Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
  • B60J10/00—Sealing arrangements
  • B60J10/80—Sealing arrangements specially adapted for opening panels, e.g. doors
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
  • B60J10/00—Sealing arrangements
  • B60J10/15—Sealing arrangements characterised by the material
  • B60J10/16—Sealing arrangements characterised by the material consisting of two or more plastic materials having different physical or chemical properties
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
  • B60J10/00—Sealing arrangements
  • B60J10/30—Sealing arrangements characterised by the fastening means

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a sealing device comprising an element for fixing to the framework or bodywork of various structures, such as cabinets for electrical or electronic equipment, but in particular for motor vehicles.
• the present invention further relates to a method of producing a sealing device of the above mentioned type and also an apparatus for making sealing devices of this type.
• Sealing devices of this general kind are known from, for instance, US-A-5 511 343,, DE 199 54 200, and FR-A- 2 642 809.
• the latter document explains the conditions that need to be satisfied by a sealing device so that when mounted on all or part of the perimeter of an opening in a motor vehicle body, it follows closely the shapes of its support while satisfying various functional requirements such as pleasing appearance, proper fitting together, etc.
• DE 100 06 717 discloses a sealing device that has a holding section for attaching to a holding flange and an elastomeric section with reinforcement and a second sealing section.
• the reinforcement has holding clips of resilient steel in the longitudinal direction. The clips are all integrated into the elastomeric section during the production of the sealing device.
• GB 935,874 describes a further alternative in which clips are arranged to hold a sealing device in place. Upstanding limbs reach into the clips and are sandwiched between the limbs of the clip and the flange on which the sealing device is to be attached. While the latter kind of sealing devices provide for good holding properties, even at higher temperatures, when compared with similar sealing devices equipped with more conventional elastomeric holding sections, they are rather expensive to produce. Furthermore, composite products of this kind are not apt to be recycled, i.e, reprocessing of the sealing device as waste material for the purpose of material recovery is usually quite difficult .
• the present invention relates to a sealing device comprising an elongate elastomeric sealing strip with an integrally associated elastomeric fixing element, which sealing device comprises a plurality of individual resilient clips arranged to connect and fix the sealing device to a support, the sealing device being characterised by said clips being mechanically held in said fixing element, which has a channel defined by a first and a second side wall with an intermediate base section, at least one of said first and second side walls having, adjacent said base section, an indention, at least one of the resilient clips having a channel-shaped cross-section, with a central web portion and first and second lateral flanges, said central web portion having at least one shoulder adjacent at least one of said first and second lateral flanges, said at least one clip being arranged within the channel of the fixing element, said indention securing the clip in the fixing element by blocking said at least one shoulder from moving out of the channel of the fixing element, said at least one clip being arranged within the channel of the fixing clement with said first and
• the clips are arranged within the channel of the fixing element with said first and second lateral flanges being in contiguous contact with said first and second side walls, respectively.
• the contiguous contact provides a sealing device that can be firmly attached to a support since the side walls will provide an additional frictional force against the lateral flanges holding the clip in position. Further the contiguous contact means that the sealing device will not easily tip over when exposed to lateral forces but will remain in an upright position. In addition the side walls provide some additional stability and some clamping force against said structure also in the areas between the clips.
• a further advantage is that, although providing extra holding forces for the clip when the sealing device is in use it will still be easy to separate the clip from the fixing element when the sealing device is to be recycled.
• the resilient clips have channel-shaped cross- sections, with central web portions and first and second lateral flanges; said first and second lateral flanges ending in first and second edges, respectively; the clips being arranged within the channel of the fixing element; and said lip further securing the clips in the fixing element, by blocking said first or second flange edges from moving out of said mouth.
• both of the side walls end in lips, which protrude towards each other over part of the mouth and the lips secure the clips in the fixing element, by blocking said first and second flange edges from moving out of said mouth.
• the central web portion of said at least one clip has a first shoulder adjacent said first lateral flange and a second shoulder adjacent said second lateral flange.
• clips with first as well as second shoulders as set out above can only be used in fixing elements with indentions in the first as well as the second sidewall.
• both of the side walls have, adjacent said base section, indentions; the central web portions have shoulders adjacent the lateral flanges; and said indentions secure the clips in the fixing element, by blocking the shoulders from moving out of the channel of the fixing element.
• both of the side walls end in lips, which protrude toward each other over part of the mouth and the lips secure the clips in the fixing element, by blocking said first and second flange edges from moving out of said mouth, and both of the side walls have, adjacent said base section, indentions; the central web portions have shoulders adjacent the lateral flanges; and said indentions secure the clips in the fixing element, by blocking the shoulders from moving out of the channel of the fixing element.
• each resilient clip has a channel-shaped cross-section, with a central web portion and a first and a second lateral flange; each flange having a longitudinal edge distal from said central web portion, and two lateral edges, and at least one fin extending from a position close to the transition from the longitudinal edge to one of the lateral edges, into said channel-shaped cross-section.
• such fins extend from all four transitions or corners. The purpose of the fins is primarily to secure the clips, and thus the sealing device, to the support.
• the elongate elastomeric sealing comprises a longitudinally extending hollow sealing member.
• the hollow sealing member may be made of cellular rubber, preferably expanded rubber.
• the inventive sealing strip is made of EPDM (Ethylene-Propylene-diene ter- polymer) , EPM (Ethylene-Propylene Copolymer) , SBR
• the resilient clips may be made of different materials, such as, for instance PE (Polyethylene) , PP (Polypropylene) , PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) , PA (Polyamide) , steel, or aluminium, the preferred material being steel.
• a further object of the invention is to provide an efficient method of producing sealing devices.
• a method of forming a sealing device comprising an elongate elastomeric sealing strip with an integrally associated elastomeric fixing element, which sealing device comprises a plurality of individual resilient clips arranged to connect and fix the sealing device to a support, characterised by the steps of providing the fixing element with a channel defined by a first and a second side wall with an intermediate base section, at least one of said first and second side walls having, adjacent said base section, an indention, providing at least one of the resilient clips with a channel-shaped cross-section defined by a central web portion and first and second lateral flanges, said central web portion having at least one shoulder adjacent at least one of said first and second lateral flanges, detecting the actual feeding position of the sealing strip, and mechanically fixing the clips to the fixing element by automatically forcing, each at a predetermined feeding position of the sealing strip, individual clips into the channel to such depth that said at least one shoulder of said at least one clip engages said at least one indention and that said first and second
• the clips may be arranged in the fixing elements at even intervals or gaps, but they may also be used more extensively at positions where the connection between the sealing device and the support is subjected to higher strains, such as, for instance, at bends and curves.
• the clips are preferably mounted on-line right after the rubber extrusion line.
• a further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus adapted for the efficient production of sealing devices.
• an apparatus for forming a sealing device which comprises an elongate elastomeric sealing strip with an integrally associated elastomeric fixing element and a plurality of individual resilient clips arranged to connect and fix the sealing device to a support
• the apparatus comprising a feeder for feeding the elastomeric sealing strip in its longitudinal direction through the apparatus, a sensor for detecting the actual feeding position of the sealing strip, a stamp for forcing an individual resilient clip, which has a channel-shaped cross-section defined by a central web portion and first and second lateral flanges, said central web portion having at least one shoulder adjacent at least one of said first and second lateral flanges, into a channel provided in the fixing element and defined by a first and a second side wall with an intermediate base section, at least one of said first and second side walls having, adjacent said base section, an indention, to such depth that said at least one shoulder engages said at least one indention and that said first and second lateral flanges get into contiguous contact
• Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the sealing device of the invention.
• Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a resilient clip shown in Fig. 1.
• Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the resilient clip shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.
• Fig. 4 shows schematically an apparatus for forming a sealing device according to a second embodiment of the invention.
• Fig. 5 is a cross section and shows a sealing strip along the section V-V of Fig. 4.
• Fig. 6 is a cross section and shows the sealing strip along the section VI-VI of Fig. 4.
• Fig. 5 is a cross section and shows a sealing strip along the section V-V of Fig. 4.
• Fig. 6 is a cross section and shows the sealing strip along the section VI-VI of Fig. 4.
• Fig. 5 is a cross section and shows a sealing strip along the section V-V of Fig. 4.
• Fig. 6 is a cross section and shows the sealing strip
• FIG. 7a is a cross section and shows the sealing strip along the section VII-VII of Fig. 4.
• Fig. 7b illustrates the section VII-VII of Fig. 4 when the a stamp has just begun to force a clip into a channel.
• Fig. 8 is a cross section and shows the final sealing device along the section VIII-VIII of Fig. 4.
• Fig. 9 is a cross section through the sealing device after it has been positioned onto a support.
• Fig. 10 is a cross section and shows a sealing device according to a third embodiment of the invention.
• a sealing device 10 comprises an elastomeric sealing strip 20 consisting of a hollow sealing member 250 and an elastomeric fixing element 30.
• the hollow sealing member 250 is made of cellular EPDM rubber, and is integrally associated with the elastomeric fixing element 30, which is made of solid EPDM rubber.
• a channel 50 is formed in the fixing element 30, which channel 50 in this case is adapted for fixation of the sealing device 10 to the framework or bodywork of a motor vehicle.
• Channel 50 is defined by two sidewalls 60 and 70 and an intermediate base section 80, and has an opening or mouth 90. Both sidewalls 60 and 70 end in longitudinal lips, one of which is denominated 100.
• Both of the sidewalls 60 and 70 have, adjacent base section 80, indentions, one of which is denominated 170.
• a resilient clip 40 is arranged in channel 50.
• the clip 40 comprises a central web portion 120 and two lateral flanges 130 and 140.
• the central web portion 120 has shoulders 180 and 190 adjacent the lateral flanges. Shoulder 180 rests in indention 170 and shoulder 190 rests in the other indention on the opposite side of the channel 50. Accordingly, the indentions secure the clip 40 in the fixing element 30, by blocking the shoulders 180, 190 from moving out of the channel 50 of the fixing element 30.
• the lateral flanges 130 and 140 of the clip end in edges 150 and 160, respectively, which edges rest on the lips that protrude toward each other over part of the mouth 90, thus securing the clip 40 in the fixing element 30 by blocking flange edges 150 and 160 from moving out of the mouth 90.
• the clip 40 appearing in Fig 1 is shown in isolation.
• the clip 40 is made of 0.4 mm spring steel sheet.
• the clip 40 has a channel-shaped cross-section 110 which is embraced by the central web portion 120 and the lateral flanges 130 and 140.
• Each flange has a longitudinal edge, which is distal from the central web portion, and two lateral edges.
• flange 140 The longitudinal edge of flange 140 is denominated 200, and the lateral edges of flange 140 are denominated 210 and 220.
• a fin 230 extends from a position close to the transition or corner 240 from the longitudinal edge 200 to the lateral edge 210.
• the fins act as resilient barbs that serve to secure the clip 40, and thus the entire sealing device 10, to the framework or bodywork of the motor vehicle.
• Fig. 4 shows schematically an apparatus 300 for forming a sealing device 400 according to a second embodiment of the invention.
• the apparatus 300 comprises a belt feeder 302 for feeding an elongate elastomeric sealing strip 320 through the apparatus 300, a magazine 304 for feeding clips 40 to a clip conveyer 306, a stamping device 308, which has a stamp 310, and a control unit 312.
• the belt feeder 302 has a very accurate feeding velocity and does thus function as a sensor detecting the feeding position of the strip 320 in the apparatus 300.
• the belt feeder 302 provides a signal for the control unit 312.
• the control unit 312 receives signals from the belt feeder 302 indicating at which speed the strip 320 travels. Based on this information the control unit 312 calculates which actual feeding position of the strip 320 that at any given moment is located adjacent the stamping device 308.
• the control unit 312 orders the belt feeder 302 to make a short pause and orders the stamping device 308 to urge the stamp 310 to force a clip 40 into a channel 350, which is best shown in Fig. 5, of the sealing strip 320.
• the apparatus 300 automatically provides clips 40 in those positions along the length of the strip 320 where clips 40 are needed in the final sealing device 400 in order to make the sealing device 400 fit tightly in position without having to provide a number of clips also in positions where they are not needed.
• the control unit 312 also orders, at predetermined intervals, a cutter 314 to cut off the strip 320 and thereby provide sealing devices 400 each having the predetermined length and having clips 40 in the predetermined positions along this length.
• a sensor that detects a mark, such as a painted dot or another mark, that indicates the starting point of a new sealing strip. It is also possible to use a sensor that measures along the length of a continuous sealing strip and based on this have the control unit calculate when the intended length of a sealing device has passed and a new one starts. It is also possible to feed into the apparatus 300 sealing strips that already have been pre-cut to the desired length.
• a strip production unit such as an extruder
• the apparatus 300 receives a continuous sealing strip 320 directly after the strip has been formed by the extruder.
• the apparatus 300 is provided with further sensors, not shown in Fig. 4 for detecting the proper feeding of clips into the clip conveyer 306, for detecting that clips 40 have been correctly secured at the desired positions, and for detecting the proper operation of the stamp 310.
• Fig. 5 is a cross section and shows the sealing strip 320 along the section V-V of Fig. 4.
• the sealing strip 320 has a hollow sealing member 250, similar to the sealing member 250 that is shown in Fig.
• a channel 350 is formed in the fixing element 330.
• the channel 350 is defined by a first sidewall 360 and a second sidewall 370 and an intermediate base section 380, and has an opening or mouth 390.
• this mouth 390 is lip-free, i.e. there are no lips extending over part of the mouth 390.
• the inner distance ID between the first and the second sidewall 360, 370 is smaller than the outer width OW between the lateral flanges 130, 140 as shown in in Fig. 2. It can also be seen that the channel 350 has its narrowest width just at the mouth 390.
• the first sidewall 360 has, adjacent the intermediate base section 380, a first indention 362, and the second sidewall 370 has, adjacent the intermediate base section 380, a second indention 372.
• Fig. 6 is a cross section and shows the sealing strip 320 along the section VI-VI of Fig. 4.
• the apparatus 300 is provided with a channel-opener 326 which bends the first sidewall 360 away from the second sidewall 370.
• the purpose of the channel-opener 326 is to decrease the force that is required to press the clips into the channel 350.
• the channel-opener 326 ends just before the stamping device 308 which means that the channel 350 will be open at the exact moment the clip 40 is forced into the channel 350.
• FIG. 7a is a cross section and shows the sealing strip 320 along the section VII-VII of Fig. 4.
• the stamp 310 of the stamping device 308 has just entered between the lateral flanges 130, 140 of the clip 40 and engaged the central web portion 120.
• the first sidewall 360 and the second sidewall 370 are still bent away from each other thanks to the effect of the channel-opener 326, as shown in Fig. 6.
• Fig. 7b illustrates the section VII-VII when the stamp 310 has just begun to force the clip 40 into the channel 350.
• Fig. 8 is a cross section and shows the final sealing device 400 along the section VIII-VIII of Fig. 4.
• the clip 40 is properly embedded in the fixing element 330.
• the first side wall 360 is in contiguous contact with the lateral flange 130 and the second side wall 370 is in contiguous contact with the lateral flange 140.
• the shoulder 180 rests in indention 372 and the shoulder 190 rests in indention 362.
• Fig. 9 is a cross section through the sealing device 400 after it has been positioned onto a support, such as a ledge 410, to which the sealing device 400 is to be attached. It is evident from Fig.
• the sealing device 500 comprises an elastomeric sealing strip 520 comprising a hollow sealing member 525 and an elastomeric fixing element 530.
• the hollow sealing member 525 is made of cellular EPDM rubber, and is integrally associated with the fixing element 530, which is made of solid EPDM rubber.
• a channel 550 is formed in the fixing element 530.
• the channel 550 is defined by a first sidewall 560, a second sidewall 570 and an intermediate base section 580, and has an opening or mouth 590. Both of the sidewalls 560 and 570 have, adjacent the base section 580, indentions 562, 572 respectively.
• the sidewalls 560 and 570 end in longitudinal lips 564 and 574, respectively.
• the lips protrude toward each other over part of the mouth 590.
• a resilient clip 600 is arranged in the channel 550.
• the clip 600 comprises a central web portion 620 and a first lateral flange 630 and a second lateral flange 640.
• the central web portion 620 has shoulders 680 and 690 adjacent the lateral flanges 630, 640.
• the shoulder 680 rests in the indention 562 and the shoulder 690 rests in the indention 572 on the opposite side of channel 550. Accordingly, the indentions 562, 572 secure the clip 600 in the fixing element 530 by blocking the shoulders 680, 690 from moving out of the channel 550 of the fixing element 530.
• the lateral flanges 630 and 640 of the clip end in edges 632 and 642, respectively, which edges 632, 642 rest on the lips 564, 574 that protrude toward each other over part of the mouth 590, thus securing the clip 600 in the fixing element 530 by blocking flange edges 632 and 642 from moving out of the mouth 590.
• the first lateral flange 630 is in contiguous contact with said first side wall 560 and the second lateral flange 640 is in contiguous contact with the second side wall 570.
• This contiguous contact provides a frictional force and clamping force which, in addition to the holding forces provided by the shoulders 680, 690 resting in their respective indention 562, 572 and the edges 632, 642 resting on the respective lips 564, 574, provides a very safe holding of the clip 600 in the fixing element 530.
• the flange edges 632 and 642, respectively, are bent outwards. This is to provide a wider opening such that the mounting of the sealing device 500 onto a structure, such as a ledge, that is to enter into the channel 550 is made easier. It will be appreciated that all embodiments described above have in common that clips easily and automatically can be mounted in the exact positions where they are needed in the final sealing device.
• the sealing device is easily recycled since the clips are easy to remove when so is desired.
• the removal of the clips 40, 600 from the sealing device 10, 400, 500 in a recycle operation could be made in several different ways.
• One alternative is to design the clips 40 with fins 230 of such size and shape that when the sealing device 400 is lifted away from the ledge 410, to which it has been attached, the clips 40 remain fixed to the ledge 410.
• the clips 40 may then be easily removed from the ledge 410, or recycled together with the ledge 410 if they are of the same material, while the rest of the sealing device, i.e. the sealing strip 320, is free of clips and may recycled as a pure rubber material.
• Another alternative is to remove the clips by using a bar or a screwdriver-like object which is used to grip under the fins 230 of the clip 40 and drag the clip 40 out of fixing element 30, 330. In either way the separation of the clips 40 from the sealing device 10, 400 is very easy compared to the sealing devices of the prior art, such as described in GB 935,874. It will be appreciated that the above described embodiment are to be regarded as examples and that many variants are possible within the scope of the appended claims .

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Gasket Seals (AREA)
• Insertion Pins And Rivets (AREA)

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• 2003
  • 2003-09-12 SE SE0302459A patent/SE0302459D0/sv unknown
• 2004
  • 2004-09-10 EP EP04775402A patent/EP1663686A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2004-09-10 WO PCT/SE2004/001297 patent/WO2005025908A1/en active Search and Examination

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