JP2003040045A - Manufacturing method for weather strip - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a manufacturing method for a weather strip whose length can be approximated to the designed length as a product length limitlessly. SOLUTION: On an insert, a notched part is formed by punching every designed length. In the extrusion process, covering materials such as unvulcanized rubber along with the insert are extruded continuously. A long work 4A that has cross section shape of the weather strip can be herewith obtained. After receiving various processes, the extruded work 4A is lead toward a cutting instrument 41. When the notched part faces a proximity switch 68, the existence of the notched part is detected through the covering materials. Based on this detection, a cylinder 57 is driven to move a moving plate 58 downward, the work 4A is cut by a fixed receiving edge 47 and a movable edge 59, and the weather strip with the prescribed length can be obtained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a weather strip, and more particularly to a method of manufacturing a weather strip having an insert embedded therein.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A long weather strip is provided around a door opening edge or a door edge of a vehicle such as an automobile.
Most or all of the weather strip in the longitudinal direction is molded by a so-called extrusion molding method.

Among the steps of manufacturing a weather strip, the step of cutting into a predetermined length is one of the very important steps. FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view for explaining a typical conventional cutting process. As shown in the figure, the continuously extruded long work 81 passes through a cutting device 83 including a cutter 82 and is conveyed to a conveyor 84. A photoelectric tube switch 85 is provided on the front end side of the transport conveyor 84. Then, the photoelectric tube switch 8
When the tip of the work 81 is detected by 5, the cutting device 83 (cutter 82) is activated. As a result, basically, a weather strip having a predetermined length can be obtained. However, in the above technique, the work 81 on the conveyor 84 is not always guided linearly,
There is a possibility that the car may bend along the way. In such a case, the length of the weather strip obtained by cutting may be different from the expected length.

On the other hand, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-14040, a mark or reference (hereinafter referred to as "mark or the like") is provided on an insert embedded in a weather strip, and detection of passage of the mark or the like is performed. It is disclosed that the movement amount of the work is detected. In addition, JP-A-1-
Japanese Patent No. 269525 discloses that a rotary encoder detects a movement amount of a work.

[0005]

However, in the former technique, detection is performed when the insert is exposed,
This is to control the timing when the covering material is changed, and when the covering material is provided, accurate detection of marks and the like cannot be performed. Further, in the latter technique, the movement amount is detected based on the rotation of the roller contacting the work. Therefore, when slippage occurs during the feeding of the work, the movement amount is accurately detected. I can't.

As described above, there is a possibility that accurate length measurement cannot be carried out by any of the techniques, and even when it is applied to the cutting process, the weather strip of the expected length is not always obtained.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide a method for producing a weatherstrip which allows the product length to be as close as possible to the expected length. Especially.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention Each means suitable for solving the above-mentioned object will be described below item by item. It should be noted that operational effects and the like peculiar to the corresponding means are additionally described as needed.

Means 1. By continuously extruding the covering material together with the insert, an extrusion step of obtaining a long work having a predetermined cross-sectional shape, and at least after extrusion,
In a method of manufacturing a weather strip including a cutting step of cutting the work at a predetermined portion, prior to the extruding step, the insert is marked with each scheduled length, and in the cutting step, A method for manufacturing a weather strip, characterized in that the marking is cut through the coating material based on detection by a detection means capable of detecting the marking.

According to the means 1, in the extrusion step, the coating material is continuously extruded together with the insert,
A long work having a predetermined cross-sectional shape can be obtained. At least in the cutting step after extrusion, the work strip is cut at a predetermined portion to obtain a weather strip. Now, prior to the extrusion process, the insert is marked at each of the planned lengths. Then, in the cutting step, the marking is detected by the detecting means through the covering material, and the marking is cut based on the detection. Therefore, even if the tip side of the work is bent more than the part to be cut, the work can be cut to a length almost as planned without being affected by the bending.
In addition, since it is cut based on the detection of pre-made markings, if the insert hardly expands or contracts, the initial spacing between markings will be almost the length of the weather strip. If you can predict the extension of the insert,
By marking according to the extension etc., it is possible to approach the length as planned as much as possible.

Means 2. By continuously extruding the covering material together with the insert, an extrusion step of obtaining a long work having a predetermined cross-sectional shape, and at least after extrusion,
In a method of manufacturing a weather strip including a cutting step of cutting the work with a cutter, prior to the extruding step, with respect to the insert, a notch portion is formed at each scheduled length, and the cutting step is performed. In this case, the method for producing a weather strip is characterized in that the notch portion of the insert is cut through the coating material based on the detection of a detection means capable of detecting the cutout portion.

According to the means 2, in the extrusion step, the coating material is continuously extruded together with the insert,
A long work having a predetermined cross-sectional shape can be obtained. At least in the cutting step after extrusion, the work is cut by the cutter to obtain the weather strip. Now, prior to the extrusion step, notches as markings are formed on the insert for each scheduled length. Then, in the cutting step, the notch is detected by the detecting means through the covering material, and based on the detection, the notch is cut by the cutter. For this reason, even if the tip side of the workpiece is bent from the part to be cut,
It can be cut to almost the expected length without being affected by the bending. Further, since the cut is formed based on the detection of the preformed notch, if the insert hardly expands or contracts, the initial spacing between the notches remains almost unchanged. If the extension of the insert can be predicted, the cutout can be formed in accordance with the extension so that the length can be made as close to the expected length as possible.

Means 3. The method for manufacturing a weather strip according to means 2, wherein the detecting means is provided in correspondence with the cutter or in the vicinity of the cutter.

According to the means 3, the cutting is performed on the basis of the detection by the detection means provided in correspondence with the cutter or in the vicinity of the cutter, so that the base side is detected based on the detection on the tip side. The cutting location can be more accurate than when cutting. In particular, when the detecting means is provided corresponding to the cutter, the notch portion corresponds to the cut portion, so that the accuracy is further increased.

Means 4. 4. The method for producing a weather strip according to any one of means 1 to 3, characterized in that the insert is configured so as not to cause extension or contraction.

According to the means 4, since the insert hardly expands or contracts, the length between the cutout portions of the insert becomes substantially the length of the weather strip. Therefore, when forming the notch in the insert, the position of the notch can be set more easily.

Means 5. The insert is composed of a wing piece portion extending at a predetermined interval in a direction orthogonal to the work and a connecting portion connecting them, and a width of the cutout portion,
Means 1 characterized in that it is made larger than the predetermined interval
5. The method for producing a weather strip according to any one of 4 to 4.

According to the means 5, the insert is composed of the wing piece portions extending at a predetermined interval in the direction orthogonal to the work and the connecting portion for connecting them, and the obtained weather strip has a predetermined cross section. It is possible to follow three-dimensional deformation while securing the shape. Further, since the width of the cutout portion is larger than the predetermined interval between the blade pieces, it is less likely that the detecting means will mistakenly detect the interval between the blade pieces as the cutout portion during cutting. Therefore, it is unlikely that cutting will be performed at a place different from the planned one.

Means 6. In the extrusion step, the work has a lip for sealing or holding,
The method for producing a weather strip according to any one of means 1 to 5, characterized in that the length of the lip is changed along the longitudinal direction of the work.

According to the means 6, a work having a lip for sealing or holding is obtained in the extrusion process. Further, since the length of the lip is changed along the longitudinal direction of the work, the position of the abutted portion such as the flange with which the lip abuts (for example, the thickness of the flange) changes along the longitudinal direction of the weather strip. In such a case, there is an advantage that the stress (load) on the flange of the lip can be adjusted. Further, when the length of the lip is changed along the longitudinal direction of the work as described above, if the total length of the weather strip is different from the expected length, it may be impossible to use as a product. However, as described above, since the length of the weather strip can be made as close as possible to the expected length, such a problem can be suppressed.

Means 7. 7. The method of manufacturing a weather strip according to any one of means 1 to 6, wherein the marking (notched portion) is located on the outer edge side of the work during the extrusion step.

According to the means 7, since the marking (cutout portion) is located on the outer edge side of the work, it is relatively easy to detect the marking (cutout portion) of the insert through the covering material. .

Means 8. Any of the means 1 to 7 characterized in that the insert is made of a magnetic material, and the detecting means is a proximity switch that is arranged in proximity to a workpiece to be transferred and detects an eddy current. A method for producing the described weather strip.

According to the means 8, the presence or absence of the insert can be detected relatively easily and surely by the proximity switch without contact and even if there is the covering material.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 2, a weather strip 4 is provided at the periphery of the body side door opening 3 corresponding to the side door 2 of the automobile 1. The weather strip 4 of the present embodiment is attached over the peripheral edge of the door opening 3 excluding the lower portion, and is molded by extrusion molding.

As shown in FIG. 3, a weather strip 4
Includes a trim portion 5 and a seal portion 6. The trim portion 5 includes a vehicle inner side wall 11, a vehicle outer side wall 12, and both side walls 1.
It is provided with a connecting portion 13 having a curved cross-section that connects 1 and 12 and is substantially U-shaped as a whole.

A plurality of holding lip portions 15 extending toward the inside of the trim portion 5 (inside the vehicle in the vehicle width direction) are integrally formed on the inner surface of the outer side wall 12 of the vehicle. The holding lip portion 15 has a constant size (length) at any part.
have. Further, on the inner surface of the vehicle interior side wall 11, a variable holding lip portion 16 extending integrally toward the inside of the trim portion 5 (vehicle exterior in the vehicle width direction) is integrally formed. In addition, a cover lip 17 for integrally covering an end of an interior product such as a garnish (not shown) is integrally formed on the connecting portion 13.

Further, the seal portion 6 is the outer side wall 12 of the vehicle.
On the other hand, it is provided so as to project to the outside of the vehicle and has a hollow shape. The seal portion 6 is made of EPDM sponge rubber. When the door 2 is closed, the seal portion 6 is crushed and deformed, so that the space between the door 2 and the body of the automobile 1 is sealed.

The trim portion 5 is basically made of EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene copolymerization) solid rubber as a covering material, and the inside thereof is made of a metallic insert made of a magnetic material. 14 are buried. As shown in FIG. 4, the insert 14 includes a wing piece portion 17 extending at a predetermined interval in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the weather strip 4 and a connecting portion 18 connecting them at substantially the center ( So-called center bond type). By embedding the insert 14 in this way, the weather strip 4 is given a predetermined strength and can follow a three-dimensional shape change.

In this embodiment, prior to the extrusion process,
The insert 14 is provided with a notch 19 as a marking for each predetermined length (product length). The width W of the cutout portion 19 is set to be sufficiently larger than the distance d between the wing piece portions 17. In the present embodiment, the cutout portion 19 is formed so as to correspond to the vicinity of the cut portion.

The weather strip 4 has a trim portion 5
Is attached by being fitted into the peripheral edge of the door opening 3 on the body side. More specifically, a flange (not shown) is formed by the peripheral portion of the body panel, and the trim portion 5 is fitted into the flange. However, in the present embodiment, the thickness of the flange at the periphery of the door opening 3 is different depending on each part, and the length of the variable holding lip portion 16 is different in the longitudinal direction of the weather strip 4 depending on the thickness of the flange. Has been made. However, the lip length is not gradually changed in accordance with the thickness of the flange, and the length of the variable holding lip portion 16 in the present embodiment is as shown in FIGS. As shown in (c), it is switched to three stages.

FIG. 5 shows the weather strip 4 described above.
It is a figure which shows typically the die 31 etc. which are used at the time of extrusion molding of the weather strip before cutting (henceforth "work 4A" is called). The die 31 has a molding hole 32 for molding the work 4A, and the unvulcanized rubber material forming the covering material is extruded from the molding hole 32. Further, the portion corresponding to the trim portion 5 has a substantially flat shape so as to be extruded in an initially opened state (curved later), and the insert 14 is continuously provided together with the unvulcanized rubber in the portion. To be supplied to. That is, the rubber material is the insert 1
By being extruded together with 4, the long work 4A is formed. A shutter (not shown) or the like is provided on the front surface of the die 31 as a mechanism for switching the length of the variable holding lip portion 16. When the shutter is slid, the length of the variable holding lip portion 16 is changed. Can be switched appropriately.

The work 4A extruded as described above is
After passing through a vulcanization process, a bending process, etc., it is used for a cutting process. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a cutting device 41 and the like used in the cutting step in the present embodiment. A pair of upper and lower feed rollers 42 is provided on the upstream side of the cutting device 41. A transport conveyor 43 is provided on the downstream side of the cutting device 41.

The cutting device 41 is provided with a lower plate 44, and four pillars 45 are erected on the lower plate 44. On top of the four pillars 45, an upper plate 46
Is fixed. A fixed receiving blade 47 is fixedly supported by the lower plate 44. Fixed receiving blade 47
On the upstream side and the downstream side of the work supporting mechanism 4 respectively.
8 and 49 are provided, and each work support mechanism 48 and 4 is provided.
The reference numeral 9 includes coil springs 53 and 54 provided upright on the support bases 51 and 52, respectively, and receiving plates 55 and 56 attached to the upper portions of the coil springs 53 and 54. Both receiving plates 55, 56 are installed at a position higher than the upper end of the fixed receiving blade 47.

The upper plate 46 has a cylinder 5
7 is provided. The cylinder 57 is provided with a rod (not shown) that can be retracted, and the tip of the rod (lower end)
A movable plate 58 is connected to the. A movable blade 59 is provided on the lower surface of the movable plate 58. Work holding mechanisms 61 and 62 are provided on the upstream side and the downstream side of the movable blade 59 so as to face the work supporting mechanisms 48 and 49, respectively, and the work holding mechanisms 61 and 62 are respectively movable plates. Coil springs 63, 64 and coil spring 6 hanging from 58
It is provided with pressing plates 65, 66 attached to the lower portions of 3, 64. Both pressing plates 65 and 66 are installed at a position lower than the lower end of the movable blade 59. As shown in FIG. 7, the cutting portion of the movable blade 59 is formed in an uneven shape in consideration of the cross-sectional shape of the work 4A, so that the work 4A is prevented from being deformed during cutting. It has become. In the present embodiment, the fixed receiving blade 47 and the movable blade 59 form a cutter.

A supporting roller 67 and a proximity switch 68 as a detecting means are provided in the vicinity of the fixed receiving blade 47 and the movable blade 59, and somewhat upstream of them.
As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the proximity switch 68 is provided in a contactless manner so as to face the vicinity of the vehicle interior side wall 11 of the trim portion 5, and the proximity switch 68 causes the vortex to move. Based on the change in the current, the presence or absence of the magnetic material, that is, the insert 14 inside the work 4A can be detected through the rubber material.

Next, a method of manufacturing the weather strip 4 constructed as described above will be described focusing on the cutting step.

First, as described above, prior to the extrusion process, the notch 19 as a marking is formed in the insert 14 for each predetermined length (product length) by punching. Then, in the extrusion step, as shown in FIG. 5, the unvulcanized rubber material is continuously extruded together with the insert 14. As a result, a long work 4A having the cross-sectional shape of the weather strip 4 is obtained.

The extruded work 4A is guided to the cutting device 41 after undergoing a vulcanization process, a bending process and the like.
That is, the work 4A is transferred by the feed roller 42, the transport conveyor 43, and the like. In the transfer process, as shown in FIG. 6A, the proximity switch 68 detects the insert 14 (the wing piece portion 17) on the vehicle interior side wall portion 11 side almost continuously. Then, as shown in FIG. 6B, the generation of the eddy current in the proximity switch 68 is reduced at the timing when the cutout portion 19 faces the proximity switch 68, whereby the cutout portion 19 is generated.
The presence of is detected through the rubber material.

Based on this detection, the cylinder 57 shown in FIG. 1 is driven and the movable plate 58 is moved downward.
Then, the work holding mechanisms 61, 62 are moved together with the movable plate 58, and the holding plates 65, 66 first come into contact with the receiving plates 55, 56 via the work 4A. As a result, the upstream and downstream sides of the fixed receiving blade 47 and the movable blade 59 of the work 4A are supported by the pressing plates 65 and 66 and the receiving plates 55 and 56. When the movable plate 58 continues to move downward, the movable blade 59 approaches the fixed receiving blade 47 while the coil springs 53, 54, 63, 64 are compressed. And
The work 4A is cut by the tip of the movable blade 59 protruding below the pressing plates 65 and 66. This allows
On the downstream side of the fixed receiving blade 47 and the movable blade 59,
A weather strip 4 having a predetermined length is obtained. The downward movement of the movable plate 58 is instantaneously performed, and after the work 4A is cut, the movable plate 58 is quickly returned (moved up) to the original position.

As described above in detail, in the present embodiment,
Prior to the extruding step, the notch 19 as a marking is formed on the insert 14 for each predetermined length, and in the cutting step, cutting is performed based on the detection of the notch 19 by the proximity switch 68. Therefore, in the work 4A, the tip side (downstream side) of the part to be cut
Even if it has a bend, it can be cut to almost the expected length without being affected by the bend. Further, even if a slip or the like occurs between the work 4A and the various rollers during the transfer of the work 4A, the work can be cut to a substantially predetermined length regardless of the slip. Further, since the cutout portion 19 (marking) formed in advance is cut based on the detection, if the insert 14 hardly causes extension or contraction as in the present embodiment, the original The distance between the cutout portions 19 becomes almost the same as the length of the weather strip 4.

Since the cutting is performed based on the detection of the proximity switch 68 provided near the fixed receiving blade 47 and the movable blade 59, the base end side is cut based on the detection of the front end side of the work. The cutting point is more accurate than in such a case. As a result, the above-described effects can be more reliably achieved.

Further, since the width W of the cutout portion 19 is larger than the predetermined distance d between the blade piece portions 17, the proximity switch 68 mistakenly cuts the gap between the blade piece portions 17 during the cutting process. It will not be detected as 19. Therefore, the cutting is not performed at a place different from the planned one, and the cutting is performed accurately.

In addition, when the length of the variable holding lip portion 16 is changed along the longitudinal direction of the work 4A as in this embodiment, the total length of the weather strip 4 is different from the expected length. Then, a situation such as being unusable as a product will occur, but as described above,
Since the length of the weather strip 4 can be made as close as possible to the expected length, such a defect can be suppressed.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the contents described in the above embodiment, but may be carried out as follows, for example. Of course, other application examples and modification examples not illustrated below are naturally possible.

(A) Although not particularly mentioned in the above embodiment, a detecting means for detecting the cutout portion 19 is
The extrusion start timing and the movement timing of the shutter 32 may be controlled based on the detection timing of the detection means and the detection timing of the proximity switch 68, provided in correspondence with the die 31 used for extrusion molding. .

(B) Marks other than the cutout portion 19 may be provided on the insert 14. As the marking, a magnet, an insulating plate or the like may be provided in addition to the provision of a hole as a concept equivalent to the cutout portion.

(C) As the cutter, in addition to the combination of the fixed receiving blade 47 and the movable blade 59 described above, a laser cutter or the like may be used.

(D) In the above embodiment, the proximity switch 68 is provided in the vicinity of the cutter, but the proximity switch 68 may be provided at a portion just corresponding to the cutter. In this case, the cutting position exactly corresponds to the cutout portion 19, and more accurate cutting can be performed.

(E) In the above embodiment, the method of manufacturing the weather strip 4 provided on the periphery of the door opening 3 on the body side corresponding to the (side front) door 2 is embodied, but the rear door, the back door, and the luggage. Applicable to various weather strips with a certain length, such as weather strips provided around the opening edge of other doors such as doors (luggage lids) and roof doors (sliding roof panels), weather strips provided around the door edges, or glass runs. can do.

(F) In the above embodiment, the length of the variable holding lip portion 16 is switched in three steps.
The number of steps may be two or four or more. Further, there is no problem even if there is a section in which the length of the variable holding lip portion 16 is continuously and gradually changed without the above-described stepwise switching. Of course, it is also applicable to a weather strip in which the length of the lip portion is always constant.

(G) In the above embodiment, the trim portion 5 is made of solid rubber and the seal portion 6 is made of sponge rubber. However, both may be made of the same material. Moreover, although EPDM is exemplified as a material forming the weather strip 4,
Other rubber materials such as IR (isoprene rubber) and CR (chloroprene rubber) may be used. Further, it may be made of olefinic thermoplastic elastomer (TPO) or other elastic material having rubber-like elasticity such as soft polyvinyl chloride.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a work, a cutting device, and the like according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an automobile.

3 (a), (b) and (c) are cross-sectional views showing weather strips having different cross-sectional shapes at different portions.

FIG. 4 is a partial plan view showing an insert.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing a die and the like used in extrusion molding of a weather strip.

6A and 6B are cross-sectional views showing a proximity switch and a weather strip.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a fixed receiving blade, a movable blade, and a work.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a cutting device and the like in the related art.

[Explanation of reference numerals] 4 ... Weather strip, 5 ... Trim part, 14 ... Insert, 16 ... Variable holding lip part, 17 ... Wing piece part, 18 ...
Connection part, 19 ... Notch part as marking, 31 ...
Dice, 41 ... Cutting device, 42 ... Feed roller, 43 ... Conveyor, 47 ... Fixed receiving blade which constitutes cutter, 57
... Cylinder, 58 ... Movable plate, 59 ... Movable blade that constitutes a cutter, 68 ... Proximity switch as detection means.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Satoshi Nishikawa             Aichi Prefecture Kasuga-cho, Nishikasugai-gun Ochiai character Nagahata 1             Address: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Toshihiro Nawara             Aichi Prefecture Kasuga-cho, Nishikasugai-gun Ochiai character Nagahata 1             Address: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 3D201 AA37 CA02 CA22 DA09 DA23                       DA31 FA04 FA16

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An extrusion step of continuously extruding a covering material together with an insert to obtain a long work having a predetermined cross-sectional shape, and cutting for cutting the work at a predetermined site at least after extrusion. In a method of manufacturing a weather strip including a step, prior to the extruding step, the insert is marked with a predetermined length, and at the cutting step, the marking can be detected through the covering material. A method for manufacturing a weather strip, characterized in that cutting is carried out based on the detection of various detecting means. 2. An extruding step of continuously extruding a covering material together with an insert to obtain an elongated work having a predetermined cross-sectional shape, and a cutting step of cutting the work with a cutter at least after extrusion. In the method of manufacturing a weather strip comprising, prior to the extrusion step, with respect to the insert, while forming a notch for each scheduled length, in the cutting step, the insert of the insert through the coating material. A method for manufacturing a weather strip, characterized in that the notch portion is cut based on detection by a detecting means capable of detecting the notch portion. 3. The method of manufacturing a weather strip according to claim 2, wherein the detecting means is provided corresponding to the cutter or in the vicinity of the cutter. 4. The method of manufacturing a weather strip according to claim 1, wherein the insert is configured so as to hardly expand or contract. 5. The insert comprises a wing piece portion extending at a predetermined interval in a direction orthogonal to the work and a connecting portion connecting the wing piece portions, and the width of the cutout portion is larger than the predetermined distance. The method for producing a weather strip according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: 6. In the extrusion step, the work has a lip for sealing or holding, and
6. The method of manufacturing a weather strip according to claim 1, wherein the length of the lip is changed along the longitudinal direction of the work.