Window lift mechanism

Abstract

A dual rack and pinion system is provided for a window lift mechanism. The window lift mechanism includes improved window brackets for simple mounting to a window. A modular frame design is provided to improve assembly of the window lift mechanism into the door of a vehicle. An improved assembly method is provided for the dual rack and pinion system. The system is also provided with a smart motor and incorporates resilient shock absorbers in the dual rack and pinion gear train to allow more time for the smart motor to detect and react to an obstruction in the window. The window lift mechanism includes a support bracket mounted to the window and a motor supported on a support bracket, wherein the support bracket permits axial and rotational movement of the window relative to the support bracket.

1 - 15 . (canceled)  
     
     
         16 . A method for assembling a window lift mechanism, comprising the steps of: 
 mounting a motor housing assembly to a main bracket, said motor housing assembly including a motor drivingly connected to a worm and worm gear, said worm gear including a shaft rotatably connected to said worm gear and extending through said main bracket;    mounting a first pinion gear onto said shaft and mounting a second pinion gear in meshing engagement with said first pinion gear;    placing a dual rack system in alignment with said pinion gears; and    applying power to the motor to drive said pinion gears to engage said pinion gears with said dual rack system.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said step of applying power to the motor further includes driving the first and second pinion gears to move the main bracket and motor to a predetermined position for convenient door installation.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said step of placing a dual rack system in alignment with said pinion gears includes placing the dual rack assembly in a guide system of said main bracket.  
     
     
         19 . (canceled)  
     
     
         20 . An integrally formed dual rack system, comprising: 
 a pair of elongated parallel racks each including a plurality of gear teeth extending there along; and    a cross brace structure extending between said pair of elongated parallel racks and integrally molded as a unitary piece with said pair of elongated racks.    
     
     
         21 . A window lift mechanism comprising: 
 a dual rack system;    a support structure supported on said dual rack system;    a drive pinion gear supported by said support structure and in engagement with a rack of said dual rack system;    a slave pinion gear supported by said support structure, said slave pinion gear including a first gear segment in engagement with said drive pinion gear and a second gear segment in engagement with a second rack of said dual rack system, said first and second gear segments including a resilient shock absorber operatively engaged there between;    a worm gear supported for rotation by said support structure and operatively joined with said drive pinion gear; and    a motor supported by said support structure and including an output shaft having a worm engaged with said worm gear.    
     
     
         22 . The window lift mechanism according to  claim 21 , further comprising at least one resilient shock absorber operatively engaged between said drive pinion gear and said worm gear.  
     
     
         23 . The window life mechanism according to  claim 21 , further comprising a pair of resilient shock absorbers operatively engaged between said drive pinion gear and said worm gear.  
     
     
         24 . The window lift mechanism according to  claim 21 , wherein said motor is a smart motor system capable of detecting obstructions and reversing operation thereof in response to a detected obstruction.  
     
     
         25 . A window lift mechanism comprising: 
 a dual rack system;    a support structure supported on said dual rack system;    a gear train including: 
 a drive pinion gear supported by said support structure and in engagement with a rack of said dual rack system;  
 a slave pinion gear supported by said support structure in engagement with said drive pinion gear and a second rack of said dual rack system;  
 a worm gear supported for rotation by said support structure and operatively joined with said drive pinion gear, said gear train including a plurality of resilient shock absorbers disposed therein; and  
   a motor supported by said support structure and including an output shaft having a worm engaged with said worm gear.    
     
     
         26 - 39 . (canceled)  
     
     
         40 . A closure assembly comprising: 
 a closure member;    a pair of first supports each coupled to said closure member;    a pair of second supports each coupled to a respective one of said pair of first supports, said pair of second supports being disposed at a fixed distance from one another and adapted to be driven for the raising and lowering of said closure member; and    an interface between said pair of first supports and said pair of second supports each adapted to accommodate both axial and pivotal movement of said closure member with respect to said pair of second supports.    
     
     
         41 . The closure member of  claim 40  wherein said pair of first supports each have a slotted end for receiving said closure member and a semi-cylindrical recess for receiving a semi-cylindrical head of said pair of second supports.  
     
     
         42 . The closure member of  claim 40 , wherein said interface includes a head portion slidably and rotatably received in a channel portion.  
     
     
         43 . The closure member of  claim 42 , wherein said head portion is semi-cylindrical and said channel portion is semi-cylindrical.  
     
     
         44 - 63 . (canceled)