JP2008056041A - Weather strip and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain excellent appearance quality or the like, to attain reduction of cost, and to prevent reduction of the appearance quality caused by folded wrinkle at a corner part or the like. <P>SOLUTION: The weather strip is attached to a door opening peripheral edge of an automotive door. The weather strip 4 is provided with a trim part 5 of an approximately U shape cross section and a hollow-like seal part 6, and a design lip 18 is extended/formed on the trim part 5. Here, a resin adhesion layer 25 of polyethylene (PE) is interposed on a design surface of the weather strip 4 such as an outer surface of the design lip 18, and a decoration layer constituted by a non-woven fabric is provided. The non-woven fabric constituting the decoration layer 26 is sewn in parallel to each other with an equal interval so as to be extended in a direction approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the weather strip 4, and the stripe-like sewing mark formed by this is provided. Pitch of the sewing mark is set to 3 mm or shorter. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a weather strip used for a door opening periphery of a vehicle such as an automobile and a method for manufacturing the weather strip.

  Conventionally, it is conceivable to improve the appearance quality by attaching a nonwoven fabric to the interior material of a vehicle such as an automobile, instead of attaching a woven fabric, and to reduce the cost compared to the application of the woven fabric. ing. As the interior product, for example, a ceiling board in a vehicle compartment can be cited.

  Further, a weather strip is provided on the periphery of the door opening of the vehicle. The weather strip includes a trim portion having a substantially U-shaped cross-section that is fitted into a flange at the peripheral edge of the door opening, and a hollow seal portion provided so as to protrude from the trim portion. When the door is closed, the seal portion is pressed against the peripheral edge portion of the door to seal between the door and the body.

In recent years, in addition to interior materials such as ceiling boards, it has been considered that a nonwoven fabric is pasted on the design surface of the weather strip as described above instead of the woven fabric (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-155237 A

  However, it may be bent at the corner or the like after a non-woven fabric is attached, such as a weather strip, regardless of whether it is attached to the plate in a fixed state in advance, such as a ceiling board. Or, when it is bent and attached in the bent or curved state, the following problems may occur. That is, in such a case, if a non-woven fabric equivalent to that attached to the ceiling board or the like is applied, a large number of creases S1 (for example, FIG. ))), And the appearance quality may be degraded.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to realize excellent appearance quality and the like equivalent to those obtained by attaching a woven fabric, and also to reduce the cost, and to achieve corners. It is an object of the present invention to provide a weather strip and a method for manufacturing the weather strip that can prevent deterioration in appearance quality caused by creases in the parts.

  Hereinafter, each means suitable for solving the above problem will be described in terms of items. In addition, the effect etc. peculiar to the means to respond | correspond as needed are added.

Means 1. A trim portion having a substantially U-shaped cross section that is held by a flange at the periphery of the door opening of the vehicle;
In a weather strip provided with a hollow seal portion that protrudes from the trim portion and is pressed against the periphery of the door when the door is closed,
A decorative layer composed of a non-woven fabric is provided on the outer surface of the trim part, and the non-woven fabric extends at least in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the weather strip, and has striped stitches or weld marks parallel to each other. A weatherstrip comprising the weatherstrip.

  According to the said means 1, since the decoration layer provided in the outer surface of a trim part is comprised with the nonwoven fabric, it can be set as the fabric tone similar to the case where a woven fabric is used, and a beautiful external appearance is obtained. At the same time, the texture is excellent. On the other hand, since the productivity is increased by using the nonwoven fabric, it can be produced at a lower cost than the case of using the woven fabric.

  The weather strip is generally attached in a curved or bent state at a corner or the like, but the nonwoven fabric in the means 1 extends at least in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the weather strip and is parallel to each other. It has striped stitches or welding marks. For this reason, even in a bent or bent part, the bent or bent part is bent or bent with a base point as a starting point, and creases are hardly generated and are not conspicuous. As a result, it is possible to prevent deterioration in appearance quality due to creases.

Mean 2. A trim portion having a substantially U-shaped cross section that is held by a flange at the periphery of the door opening of the vehicle;
A hollow seal portion that protrudes from the trim portion and is pressed against the periphery of the door when the door is closed,
In a weather strip comprising a lip portion extending from the outer surface of the trim portion,
A decorative layer composed of a non-woven fabric is provided at least on the outer surface of the lip portion, and the non-woven fabric extends at least in the direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the weather strip, and is a striped sewing trace or welding trace parallel to each other A weatherstrip comprising:

  According to the means 2, basically the same effect as the means 1 is exhibited.

  Means 3. The weather strip according to means 1 or 2, characterized in that a pitch of the sewing trace or the welding trace is 3 mm or less.

  By using a decorative layer having a stitch mark or weld mark pitch of 3 mm or less as in the above-described means 3, the effect of making the above-mentioned folds inconspicuous can be achieved more reliably. The pitch is more preferably 2 mm or less, and even more preferably 1 mm or less.

  Means 4. The weather strip according to any one of means 1 to 3, characterized in that the sewing trace or the welding trace extends at least in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the weather strip.

  As in the case of the means 4, if the striped stitched or welded trace extends at least in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the weather strip, it looks like a bellows at a curved or bent portion. It will be visually recognized, and the effect of making the folds inconspicuous will be achieved more reliably.

  Means 5. The decorative layer is provided with a sheet-like resin adhesive layer made of an olefin-based thermoplastic resin that is interposed between the nonwoven fabric and the outer surface of the trim portion and / or the lip portion. A weatherstrip according to any one of the means 1 to 4.

  According to the means 5, by interposing the sheet-like resin adhesive layer, an unintended striped pattern or the like appears on the surface of the decorative layer due to the penetration of the adhesive, unlike the case where the fabric is attached using an adhesive. Can prevent the situation. The resin adhesive layer may be lined in advance with respect to the decorative layer, or may be interposed immediately before the nonwoven fabric is attached.

  Furthermore, it is good also as coloring a resin adhesive layer and a decoration layer. In this case, black such as EPDM rubber, which is the material color of the weather strip body, can be hidden. As a result, the concealability of the base color is enhanced, and a beautiful appearance and excellent texture can be obtained also in terms of hue. Further, when the resin adhesive layer and the decorative layer are colored in the same color, the concealability of the base color can be further enhanced.

Means 6. A weatherstrip manufacturing method according to any one of means 1 to 5,
An extrusion process for extruding the trim portion and / or the lip portion of the weather strip with unvulcanized EPDM solid rubber and the seal portion with unvulcanized EPDM sponge rubber;
A vulcanization step of vulcanizing the extruded unvulcanized EPDM solid rubber and unvulcanized EPDM sponge rubber;
The nonwoven fabric is bonded to the outer surface of the trim portion and / or the lip portion of the vulcanized EPDM solid rubber via an olefin-based thermoplastic resin sheet, and is composed of the nonwoven fabric by thermal welding of the sheet. A weatherstrip manufacturing method comprising: a decorative layer forming step of forming a decorative layer.

  According to the means 6, basically the same effects as the means 1 can be obtained. In addition, in the means 6, since the decorative layer is adhered and formed on the entire surface by thermal welding of the olefin-based thermoplastic resin sheet, an adhesive application step is not required. In addition, if heat welding is performed immediately after the vulcanization process in which the rubber portion becomes high temperature, it is not necessary to separately provide a heating process for heat welding. As a result, the formation of the decorative layer, that is, the attachment of the nonwoven fabric becomes relatively easy, which contributes to the improvement of productivity and the cost reduction.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a door 2 is provided on the side of an automobile 1 as a vehicle so as to be openable and closable, and a weather strip 4 is attached to the periphery of a door opening 3 on the body side corresponding to the door 2. The weather strip 4 of the present embodiment is formed mainly by an extrusion method, and has an annular shape as a whole.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the weather strip 4 includes a trim portion 5 and a seal portion 6. The trim portion 5 includes a connecting portion 13 that connects the vehicle inner side wall portion 11, the vehicle outer side wall portion 12, and both side walls 11, 12, and has a substantially U-shaped cross section as a whole. The trim portion 5 is made of EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer) solid rubber, and a metal insert 14 is embedded therein.

  A plurality of holding lip portions 15 extending toward the inner side (vehicle inner side) of the trim portion 5 are integrally formed on the inner surface (vehicle inner side surface) of the vehicle outer side wall portion 12, and the inner surface (vehicle outer surface) of the vehicle inner side wall portion 11 is integrally formed. A holding lip portion 16 that extends toward the inner side (vehicle outer side) of the trim portion 5 is integrally formed. A design lip 18 is formed on the connecting portion 13 so as to cover an end of an interior product such as garnish (not shown). The design lip 18 corresponds to the lip portion in the present embodiment. In addition, the insert does not need to be embedded inside. Alternatively, the holding lip may be omitted and the double-sided adhesive tape may be attached to the flange.

  Further, a flange 23 is formed on the periphery of the door opening 3 by joining the inner panel 21 and the outer panel 22 of the body. By fitting the trim portion 5 into the flange 23, the weather strip 4 is It is held at the periphery of the door opening 3.

  On the other hand, the seal portion 6 protrudes and is integrally provided on the vehicle outer side wall portion 12 and is formed in a hollow shape by EPDM sponge rubber. When the door 2 is closed, the seal portion 6 is pressed against the periphery of the door 2 to seal between the door 2 and the body of the automobile 1.

  When the weather strip 4 is attached, the outer surface of the design lip 18 extends from the substantially distal end portion to the proximal end portion, and further to the connecting portion 13 of the trim portion 5 and the connecting portion with the seal portion 6 in the outer side wall portion 12. Becomes the design surface D appearing in the appearance. As shown in the partial enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, a decorative layer 26 made of a nonwoven fabric is formed on the design surface D with a sheet-like (including film-like) resin adhesive layer 25 interposed therebetween. Yes. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the design surface D is formed by attaching a nonwoven fabric to the tip of the design lip 18 and includes a folded portion.

  The resin adhesive layer 25 in this embodiment is made of polyethylene (PE), which is an olefin thermoplastic resin, as a raw material. The resin adhesive layer 25 is colored white. Of course, the color type to be colored in the resin adhesive layer 25 is not limited to white, and may be any color (for example, red, blue, green, etc.) according to an interior product such as garnish. In addition, when indoor interior goods etc. are black type | system | groups, in order to match color and glossiness with indoor interior goods etc., it may adjust by adding a black pigment. Further, coloring may be omitted.

  Furthermore, the decoration layer 26 in this embodiment is comprised with the nonwoven fabric made from polyester fibers, such as polyethylene phthalate (PET), for example. The nonwoven fabric may be made of, for example, other thermoplastic resin materials such as PE and polypropylene (PP) besides polyester such as PET. Moreover, as a manufacturing method of a nonwoven fabric, arbitrary manufacturing methods, such as a wet method, a dry process, and a water jet method, can be employ | adopted, but the nonwoven fabric (decoration layer 26) in this embodiment is as shown in FIG. The strips are sewn in parallel at equal intervals so as to extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the weather strip 4, and have striped stitches L1 formed thereby. The pitch of the stitch mark L1 in the present embodiment is set to 3 mm or less, more preferably 2 mm or less, and even more preferably 1 mm or less. Note that, similarly to the resin adhesive layer 25, the decorative layer 26 is also colored to match the color of indoor interior items.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the weather strip 4 will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a part of the production line of the weather strip 4, in which the weather strip 4 is produced while proceeding from the left to the right.

  First, in the extrusion molding process, the insert 14 is continuously supplied to the rubber extruder 31 together with the EPDM unvulcanized rubber. Then, in a state where the insert 14 is covered with the EPDM unvulcanized rubber, an intermediate molded body 32 (see FIG. 3) that becomes the main body portion of the weather strip 4 is extruded from the die of the rubber extruder 31. At this stage, the portion in which the insert 14 corresponding to the trim portion 5 is embedded is extruded in a substantially flat plate shape in an open state as shown in FIG.

  In the subsequent vulcanization step, the extruded intermediate molded body 32 is guided to a high-frequency vulcanization tank (UHF) 33 and subjected to primary vulcanization. Then, it guides to a hot air vulcanization tank (HAV) 34, secondary vulcanization is performed, and vulcanization is completed.

  Thereafter, the decoration layer 26 is formed on the intermediate molded body 32 in the decoration layer forming step. More specifically, a laminated nonwoven fabric 35 in which a PE sheet is lined by thermal welding is fed to a nonwoven fabric made of polyester fiber, and a portion corresponding to the design surface D of the intermediate molded body 32 that is relatively high temperature immediately after vulcanization. Crimp. As a result, the PE sheet is melted and the laminated nonwoven fabric 35 is thermally welded to the intermediate molded body 32. The thicknesses of the PE sheet and the nonwoven fabric are both about 0.5 to 1 mm, and therefore the thickness of the laminated nonwoven fabric 35 is about 1 to 2 mm.

  The intermediate molded body 32 that has undergone the decorative layer forming step is bent by a bending machine 37 to form a trim portion 5 having a substantially U-shaped cross section. Then, the weather strip 4 is obtained by cutting into a predetermined size by the cutter 38.

  As described in detail above, since the decorative layer 26 formed on the design surface D of the weather strip 4 such as the outer surface of the design lip 18 is made of a nonwoven fabric made of polyester fiber, a woven fabric was used. A fabric-like appearance similar to the case can be obtained, a beautiful appearance can be obtained, and the texture can be improved. On the other hand, since a highly productive nonwoven fabric is used, it can be produced at low cost.

  Further, the weather strip 4 is attached in a curved or bent state at a corner portion or the like of the door opening, but the nonwoven fabric constituting the decorative layer 26 in the present embodiment is the longitudinal direction of the weather strip 4. It is sewn in parallel at equal intervals so as to extend in a substantially orthogonal direction, and has a striped stitch mark L1 formed thereby. For this reason, as shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 8A, even in a curved or bent portion, it is bent or bent with the striped stitch mark L1 as a base point. Folds are hard to occur and are not noticeable. As a result, it is possible to prevent deterioration in appearance quality due to creases. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the pitch of the sewing trace L1 is relatively fine as 3 mm or less, the above-described effects can be achieved more reliably. Further, since the striped stitch mark L1 extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the weather strip 4 rather than obliquely, it is visually recognized as if it is a snake belly at a curved or bent portion. Thus, the above-described effect of making the folds inconspicuous can be achieved more reliably.

  In this embodiment, the laminated nonwoven fabric 35 lined with a PE sheet is pressed against the intermediate molded body 32 and thermally welded. Accordingly, an adhesive application step is not required, and no additional heating step for heat welding is required because the adhesive is pressed against the intermediate molded body 32 that is at a relatively high temperature immediately after vulcanization. As a result, the formation of the decorative layer, that is, the sticking of the nonwoven fabric becomes relatively easy. Also in this respect, the productivity can be improved and the cost can be reduced.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, unlike the case where a fabric is affixed using an adhesive, an unintended pattern is formed on the surface of the decorative layer 26 due to the penetration of the adhesive by interposing the sheet-like resin adhesive layer 25. Never appear. In addition, the resin adhesive layer 25 may be supplied so as to be interposed immediately before the non-woven fabric is pasted, as well as the one lined in advance as described above.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the resin adhesion layer 25 and the decoration layer 26 are colored, the black color that is the material color of the EPDM rubber can be hidden. As a result, the concealability of the base color is enhanced, and a beautiful appearance and excellent texture can be obtained also in terms of hue. In addition, since the resin adhesive layer 25 and the decorative layer 26 are colored in the same color, the concealability of the base color can be further enhanced. In addition, since a non-woven fabric made of synthetic resin is used, coloring at the time of coloring is also better than when the decorative layer is made of elastomer or the like.

  In addition, it is not limited to the description content of the said embodiment, For example, you may implement as follows. Of course, other application examples and modification examples not illustrated below are also possible.

  (A) In the above embodiment, the striped sewing trace L1 extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the weather strip 4, but as shown in FIG. It is good also as employ | adopting the decorating layer 26N extended in the direction which cross | intersects the sewing trace L2 of the weather strip 4 diagonally with respect to the longitudinal direction.

  (B) In the above embodiment, the nonwoven fabric (decorative layer 26) is provided with the striped stitch trace L1, but it is not necessarily sewn, and is formed by welding, for example. It is good also as providing the nonwoven fabric (decorative layer) which comprises the welding trace.

  (C) In the above embodiment, 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, the luggage door (trunk lid), The present invention can also be applied to a weather strip provided on the opening peripheral edge of a door that faces another door such as a roof door (sliding roof panel).

  (D) In the weather strip in which the design lip 18 is omitted and the outer surface of the trim portion 5 is a design surface, the resin adhesive layer 25 and the decorative layer 26 may be formed on the outer surface of the trim portion 5. .

  (E) In the above embodiment, EPDM is exemplified as a material constituting the weather strip 4, but other rubber materials such as IR (isoprene rubber) and CR (chloroprene rubber) may be used.

  (F) In the said embodiment, although PE is illustrated as a raw material which comprises the resin contact bonding layer 25, you may use other resin materials, such as PP. Alternatively, the resin adhesive layer 25 may be omitted and pasted with an adhesive or the like.

  (G) In the above embodiment, the weather strip 4 is attached over the entire periphery of the door opening 3, but it may not necessarily be the entire periphery, for example, a weather strip that is partially attached. . Moreover, you may equip partly with the shaping | molding part.

It is a perspective view which shows a motor vehicle. It is sectional drawing which shows the weather strip in one Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the intermediate molded object of a weather strip. It is a partial expanded sectional view for demonstrating a resin contact bonding layer and a decoration part. It is a top view which shows a nonwoven fabric (decorative layer) typically. It is a schematic diagram which shows a part of production line of a weather strip. (A) is sectional drawing which shows a sheet-like nonwoven fabric (decorative layer) typically, (b) is sectional drawing which shows typically the state bent or bent from the state of (a). (A) is a schematic diagram explaining the effect of this embodiment, (b) is a schematic diagram which shows another embodiment, (c) is a schematic diagram explaining the conventional crease.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Automobile, 2 ... Door, 3 ... Door opening, 4 ... Weather strip, 5 ... Trim part, 6 ... Seal part, 18 ... Design lip, 25 ... Resin adhesive layer, 26, 26N ... Decoration layer, 32 ... Intermediate molded body, 35 ... laminated nonwoven fabric, D ... design surface, L1, L2 ... stitches.

Claims (6)

A trim portion having a substantially U-shaped cross section that is held by a flange at the periphery of the door opening of the vehicle;
In a weather strip provided with a hollow seal portion that protrudes from the trim portion and is pressed against the periphery of the door when the door is closed,
A decorative layer composed of a non-woven fabric is provided on the outer surface of the trim portion, and the non-woven fabric extends at least in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the weather strip, and has striped stitches or welding marks parallel to each other. A weatherstrip comprising the weatherstrip. A trim portion having a substantially U-shaped cross section that is held by a flange at the periphery of the door opening of the vehicle;
A hollow seal portion that protrudes from the trim portion and is pressed against the periphery of the door when the door is closed,
In a weather strip comprising a lip portion extending from the outer surface of the trim portion,
A decorative layer composed of a non-woven fabric is provided at least on the outer surface of the lip portion, and the non-woven fabric extends at least in the direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the weather strip, and is a striped sewing trace or welding trace parallel to each other A weatherstrip comprising:   The weather strip according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a pitch of the sewing trace or the welding trace is 3 mm or less.   The weather strip according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sewing trace or the welding trace extends at least in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the weather strip.   The decorative layer is provided with a sheet-like resin adhesive layer made of an olefin-based thermoplastic resin that is interposed between the nonwoven fabric and the outer surface of the trim portion and / or the lip portion. The weather strip according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: A method for producing a weather strip according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
An extrusion process for extruding the trim portion and / or the lip portion of the weather strip with unvulcanized EPDM solid rubber and the seal portion with unvulcanized EPDM sponge rubber;
A vulcanization step of vulcanizing the extruded unvulcanized EPDM solid rubber and unvulcanized EPDM sponge rubber;
The non-woven fabric is made of the non-woven fabric by heat-bonding the non-woven fabric to the outer surface of the trim portion and / or the lip portion of the vulcanized EPDM solid rubber via an olefin-based thermoplastic resin sheet. A weatherstrip manufacturing method comprising: a decorative layer forming step of forming a decorative layer.

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