Cable guide tensioner for regulator system

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for applying tension to a cable in a regulator system, include: permitting the cable to slide over a length of the peripheral surface extending between an entry point and exit point on a cable guide tensioner; and urging the cable guide tensioner to rotate where the rotation results in varying at least one of the length and a distance between the entry point and exit point, and induce tension in the cable.

1 . A regulator system, comprising:
 an object;   a cable coupled to, and operating to move, the object in response to a driving source; and   at least one cable guide tensioner including first and second spaced apart opposing surfaces, and a peripheral surface extending between the first and second surfaces, the at least one cable guide tensioner operating to:   (i) slidingly engage the cable over a length of the peripheral surface, the length extending between an entry point and exit point; and   (ii) vary at least one of the length and a straight-line distance between the entry point and the exit point as a function of rotation about a pivotal axis, the pivotal axis extending transversely through the first and second opposing surfaces.   
     
     
         2 . The regulator system according to  claim 1 , wherein peripheral edges of the first and second opposing surfaces circumscribe shapes selected from the group consisting of: a circle, an oblong shape, a curvilinear shape, an ellipse and an oval. 
     
     
         3 . The regulator system according to  claim 1 , wherein the pivotal axis is located at a position such that at least one of the length and the straight-line distance increases as the cable guide tensioner rotates about the pivotal axis. 
     
     
         4 . The regulator system according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a biasing mechanism that urges the cable guide tensioner to rotate about the pivotal axis;   a stationary surface that operates to provide a base about which the cable guide tensioner can rotate; and   a connecting mechanism that operates to connect the cable guide tensioner to the stationary surface.   
     
     
         5 . The regulator system according to  claim 4 , wherein the biasing mechanism comprises at least one spring having first and second ends, the first end of the spring coupled to the first opposing surface of the cable guide tensioner and the second end coupled to the stationary surface. 
     
     
         6 . The regulator system according to  claim 4 , wherein the cable guide tensioner further comprises a rod disposed transversely on the first opposing surface and engages a channel located in the stationary surface and functions to guide the cable guide tensioner along the channel. 
     
     
         7 . The regulator system according to  claim 6 , wherein the biasing mechanism comprises at least one spring having first and second ends, the first end of the spring adjacent being coupled to the channel located in the stationary surface and the second end of the spring being coupled to the rod of the cable guide tensioner, and the at least one spring operating to urge the cable guide tensioner to rotate about the pivotal axis. 
     
     
         8 . The regulator system according to  claim 4 , wherein the stationary surface is integrated with a carrier module of a vehicle door panel. 
     
     
         9 . The regulator system according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 the connecting mechanism further comprises a ratchet apparatus having a first set of teeth disposed on the first opposing surface of the cable guide tensioner, and a second set of teeth disposed on the stationary surface; and   the first and second sets of teeth are situated and shaped such that engagement thereof permits the cable guide tensioner to rotate about the pivotal axis only in one direction.   
     
     
         10 . The regulator system according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 the cable guide tensioner further comprises an aperture extending through at least one of the first and second opposing surfaces at the pivotal axis; and   the connecting mechanism further comprises a shaft having first and second ends, the shaft extending through the aperture of the cable guide tensioner and coupling to the stationary surface such that the cable guide tensioner is rotatable about the shaft.   
     
     
         11 . The regulator system according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 the connecting mechanism further comprises a ratchet apparatus having a first set of teeth disposed on the first opposing surface of the cable guide tensioner, and a second set of teeth disposed on the stationary surface; and   the first and second sets of teeth are situated and shaped such that engagement thereof permits the cable guide tensioner to rotate about the pivotal axis only in one direction.   
     
     
         12 . The regulator system according to  claim 11 , wherein the connecting mechanism further includes at least one compliance spring coaxial with the shaft, and operating to provide a spring force to expand a distance between the cable guide tensioner and the stationary surface and to urge the first and second plurality of teeth to snugly engage one another while also providing a sufficient amount of give to allow the first and second sets of teeth to slide over one another. 
     
     
         13 . The regulator system according to  claim 12 , wherein at least one compliance spring is situated between the cable guide tensioner and the stationary surface. 
     
     
         14 . The regulator system according to  claim 12 , wherein at least one compliance spring is situated between the cable guide tensioner and the stationary surface and a second compliance spring is situated between a widened end cap and the opposing surface of the cable guide tensioner. 
     
     
         15 . The regulator system according to  claim 11 , wherein the cable guide tensioner further comprises at least one integrated spring finger disposed on the first opposing surface and operates to provide a spring force to expand a distance between the cable guide tensioner and the stationary surface and to urge the first and second plurality of teeth to snugly engage one another yet provide a sufficient amount of give to allow the first and second sets of teeth to slide over one another. 
     
     
         16 . The regulator system according to  claim 11 , wherein the stationary surface further comprises at least one integrated spring finger thereon and operates to provide a spring force to expand the distance between the cable guide tensioner and the stationary surface and urge the first and second plurality of teeth to snugly engage one another yet provide a sufficient amount of give to allow the first and second sets of teeth to slide over one another. 
     
     
         17 . The regulator system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one pulley that is connected to a motor and functions to drive the cable. 
     
     
         18 . The regulator system of  claim 1 , wherein one of:
 the object is a window and the base structure is a carrier module of a vehicle door;   the object is a sunroof of a vehicle;   the object is a sliding door of a vehicle;   the object is a lift gate of a vehicle;   the object is a lift platform of a handicap ramp for a vehicle; and   the object is a movable portion of a vehicle seat.   
     
     
         19 . A method of applying tension to a cable in a regulator system, comprising:
 permitting the cable to slide over a length of a peripheral surface of a cable guide tensioner having an entry point and an exit point; and   rotating the cable guide tensioner such that at least one of the length and a straight-line distance between the entry point and exit point are increased and induce tension in the cable.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 permitting the cable guide tensioner to rotate in one direction that results in increasing at least one of the length and the straight-line distance between the entry point and exit point, and prohibiting the cable guide tensioner from rotating in an opposite direction.