EP4676807A1

EP4676807A1 - Vehicle window seal assembly

Info

Publication number: EP4676807A1
Application number: EP24702709.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Brian LIDGARD; Marian PURCARU; Iain Scott
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2023-03-10
Filing date: 2024-01-26
Publication date: 2026-01-14
Also published as: GB2627995A; WO2024188527A1; GB202303556D0; CN120882624A

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a vehicle window seal assembly (200) comprising: a body side outer panel (21), a body side inner panel (222); and a seal carrier (230) located between the body side outer panel (21) and the body side inner panel (222), the seal carrier (230) comprising: an outer seal carrier rail (236) joined to the body side outer panel (21) to form an outer flange (218) having an outer body side edge (216); an inner seal carrier rail (237) joined to the body side inner panel (222) to form an inner flange (219) having an inner door aperture edge (292); wherein the inner door aperture edge (292) is spaced apart from the outer body side edge (216); and an elongate recess volume (231) between the outer seal carrier rail (236) and the inner seal carrier rail (237), the elongate recess volume (231) configured to receive an elongate window seal (240) therein.

Description

VEHICLE WINDOW SEAL ASSEMBLY

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle window seal assembly. Aspects of the invention relate to a vehicle window seal assembly, a vehicle, and a method of manufacturing a vehicle window seal assembly.

BACKGROUND

Some frameless door systems utilise a visible seal carrier system to provide water and air tightness where the window meets the seal at the top of the vehicle, and to mitigate against 'blow out' due to aerodynamic loading during vehicle usage. Such systems are designed such that there is a break, or discontinuity, in the outer surface appearance of the vehicle, in both form and colour, between the painted body structure and the glass surface of the window. Often an exterior cover strip is located to hide the seal carrier but this again results in a visible break or separation between the vehicle body and glass of the window, and is an additional part to attach to the vehicle body.

It is desirable from an aerodynamic point of view for the seal which the window glass meets when the window is fully closed to be hidden from the flow of air over the vehicle when the vehicle is in normal use. That is to say, when a vehicle is in motion, it is desirable for the seal carrier not to be visible or to be predominantly hidden from view. Such aerodynamic improvements can help to improve the range of a vehicle, due to a lower coefficient of drag. Further, the use of an exterior cover strip to hide the otherwise accessible from the vehicle exterior seal carrier still allows for environmental wear and tear to the cover strip, and seal carrier with seal mounted therein, such as dust and water.

It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a vehicle window seal assembly, a vehicle, and a method of manufacturing a vehicle window seal assembly as claimed in the appended claims.

In an aspect there is provided a vehicle window seal assembly comprising: a body side outer panel, a body side inner panel; and a seal carrier located between the body side outer panel and the body side inner panel, the seal carrier comprising: an outer seal carrier rail joined to the body side outer panel to form an outer flange having an outer body side edge; an inner seal carrier rail joined to the body side inner panel to form an inner flange having an inner door aperture edge; wherein the inner door aperture edge is spaced apart from the outer body side edge; and an elongate recess volume between the outer seal carrier rail and the inner seal carrier rail, the elongate recess volume configured to receive an elongate window seal therein.

The structure at the outer door aperture edge in such a vehicle window seal assembly provides for the seal carrier to be significantly hidden from view inside the body side outer panel of the vehicle. By joining the seal carrier at the outer rail side to the body side outer panel, a first outer flange is formed which is the visible portion of the door aperture and which acts to hide the majority of the window seal from view and environmental exposure at the vehicle exterior. Moreover, by joining the seal carrier at the inner rail side to the body side inner panel to form a second inner flange, structural support is provided to the vehicle, the seal carrier contributes to the structural rigidity of the vehicle, and is itself securely fitted in the vehicle body. A two-flange door aperture arrangement such as this is not known.

The body side outer panel may comprise a roof portion and an overhang portion, the overhang portion defining an overhang volume therebehind. The seal carrier may be located at least partially within the overhang volume. By locating the seal carrier partially within the overhang volume, it is substantially hidden from view for a user passing the vehicle. Furthermore the overhang portion serves to provide a cover for the seal carrier and an elongate window seal received there in, to protect the seal from external environmental factors such as dust or adverse weather.

The seal carrier may further comprise an inset seal carrier rail joined between the outer seal carrier rail and the inner seal carrier rail, the outer seal carrier rail, inset seal carrier rail and inner seal carrier rail together defining the elongate recess volume. The inset seal carrier rail may be configured to support an elongate window seal received in the elongate recess volume. A seal carrier can be joined to the inset seal carrier rail on the inset portion of the seal carrier while the inner and outer seal carrier rail portions to either side of the inset portion are joined to the body side outer panel and body side inner panels respectively. This arrangement facilitates manufacture without requiring specialist tools, while maintaining good structural rigidity of the door panel seal assembly.

The inner seal carrier rail may extend at least partially below the outer body side edge. The term “below” should be understood in the reference frame of a vehicle in a normal state of use, of having all wheels contacting horizontal ground. It is desirable to maximise the size of the door opening to allow for user entry to and exit from the vehicle, and while the inner edge may extend below the overhang edge, the extent of extension below the overhanging edge may desirably be minimised in order to maximise the size of the door opening.

The seal carrier may comprise a first L-cross sectional portion and a second L-cross sectional portion. The first L-cross sectional portion may comprise a first inset portion and the outer seal carrier rail. The second L- cross sectional portion may comprise a second inset portion and the inner seal carrier rail. The first L-cross sectional portion and the second L-cross sectional portion may be arranged by overlapping and joining the first inset portion of the first L-cross sectional portion with the second inset portion of the second L-cross sectional portion to form the inset seal carrier rail of the seal carrier.

By providing two L-cross sectional portions and joining them together to form the elongate recess volume, the assembly may be manufactured without requiring specialist equipment or adaptation of currently used manufacturing equipment. This arrangement permits the fitting of the first L-cross sectional portion to the body side outer panel, for example by a hemmed connection because there is space for a hemming tool to make the connection even though this first cross-sectional portion is located substantially within the overhang volume to be tucked out of external view of the completed vehicle. Once the first L-cross sectional portion is affixed to the body side outer panel, the second L-cross sectional portion can be joined to the first L-cross sectional portion to form the complete seal carrier joined to the body side outer panel. This assembly forms part of the outer body skin, and may then be joined to the body side inner panel (e.g. the closer set) of the vehicle as usual.

The first inset portion of the first L-cross sectional portion, forming part of the inset seal carrier rail, may be located between the outer body side edge and the second inset portion of the second L-cross sectional portion. The first inset portion of the first L-cross sectional portion may be located between the second inset portion of the second L-cross sectional portion and the elongate recess volume, and may comprise an elongate window seal receiving surface in the elongate recess volume opposite the second inset portion of the second L-cross sectional portion. The elongate window seal receiving surface may be configured to support an elongate window seal located in the elongate recess volume.

If, despite the window seal, water (e.g. rain) did pass over the seal inside the overhang portion then it would run over the back of the seal and exit the seal carrier at the external side of the vehicle. Furthermore if water did pass over the seal and the first L-cross sectional portion, it would pass between the back portions of the first and second L-cross sectional portions and again exit the seal carrier at the external side of the vehicle. Thus water is desirably prevented from entering the interior of the vehicle.

The outer body side edge may be a hemmed edge. The outer seal carrier rail may be joined to the outer body side edge, at least in part, by a hemmed connection provided by the hemmed edge. Providing a hemmed overhang edge allows for an aesthetically pleasing edge and secure connection of the overhang portion to the seal carrier.

The outer seal carrier rail may lie on a parallel plane to the inner seal carrier rail.

The outer seal carrier rail and inset seal carrier rail may be connected at a bend having an acute angle between the outer seal carrier rail and inset seal carrier rail in the elongate recess volume. By having an acute angle between the outer and inset seal carrier rails, the seal carrier may be located inside the overhang volume in a way which increases the amount of the seal carrier which can be fitted inside the overhang volume. In some examples the outer seal carrier rail is entirely located within the overhang volume, and the majority, if not all, of the inset seal carrier rail is also located inside the overhang volume.

Moreover, it is desirable to minimise the vertical separation between the outer hemmed edge formed by the overhang portion and the inner hemmed edge formed by the inner seal carrier rail of the seal carrier, to improve the vehicle aesthetic and to maximise the size of the space provided by the vehicle door to allow for user entry and exit to and from the vehicle. By providing an acute angle between the outer and inset seal carrier rails, this vertical separation is made smaller compared to a larger angle between the outer and inset seal carrier rails being present.

The inner seal carrier rail and inset seal carrier rail may be connected at a bend having an obtuse angle between the inner seal carrier rail and inset seal carrier rail in the elongate recess volume. The outer and inner seal carrier rails may be arranged substantially coplanar by having an acute angle between the outer and inset seal carrier rails and an obtuse angle between the inner and inset seal carrier rails to allow for the space in the channel to receive the seal carrier member and seal, as well as the door glass when the window is wound up and the door glass is in contact with the seal. The acute angle and obtuse angle may sum to substantially 180°.

The vehicle window seal assembly may further comprise a first seal mount located in the elongate recess volume, the first seal mount configured to receive an attachment portion of an elongate window seal and thereby join the elongate window seal to the first seal mount. The first seal mount may be joined to the inset seal carrier rail.

The first seal mount may be joined to the inset seal carrier rail of the seal carrier and located proximal to the outer seal carrier rail. The first seal mount may be located in the acute angle formed between the inset seal carrier rail and the outer seal carrier rail. At least a majority of the first seal mount may be located within the overhang portion in the overhang volume. The first seal mount may be located adjacent to the inset portion of the first L-cross sectional portion and may be joined by a fixing passing through both the inset portion of the first L-cross sectional portion and the inset portion of the second L-cross sectional portion. The first seal mount may be located substantially out of sight of a user approaching, passing or entering the vehicle, inside the seal carrier and within the overhang volume, and covered from exposure to environmental factors.

The vehicle window seal assembly may further comprise the elongate window seal, wherein at least a majority of the elongate window seal is located within the overhang portion. The elongate window seal may be joined to the first seal mount.

The body side inner panel may comprise a reinforcement panel, the reinforcement panel comprising an outer reinforcement panel portion located adjacent to an inner face of the body side outer panel, and an inner reinforcement panel portion joined to the seal carrier. The inner reinforcement panel portion may be joined to the inner seal carrier rail of the seal carrier. The reinforcement panel may be joined to the inner portion of the seal carrier to improve rigidity of the vehicle window seal assembly.

The inner reinforcement panel portion may be joined to the inner seal carrier rail by a hemmed connection provided by the inner door aperture edge being an inner hemmed edge of the inner seal carrier rail.

The body side inner panel may further comprise a closer panel, the closer panel comprising an outer closer panel portion connected to the outer reinforcement panel portion, and an inner closer panel portion joined to the seal carrier, the closer panel and reinforcement panel forming a body side volume therebetween. The inner closer panel portion may be joined to the inner seal carrier rail. The inner closer panel portion may be joined to the inner seal carrier rail by the hemmed connection provided by the inner hemmed edge of the inner seal carrier rail. The closer panel may be joined to the inner portion of the seal carrier along with the reinforcement panel to improve rigidity of the vehicle window seal assembly. The vehicle window seal assembly may further comprise a second seal mount joined to an inner edge of the inner seal carrier rail, the second seal mount configured to have a second seal joined thereto. The second seal mount may comprise a U cross-sectional portion at a first side of the second seal mount, and the second seal mount may be joined to the inner door aperture edge of the inner seal carrier rail by locating the U cross- sectional portion around the inner hemmed edge. The second seal mount may comprise a second seal attachment portion at a second side of the second seal mount configured to joined to a second seal. The vehicle window seal assembly may further comprise the second seal joined to the second seal mount.

In a further aspect there is provided a method of manufacturing a vehicle window seal assembly; comprising: forming an body side outer panel; forming a body side inner panel; forming a seal carrier having an outer seal carrier rail, an inner seal carrier rail, and an elongate recess volume therebetween, the elongate recess volume configured to receive an elongate window seal therein; locating the seal carrier between the body side outer panel and the body side inner panel ; joining the outer seal carrier rail to the body side outer panel to form an outer flange having an outer body side edge; and joining the inner seal carrier rail to the body side inner panel to form an inner flange having an inner door aperture edge; wherein the inner door aperture edge is spaced apart from the outer body side edge.

Such a method allows for the claimed arrangement of components using standard manufacturing tools without requiring any special adaptation of the machining tools to fabricate the vehicle window seal assembly. The seal carrier may be located substantially out of sight and sheltered by the overhang portion from environmental factors by the overhanging portion of the outer body skin panel, which provides an aesthetically pleasing finish to the vehicle without requiring additional finishing trims to be affixed to the vehicle to hide the seal carrier from normal view.

Forming the seal carrier may comprise: providing a first L-cross sectional portion of the seal carrier; locating the first L-cross sectional portion at an inner face of the body side outer panel; joining the first L-cross sectional portion to the inner face of the body side outer panel by hemming an outer body side edge of the body side outer panel over an outer edge of the first L-cross sectional portion, thereby forming the outer flange; and joining a second L-cross sectional portion of the seal carrierto the first L-cross sectional portion to form the seal carrier.

By providing two L-cross sectional portions and affixing them together as claimed to form the elongate recess volume, the assembly may be manufactured without requiring specialist equipment or adaptation of currently used manufacturing equipment. This arrangement permits the fitting of the first L-cross sectional portion to the overhang portion, for example by a hemmed connection because there is space for a hemming tool the make the connection even though this first cross-sectional portion is located substantially within the overhang volume to be tucked out of external view of the completed vehicle, once the first L-cross sectional portion is affixed to the overhang portion, the second L-cross sectional portion can be affixed to the first L-cross sectional portion to form the complete seal carrier joined to the overhang portion. This assembly forms part of the outer body skin, and may then be joined to the closer set of the vehicle as usual.

The method of manufacturing a vehicle window seal assembly may further comprise: providing a reinforcement panel and a closer panel to form the body side inner panel, the reinforcement panel comprising an outer reinforcement panel portion and an inner reinforcement panel portion, the closer panel comprising an outer closer panel portion and an inner closer panel portion; locating the outer reinforcement panel portion adjacent to the inner face of the body side outer panel, and locating the inner reinforcement panel portion adjacent to the second L-cross sectional portion of the seal carrier; locating the outer closer panel portion adjacent to the outer reinforcement panel portion, and locating the inner closer panel portion adjacent to the inner reinforcement panel portion; and joining the inner closer panel portion and the inner reinforcement panel portion to the second L-cross sectional portion by hemming the inner door aperture edge of the second L-cross sectional portion over both an outer edge of the inner closer panel portion and an outer edge of the inner reinforcement panel portion.

The body side outer panel assembly, including the seal carrier, may be connected to the closer set of the vehicle using standard manufacturing equipment while retaining the advantages of a hidden seal carrier and window seal fitted therein.

The method of manufacturing a vehicle window seal assembly may further comprise: joining a first seal mount to an inset seal carrier rail of the seal carrier in the elongate recess volume; and joining an elongate window seal to the first seal mount.

In an aspect there is provided a vehicle chassis comprising any vehicle window seal assembly as disclosed herein.

In a further aspect there is provided vehicle comprising any vehicle window seal assembly disclosed herein, vehicle chassis disclosed herein, or manufactured according to any method disclosed herein.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a vehicle comprising a vehicle window seal assembly according to examples disclosed herein;

Figure 2A shows a cross sectional view taken through a portion of the body (including the roof) of a vehicle showing a vehicle window seal assembly according to examples disclosed herein.

Figure 2B shows a close up view of the vehicle window seal assembly of Figure 2A according to examples disclosed herein;

Figure 3 shows an isometric cut-away view of the vehicle window seal assembly of Figures 2A-2E3 according to examples disclosed herein;

Figures 4A-4D schematically show stages in an example of a method of assembly of a vehicle window seal assembly according to examples disclosed herein; and

Figure 5 shows a method of manufacturing a the vehicle window seal assembly according to examples disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a vehicle 10 comprising four side-doors 12 and one luggage compartment door 14. In other examples there may be different number of doors e.g. two doors. The description below is given in the context of the side-doors 12 but may also apply to the luggage compartment door 14 in some examples. Each sidedoor 12 comprises a lower portion 16 and an upper portion 18. The lower portion 16 comprises an outer door panel 20 which forms part of the exterior surface of the vehicle 10. The outer door panel 20 is attached to an internal structural frame (not shown in Figure 1) which provides structural strength and rigidity to the door 12. The upper portion 18 of the door 12 comprises a moveable glass pane 22 which is supported, when in the closed position, by a window frame 24. The luggage compartment door 14 may comprise a fixed (nonmoveable) glass pane. The roof portion 30 comprises an body side outer panel 21 which also forms part of the exterior surface of the vehicle 10. The body side outer panel 21 is also attached to an internal structural frame (not shown in Figure 1) which provides structural strength and rigidity to the vehicle chassis.

The vehicle 10 comprises, as discussed in detail later, a vehicle window seal assembly 200 which itself comprises the body side outer panel 21 , a body side inner panel 222, and a seal carrier (not shown) located between the body side outer panel and the body side inner panel 222. The seal carrier is configured to support a window seal for the moveable glass pane 22 to contact at the top of the moveable glass pane 22 I upper portion 18 of the side-door 12 when wound up I closed. In relation to a non-moveable glass pane such as a glass pane of the luggage compartment door 14, the seal carrier may be configured to support the window seal for the glass pane to contact at the top of the glass pane 22. The outer door aperture edge (also called an outer body side edge 216) is indicated as the boundary between the body 21 and the moveable glass pane 22 (when the door 12 is closed and the moveable glass pane 22 is wound up), and also as the boundary between the body 21 and the aperture through which a vehicle occupant may enter and exit the vehicle 10 (when the door 12 is open). A vehicle chassis (for example, a vehicle body comprising the side-doors 12 and luggage compartment door 14) may comprise a vehicle window seal assembly 200 as disclosed herein.

Figure 2A shows a cross sectional view taken through a portion of the body (including the roof) of a vehicle 10 showing a vehicle window seal assembly 200. In this example the vehicle window seal assembly 200 comprises a body side outer panel 210 forming the visible outer shell of the vehicle 10 (and may for example be painted with a bodywork colour paint). The vehicle window seal assembly 200 also comprises a body side inner panel 222. The body side inner panel 222 itself comprises a reinforcement panel 220 and a closer panel 260 in this example. Figures 2A also shows a moveable glass pane 280 which is fully wound up so the upper edge of the moveable glass pane 280 is in contact with the elongate window seal 240.

A seal carrier 230 is located between the body side outer panel 210 and the body side inner panel 222. The seal carrier 230 comprises an outer seal carrier rail 236 joined to the body side outer panel 210 to form an outer flange 218 having an outer body side edge 216. The seal carrier 230 also comprises an inner seal carrier rail 237 joined to the body side inner panel 222 to form an inner flange 219 having an inner door aperture edge 292. The inner door aperture edge 292 is spaced apart from the outer body side edge 216. Also present is a elongate recess volume 231 between the outer seal carrier rail 236 and the inner seal carrier rail 237. The elongate recess volume 231 is configured to receive an elongate window seal 240 therein. In this example the elongate window seal 240 is mounted in a first seal mount 270.

The vehicle window seal assembly 200 may further comprise in some examples, as shown in Figure 2A, a second seal mount 252 joined to an inner edge (here, at the end of the inner flange 219) of the inner seal carrier rail 237. The second seal mount 252 is configured to have a second seal 250 joined thereto. The second seal mount 252 may, for example, comprise a U cross-sectional portion at a first side of the second seal mount 252, and the second seal mount 252 may be joined to the inner door aperture edge 292 of the inner seal carrier rail 237 by locating the U cross-sectional portion around the door aperture edge 292 (in this example, an inner hemmed edge 292). The second seal mount 252 may comprise a second seal attachment portion at a second side of the second seal mount 252 which is configured to joined to the second seal 250, for example. The vehicle window seal assembly 200 may further comprise the second seal 250 joined to the second seal mount 252 in some examples.

The structure at the outer door aperture edge (the outer body side edge 216) in such a vehicle window seal assembly 200 provides for the seal carrier 230 to be significantly hidden from view inside the body side outer panel 210 of the vehicle 10. By joining the seal carrier 230 at the outer seal carrier rail 236 side to the body side outer panel 210, a first outer flange 218 is formed which is the visible portion of the door aperture and which acts to hide the majority of the window seal 240 from view inside the elongate recess volume 231 . Moreover, by joining the seal carrier 230 at the inner seal carrier rail 237 side to the body side inner panel 222 to form a second inner flange 219, structural support is provided to the vehicle 10, the seal carrier 230 contributes to the structural rigidity of the vehicle 10, and is itself securely fitted in the vehicle body. By integrating the seal carrier 230 within a functional rebate 231 within the body structure 210, 222, it is possible to provide an uninterrupted painted body surface of the body side outer panel 210 to the glass surface of the moveable glass pane 280. By splitting the usual door rebate surface (in this example, by way of an inset seal carrier rail 238 of the seal carrier 230) on which the elongate window seal 240 may be mounted) from the body side outer panel 210, and reconfiguring this panel set 210, 222 to facilitate a hemmed joining condition at the outer flange 218, the overall outer surface of the vehicle 10 has a colour split to glass between the body side outer panel 210 and the moveable glass pane 280. A channel section defined by the seal carrier 230, to provide an elongate recess volume 231 , is created between the outer flange 218 and inner flange 219, which forms an undercut to the body side outer panel 210 for the seal system (here, a first seal mount 270 and window seal 240) to be mounted into. The seal carrier 230 is hemmed to the body side outer panel 210 and also joined to the body side inner panel 222 to provide a structural and sealed body structure.

The body side inner panel 222 may comprise a reinforcement panel 220. The reinforcement panel 220 may comprise an outer reinforcement panel portion located adjacent to an inner face of the body side outer panel 210, and an inner reinforcement panel portion joined to the seal carrier 230. The inner reinforcement panel portion may be joined to the inner seal carrier rail 237 of the seal carrier 230. The reinforcement panel 220 may be joined to the inner seal carrier rail 237 of the seal carrier 230 to improve rigidity of the vehicle window seal assembly 200. The inner reinforcement panel portion may be joined to the inner seal carrier rail 237 by a hemmed connection provided by the inner door aperture edge 292 being an inner hemmed edge of the inner seal carrier rail 237. In other examples, the inner seal carrier rail 237 may be joined to the body side inner panel 222 by welding, for example if both components are the same material e.g. steel.

The body side inner panel 222 may further comprise a closer panel 260. The closer panel 260 may comprise an outer closer panel portion connected to the outer reinforcement panel portion, and an inner closer panel portion joined to the seal carrier 230. The closer panel 260 and the reinforcement panel 220 may thus form a body side volume 294 therebetween. The inner closer panel portion may be joined to the inner seal carrier rail 237. The inner closer panel portion may be joined to the inner seal carrier rail 237 by the hemmed connection provided by the inner hemmed edge 292 of the inner seal carrier rail 237. The closer panel 260 may be joined to the inner portion of the seal carrier 230 along with the reinforcement panel 220 to improve rigidity of the vehicle window seal assembly 200.

Figure 2B shows a close up view of the vehicle window seal assembly 200 of Figure 2A. It may be seen that the body side outer panel 210 in this example comprises a roof portion 212 and an overhang portion 214. The overhang portion 214 may be considered to define an overhang volume 215 therebehind. As illustrated, the overhang volume 215 may be understood to be bound by a) the overhang portion 214; b) the imaginary vertical boundary A between the transition in the body side outer panel 210 from the roof portion 212 to the overhang portion 214 to the imaginary horizontal boundary B; and c) the imaginary horizontal boundary B between the imaginary vertical boundary A and the outer body side edge 216. “Vertical” may be understood to be perpendicularly upright with respect to the vehicle being located on horizontal ground with all wheels contacting the ground. Similarly “horizontal” may be understood to be parallel with the ground with respect to the vehicle being located on horizontal ground with all wheels contacting the ground. Thought of another way, the overhang volume 215 may be understood to be a space inboard of the body side outer panel 210 (i.e. in a direction 217 towards the vehicle) underneath (i.e. covered by) the overhang portion 214 with the vehicle in a normal, all-wheels contacting horizontal ground, orientation). The seal carrier 230 may be located at least partially within the overhang volume.

By locating the seal carrier 230 at least partially within the overhang volume 215, it (and a first seal mount 270 having a window seal 240 mounted thereto also at least partially within the overhang volume 215), the seal carrier 230 is substantially hidden from view for a user passing the vehicle. This has the effect of improving the aerodynamic qualities of the vehicle, as the seal carrier is ‘hidden’ from the flow of air over the vehicle. Particularly when the moveable glass pane 280 is fully wound up so the top of it contacts the window seal 240, a passing user would see a transition at the outer body side edge 216 from the bodywork of the overhang portion 214 to the glass pane 280, and elements such as the inner seal carrier rail 237, second seal mount 252 and second seal 250 would be behind the glass pane 280 on the interior of the vehicle 10.

While Figures 2A and 2B illustrate a bubble-type window seal 240 without deformation, it will be understood that in examples where the moveable glass pane 280 is fully wound up, the upper edge of the moveable glass pane 280 will contact and push into the curved portion of the bubble-type window seal 240 to form a good seal, thereby deforming the seal and pushing the curved portion further into the elongate recess volume 231 , and thus moving it further out of view. Furthermore, the overhang portion 214 serves to provide a cover for the seal carrier230 and a window seal 240 received therein, to protect the window seal 240 from external environmental factors such as dust or adverse weather.

The seal carrier 230 may further comprise, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B, an inset seal carrier rail 238 joined between the outer seal carrier rail 236 and the inner seal carrier rail 237. The outer seal carrier rail 236 may lie on a parallel plane to the inner seal carrier rail 237. The outer seal carrier rail 236, inset seal carrier rail 238 and inner seal carrier rail 237 together define the elongate recess volume 231 (for example along with imaginary boundary C joining the outer body side edge 216 and inner door aperture edge 292 as illustrated). The inset seal carrier rail 238 may be configured to support the elongate window seal 240 received in the elongate recess volume 231. A first seal mount 270 can be joined to the inset seal carrier rail 238 on this inboard or recessed (back) portion of the seal carrier 230 while the inner 237 and outer 236 seal carrier rail portions to either side of the inset seal carrier portion 238 are joined to the body side outer panel 210 and body side inner panel 222 respectively. This arrangement facilitates manufacture while maintaining good structural rigidity of the door panel seal assembly. The first seal mount 270 may have a C-shaped cross section or similar with opposite gripping lips 270a along the length of the first seal mount 270 configured to grip or hold respective protruding mounting portions 240a of the elongate window seal 240 (that is, the protruding mounting portions 240a of the elongate window seal 240 may be slid into or pushed into the first seal mount 270 and the opposite gripping lips 270a of the first seal mount 270 hold the protruding mounting portions 240a and thus the elongate window seal 240 in place in the first seal mount 270). In other examples the elongate window seal 240 may be mounted in the first seal mount 270 in any other suitable way e.g. by one or more fixings passing from the elongate window seal 240 through the first seal mount 270, by adhesive etc. The channel section forming the elongate recess volume 231 of the seal carrier 230 may be produced from either a U cross-sectional element, or from two L cross-sectional elements 232, 234 as shown in Figures 2A and 2B. The choice or one U-shaped form or two L-shaped forms to make the seal carrier 230 may be determined by the choice of material (e.g. monolithic or mix material) and may be selected based on geometric considerations, for ease of manufacture (e.g. what accessibility requirements there are for joining the various sections together).

The seal carrier 230 in Figures 2A and 2B comprises a first L-cross sectional portion 232 and a second L-cross sectional portion 234. The first L-cross sectional portion 232 in this example comprises a first inset portion 238a and the outer seal carrier rail 236. The second L-cross sectional portion 234 in this example comprises a second inset portion 238b and the inner seal carrier rail 237. The first L-cross sectional portion 232 and the second L-cross sectional portion 234 are arranged by overlapping and joining the first inset portion 238a of the first L-cross sectional portion 232 with the second inset portion 238b of the second L-cross sectional portion 237 to form the inset seal carrier rail 238 of the seal carrier 230. The first inset portion 238a of the first L-cross sectional portion 232 may be considered to be located between the outer body side edge 216 and the second inset portion 238b of the second L-cross sectional portion 234.

By providing two L-cross sectional portions 238a, 238b and joining them together to form the seal carrier 230 providing the elongate recess volume 231 , the assembly 200 may be manufactured without requiring specialist equipment or adaptation of currently used manufacturing equipment. This is because this arrangement permits the fitting of the first L-cross sectional portion 238a to the body side outer panel 210, for example by a hemmed connection as shown, because there is space for a hemming tool to make the connection at the outer body side edge 216 even though this first cross-sectional portion 238a is located substantially within the overhang volume 215 adjacent to the overhand portion 214 of the body side outer panel 210, to be tucked out of external view I environmental exposure as part of the completed vehicle 10. Once the first L-cross sectional portion 238a is affixed to the body side outer panel 210, the second L-cross sectional portion 238b can be joined to the first L-cross sectional portion 238a (for example, by one or more fixings passing through the inset seal carrier rails 238a, 238b, by welding, adhesive, or other suitable joining method) to form the complete seal carrier 230 joined to the body side outer panel 210 at the hemmed connection. This assembly 238a, 238b, 210 forms part of the outer body skin, and may then be joined to the body side inner panel 222 (e.g. the closer set 260 of the body side inner panel 222) of the vehicle 10 as usual.

The first inset portion 238a of the first L-cross sectional portion 232, forming part of the inset seal carrier rail 238, may be located between the second inset portion 238b of the second L-cross sectional portion 234 and the elongate recess volume 231 , and may comprise an elongate window seal receiving surface in the elongate recess volume 231 opposite the second inset portion 238b of the second L-cross sectional portion 234. The elongate window seal receiving surface may be configured to support an elongate window seal 240 located in the elongate recess volume 231 (in this example, the elongate window seal 240 is mounted on a first seal mount 270, which is in turn mounted to the elongate window seal receiving surface of the inset seal carrier rail 238). If, despite the seal 240, water (e.g. rain, or from the vehicle being washed) did pass over the seal 340 inside the overhang portion 231 , then it would run over the back/inset portion of the seal 238 and exit the seal carrier 230 at the external side of the vehicle 10. Furthermore if water did pass over the seal 240 and the first L-cross sectional portion 232 via the connection of the seal carrier 230 to the body side outer panel 210 at the outer body side edge 216, it would pass between the back portions 238a, 238b of the first and second L-cross sectional portions 232, 234, and again exit the seal carrier 230 at the external side of the vehicle 10.

It will be appreciated that the terms “U-shaped” and “L-shaped” used in relation to the seal carrier 230 and seal carrier portions 232, 234 is not limited to those elements having a straight longitudinal shape (“longitudinal” here means along the length from the front to the back of the vehicle, shown as the x-axis in Figure 3. The y- axis lies across the width of the vehicle between side doors, and the z-axis is perpendicularly from the wheel base to the roof of the vehicle). The longitudinal shape may be curved or otherwise shaped, for example to follow the shape I curvature of the vehicle body. This can be seen in the example of Figure 3 which shows a slight curve in the longitudinal shape (along the x-axis direction) of the seal carrier 230, 232, 234.

It will be appreciated that the terms “U-shaped” and “L-shaped” used in relation to the seal carrier 230 and seal carrier portions 232, 234 is not limited to those elements having a “U-shaped” or “L-shaped” cross section only along the entirety of their length. Rather, the seal carrier 230 and seal carrier portions 232, 234 have a “U- shaped” or “L-shaped” cross section along a majority of their length, and along their length in locations where the cross sectional shape allows for the seal carrier to provide the elongate recess volume in which an elongate window seal can be located. For example, there may be a different cross-sectionally shaped portion at one or both ends of the seal carrier rail, where there is no need for an elongated window seal to be located (i.e. away from the door glass), and which may facilitate another function such as attachment to the vehicle body structure. As another example, there may be one or more portions which comprise the “U-shaped” or “L- shaped” cross section but additionally have another portion, for example an extended flap portion extending from an edge of the seal carrier non-parallel to the long axis of the seal carrier, to allow for e.g. a rivet fastening to the vehicle body (for example, to an inner support frame between front and rear side doors). Such an additional portion may be non-planar in some examples, and may be non-parallel with a rail of the seal carrier in some examples.

As mentioned above, the outer body side edge 216 may be a hemmed edge as shown. The outer seal carrier rail 236 may be joined to the outer body side edge 216, at least in part, by a hemmed connection provided by the hemmed edge. Providing a hemmed overhang edge 216 allows for both an aesthetically pleasing (e.g. smoother, cleanly-finished) edge and a secure connection of the overhang portion 214 to the seal carrier 230.

The inner seal carrier rail 237 may extend at least partially below the outer body side edge 216. The term “below” should be understood in the reference frame of a vehicle in a normal state of use, of having all wheels contacting horizontal ground. It is desirable to maximise the size of the door opening to allow for user entry to and exit from the vehicle, and while the inner edge 292 may extend below the overhang edge 216, the extent of extension below the overhanging edge 216 may desirably be minimised in orderto maximise the size of the door opening. This may be achieved by locating as much of the seal carrier 230 as possible up inside the overhang volume 215. The outer seal carrier rail 236 and inset seal carrier rail 238 may be connected at a bend 242 having an acute angle between the outer seal carrier rail 236 and inset seal carrier rail 238 in the elongate recess volume 231 (i.e. between the plane of the outer seal carrier rail 236 and the plane of the inset seal carrier rail 238). By having an acute angle between the outer and inset seal carrier rails 236, 238, the seal carrier 230 may be located inside the overhang volume 215 in a way which increases the amount of the seal carrier 230 which can be fitted inside the overhang volume 215, tucked up inside the overhang portion 214. In some examples, the outer seal carrier rail 236 is entirely located within the overhang volume 215, and the majority, if not all, of the inset seal carrier rail 238 is also located inside the overhang volume 215. In this way, an elongate window seal 240 located in the elongate recess volume 231 may also substantially be located within the overhang volume 215.

Moreover, it is desirable to minimise the vertical separation between the outer hemmed edge 216 formed by the overhang portion 214 and the inner (e.g. hemmed) edge 292 formed by the inner seal carrier rail 237 of the seal carrier 230, to improve the vehicle aesthetic and to maximise the size of the space provided by the vehicle door to allow for user entry and exit to and from the vehicle 10. By providing an acute angle 242 between the outer 236 and inset 238 seal carrier rails, this vertical separation is made smaller compared to a large angle between the outer 236 and inset 238 seal carrier rails being present.

The inner seal carrier rail 237 and inset seal carrier rail 238 may be connected at a bend 244 having an obtuse angle between the inner seal carrier rail 237 and inset seal carrier rail 238 in the elongate recess volume 231 (i.e. between the plane of the inner seal carrier rail 237 and the plane of the inset seal carrier rail 238). The outer 236 and inner 237 seal carrier rails may be arranged substantially coplanar by having an acute angle 242 between the outer 236 and inset 238 seal carrier rails and an obtuse angle 244 between the inner 237 and inset 238 seal carrier rails, to allow for the space 231 in the channel to receive the seal carrier 230 and seal 240, as well as the door glass 280 when the window is wound up and the door glass 280 is in contact with the seal 240. The acute angle 242 and obtuse angle 244 may sum to substantially 180° in some examples.

Also as shown in the example of Figures 2A and 2B, the vehicle window seal assembly 200 may further comprise a first seal mount 270 located in the elongate recess volume 231. The first seal mount 270 is configured to receive an attachment portion of an elongate window seal 240 and thereby join the elongate window seal 240 to the first seal mount 270. The first seal mount 270 may be joined to the inset seal carrier rail 238.

The first seal mount 270 may be joined to the inset seal carrier rail 238 of the seal carrier 230 and located proximal to the outer seal carrier rail 236. The first seal mount 270 may be located in the acute angle 242 formed between the inset seal carrier rail 238 and the outer seal carrier rail 236. At least a majority of the first seal mount 270 may be located within the overhang portion 214 in the overhang volume 215. The first seal mount 270 may be located adjacent to the inset portion 238a of the first L-cross sectional portion 232 and may be joined by a fixing (not shown) passing through both the inset portion 238a of the first L-cross sectional portion 232 and the inset portion 238b of the second L-cross sectional portion 238b. The first seal mount 270 may be located substantially out of sight of a user approaching, passing or entering the vehicle, inside the seal carrier 230 and within the overhang volume 215, and covered from exposure to environmental factors. The vehicle window seal assembly 200 in some examples may further comprise the elongate window seal 240, wherein at least a majority of the elongate window seal 240 is located within the overhang portion 214.

Figure 3 shows an isometric view of a cross-section of Figure 2a, taken through a portion of the vehicle window seal assembly 200 without any seals or seal carriers included. The body side outer panel 210 is shown forming an overhang portion 214 having an outer body side edge 216. The outer body side edge 216 is a hemmed connection which is hemmed over the outer seal carrier rail of the first L-cross sectional portion 232 of the seal carrier. The inner door aperture edge 292 is also a hemmed connection which is hemmed over both the inner seal carrier rail of the second L-cross sectional portion 234 of the seal carrier, and over the inner closer panel portion of the closer panel 260. The elongate recess volume 231 is indicated underneath the overhang portion 214 of the body side outer panel 210. The body side volume 294 is indicated and it can be seen that this space may be used to house, for example, heads of fixings such as bolts which may be used to fix the reinforcement panel 220 to the closer panel 260, for example.

Figures 4A to 4D illustrate, schematically, a series of steps which may be used to manufacture a vehicle window seal assembly 200 as disclosed herein. In Figure 4A, a body side outer panel 210 and a first L-cross sectional portion 232 of a seal carrier 230 are brought together. The outer body side edge 216 of the body side outer panel 210 is hemmed over the outer seal carrier rail of the first L-cross sectional portion 232. In Figure 4B, a second L-cross sectional portion 234 is brought to the assembly of Figure 4A and the first and second L-cross sectional portions are connected together. In Figure 4C, a reinforcement panel 220 and a closer panel 260 are brought to the assembly of Figure 4B. An inner reinforcement panel portion of the reinforcement panel 220, and an inner closer panel portion of the closer panel 260 are located adjacent to the inner seal carrier rail provided by the second L-cross sectional portion 234 forming a layered stack of closer panel 260, reinforcement panel 220, and seal carrier (second L-cross sectional portion 234) material. Figure 4D shows that the end of the inner seal carrier rail portion of the second L-cross sectional portion 234 is hemmed to form a hemmed connection, which may be considered to be an inner hemmed edge 292, with the inner reinforcement panel portion of the reinforcement panel 220, and the inner closer panel portion of the closer panel 260. Therefore by forming the seal carrier from the first and second L-cross sectional portions 232, 234, it is advantageously possible for hemming tools to have clearance I access to form the outer body side edge 216 and the inner door aperture edge 292 as hemmed edges. An alternative example may comprise, instead of the hemming procedure of Figure 4D, welding the inner seal carrier rail 237 to the body side inner panel 222 to join them together, for example if both components are the same material e.g. steel. In such an example the inner seal carrier rail 237 of the second L-cross sectional portion 234 may not overhang past the ends of the body side inner panel 222 (as shown in Figure 4C, over the ends of the inner reinforcement panel portion of the reinforcement panel 220 and the inner closer panel portion of the closer panel 260). The inner reinforcement panel portion and the inner closer panel portion may also be welded together in some examples.

Figure 5 illustrates a method 500 of manufacture a vehicle window seal assembly 200 as disclosed herein. The method 500 comprises: forming an body side outer panel 502; forming a body side inner panel 504; and forming a seal carrier 506 having an outer seal carrier rail, an inner seal carrier rail, and an elongate recess volume therebetween. The elongate recess volume is configured to receive an elongate window seal therein. The method 500 further comprises locating the seal carrier between the body side outer panel and the body side inner panel 508; joining the outer seal carrier rail to the body side outer panel to form an outer flange having an outer body side edge 510; and joining the inner seal carrier rail to the body side inner panel to form an inner flange having an inner door aperture edge 512; wherein the inner door aperture edge is spaced apart from the outer body side edge.

Forming the seal carrier 506 may comprise: providing 506a a first L-cross sectional portion of the seal carrier; locating 506b the first L-cross sectional portion at an inner face of the body side outer panel; joining 506c the first L-cross sectional portion to the inner face of the body side outer panel by hemming an outer body side edge of the body side outer panel over an outer edge of the first L-cross sectional portion, thereby forming the outerflange; and joining 506d a second L-cross sectional portion of the seal carrierto the first L-cross sectional portion to form the seal carrier. By assembling the seal carrier in this way, structurally supportive elements of the vehicle (i.e. the body side outer panel 210 and seal carrier 230 formed of the first L-cross sectional portion 232 and second L-cross sectional portion 234) can be assembled together while allowing a hemmed connection to be formed at the outer body side edge 216 (that is, there is sufficient working space to allow for the manufacture of the door panel assembly by providing the hemmed connection), and this sub-assembly may then be fitted with the body side inner panel 222. Thus manufacture is possible to both include the desirable hemmed connection where the top of the door I window glass meets the bodywork I roof of the vehicle, and the window seal 240 can be accommodated underneath the hemmed connection within the overhang portion 214 of the body side outer panel 210 as well as being possible using standard (i.e. not specially adapted) hemming tools I machinery. As above it will be appreciated that forming the L-cross sectional portion may be forming the portion to have an L-cross section along a majority of its length, in regions which form the recessed portion in which the window seal can be located, and may comprise one or more other features such as extended portions extending from an edge of a rail of the L-cross sectional portion. At least the L-cross sectional portions may be fabricated by pressing a flat sheet of material (e.g. aluminium) into a 3D shape, for example by stamping or pressing.

The method 500 of manufacturing a vehicle window seal assembly may further comprise: providing 514 a reinforcement panel and a closer panel to form the body side inner panel, the reinforcement panel comprising an outer reinforcement panel portion and an inner reinforcement panel portion, the closer panel comprising an outer closer panel portion and an inner closer panel portion; locating 516 the outer reinforcement panel portion adjacent to the inner face of the body side outer panel, and locating the inner reinforcement panel portion adjacent to the second L-cross sectional portion of the seal carrier; locating 518 the outer closer panel portion adjacent to the outer reinforcement panel portion, and locating the inner closer panel portion adjacent to the inner reinforcement panel portion; and joining 520 the inner closer panel portion and the inner reinforcement panel portion to the second L-cross sectional portion by hemming the inner door aperture edge of the second L-cross sectional portion over both an outer edge of the inner closer panel portion and an outer edge of the inner reinforcement panel portion. The body side outer panel assembly, including the seal carrier, may be connected to the closer set of the vehicle using standard manufacturing equipment while retaining the advantages of a hidden seal carrier and window seal fitted therein. The method 500 of manufacturing a vehicle window seal assembly may further comprise: joining 522 a first seal mount to an inset seal carrier rail of the seal carrier in the elongate recess volume; and joining 524 an elongate window seal to the first seal mount. These steps may take place at various possible stages of manufacture overall, provided the seal carrier is available to which the first seal mount may be joined.

It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application.

Claims

1 . A vehicle window seal assembly comprising: a body side outer panel, a body side inner panel; and a seal carrier located between the body side outer panel and the body side inner panel, the seal carrier comprising: an outer seal carrier rail joined to the body side outer panel to form an outer flange having an outer body side edge; an inner seal carrier rail joined to the body side inner panel to form an inner flange having an inner door aperture edge; wherein the inner door aperture edge is spaced apart from the outer body side edge; and an elongate recess volume between the outer seal carrier rail and the inner seal carrier rail, the elongate recess volume configured to receive an elongate window seal therein.

2. The vehicle window seal assembly of claim 1 , wherein: the body side outer panel comprises a roof portion and an overhang portion, the overhang portion defining an overhang volume therebehind; and the seal carrier is located at least partially within the overhang volume.

3. The vehicle window seal assembly of claim 1 , wherein the seal carrier further comprises an inset seal carrier rail joined between the outer seal carrier rail and the inner seal carrier rail, the outer seal carrier rail, inset seal carrier rail and inner seal carrier rail together defining the elongate recess volume; and wherein the inset seal carrier rail is configured to support an elongate window seal received in the elongate recess volume.

4. The vehicle window seal assembly of claim 3, wherein the seal carrier comprises a first L- cross sectional portion and a second L-cross sectional portion, wherein the first L-cross sectional portion comprises a first inset portion and the outer seal carrier rail, and the second L-cross sectional portion comprises a second inset portion and the inner seal carrier rail; and the first L-cross sectional portion and the second L-cross sectional portion are arranged by overlapping and joining the first inset portion of the first L-cross sectional portion with the second inset portion of the second L-cross sectional portion to form the inset seal carrier rail of the seal carrier.

5. The vehicle window seal assembly of claim 4, wherein the first inset portion of the first L-cross sectional portion is located between the outer body side edge and the second inset portion of the second L- cross sectional portion.

6. The vehicle window seal assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the outer body side edge is a hemmed edge, and the outer seal carrier rail is joined to the outer body side edge, at least in part, by a hemmed connection provided by the hemmed edge.

7. The vehicle window seal assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the outer seal carrier rail lies on a parallel plane to the inner seal carrier rail.

8. The vehicle window seal assembly of any of claim 3 to claim 7, wherein the outer seal carrier rail and inset seal carrier rail are connected at a bend having an acute angle between the outer seal carrier rail and inset seal carrier rail in the elongate recess volume.

9. The vehicle window seal assembly of any of claims 3 to claim 8, wherein the inner seal carrier rail and inset seal carrier rail are connected at a bend having an obtuse angle between the inner seal carrier rail and inset seal carrier rail in the elongate recess volume.

10. The vehicle window seal assembly of any preceding claim, further comprising a first seal mount located in the elongate recess volume, the first seal mount configured to receive an attachment portion of an elongate window seal and thereby join the elongate window seal to the first seal mount.

11 . The vehicle window seal assembly of claim 10, when dependent on any of claim 3 to claim 9, wherein the first seal mount is joined to the inset seal carrier rail of the seal carrier and located proximal to the outer seal carrier rail.

12. The vehicle window seal assembly of any of claims 2 to 10, further comprising the elongate window seal, wherein at least a majority of the elongate window seal is located within the overhang portion.

13. The vehicle window seal assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the body side inner panel comprises a reinforcement panel, the reinforcement panel comprising an outer reinforcement panel portion located adjacent to an inner face of the body side outer panel, and an inner reinforcement panel portion joined to the seal carrier.

14. The vehicle window seal assembly of claim 13, wherein the inner reinforcement panel portion is joined to the inner seal carrier rail by a hemmed connection provided by the inner door aperture edge being an inner hemmed edge of the inner seal carrier rail.

15. The vehicle window seal assembly of claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the body side inner panel further comprises a closer panel, the closer panel comprising an outer closer panel portion connected to the outer reinforcement panel portion, and an inner closer panel portion joined to the seal carrier, the closer panel and reinforcement panel forming a body side volume therebetween.

16. The vehicle window seal assembly of claim 15, wherein the inner closer panel portion is joined to the inner seal carrier rail by the hemmed connection provided by the inner hemmed edge of the inner seal carrier rail (237).

17. The vehicle window seal assembly of any preceding claim, further comprising a second seal mount joined to an inner edge of the inner seal carrier rail, the second seal mount configured to have a second seal joined thereto.

18. A method of manufacturing a vehicle window seal assembly; comprising: forming an body side outer panel; forming a body side inner panel; forming a seal carrier having an outer seal carrier rail, an inner seal carrier rail, and an elongate recess volume therebetween, the elongate recess volume configured to receive an elongate window seal therein; locating the seal carrier between the body side outer panel and the body side inner panel; joining the outer seal carrier rail to the body side outer panel to form an outer flange having an outer body side edge; and joining the inner seal carrier rail to the body side inner panel to form an inner flange having an inner door aperture edge; wherein the inner door aperture edge is spaced apart from the outer body side edge.

19. The method of manufacturing a vehicle window seal assembly of claim 18, wherein forming the seal carrier comprises: providing a first L-cross sectional portion of the seal carrier; locating the first L-cross sectional portion at an inner face of the body side outer panel; joining the first L-cross sectional portion to the inner face of the body side outer panel by hemming an outer body side edge of the body side outer panel over an outer edge of the first L-cross sectional portion, thereby forming the outer flange; and joining a second L-cross sectional portion of the seal carrierto the first L-cross sectional portion to form the seal carrier; optionally, the method of manufacturing a vehicle window seal assembly, further comprises one or more of: providing a reinforcement panel and a closer panel to form the body side inner panel, the reinforcement panel comprising an outer reinforcement panel portion and an inner reinforcement panel portion, the closer panel comprising an outer closer panel portion and an inner closer panel portion; locating the outer reinforcement panel portion adjacent to the inner face of the body side outer panel, and locating the inner reinforcement panel portion adjacent to the second L-cross sectional portion of the seal carrier; locating the outer closer panel portion adjacent to the outer reinforcement panel portion, and locating the inner closer panel portion adjacent to the inner reinforcement panel portion; joining the inner closer panel portion and the inner reinforcement panel portion to the second L-cross sectional portion by hemming the inner door aperture edge of the second L-cross sectional portion over both an outer edge of the inner closer panel portion and an outer edge of the inner reinforcement panel portion; joining a first seal mount to an inset seal carrier rail of the seal carrier in the elongate recess volume; and joining an elongate window seal to the first seal mount.

20. A vehicle comprising the vehicle window seal assembly of any of claims 1 to 17, or manufactured according to any of claims 18 or 19.