U.S. patent application number 15/876559 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-31 for motor vehicle door with two windows and independent window drive system.
The applicant listed for this patent is FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. Invention is credited to Paul L. Heirtzler, JR., Donald P. Iacovoni, Victor Daniel Rojas.
Application Number | 20180148969 15/876559 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58054562 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180148969 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rojas; Victor Daniel ; et
al. |
May 31, 2018 |
MOTOR VEHICLE DOOR WITH TWO WINDOWS AND INDEPENDENT WINDOW DRIVE
SYSTEM
Abstract
A motor vehicle door includes a door body and first and second
windows carried on that door body. A window drive system
independently displaces the first and second windows between closed
and opened positions. A related method is also provided.
Inventors: |
Rojas; Victor Daniel;
(Detroit, MI) ; Iacovoni; Donald P.; (Plymouth,
MI) ; Heirtzler, JR.; Paul L.; (Northville,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58054562 |
Appl. No.: |
15/876559 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14997881 |
Jan 18, 2016 |
9903147 |
|
|
15876559 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05F 17/00 20130101;
E05F 15/603 20150115; E05Y 2800/71 20130101; B60J 1/16 20130101;
B60J 1/17 20130101; E05F 11/483 20130101; E05F 11/382 20130101;
E05Y 2900/55 20130101; E05F 15/689 20150115 |
International
Class: |
E05F 15/603 20060101
E05F015/603; B60J 1/16 20060101 B60J001/16 |
Claims
1. A motor vehicle door, comprising: a door body; a first window
carried on said door body; a second window carried on a pivot pin
on said door body; and a window drive system independently
displacing said first window and said second window between a
closed position and an opened position wherein said window drive
system includes a first drive motor connected to said first window
and a second drive motor connected to said second window.
2. The motor vehicle door of claim 1, wherein said first window and
said second window are frameless.
3. The motor vehicle door of claim 1, wherein said first window and
said second window are fully concealed within said door body when
in said opened position.
4. The motor vehicle door of claim 1, wherein said window drive
system includes a first drive motor and a first actuator connected
to said first window and a second drive motor and a second actuator
connected to said second window.
5. The motor vehicle door of claim 4, wherein said first window is
a side window and said second window is a quarter window located
adjacent to and vehicle rearward of said side window.
6. The motor vehicle door of claim 1, wherein said second drive
motor is directly connected to said pivot pin.
7. The motor vehicle door of claim 1, including a linkage between
said second drive motor and said pivot pin.
8. The motor vehicle door of claim 7, wherein said linkage includes
a gear drive.
9. The motor vehicle door of claim 7, wherein said linkage includes
a slider crank connected between said second drive motor and a slot
carried on said second window.
10. The motor vehicle door of claim 7, wherein said linkage
includes a flexible drive element selected from a group consisting
of a cable, a belt and a chain.
11. The motor vehicle door of claim 1, wherein said window drive
system further includes a first guide track and follower subsystem
for said first window, said first guide track and follower
subsystem guiding said first window while said first window is
being displaced by said first drive motor between said closed
position and said opened position.
12. A method of improving rear seat ventilation in a motor vehicle,
comprising: equipping a rear door of said motor vehicle with a side
window and a quarter window; and providing a window drive system
for independently opening and closing said side window with a first
drive motor and said quarter window with a second drive motor.
13. The method of claim 12, including opening said side window
while maintaining said quarter window closed.
14. The method of claim 12, including opening said quarter window
while maintaining said side window closed.
15. The method of claim 12, including fully concealing said quarter
window within a body of said rear door when in a fully opened
position.
16. The method of claim 15, including fully concealing said side
window within said body of said rear door when in a fully opened
position.
17. The method of claim 12, including directly connecting said
second drive motor to a pivot pin for said quarter window.
18. The method of claim 12, including connecting said second drive
motor to a pivot pin for said quarter window by a linkage.
19. The method of claim 12, including connecting said second drive
motor to a pivot pin for said quarter window by a linkage including
a gear drive.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/997,881 filed on 18 Jan. 2016.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This document relates generally to the motor vehicle
equipment field and, more particularly, to a motor vehicle door
including fully opening independent rear side and quarter
windows.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In motor vehicle applications, there are challenges with
designing movable windows or door glass to drop inside of the door
structure. Often the shape of the lower door structure does not
accommodate the complete lowering of a full door glass window using
traditional automotive hardware systems. This is typically an issue
on rear side doors, where the location of the rear wheel well might
necessitate a certain shape and size of the lower door structure
that is smaller than desired, or on a front door with an outside
rearview mirror that is not mounted above the beltline.
[0004] In the past, this problem has generally been resolved by one
of two compromises. In the first of these compromises, illustrated
in FIG. 1A, the window or door glass W does not drop completely
below the beltline B found on the door at the lower side of the
window frame. In this situation, the vehicle occupant does not have
a comfortable place to rest his arm when the window is down.
Further, there is only limited room to pass items through the
opening O above the window and the portion of the opening remaining
covered by the window significantly limits available
ventilation.
[0005] In option number two, illustrated in FIG. 1B, the size of
the movable portion of the window or door glass W is reduced so
that portion may be fully opened and dropped into the door panel P.
Unfortunately, this compromise increases the cost and complexity of
the window system due to, for example, the addition of a fixed
piece of glass G and the division bar seal S or an applique that
blocks a portion of the daylight opening.
[0006] This document relates to a new and improved window regulator
for a door of a motor vehicle allowing for the full independent
lowering of both a side window and a quarter window into the door
panel, while avoiding the compromises identified above.
SUMMARY
[0007] In accordance with the purposes and benefits described
herein, a motor vehicle door is provided. That motor vehicle door
includes a door body, a first window carried on the door body and a
second window carried on the door body. Further, the motor vehicle
door includes a window drive system for independently displacing
the first window and the second window between closed and opened
positions.
[0008] In one possible embodiment, the first and second windows are
frameless. In one possible embodiment, the first and second windows
are fully concealed within the door body when in the fully opened
position.
[0009] In at least one embodiment, the window drive system includes
a first drive motor and a first actuator connected to the first
window and a second drive motor and a second actuator connected to
the second window. That first window may be a side window and the
second window may be a quarter window located adjacent to and
vehicle rearward of the side window on the motor vehicle door.
[0010] In one possible embodiment, the window drive system further
includes a pivot about which the second window pivots when
displaced between the closed position and the opened position. A
linkage is provided between the second drive motor and the second
window. In one possible embodiment, that linkage includes a gear
drive. In another possible embodiment, that linkage includes a
slider crank connected between the second drive motor and a slot
carried on the second window. In one possible embodiment, the
linkage includes a flexible drive element selected from a group
consisting of a cable, a belt or a chain.
[0011] In one possible embodiment, the window drive system includes
a first guide track and follower subsystem for the first window.
The first guide track and follower subsystem guides the first
window while the first window is being displaced by the first drive
motor between the closed position and the opened position.
[0012] In one possible embodiment, the window drive system includes
a second guide track and follower subsystem for the second window.
That second guide track and follower subsystem guides the second
window while the second window is being displaced by the second
drive motor between the closed position and the opened
position.
[0013] In at least one possible embodiment, the second guide track
and follower subsystem includes at least one guide track fixed to
the door body and a first follower and a second follower that are
carried on the second window and slide along the at least one guide
track as the second window is displaced by the second drive motor
between a closed position and the opened position. The at least one
guide track may comprise a single guide track and the first
follower and the second follower may both slide along that same
fixed guide track.
[0014] In accordance with yet another aspect, a method is provided
for improving rear seat ventilation options in a motor vehicle.
That method may be described as including the steps of equipping a
rear door of the motor vehicle with a side window and a quarter
window and providing a window drive system for independently
opening and closing the side window and the quarter window.
[0015] That method may further include the step of opening the side
window while maintaining the quarter window closed. Further, that
method may include the step of opening the quarter window while
maintaining the side window closed.
[0016] In addition, the method may include the step of fully
concealing the quarter window within a body of the rear door when
in a fully opened position. Further the method may include the step
of fully concealing the side window within the body of the rear
door when in the fully opened position.
[0017] In the following description, there are shown and described
several preferred embodiments of the motor vehicle door. As it
should be realized, the motor vehicle door is capable of other,
different embodiments and its several details are capable of
modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from
the motor vehicle door as set forth and described in the following
claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be
regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0018] The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and
forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of
the motor vehicle door and together with the description serve to
explain certain principles thereof. In the drawing figures:
[0019] FIG. 1A illustrates one type of prior art compromise made
when a door panel will not accommodate fully opening a full-sized
window or door glass.
[0020] FIG. 1B illustrates a second type of prior art compromise
when a door panel will not accommodate fully opening a full-size
window or door glass.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a motor vehicle door
including a door body, first and second windows and a window drive
system for independently displacing the first and second windows
between closed and opened positions. In this embodiment, both the
first and second windows are translated.
[0022] FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic illustrations of an
alternative embodiment respectively showing the first and second
windows in the closed and opened positions. In this embodiment the
first window is translated between the closed and opened positions
and the second window is rotated between the closed and opened
positions.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a detailed side elevational view of the quarter
glass assembly including the quarter window, window bracket and
seal.
[0024] FIGS. 4A-4D are detailed views of four different linkages
that may be used between the second drive motor and the glass
bracket on the second window.
[0025] FIG. 5A is a partially exploded schematic view of an
alternative embodiment for the guide track and follower subsystem
of the second or quarter window.
[0026] FIG. 5B is a schematic side elevational view of the
alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5A with the second
window in the closed position.
[0027] FIG. 5C is a schematic side elevational view of the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5A with second window in the fully
opened position.
[0028] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
preferred embodiments of the motor vehicle door, examples of which
are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which schematically
illustrates a first possible embodiment of a motor vehicle door 10.
That motor vehicle door 10 includes a door body 12. A first or side
window 14 and a second or quarter window 16 are both carried on the
door body 12 with the quarter window adjacent to and vehicle
rearward of the side window. A window drive system, generally
designated by reference numeral 18 is also carried on the door body
12. That window drive system 18 functions to independently displace
the first window 14 and the second window 16 between the closed
positions illustrated in phantom line and the opened positions
illustrated in full line. As should be appreciated, when the first
and second windows 14, 16 are fully opened, they are fully or
completely concealed in the door body 12 beneath the belt line 20.
As should also be appreciated, in the illustrated embodiment the
first window 14 and the second window 16 are of the frameless
type.
[0030] As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the window drive system 18
includes a first drive motor 22 for opening and closing the first
window 14. The first drive motor 22 is controlled by means of the
controller 24 which may take the form of a dedicated microprocessor
or an electronic control unit (ECU) operating in accordance with
appropriate control software. A first actuator 26 connected to the
controller 24 provides a human interface by which an operator may
open and close the first window 14.
[0031] The window drive system 18 also includes a second drive
motor 28 for opening and closing the second window 16. The second
drive motor 28 is controlled by a controller 30 which may be of the
same type as controller 24. The controller 30 is connected to a
second actuator 32, which functions as a human interface for an
operator to open and close the second window 16 as desired. A first
linkage, in the form of a cable 34, connects the first drive motor
22 to the first window 14 while a second linkage or cable 36
connects the second drive motor 28 to the second window 16.
[0032] As further illustrated in FIG. 2, a first guide track and
follower subsystem 38 guides the first window 14 while the first
window is being displaced by the first drive motor 22 between the
closed position and the opened position. Similarly, a second guide
track and follower subsystem 40 guides the second window 16 while
the second window is being displaced by the second drive motor 28
between the closed position and the opened position. More
specifically, the first guide track follower and subsystem 38 and
the second guide track and follower subsystem 40 each include at
least one guide track. In the illustrated embodiment the first
guide track and follower subsystem 38 includes first and second
guide tracks 42, 44 while the second guide track and follower
subsystem 40 includes a third guide track 46 and a fourth guide
track 48. Followers 50 secured to the first window 14 slide along
the first and second guide tracks 42, 44 while followers 52 on a
second window 16 slide along the third and fourth guide tracks 46,
48 when the windows are displaced between the opened and closed
positions. As should be appreciated, in the first embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 2, the first window 14 and the second window 16
are both translated between the fully opened and fully closed
positions along a substantially vertical axis with the first window
being translated over a greater distance than the second
window.
[0033] Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A and 3B which illustrate an
alternative embodiment of motor vehicle door 10 wherein the first
window 14 is translated between the opened and closed positions
just as provided for in the first embodiment but the second window
16 is rotated between the open and closed positions about a pivot
53 when displaced between the opened and closed positions rather
than translated. That pivot 53 may be fixed if desired.
[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the second window 16 comprises an
assembly including a quarter glass 54, a seal 56 that seals the
quarter glass 54 with the first window 14 when the two windows are
in the closed position, and a window bracket 58 that is connected
to the quarter glass 54 and pivots about the pivot pin 53 that is
fixed on the door body 12.
[0035] Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A-4D illustrating four
different drive systems for rotating the second window 16 between
the closed and opened positions illustrated, respectively, in FIGS.
3A and 3B. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4A, the drive
motor 28 is directly connected to the pivot pin 53 and the window
bracket 58 is keyed to that pin so that the drive motor directly
drives the second window 16 between the opened and closed
positions.
[0036] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4B, the drive motor 28
is connected to a gear drive, generally designated by reference
numeral 60, by which the drive motor rotates the pivot pin 53. Once
again, the window bracket 58 is keyed to that pin 53 so that the
window 16 is pivoted between the closed and opened positions.
[0037] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4C, the drive motor 28
is connected to the pivot pin 53 by means of the two pulleys 62, 64
and the drive cable, belt or chain 66. As a result, the motor 28
rotates the pivot pin 53 and the second window 16 keyed thereto to
thereby displace the window between the opened and closed
positions.
[0038] In yet another alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG.
4D, the motor 28 is connected by means of the slider crank 68 to
the window bracket 58. More specifically, the drive shaft 70 of the
drive motor 28 is keyed to the slider crank 68. The opposite end of
the slider crank 68 includes a lug 72 that slides along an
elongated slot 74 in the bracket 58. When the drive motor 28 pivots
the slider crank 68 in the direction of action arrow A, the lug 72
slides along the slot 74 in the direction of action arrow B and the
glass window bracket 58 is pivoted about the pivot pin 53 in the
direction of action arrow C causing the second window 16 to be
displaced from the closed position illustrated in FIG. 3A to the
open position illustrated in FIG. 3B. When the drive motor 28 is
driven in the opposite direction, the second window 16 is displaced
from the opened position to the closed position in the opposite
manner.
[0039] Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A-5C illustrating yet
another alternative embodiment. In this embodiment, the drive motor
28 drives the drum 76 about which the two ends of the drive cable
78 are wound. That cable 78 is connected to one or both followers
80 carried on the window bracket 82 which is connected to the
quarter glass 84 of the second window 16. As should be appreciated,
the followers 80 are received and slide along a substantially
V-shaped guide track 86 that opens vehicle forward and is fixed to
the door body 12. Thus, as the drive motor 28 is driven to displace
the second window 16 from the closed position to the opened
position that window is first translated downwardly in the
direction of action arrow A and then pivoted clockwise in the
direction of action arrow B as the followers 80 move from the first
or substantially vertical section 88 of the V-shaped guide track 86
about the apex into the lower or angled section 90 of the V-shape
guide track.
[0040] Consistent with this description, a method is also provided
for improving rear seat ventilation in a motor vehicle. That method
includes the steps of equipping a rear door 10 of a motor vehicle
with a side window 14 and a quarter window 16 and providing a
window drive system 18 for independently opening and closing the
side window and quarter window. Thus, the method may include
opening the side window 14 while maintaining the quarter window 16
closed by operator manipulation of the first actuator 26. Further,
the method may include opening the quarter window 16 while
maintaining the side window 14 closed by operator manipulation of
the second actuator 32.
[0041] In addition, the method includes fully concealing the
quarter window 16 below the belt line 20 within the body 12 of the
rear door when in the fully opened position. Similarly, the method
includes fully concealing the side window 14 below the belt line 20
within the body 12 of the rear door 10 when in a fully opened
position.
[0042] As should be appreciated, a number of advantages result. The
operator may choose to open only the side window 14, only the
quarter window 16 or both the side window and quarter window in
order to meet ventilation needs. Further, when fully opened, both
the side window 14 and quarter window 16 are concealed fully within
the door 12 so that the window opening is fully opened thereby
providing a comfortable arm rest if desired. In addition, having
both windows 14, 16 fully hidden within the door 12 provides
improved aesthetics. This is especially true when the door 12 is
opened as an exposed, fixed rear quarter window appears as a "fixed
flag" above the beltline 24, providing an awkward appearance.
[0043] As should be further appreciated, the rear door 12 may be
cut further back toward the upright portion of the rear seat. Since
the second or quarter window 16 is contained within the door 12, a
larger opening is provided for easier ingress and egress to the
back seat.
[0044] The foregoing has been presented for purposes of
illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
teachings. All such modifications and variations are within the
scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with
the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably
entitled.
* * * * *