GB2355278A

GB2355278A - Sealing and guiding arrangement for a vehicle side window has an inflatable chamber providing two levels of sealing

Info

Publication number: GB2355278A
Application number: GB9924386A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bernard Renzo; Nathalie Lepre
Original assignee: Draftex Industries Ltd; Gencorp Property Inc
Current assignee: Laird Holdings Ltd; Gencorp Property Inc
Priority date: 1999-10-14
Filing date: 1999-10-14
Publication date: 2001-04-18
Also published as: GB9924386D0

Abstract

A sealing and guiding arrangement for a movable vehicle side window (18) includes sealing means (25) adjacent one side of the window glass which are controllable to provide first (figure 3) and second (figure 4) configurations having different levels of sealing. Preferably, the sealing means is defined by a hollow chamber (25) having a flexible wall which makes contact with the glass. The configuration of the chamber may be changed by controlling the air or gas pressure within it thereby varying the level of sealing provided. The sealing means preferably forms part of a channel (20) mounted around the periphery of a window opening (16, figure 1). The arrangement may also incorporate additional sealing lips (28 and 36) for making contact with the opposite side face and edge of the window glass. Preferably, the control means are linked to the position of the window and the operation of the vehicle ignition and may also operate in response to rain or externally applied high pressure water.

Description

2355278 SEALING AND GUIDING ARRANGEMENTS The invention relates to sealing

and guiding arrangements. Sealing and guiding arrangements embodying the invention, and to be described in more detail below by way of example only, can be used for sealing and guiding moving panes of window glass in a motor vehicle body.

According to the invention, there is provided a sealing and guiding arrangement for a window glass movable along a predetermined path between an open position and a closed position in a window opening, comprising sealing means adapted to be mounted adjacent to the path for sealing against the window glass in the closed position, the sealing means having an initial sealing configuration providing a first level of sealing against the window glass and a main sealing configuration in which it provides a second, greater, level of sealing against the window glass, and control means for changing the configuration of the sealing means between the initial and main configurations.

According to the invention, there is further provided a sealing and guiding arrangement for a window glass movably mounted in a window opening of a motor vehicle body and slidable between an open position and a closed position, comprising a window sealing and guiding channel mounted along at least part of the periphery of the window opening for receiving the window glass as it moves between the open and closed positions, the channel comprising a base and two side walls with a hollow tube of flexible material 2 positioned to extend along one inside side wall of the channel for making contact with one side face of the window glass when in the channel, and control means for changing the air or gas pressure within the tube whereby to expand the tube from an initial sealing configuration in which it provides a first level of sealing against the side face of the window glass to a main sealing configuration in which it provides a second, greater, level of sealing against the side face of the window glass.

Sealing and guiding arrangements embodying the invention and for sealing panes of movable window glass in motor vehicle bodies will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Figure I is a side view of part of a motor vehicle body; Figure 2 is a cross-section on the line IMI of Figure I showing one of the sealing and guiding arrangements; and Figures 3 and 4 correspond to Figure 2 but show the sealing and guiding arrangement in different states of operation.

Figure I shows one side of a motor vehicle body 10. A door 12 supports a window frame 16 in which a pane 18 of window glass is mounted, the pane 18 being vertically slidable upwardly from and downwardly into the lower part of the respective door.

3 The window frame 16 may take any suitable form. For example, it may be in the form of a rigid channel made of metal or possibly plastics material with the open mouth of the channel facing inwardly of the periphery of the opening. This rigid channel supports a sealing and guiding arrangement, to be described in more detail below, which is in the fonn of a further channel which is made of flexible material for resiliently receiving the window glass.

Figure 2 shows such a flexible sealing and guiding channel 20 along the top of the window frame 16. The channel may be made by extrusion from suitable plastics or rubber material and comprises a base 22 and channel side walls 24 and 26. The channel 20 is a close fit inside the rigid channel (not shown) of the window frame. Small lips 28 and 30 project from the sides of the base 22 and run along the length of the channel 20 and help to hold the channel 20 within the rigid window frame channel, such as by engaging under inwardly directed ridges formed in the rigid window channel. In addition, the distal edges of the side walls 24,26 carry larger externally extending lips 32 and 34 which overlap the side walls of the rigid window frame channel.

On the inside of the side wall 24, the sealing and guiding channel carries a hollow tube 35. On the inside of the opposite side wall 26, an inwardly directed lip 36 is provided. Finally, a lip 38-3 extends along the inside of the channel on the base 22.

The sealing and guiding channel 20 can be produced by extrusion from suitable plastics 4 or rubber material Different parts can have different hardnesses. For example, the base 22 and side walls 24,26 can be relatively firm and similarly for the lips 28,30,32 and 34. The tube 35 and the lips 36 and 38 can be made of softer material.

Figure 2 shows the approaching window glass 18 during closure of the window. As the window glass moves upwards into the channel 20, as shown in Figure 3, its opposite side faces will make contact respectively with the outside surface of the tube 35 and with the lip 36. When the window glass has fully entered the channel, its leading edge will contact thelip38. The surfaces of the tube 35, the lip 36 and the lip 38 which make contact with the window glass can be covered with flock or other suitable low-fiiction material.

As shown in Figure 3, the lips 36 and 38 flex in response to entry of the window glass, and the tube 35 becomes partially compressed. In this way, a seal is provided against the window glass.

Along the side ofthe window frame 16, the channel 20 has the same general shape but the glass 18 is of course permanently within the channel 20.

In accordance with a feature of the invention the interior of the tube 35 is made air or gastight and is connected to a controllable source of air or gas pressure. Variation of the pressure within the tube 35 varies the pressure in the tube 35 not only along the top of the window fi-arne but also along the sides. When the window is open, or during closure or opening of the window, the tube 35 is unpressurised so as to be at ambient atmospheric pressure and to provide an initial sealing configuration. The glass 18 can slide easily upwards within the channel 20 along the sides of the window frame. However, when the window is fully closed, so that the glass 18 has entered the the channel 20 along the top of the window frame, the pressure within the tube 35 can then be increased (in a manner to be described in more detail below) so as to tend to expand the tube 35 and to press its outer surface into firmer sealing contact with the window glass 16, as shown in Figure 4 and thereby provide a main sealing configuration. As shown in that Figure, this action tends to move the window glass 16 slightly to one side so as to increase the sealing contact between the glass and the lip 36 as well. Therefore, a greater surface area of the tube 35 is pressed into contact with the window glass 16 and provides improved sealing contact.

When the window is to be opened, by lowering the glass 18, the tube 18 is de-pressurised.

The increase or decrease in air or gas pressure in the tube 3 5 may be automatically linked with the position of the driver's ignition key and the position of the window glass 16.

Thus, if the key is in the OFF position (or completely removed), corresponding to a stationary or parked state of the vehicle, tube 3 5 remains in its contracted configuration. Sealing of the window glass 16 (if in the closed position) is thus produced by the normal (unpressurised) resilience of the tube 35 and the normal resilience of the lips 36 and 38.

6 The second condition to be considered applies when the key is either in the fully ON position or is in the intermediate or "accessories" setting. In the fully ON position, the engine will be running and the vehicle will either be moving along the road or temporarily stopped (e.g. because of an interruption in the flow of traffic). In the intermediate or flaccessories" position, the engine will not be running but the vehicle would normally be occupied allowing operation of accessories such as the vehicle's radio. In either of these two key settings, the operation depends on the position of the window glass 16. If the window glass is closed, as shown in Figure 3, the pressure within tube 35 is automatically increased, as shown in Figure 4, to provide full sealing. However, if the window glass 16 is fully or partially open, or moving into the closed or open positions, the interior of the tube 35 is unpressurised.

The control system thus requires inputs not only from the ignition key unit but also signals indicative of the position of the window glass. Such signals can, for example, be derived from Qwitches operating the motorised system for raising and lowering the window glass.

The vehicle may also be provided with a sensor (e.g. a hygrometry sensor or a pressure senosr) for sensing rain or water applied under high pressure washing, this sensor being operative to increase the pressure within tube 35 (if the window glass 16 is closed) and thereby to provide maximum sealing even if the key is in the OFF position (or removed).

7 In this way, the channel 20 provides very effective sealing when required against water, moisture, draughts, dust and noise. However, when the window glass 16 is open or when the vehicle is stationary in conditions in which full sealing is not required, a lesser degree of sealing is provided by the tube 35. The force required to close the window glass is significantly reduced. The tube 35 is continuously available to provide at least some sealing even if there is a failure in the air pressure supply.

When the pressure within tube 35 is increased, as shown in Figure 4, the system not only provides improved sealing but holds the window glass 16 more firmly so as to minimise or prevent rattling and vibration of the window glass (which may cause transmission of noise between ih-- inside and outside of the vehicle).

Claims

8 CLAIMS

1. A sealing and guiding arrangement for a window glass movable along a predetermined path between an open position and a closed position in a window opening, comprising sealing means adapted to be mounted adjacent to the path for sealing against the window glass in the closed position, the sealing means having an initial sealing configuration providing a first level of sealing against the window glass and a main sealing configuration in which it provides a second, greater, level of sealing against the window glass, and control means for changing the configuration of the sealing means between the initial and main configurations.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, in which the control means operates in dependence on air or gas pressure to change the configuration of the sealing means.

3. An arrangement according to ciaim 2, in which the sealing means includes means defining a hollow chamber, and the control means comprises means for changing the air or gas pressure within the hollow chamber.

4. An arrangement according to claim 3, in which the hollow chamber has a flexible wall for contacting the window glass when the window glass, and in which the control means controls the air or gas pressure within the hollow chamber to be lower in the initial sealing configuration than in the main sealing configuration.

0

5. An arrangement according to claim 3 or 4, in which the hollow chamber is defined by a flexible hollow tube extending along an inside wall of a window sealing and guiding channel.

6. An arrangement according to claim 5, in which the tube is mounted on an inside side wall of the channel for making contact with one side face of the window glass.

7. An arrangement according to claim 6, including a flexible sealing lip running along the opposite inside side wall of the channel for making sealing contact with the opposite side fq..c,-! of the window glass.

8. An arrangement according to claim 7, including a farther sealing lip running along the base of the channel for making sealing contact with the edge of the window glass.

9. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, in which the control means is operative automatically in dependence on the position of the window glass.

10. An arrangement according to any one of claims I to 8, in which the window opening is a window opening in a motor vehicle body, and in which the control means is operative automatically in dependence on the position of the window glass and the setting of the driver's ignition key.

11. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, in which the control means includes means for changing the sealing means into the main sealing configuration in response to rain or externally applied high pressure water.

12. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, in which the sealing means is mounted on an inside surface in a window sealing and guiding channel.

13. A sealing and guiding arrangement for a window glass movably mounted in a window opening of a motor vehicle body and slidable between an open position and a closed position, comprising a window sealing and guiding channel mounted along at least part of the periphery of the window opening for receiving the window glass as it moves between the open and closed positions, the channel comprising a base and two side walls with a hollow Pub-, of flexible material positioned to extend along one inside side wall of the channel for making contact with one side face of the window glass when in the channel, and control means for changing the air or gas pressure within the tube whereby to expand the tube from an initial sealing configuration in which it provides a first level of sealing against the side face of the window glass to a main sealing configuration in which it provides a second, greater, level of sealing against the side face of the window glass.

14. An arrangement according to clairn 13, including additional sealing means mounted on the opposite inside side wall of the channel for sealing and contacting the opposite side face of the window glass when in the channel.

15. An arrangement according to claim 14, including second additional sealing means mounted on and running along the inside of the base of the channel for sealing against an edge of the window glass.

16. An arrangement according to claim 14 or 15, in which the or each additional sealing means comprises a respective flexible sealing lip.

17. An arrangement according to any one of claims 13 to 16, in which the control means is operative in dependence on the position of the window glass and the setting of the driver's ignition key.

18. An arrangement according to any one of claims 13 to 17, in which the control means is operative in dependence in response to rain or externally applied high pressure water.

19. A sealing and guiding arrangement, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.