FR2782298A1 - DEVICE FOR SEALING A VEHICLE BAY, CORRESPONDING SEAL AND MOUNTING METHOD - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for closing an opening in the body of a vehicle, of the type comprising a fixed part (11), intended to be attached to said body, and a movable part (12) relative to said fixed part, slidably mounted on at least one support and / or guide element integral with said fixed part (1 1), said movable part (12) closing or releasing an opening made in said fixed part (11). Said device comprises a gasket intended to provide a seal between said fixed part (11) and said movable part (12), when the latter is in the closed position, said gasket forming a frame, corresponding to the edges of said fixed part (11) defining said opening, and having, seen in profile: - a first "U" -shaped part (31), forming a jumper and intended to overlap said edges of the fixed part (11) defining said opening; - a second part (32) forming at least one sealing lip, extending towards said opening, so as to come into contact with said movable part (12), when the latter is in the closed position.

Description

Device for closing a vehicle bay, joint

  sealing and corresponding mounting method.

  The field of the invention is that of vehicle bays. More specifically, the invention relates to devices for closing a bay formed in the body of a vehicle, comprising a fixed part and a mobile part. Even more precisely, the invention relates to such obturation devices

  having a flush appearance on the body, and provided with a movable panel.

  Conventionally, to close the opening of a vehicle, whether it be an automobile, a utility vehicle, a truck, a bus or a railway wagon, a glass, held by a connecting frame. The latter has an internal part and an external part which simultaneously pinch the edges of the glass and the opening made in the bodywork,

with a gasket.

  Another technique is described in patent documents EP 0 778 168 and EP 98 400 282, in the name of the same applicant as the present application. The closure device presented in these documents comprises a fixed part and a part that can move relative to the fixed part. This mobile part is connected to the fixed part by functional elements which provide the required mobility and which are

  attached to the face of the fixed part facing the interior of the vehicle.

  In practice, it is of course necessary to provide means ensuring sealing between the fixed part and the mobile part, when the latter is in the closed position. In known devices for closing a vehicle bay, the movable glass generally comes to be embedded in a housing provided for this purpose in the bodywork, which can be fitted with seals or pads ensuring sealing. When the movable glass is sliding, so as to be able to penetrate at least partially inside the door of the vehicle, a wiper seal is generally provided, at the level of the slot through which the glass penetrates inside the body . In the method of closing a bay newly developed by the applicant for this patent application and quickly described above, these techniques cannot be applied. In fact, there are no contact zones between the bodywork and the movable part in the closed position. In addition, in the open position, the opening in the fixed part is completely free. The object of the invention is in particular to provide a solution to this new problem of the sealing of a device for closing a bay such as

described above.

  More specifically, an objective of the invention is to provide a device for closing a bay formed in the body of a vehicle, and having a fixed part in which is cut an opening which can be closed or released by a mobile part. , having means ensuring sealing so

  reliable and effective, when said device is in the closed position.

  Another objective of the invention is to provide such a device, the means for ensuring the tightness are simple and inexpensive to produce and implement.

square.

  Yet another objective of the invention is to provide such a sealing device, the means for ensuring the tightness meet criteria

  aesthetic (discretion, low thickness, ...).

  These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved by means of a device for closing a bay formed in the body of a vehicle, of the type comprising a fixed part, intended to be attached to said body, and a part movable relative to said fixed part, slidably mounted on at least one support and / or guide element integral with said fixed part, said mobile part closing or releasing an opening made in said fixed part . According to the invention, said closure device comprising a seal intended to ensure sealing between said fixed part and said movable part, when the latter is in the closed position, said seal forming a frame, corresponding to the edges of said fixed part defining said opening, and having, seen in profile: - a first "U" part, forming a jumper and intended to overlap said edges of the fixed part defining said opening; - A second part forming at least one sealing lip, extending towards said opening, so as to come into contact with said movable part, when the latter is in the closed position. An effective seal is thus obtained in a very simple manner, both in terms of the production of the seal and that of its mounting. The joint can also be very discreet, and very thin, so that the external appearance

  of the vehicle appears as homogeneous as possible.

  Preferably, said first and second parts of said seal are made of different materials, said second part being more flexible than

said first part.

  This flexibility of the sealing lip part allows that, in the closed position, this lip bears sufficiently against the movable part of the

shutter device.

  Said first part and / or said second part of said seal are advantageously made of a synthetic rubber type material. he

  may in particular be materials of the EPDM type.

  According to a particular embodiment: - said first part of said joint has a rigidity of the order of 90 sh.A; and or

  - Said second part of said joint has a rigidity of the order of 50 sh. AT.

  Advantageously, said second part of said joint is attached by gluing to at least a portion of one of the side walls of said first

"U" shaped part.

  By extending until it comes into contact with the fixed part of the obturation device, the flexible part of the seal provides sealing between this fixed part and

  inside the rigid part of the joint.

  Preferably, said first part comprises a clip element on said edges of the fixed part of said device, extending inside

  of said "U", on the side opposite to that on which said flexible part is mounted.

  According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, said first part

  of said joint incorporates a metal reinforcing strip.

  Furthermore, said second part of said seal can advantageously end with at least two lips coming into contact with said movable part. According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, said second part of said seal may comprise an additional sealing element, belonging to the following group: - an independent seal bonded to the bottom wall of said first "U" part; - a cross member between the bottom wall of said

  first part in "U" and said second part.

  When said fixed part is formed of several elements, it can be provided that said seal carries at least one extension intended to ensure the seal between

  two elements fixedly mounted and forming said fixed part.

  The invention also relates, of course, to a seal as such, intended to be mounted on a device for closing a bay as described above. Finally, the invention also relates to the method of construction and mounting of a device for closing a bay as described above. Such a method comprises in particular a step of mounting on said opening a seal intended to seal between said fixed part and said movable part, when the latter is in the closed position, said seal forming a frame, corresponding to the edges of said fixed part defining said opening, and having, seen in profile: - a first "U" part, forming a jumper and intended to overlap said edges of the fixed part defining said opening; a second part forming at least one sealing lip, extending towards said opening, so as to come into contact with

  said movable part, when the latter is in the closed position.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on

  reading of the following description of a preferred embodiment, given as

  a simple illustrative and nonlimiting example, and appended drawings, among which: - Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a device for closing a bay according to the invention; - Figure 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a seal that can take place on the device illustrated in Figure 1; - Figures 3A and 3B show, seen in profile, the seal of Figure 2, respectively when the closure device is in the open position and in the closed position; - Figures 4A and 4B illustrate a second embodiment of a seal according to the invention, equipped with a metal strip reinforcement; - Figures 5A and 5B illustrate a third embodiment of a seal of Figure 2, equipped with a complementary sealing element; - Figures 6A and 6B illustrate a fourth embodiment of the seal of Figure 2, also having an additional element for sealing; - Figures 7A and 7B illustrate a fifth embodiment of the

  joint of Figure 2, having two sealing lips.

  The bay shutter device according to the invention is intended to equip a vehicle. It is intended to be attached to an opening made on the vehicle body. Such an opening can be made on a side wall of the vehicle, on the roof, etc. The device can be flat or curved, so as to

follow the bodywork.

  This closure device is advantageously of the type described in patent document EP-98 400 282, an example of which is illustrated schematically

by figure 1.

  It comprises a fixed part 11, which will be attached to the body of the vehicle, for example by gluing. A mobile part 12, mounted on the fixed part

  11, allows to close or free an opening 13 defined in this fixed part.

  Rails 141 and 142, fixed on the inner face of the fixed part 11, ensure the

  guiding the movable part 12 by sliding along the fixed part.

  Advantageously, the movement of the movable part 12 relative to the fixed part 11 is broken down into two independent displacements: - a perpendicular displacement relative to the plane formed by the fixed part, allowing the passage from a closed and locked position, in which the movable part 12 is in the same plane as the fixed part 11, and closes the opening, in a release position, in which the mobile part 12 is offset in a sliding plane, relative to the fixed part 11 , so as to allow sliding; - a displacement parallel to the plane formed by the fixed part 11, in the

sliding plane.

  Of course, other movements are possible. For example, the moving part can follow a curve according to which the two movements

  (lock / unlock and slide) are linked.

  The locking and unlocking operations are controlled by a handle 15, which is advantageously rotatably mounted on an axis perpendicular to the

plan defined by the device.

  Figure 2 illustrates a seal according to the invention. This seal forms a frame 21, the format of which corresponds to that of the opening 13. This frame can be obtained by direct molding, or by suitable cutting.

  and a collage of the four side elements 221 to 224.

  For purely illustrative reasons, the thickness of the seal has been greatly enlarged in relation to the size of the opening. In practice, the "U" portion 23 and the lip 24 (described in more detail below) each have a

dimension of the order of 5 to 15 mm.

  It clearly appears that the mounting of such a seal 21 on the fixed part 11 is particularly easy. Indeed, it suffices to present the frame 21 at the opening 13 and then to force the part forming "U" on the edges of the fixed part defining the opening, so that the seal

  overlaps these edges. Additional bonding can be provided.

  When the fixed part (or fixed assembly) is made of several elements, the seal 21 can be installed when the assembly of the fixed part is finished. According to another mounting method, it can also be put in place during the assembly of the fixed part. In this case, it may also include

  elements 25 intended to seal between two elements of the fixed part.

  For more details on the possibilities of producing the fixed part in several parts, advantageously refer to patent application FR 98

06327 in the name of the same applicant.

  Figures 3A and 3B illustrate, in section, the profile of the seal of Figure 2, respectively when the device is in the open position (Figure 3A) and in the closed position (Figure 3B). These figures, as well as the following, the seal are

  shown approximately on a scale 2.

  This seal comprises: - a rigid part 31, in the general shape of "U", forming a jumper, overlapping the fixed part 11 of the shutter device;

  - A flexible part 32, forming sealing lip.

  The flexible lip 32 is free when the movable part 12 is open (FIG. 3A). In this case, its end moves beyond the plane 33 corresponding to the

extension of the fixed part 11.

  In the closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, the movable part 12 is positioned in the same plane 33, and forces the lip 32 to move. Due to its flexibility and its preforming, the lip 32 tends to return to its position in FIG. 3A, and therefore presses on the mobile part 12, which makes it possible to ensure

  the sealing of the closure device.

  The jumper 31 advantageously comprises an element 34, inside the "U", which ensures a clipping operation on the fixed part 11. This element 34 is preferably more flexible than the jumper 31 itself, and for example

  made of the same material as the flexible lip 32.

  The jumper can for example be made of a synthetic rubber type material, such as a terpolymer of ethylene and propylene diene (EPDM) of about 90 sh.A. The lip 32 and the clip element 34 can for their part be made of a synthetic rubber type material, such as a terpolymer.

  ethylene and propylene diene (EPDM) of about 50 sh.A.

  The lip 32 is attached to the jumper 31 advantageously by bonding, this bonding is carried out over the entire length 35 of one of the sides of the jumper, the non-free end of the lip 32 coming into contact with the fixed part 11 so as to ensure

  the seal (36) between this fixed part and the interior of the rider.

  Many additions and improvements can be made to this seal. By way of example, we have illustrated in FIGS. 4A to 7B different

  aspects, which can of course be combined.

  Thus, in the embodiment of FIGS. 4A and 4C, an element 41 has been provided for reinforcing the strength of the seal on the fixed part 11. This is

  advantageously of a metal strip.

  In the embodiment of Figures SA and 5B, it has been reported, by bonding to the bottom of the jumper 31, a complementary seal element 51, for example of substantially circular profile at rest (Figure 5A). When the mobile part 12 is in the closed position (FIG. 5B), the seal 51 is crushed by the end of the mobile part 12, the shape of which it completely matches, which allows

  greatly improve sealing.

  A similar result can be obtained according to the embodiment of FIGS. 6A and 6B, in which a cross-member 61, produced for example from the same material as the lip 32, extends between the bottom of the jumper 31 and the interior of said lip 32. When the movable part 12 is closed (FIG. 6B), the cross-member 61 is

  crushed by the end of this movable part 12 and therefore follows its shape.

  Finally, it can be provided, as illustrated by FIGS. 7A and 7B, that the part 32 ends in two (or more) lips 71, 72, which both come into contact (FIG. 7B) with the movable part 12 when it is closed.

Claims (8)

  1. Device for closing a bay formed in the body of a vehicle, of the type comprising a fixed part (11), intended to be attached to said body, and a movable part (12) relative to said fixed part (11), slidingly mounted on at least one support and / or guide element (141, 142) integral with said fixed part (11), said movable part (12) closing or releasing an opening (13) formed in said fixed part (11), characterized in that it comprises a seal (21) intended to seal between said fixed part (11) and said movable part (12), when the latter is in the closed position, said seal ( 21) forming a frame, corresponding to the edges of said fixed part defining said opening (13), and having, seen in profile: - a first part (31) in "U" shape, forming a jumper and intended to overlap said edges of the part fixed defining said opening (13); - A second part (32) forming at least one sealing lip, extending towards said opening (13), so as to come into contact with said movable part (12), when the latter is in the closed position. 2. Device for closing a bay according to claim 1, characterized in that said first and second parts (31, 32) of said seal are made of different materials, said second part (32) being more flexible than said first part (31).   3. Device for closing a bay according to any one of   Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said first part (31) and / or said   second part (32) of said seal are made of a synthetic rubber type material. 4. Device for closing a bay according to any one of   Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said second part (32) of said seal is   attached by gluing on at least a portion of one of the side walls (35) of   said first U-shaped part (31).   5. Device for closing a bay according to any one of   Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that:   - Said first part (31) of said seal has a rigidity of the order of 90 sh.A; and / or - said second part (32) of said joint has a rigidity of the order of 50 sh.A. 6. Device for closing a bay according to any one of   Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said first part (31) comprises a   clip element (34) on said edges of the fixed part (11) of said device,   extending inside said "U" (31).   7. Device for closing a bay according to any one of   Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said first part (31) of said seal   incorporates a metal reinforcement strip (41).   8. Device for closing a bay according to any one of   Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said second part (32) of said seal is   ends with at least two lips (71, 72) coming into contact with said part mobile (12).   9. Device for closing a bay according to any one of   Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said second part (32) of said seal   comprises an additional sealing element, belonging to the following group: - an independent seal (51) bonded to the bottom wall of said first "U" portion (31); - a cross member (61) between the bottom wall of said   first U-shaped part (31) and said second part (32).   10. Device for closing a bay according to any one of   Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said seal (21) carries at least one   extension (25) intended to seal between two elements mounted   fixed way and forming said fixed part (11).   1 1. Seal (21) for a device for closing a bay according to   any one of claims 1 to 10.   12. Method of constructing and mounting a device for closing a bay formed in the body of a vehicle, of the type comprising a fixed part (11), intended to be attached to said body, and a movable part (12) relative to said fixed part (11), slidably mounted on at least one support and / or guide element (141, 142) integral with said fixed part (11), said movable part (12) closing or releasing an opening (13) formed in said fixed part (11), characterized in that it comprises a step of mounting on said opening (13) a seal (21) intended to seal between said fixed part ( 11) and said movable part (12), when the latter is in the closed position, said seal (21) forming a frame, corresponding to the edges of said fixed part defining said opening (13), and having, seen in profile: - a first part in "U" (31), forming a jumper and intended to overlap lesd its edges of the fixed part defining said opening (13); - a second part (32) forming at least one sealing lip, extending towards said opening (13), so as to come into contact with said movable part (12), when the latter is in position closed.