the cable drum and the other cable end is unwound from the latter. As a result, an adjustment of a window pane 8 which is connected to the rail slider 4 via a pane adapter 7 takes place, in order to move the window pane 8 in the mounted state along the adjustment path between a closed position (first end position) which is shown in FIG. 1 and an open position (second end position).

[0048] Here, the window pane 8 is a functionalized, in particular electrically switchable or controllable, window pane. This or the pane adapter 7 expediently has an electric contact point for an electrical cable 9 for energizing or controlling the window pane 8 or its actuable layer or coating.

[0049] A lever arrangement 10 with a first lever 10a and with a second lever 10b is held rotatably on the carrier plate 2. To this end, the first lever 10a is fastened to the carrier plate 2 as a stationary component such that it can be moved rotationally. The second lever 10b is held by a second rotary joint (joint pin 31, FIG. 6) on the rail slider 4 as a movable component such that it can be moved rotationally. The opposite or free lever ends of the two levers 10a, 10b are coupled in a rotary connection (rotary joint) 11 and are held such that they can be rotated or moved pivotably therein with respect to one another about a rotational axis which is oriented in the Y-direction.

[0050] The window lifter, in particular its lever arrangement 10 and the electrical cable 9 held on it or guided with it, and the guide rail 3, the rail slider assembly 1, 4, 5 which is guided thereon, the window pane 8 which is coupled to the rail slider 4, and possibly components or parts of the electric motor drive 12 are arranged in what is known as the wet space of the vehicle door. The carrier plate 2 as door module or module carrier separates the wet space from the dry space, facing the vehicle interior compartment, within the vehicle door.

[0051] The interface adapter 5 which is called adapter for short in the following text is held, preferably releasably, on the rail slider 4. A portion 29 (FIG. 6) of the electrical cable 9 with a connector plug 13 mounted thereon for plug-in contacting with the pane-side or pane adapter-side electric contact point, for example with a mating plug or a plug socket, is held in turn on this interface adapter 5.

[0052] FIG. 2 shows the rail slider 4 with a guide or sliding limb 4a which faces the guide rail 3 or is guided on the latter, and with a clamping limb 4b. In the mounted state, the window pane 8 or the pane adapter 7 is received by way of a corresponding portion between these two limbs 4a, 4b which form a driver interface 14 for the window pane 8. Here, one of the limbs 4a, 4b can have a latching lug which, during mounting, latches into a corresponding pane or adapter opening of the pane adapter 7. A screw connection can also be provided via a corresponding fixing structure 15 in the form of a screw hole, a threaded hole or the like for a clamping screw.

[0053] The rail slider 4 has (here, on the guide or sliding limb 4a) a holding structure with the formation of a fastening interface 16 in the form of two tubular, cylindrical or sleeve-shaped receiving chambers 17 which are spaced apart from one another. In addition, the rail slider 4 has (here, on the clamping limb 4b) a grid-like, strut-like or web-like joining contour 19 as further fastening interface 20 on the flat side 18 which faces away from the guide rail 3. The fastening interfaces 16, 20 serve for (mechanical) fastening of the interface adapter 5. This suitably has a number of joining elements which correspond with the slider-side holding structure 17 or with the joining contour 19 in order to produce a latching, plug or clip connection.

[0054] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the rail slider 4 with an L-shaped rail wraparound means as slider interface 21 on a profile portion or an erected guide contour 22 of the guide rail 3, of which details are shown. A low-friction sliding insert 23, in particular made from thermoplastic, preferably from POM (polyoxymethylene), is arranged in the rail wraparound means of the slider interface 21. Cable end bottoms 24, fixed on the cable end side, of corresponding pull cables 25 of the window lever cable pull are seated, in particular in a positively locking manner, in the sleeve-shaped receiving chambers 17 which serve as a holding structure with formation of the fastening interface 16.

[0055] FIG. 4 shows a side view, turned by 90° in comparison with FIG. 3, of the rail slider 4 with the rail wraparound means as slider interface 21 to the guide rail 3, and with the driver interface 14 in the form of the sliding and clamping limb 4a, 4b.

[0056] FIG. 5 shows one variant of the interface adapter 5 as a (plug) holder for the connector plug 13. The interface adapter 5 has joining elements 26, 27 which are adapted to the preferably already existing joining contour 19 of the rail slider 4 in the region of its fastening interface 20, and correspond with it in order to produce or with production of a latching or clip connection as a preferred positively locking connection.

[0057] As can be seen from FIG. 6, the adapter-side joining elements 27 engage over or behind the joining contours 19 of the rail slider 4 at its fastening interface 20. Here, the interface adapter 5 spans the rail slider 4 completely transversely with respect to the rail longitudinal direction L. In the exemplary embodiment, the interface adapter 5 has two hook-like holding elements 28 for a line or cable portion 29 (FIG. 6) which leads to the connector plug 13, and likewise has hook-like clamping or holding elements 30 for the connector plug 13. A joint pin 31 which is molded onto the interface adapter 26 serves for rotationally movable securing of the second lever 10b of the lever arrangement 10, on which the electrical cable 9 is held and guided.

[0058] FIGS. 7 to 9 show a second variant of an interface adapter 5 for use as a cable guide for the electrical cable 9. The interface adapter 5 of this variant once again has joining elements 26, 27 which are adapted to the joining contour 19 of the rail slider 4 in the region of its fastening interface 20, and engage over or behind (FIG. 8) this joining contour 19, preferably with the production of a latching or clip connection as a preferred positively locking connection.

[0059] The interface adapter 5 of this variant has a holding structure 32 which extends in the Y-direction. As can be seen in FIG. 9, this holding structure 32 serves to secure a clamp element 33 for a guide tube 34 as cable guide. In addition, the interface adapter 5 of this variant has a holding contour 35, extending in the X-direction, for the connector plug 13.

[0060] FIG. 10 shows details of the window lifter with the rail slider assembly 1 with a further variant of an interface adapter 5′. Identical parts are also provided here with the same designations. The carrier plate (module carrier) 2 with a guide rail 3 arranged thereon is once again shown, on which guide rail 3 the rail slider assembly 1 with the rail slider 4 (with driver function) and with the interface adapter 5′ is guided such that it can be moved slidingly in the rail longitudinal direction L. The elastic, in particular resiliently flexible, guide tube 34 is guided as cable guide on the interface adapter 5′, in which guide tube 34 the electrical cable 9 which is connected or can be connected to the functionalized window pane 8 is received.

[0061] FIG. 11 shows the interface adapter 5′ which, in an analogous manner with respect to the other variants, is provided as a separate component for cable guidance or securing. The interface adapter 5′ has joining contours 36 which are adapted to the joining or holding structure 17 of the fastening interface 16 of the rail slider 4 and correspond with them. A latching element or a clamp 37 of the adapter 5′ engages over a corresponding contour of the rail slider 4 at its fastening interface 16. Clamp-like or fork-like joining elements 38 of the adapter 5′ engage over and under the corresponding contour of the rail slider 4 at its fastening interface 16, with the result that the adapter 5′ is joined or can be joined securely to the rail slider 4. Gripper-like holding structures 39 of the adapter 5′ serve to secure the cable guide 34 which is engaged around by the holding structures 39.

[0062] FIG. 12 shows one variant of the interface adapter 5′ which, in an analogous manner with respect to the other variants, is provided as a separate component for cable guidance or securing. The interface adapter 5′ once again has joining contours 36 which are adapted to the joining or holding structure 17 of the fastening interface 16 of the rail slider 4 and correspond with it. A corresponding latching element or the clamp 37 of the adapter 5′ also serves here to secure it on the rail slider 4 at its fastening interface 16.

[0063] The clamp-like or fork-like joining elements 38 of the adapter 5′ once again engage over and under the corresponding contour of the rail slider 4 at its fastening interface 16, with the result that this adapter 5′ is also joined or can also be joined securely to the rail slider 4. The gripper-like holding structures 39 of the adapter 5′ once again serve to secure the cable guide 34 which is engaged around by the holding structures 39. The adapter 5′ of this variant once again has a joint pin 31 for rotationally movable attachment of the lever 10b of the lever arrangement 10 to the rail slider assembly 1.

[0064] FIG. 13 shows a further variant of the interface adapter 5′ which, in an analogous manner with respect to the other variants, is provided as a separate component and is advantageously suitable for cable guidance and securing in this embodiment. The interface adapter 5′ once again has joining contours 36 which are adapted to the joining or holding structure 17 of the fastening interface 16 of the rail slider 4. A corresponding latching element or the clamp 37 of the adapter 5′ also serves here to secure it on the rail slider 4 at its fastening interface 16. The likewise gripper-like holding structures 39 of the adapter 5′ once again serve to secure the cable guide 34 which, together with the electrical cable 9 which is guided therein, is engaged around by the holding structures 39.

[0065] As can be seen from FIGS. 14 and 15, the adapter 5′ of this variant also has a holding contour 35 for the connector plug 13 and a clamp element 33 for the electrical cable 9 or a corresponding cable portion 29.

[0066] FIGS. 16 to 18 show a further variant of the interface adapter 5′ for preferred use as a holder for the electrical cable 9. The interface adapter 5′ once again has joining contours 36 which are adapted to the joining or holding structure 17 of the fastening interface 16 of the rail slider 4. A corresponding latching element or the clamp 37 of the adapter 5′ also serves here to secure it on the rail slider 4 at its fastening interface 16. The adapter 5′ of this variant has a pot-like adapter portion 40, by way of which the adapter 5′ is seated between the socket-like receiving chambers 17 of the slider-side fastening interface 16. The adapter 5′ of this variant also has a holding contour 35 for the connector plug 13.

[0067] As can be seen from FIG. 18, the adapter 5′ of this variant has a joining portion 41, to which a cable guide 34′ in the form of a drag chain is attached or can be attached.

[0068] In summary, the rail slider assembly 1 for a window lifter of a motor vehicle has a rail slider 4 and an interface adapter 5, 5′ which is mounted or can be mounted on a mechanical fastening interface 16, 20 of the rail slider 4 or on a pane adapter 7, with a holding structure for fastening (in particular, in a positively locking manner) a cable guide 34 or an electrical cable 9 and/or an electric connector plug 13. The rail slider 4 has a slider interface 21 to a guide rail 3, and a driver interface 14 for a window pane 8 which, in particular, is functionalized and/or can be switched or controlled electrically, and at least one mechanical fastening interface 16, 20 for the interface adapter 5, 5′.

[0069] The (interface) adapters 5, 5′ are preferably provided as additional components, in order to be mounted on the rail slider 4 in the case of a use of a functionalized (controllable, energizable) window pane 8, and to be provided as a respective rail slider assembly 1. The rail slider 4 or the (interface) adapter 5, 5′ or the rail slider assembly 1 can also be configured with further interfaces, for example for securing excess cable lengths and/or for making contact with the pane.

[0070] The claimed invention is not restricted to the above-described exemplary embodiments. Rather, other variants of the invention can also be derived therefrom by a person skilled in the art within the context of the disclosed claims, without departing from the subject matter of the claimed invention. In particular, furthermore, all the individual features which are described in conjunction with the different exemplary embodiments can also be combined in a different way within the context of the disclosed claims, without departing from the subject matter of the claimed invention.

[0071] The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention:

[0072] 1 Window lifter assembly/assembly

[0073] 2 Carrier plate

[0074] 3 Guide rail

[0075] 4 Rail slider/driver

[0076] 4a Guide/sliding limb

[0077] 4b Clamping limb

[0078] 5,5′ Interface adapter/adapter

[0079] 6 Deflection elements

[0080] 7 Pane adapter/adapter

[0081] 8 Window pane

[0082] 9 Electrical cable

[0083] 10 Lever arrangement

[0084] 10a First lever

[0085] 10b Second lever

[0086] 11 Rotary connection/joint

[0087] 12 Cable drive/drive

[0088] 13 Connector plug

[0089] 14 Driver interface

[0090] 15 Fixing structure

[0091] 16 Fastening interface

[0092] 17 Holding structure/receiving chamber

[0093] 18 Flat side

[0094] 19 Joining contour

[0095] 20 Fastening interface

[0096] 21 Slider interface/rail wraparound means

[0097] 22 Guide contour/profile portion

[0098] 23 Sliding insert

[0099] 24 Cable end bottom

[0100] 25 Pull cables

[0101] 26 Joining element

[0102] 27 Joining element

[0103] 28 Holding element

[0104] 29 Line/cable portion

[0105] 30 Clamping/holding element

[0106] 31 Joint pin

[0107] 32 Holding structure

[0108] 33 Clamp element

[0109] 34 Guide tube/cable guide

[0110] 34′ Cable guide/drag chain

[0111] 35 Holding contour

[0112] 36 Joining contour

[0113] 37 Latching element/clamp

[0114] 38 Joining elements

[0115] 39 Holding structure

[0116] 40 Adapter portion

[0117] 41 Joining portion

[0118] L Rail longitudinal direction