FRAMELESS WINDOW REGULATOR WITH COMPOSITE RAILS
A window regulator includes a guide rail including a thermoformed composite. The thermoformed composite includes a thermoplastic composition and reinforcing fibers.
1 . A window regulator comprising a guide rail, wherein the guiderail comprises a thermoformed composite and the thermoformed composite comprises a thermoplastic composition and reinforcing fibers.
2 . The window regulator of claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing fibers comprise glass fiber, carbon fiber, aramid fiber, bio sourced fibers, and combinations thereof.
3 . The window regulator of claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing fibers are continuous.
4 . The window regulator of claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing fibers are woven.
5 . The window regulator of claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing fibers are non-woven.
6 . The window regulator of claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic composition comprises a polyamide, a polyester, a polyethylene, a polypropylene, or a combination thereof.
7 . The window regulator of claim 1 , wherein the thermoformed composite comprises a bio sourced thermoplastic, a bio sourced reinforced fiber, or both.
8 . The window regulator of claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic composition further comprises a pigment, dye, a flame retardant, or combination thereof.
9 . The window regulator of claim 1 , further comprising an overmolded technical shape.
10 . The window regulator of claim 9 , wherein the technical shape comprises a rib.
11 . A method of making a window regulator comprising thermoforming a thermoformable composite to form a guide rail.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the thermoformable composite comprises a thermoplastic composition and reinforcing fibers.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the reinforcing fibers comprise glass fiber, carbon fiber, aramid fiber, bio sourced fibers, and combinations thereof.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the reinforcing fibers are continuous.
15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the reinforcing fibers are woven.
16 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the reinforcing fibers are non-woven.
17 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the thermoplastic composition comprises a polyamide, a polyester, a polyethylene, a polypropylene, or a combination thereof.
18 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the thermoplastic composition further comprises a pigment, dye, a flame retardant, or combination thereof.
19 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising overmolding the guide rail to form a technical shape.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the technical shape comprises a rib.