GB2209181A

GB2209181A - Sealing device for vehicle sun roof

Info

Publication number: GB2209181A
Application number: GB8803513A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Harald Strunk
Original assignee: SCHADE WILHELM KG
Current assignee: SCHADE WILHELM KG
Priority date: 1987-08-27
Filing date: 1988-02-16
Publication date: 1989-05-04
Also published as: DE8711587U1; GB8803513D0; ES2007861A6

Abstract

The sealing device comprises sealing element (3) with a flexible tubular portion (1) and a holding portion (2), attached to a holding frame (4), on the outer edge of the sun roof (5) by retaining flanges (10, 11) engaging a respective retaining groove (12, 13). A sealing lip (19) is provided on portion (1). <IMAGE>

Description

"A sealing device for a lifting sliding cover or panel of a motor vehicle" The present invention relates to a sealing device for a lifting sliding cover or panel of a motor vehicle, in particular for a glass roof, having an encircling holding frame connected to the outer edge region of the lifting sliding cover, said frame being provided for holding a profile sealing element which comprises a holding portion and a flexible tubular portion.

In known sealing devices which have been proved acceptable in actual practice the profile sealing element is secured either by an arrow-shaped flange which is arranged on the holding portion of the profile sealing element and which engages in an undercut groove of the holding frame, or in the converse manner by fitting the profile sealing element, which has an aperture, on to a hook-shaped flange of the holding frame. In the latter case, a retaining projection in the aperture engages behind the free end of the flange.

A disadvantage of the known sealing devices is that the cross-section of the profile sealing element is relatively large. As a result the profile sealing element is considerably deformed in particular at its rounded regions in the closed position of the lifting sliding cover. This deformation is further increased by the particular way of securing the profile sealing element on the holding frame on the arrow-shaped flange. The continual deformation movements in the course of time impair the elasticity of the seal, with the result that the gap which is supposed to be sealed in the long run becomes leaky.

It is an object of the present invention to arrange a sealing device of the kind referred to above such that the profile sealing element is so secured in the holding frame that when the lifting sliding cover is closed, the holding portion of the profile sealing element is deformed only to an inconsiderable extent, and the crosssection of the profile sealing element can also be given a very small form.

According to the present invention, the construction is such that, at least at the side remote from the outer edge of the lifting sliding cover, the holding frame is provided with an encircling recess.

Furthermore at the mutually opposite edge flanges bounding the recess there are provided retaining flanges which are directed towards one another and engage with a closing effect each into a retaining groove, these grooves being situated in the appropriately contoured holding portion of the profile sealing element.

Since, the holding portion of the profile sealing element is secured at least at two places in relation to the cross-section, deformation of this cross-section region is virtually no longer possible from this it also follows that the deformation of the flexible tubular portion cross-section can also be very slight, with the general result of allowing a relatively small profile sealing element cross-section, thus considerably prolonging the working life of the sealing element.

Replacement of the profile sealing element during the useful life of a motor vehicle thus becomes virtually unnecessary.

Since the cross-section of the profile sealing element can be kept relatively small, it follows that the cross-section of the holding frame can be correspondingly compact.

The profile sealing element can be introduced particularly easily into the holding frame, but can only be pulled out again with the use of considerable force, the retaining flanges are preferably situated at an acute angle to the edge flanges of the holding frame.

In a further feature the edge flange may be connected to one another by a central web situated with spacing relatively to the outer edge of the lifting sliding cover. Furthermore, the upper edge flange may extend at both sides of the central web in such a manner that the portion situated remote from the retaining flange engages over the outer edge of the lifting sliding cover.

As a result it is possible to compensate for in particular tolerances of the aperture which is to be covered by the lifting sliding cover.

The present invention will now be described in greater detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fisc. 1 shows a preferred form of sealing device in a vertical sectional view in the rear sealing gap region, considered in the direction of travel, with the lifting sliding cover closed; and Fig. 2 shows a view corresponding to Fig. 1 but with the lifting sliding cover in an outwardly set position.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the sealing device comprises firstly an encircling profile sealing element 3, formed of a flexible tubular portion 1 and a holding portion 2, and secondly a holding frame 4 receiving the profile sealing element 3. The holding frame 4 is securely connected in a manner which will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter to the outer edge of a glass roof 5 which constitutes the lifting sliding cover.

The holding frame 4, formed of strip-form section members, has at the side remote from the outer edge of the glass roof 5 an encirling recess 6 which is bounded by two edge flanges 7 and 8 situated substantially in the plane of the glass roof 5 and by a central web 9 which has an arcuate cross-section and is situated at an angle to the edge flanges 7 and 8. Two retaining flanges 10 and 11 are formed on to the free edges of the edge flanges 7 and 8. The flanges 10 and 11 are situated at an acute angle to the respective associated flanges 7 and 8 respectively. Each retaining flange 10 and 11 engages with a closing effect in a respective retaining groove 12 and 13 provided in the holding portion 2 of the profile sealing element 3.

As will be evident from Figs 1 and 2, that sealing surface of the profile sealing element 3 which is remote from the holding portion 2 has a convex shape, so that when the glass roof 5 is transferred to the closed position as shown in Fig. 1, the profile sealing element 3 does not strike abruptly against the inner surface of a roof aperture 14 which is outlined in Figs. 1 and 2. In general appearance the flexible tubular portion 1 of the profile sealing element 3 has an oval shape, the imaginary major central axis being arranged parallel to or approximately parallel to the inner surface of the roof aperture 14. Because of the slight deformation needed for achieving the sealing effect, a long working life is ensured for the profile sealing element 3.The deformation of the flexible tubular portion 1, which is always required, is also favourably assisted in a particularly advantageous way by support against the outer surfaces of the retaining flanges 10 and 11.

As illustrated, the upper edge flange 7, which is on the outside, is prolonged beyond the central web 9 in the direction towards the glass roof 5, and as a result engages over the outer edge of the glass roof 5.

Since the width of the edge region over which the edge flange 7 extends is variable, tolerances in the roof aperture can be compensated for, especially when a glass roof is fitted subsequently. The outer surface of the upper edge flange 7 is slightly convex. Moreover the portion of the edge flange extending over the edge region of the glass roof 5 is arranged at a small angle relative to the glass roof 5. That surface of the central web 9 is directed towards the glass roof 5 is spaced apart from the outer edge of the glass roof 5.

The triangular gap between the outer side of the glass roof 5 and the upper edge flange 7, and also the space situated between the central web 9 and the outer edge of the glass roof 5, are filled with a block of a hardenable adhesive substance. As a result, not only is the holding frame 4 secured on the glass roof 5, but the joint gaps and hollow spaces which exist are also sealed.

In the present embodiment, the edge flange of of the holding frame 4 comprises at the underside thereof a second recess 15 the mouth of which is bounded by encircling retaining projections 16 and 17. A screen or shield 18 can be clipped into this recess, this screen being illustrated only in outline.

A sealing lip 19 is moulded on the flexible tubular portion 1. The lip 19 is associated with the lower region, or is situated at the side where the second recess 15 for the shield 18 is also provided. The free end of the sealing lip 19 projects relative to the sealing abutment surface of the flexible tubular portion.

The sealing lip can be an encircling lip, or may be only partial, preferably in the region of the pivot shaft of the glass roof 5.

The present embodiment, a fixing frame 20 is also secured by means of a layer 21 of adhesive substance to the underside of the glass roof 5. At the side facing towards the profile sealing element 3 the fixing frame 20 has a fixing flange 22 situated at right angles relatively to the plane of the glass roof 5. The central web 9 of the holding frame 4 in the form illustrated is securely connected by a plurality of connection elements situated with spacing from one another, as indicated by the dot-dashed line 23.

The holding frame 4 is manufactured from section members of stable shape, preferably extruded aluminium sections, so that the weight is small and it can be ensured that dimensions are strictly adhered to in manufacture.

A comparison of Fig. 1 with Fig. 2 shows that the profile sealing element 3 is deformed only in the region of the sealing surface in the closed position of the glass roof 5, as indicated by the dot-dashed line 24.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A sealing device for a lifting sliding cover or panel of a motor vehicle, having an encircling holding frame which is connected to the outer region of the lifting sliding cover and is provided for holding a profile sealing element which comprises a holding portion and a flexible tubular portion, wherein: (a) the holding frame is provided with an encircling recess at least at the side remote from the outer edge of the lifting sliding cover; and (b) retaining flanges are provided at the oppositely situated edge flanges bounding the recess, which flanges are directed towards one another in order to each closingly engage into a respective retaining groove, the grooves being situated in the appropriately contoured holding portion of the profile sealing element.

2. A sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the retaining flanges are arranged at an acute angle relative to the edge flanges of the holding frame.

3. A sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the edge flanges are connected to one another by means of a central web arranged in spaced relation to the outer edge of the lifting sliding cover, and wherein the upper edge flange extends in such a manner at both sides of the central web that the portion opposite from the retaining flange extends over the outer edge of the lifting sliding cover.

4. A sealing device according to claim 3, wherein that portion of the upper edge flange which extends over the edge of the lifting sliding cover is arranged at an acute angle relative to the outer surface of the lifting sliding cover, and wherein the chamber bounded by the central web and by the upper edge flange is filled with a block of a hardened adhesive substance.

5. A sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the holding frame has a second, downwardly open recess which is associated with the lower edge flange and which is provided with two retaining projections situated at the same height.

6. A sealing device according to claim 5, wherein the central planes of the recesses are at a right angle relative to one another.

7. A sealing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein that surface which forms the sealing surface of the profile sealing element and which is remote from the holding frame is convex in outline.

8. A sealing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper edge of the profile sealing element is situated at the same height as the outer surface of the upper edge flange of the holding frame.

9. A sealing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding frame is secured by means of mechanical connection elements to a fixing flange, of a fixing frame which is situated at right angles to the plane of the lifting sliding cover and substantially therebelow, being connected securely thereto.

10. A sealing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein there is formed on to flexible tubular portion of the profile sealing element, a sealing lip which extends at least over a part-region and which is associated with the lower region of the sealing surface of the flexible tubular portion and whose free edge projects relative to the sealing surface.

11. A sealing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding frame is manufactured from section members made of light metal.

12. A sealing device for a lifting .sliding cover or panel of a motor vehicle, constructed substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.