US20010001916A1 - Glass run of an automobile - Google Patents
Glass run of an automobile Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20010001916A1 US20010001916A1 US09/725,490 US72549000A US2001001916A1 US 20010001916 A1 US20010001916 A1 US 20010001916A1 US 72549000 A US72549000 A US 72549000A US 2001001916 A1 US2001001916 A1 US 2001001916A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- seal lip
- glass run
- automobile
- channel portion
- sponge
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
- B60J10/00—Sealing arrangements
- B60J10/70—Sealing arrangements specially adapted for windows or windscreens
- B60J10/74—Sealing arrangements specially adapted for windows or windscreens for sliding window panes, e.g. sash guides
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
- B60J10/00—Sealing arrangements
- B60J10/15—Sealing arrangements characterised by the material
- B60J10/16—Sealing arrangements characterised by the material consisting of two or more plastic materials having different physical or chemical properties
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
- B60J10/00—Sealing arrangements
- B60J10/15—Sealing arrangements characterised by the material
- B60J10/17—Sealing arrangements characterised by the material provided with a low-friction material on the surface
Definitions
- This invention relates to a glass run of an automobile for sliding and guiding the peripheral edge of a moving window glass of a door, and for sealing between the window glass and the door when the window glass is fully closed.
- a conventional glass run channel (glass run) 80 of an automobile is shown in FIG. 7 for sliding and guiding the peripheral edge of a moving glass (door glass) 10 upwardly and downwardly.
- a glass run is disclosed in the Related Art Section of Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 5-62312.
- the glass run 80 comprises a main body 81 and two seal lips 82 , 83 .
- the main body 81 has a generally U-shaped cross section and is set in a holder (door sash) 20 .
- the seal lips 82 , 83 project from both opening ends of the main body 81 toward the bottom surface of the main body 81 .
- the seal lips 82 , 83 are provided with notches 86 at their roots, respectively, so as to decrease the load of the door glass 10 moving, which bears against the seal lips 82 , 83 when the door glass 10 slidably moves.
- notch 86 With the thus-provided notch 86 , however, each seal lip 82 , 83 is liable to be bent on the boundary of notch 86 , which deteriorates the sealing and gripping properties of the glass run 80 compared with another conventional glass run (not shown) without any notches.
- Such defects of the glass run 80 are pointed out in the Specification of the above-mentioned No. 5-62312.
- FIG. 8 shows another glass run 30 , which is disclosed in the Embodiment Section of the same Specification.
- the glass run 30 comprises a main body 31 and two seal lips 32 , 33 .
- the main body 31 has a generally U-shaped cross section and is set in the holder 20 .
- the seal lips 32 , 33 project from both opening ends of the main body 31 toward the bottom surface of the main body 31 .
- At least one of two seal lips, e.g., the seal lip 32 in FIG. 8, is thinned in its wall thickness compared with that of other conventional glass run, and is provided with a sponge rubber layer 34 attached to the back side thereof.
- the glass run 30 with the thinner lip 32 and the sponge rubber layer 34 shows an increased flexibility and decreased load of the slidably moving door glass 10 , which facilitates the vertical movement of the door glass 10 .
- the seal lip 32 bends over its full length and is not bent at its root, so the sealing and gripping properties are secured for the glass run 30 as well as a conventional glass run, so the door glass 10 never rattles, the Specification describes.
- the contact width W of the seal lip 32 and the door glass 10 varies to vary their contact area, which causes the adverse effect for slidable movement of the door glass 10 .
- the sponge rubber layer 34 is divided at a position near its root to form a branch.
- the tip of the branch is connected to the middle portion on the inner surface of a side wall of the main body to form a hollow portion. Even if the hollow portion is formed, there is no change in that the above-mentioned problem remains.
- a seal lip is thickened in its wall thickness at its middle portion in a manner that the back side of the seal lip projects more to the other side at the middle portion than at its root portion, thereby forming a convex at the middle portion on the back side of the seal lip. Accordingly, when a door glass moves, and a contact position on the door glass, where the door glass slidably contacts the seal lip, varies, the radius of curvature on the outer surface of the seal lip hardly varies over its full length except for the root portion of the seal lip. Therefore, the contact width of the seal lip and the door glass, consequently, their contact area, hardly varies, which never causes adverse effect for slidable movement of the door glass.
- a first invention resides in a glass run comprising a channel portion including a bottom portion and inner and outer side walls.
- the inner side wall is provided inside of an automobile, while the outer side wall is provided outside of the automobile.
- the glass run further comprises inner and outer seal lips projecting into the channel portion from the inner and outer side walls respectively.
- the inner seal lip is provided inside of the automobile, while the outer seal lip is provided outside of the automobile.
- the seal lips have back sides facing inside of the channel portion.
- At least the inner seal lip is thickened in its wall thickness at its middle portion in a manner that the back side of the seal lip projects more inwardly into the channel portion at the middle portion than at a root portion of the seal lip, thereby forming a convex at the middle portion on the back side of the seal lip while relatively forming a concave at the root portion on the back side of the seal lip.
- the glass run further comprises a sponge elasticity-reinforcing member provided between the root portion on the back side of the inner seal lip and the inner side wall.
- the sponge elasticity-reinforcing member may extend to the middle portion of the seal lip. In such a case, it is preferable that the wall thickness of sponge on the middle portion is thinner than that formed between the root portion and the inner side wall.
- a second invention resides in a glass run comprising a channel portion including a bottom portion and inner and outer side walls.
- the inner side wall is provided inside of an automobile, while the outer side wall is provided outside of the automobile.
- the glass run further comprises inner and outer seal lips projecting into the channel portion from the inner and outer side walls respectively.
- the inner seal lip is provided inside of the automobile, while the outer seal lip is provided outside of the automobile.
- the seal lips have back sides facing inside of the channel portion.
- At least the inner seal lip is thickened in its wall thickness at its middle portion in a manner that the back side of the seal lip projects more inwardly into the channel portion at the middle portion than at a root portion of the seal lip, thereby forming a convex at the middle portion on the back side of the seal lip while relatively forming a concave at the root portion on the back side of the seal lip.
- the glass run further comprises a sponge elasticity-reinforcing member formed like a bridge for connecting the middle portion on the back side of the inner seal lip and the inner side wall.
- the channel portion is preferably formed by extrusion molding from a solid rubber or a solid thermoplastic elastomer (hereinafter referred to as TPE) having a spring hardness of Hs 70° to 90° in accordance with JIS A.
- TPE thermoplastic elastomer
- the seal lips are formed from a solid ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM) rubber.
- EPDM solid ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer
- the channel portion is formed from the same solid rubber as the seal lips.
- a solid EPDM rubber having a spring hardness of Hs 70° to 80° in accordance with JIS A is more preferable.
- the seal lips are preferably formed from a solid rubber or a solid TPE having a spring hardness of Hs 50° to 90° in accordance with JIS A and being different from a solid rubber or a solid TPE which forms the channel portion in compounding ratio of materials.
- a solid EPDM rubber having a spring hardness of about Hs 70° is preferable from a viewpoint of permanent set in fatigue resistant property.
- the seal lips are preferably formed from the same kind of material as is used for the channel portion from a viewpoint of successive integral forming.
- the sponge elasticity-reinforcing member is preferably formed from a sponge rubber or a sponge TPE.
- a TPE foam (sponge), especially an olefin-based TPE (TPO) foam, or a sponge EPDM rubber is preferable.
- TPO olefin-based TPE
- a sponge EPDM rubber is preferable.
- a material for the sponge elasticity-reinforcing member is preferably decided as follows. Namely, if the object of the material selection for the seal lips and channel portion is to eliminate the vulcanization process and simplify the manufacturing process to thereby decrease the manufacturing cost, the sponge elasticity-reinforcing member is preferably formed from a sponge TPO. On the other hand, if the object is to make up for the decrease in the flexibility of the seal lips, the sponge elasticity-reinforcing member is preferably formed from a sponge EPDM rubber. In this case, the sponge elasticity-reinforcing member can be formed by simultaneous extrusion molding by inserting a previously prepared linear sponge EPDM rubber.
- the surface of the bottom portion is covered with a low-friction layer.
- the low-friction layer can be formed by conventional techniques such as applying a urethane coating or bonding a polyethylene sheet.
- the low-friction layer on the bottom portion is preferably formed from a TPE or a resin having a Shore D type hardness of 45° to 60°. It is more preferable that the low-friction layer is formed from a TPO having a Shore D type hardness of about 55°.
- the low-friction layer is preferably formed by simultaneous extrusion molding from a TPO.
- FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a glass run of the first embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view showing the operation of the glass run of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view showing a modified glass run of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a glass run of the second embodiment
- FIG. 5 is sectional view showing a glass run of the third embodiment
- FIG. 6 is a partial side view of an automobile to which the glass run of each embodiment is applied;
- FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a conventional glass run
- FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing another conventional glass run.
- FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the operation of the glass run of FIG. 8.
- Each embodiment shows a glass run, which is attached to a door sash 21 , as shown in FIG. 6, and seals between the outer peripheral edge of a vertically moving door glass 22 and the door sash 21 .
- a glass run 110 of a first embodiment is shown in FIG. 1.
- This glass run 110 comprises a channel portion 4 , which includes a bottom portion 2 and two side walls 3 a , 3 b .
- the inner side wall 3 a is provided on the inner side of the door glass 22 in a door of an automobile, while the outer side wall 3 b is provided on the outer side of the door glass 22 .
- the glass run 110 further comprises two seal lips 5 which project into the interior space of the channel portion 4 from the free ends of both side walls 3 a , 3 b respectively.
- the channel portion 4 is formed from a solid EPDM rubber having a spring hardness of Hs 70° to 90°, while the seal lips 5 are formed from a solid EPDM rubber, having a spring hardness of Hs 50° to 70°, which is different from EPDM for the channel portion 4 in the compounding ratio of materials.
- “Spring hardness” is a value measured in accordance with JIS A.
- the glass run 110 further comprises a sponge elasticity-reinforcing member 105 provided between the root portion on the back side of the inner seal lip 5 , which is provided on the inner side of the door glass 22 , and the inner side wall 3 a of the channel portion 4 .
- the sponge elasticity-reinforcing member 105 is formed from a sponge EPDM rubber.
- the channel portion 4 , seal lips 5 and sponge elasticity-reinforcing member 105 are integrally formed by extrusion molding.
- the sponge elasticity-reinforcing member 105 may be provided between the outer seal lip 5 provided on the outer side of the door glass 22 , and the outer side wall 3 b .
- a low-friction layer 7 is formed on the inner surface of the bottom portion 2 of the channel portion 4 , while low-friction layers 8 are formed on the outer surfaces of the seal lips 5 .
- the low-friction layers 7 , 8 are low-friction films having a thickness of about 50 ⁇ m, which are formed from a polyurethane resin having a spring hardness of about Hs 90° (JIS A).
- the channel portion 4 from a solid TPO having a spring hardness of Hs 70° to 90° (JIS A), and form the seal lips 5 from a solid TPO having a spring hardness of Hs 50° to 70° (JIS A).
- the low-friction layer 7 on the bottom portion 2 from a TPO having a Shore D type hardness of 45° to 60°, and form the low-friction layers 8 on the seal lips 5 from a TPO, having a Shore D type hardness of 30° to 45°, which is different from TPO for the low-friction layer 7 in the compounding ratio of materials.
- the sponge elasticity-reinforcing member 105 may be formed by simultaneous extrusion molding from a TPO foam (sponge).
- the inner seal lip 5 is thickened in its wall thickness at its middle portion in a manner that the back side of the seal lip 5 projects more inwardly into the channel portion 4 at the middle portion than at a root portion of the seal lip 5 , thereby forming a convex 5 b at the middle portion while relatively forming a concave 5 a at the root portion.
- the boundary between the sponge elasticity-reinforcing member 105 and the inner seal lip 5 is formed to the ruggedness. As a result, the contact area between the member 105 and the seal lip 5 increases, which strengthens the bonding connection therebetween.
- the middle portion of the seal lip 5 is thickened in its wall thickness and it shows a high rigidity. Accordingly, when the door glass 22 vertically moves, and the contact position on the door glass 22 , where the door glass 22 slidably contacts the seal lip 5 , varies in the inside and outside direction of the automobile, as is shown in FIG. 2, the radius of curvature on the outer surface of the seal lip 5 hardly varies over its full length except for the root portion of the seal lip 5 . Therefore, the contact width W of the seal lip 5 and the door glass 22 , consequently, their contact area, hardly varies, which never causes adverse effect for slidable movement of the door glass 22 .
- the seal lip 5 easily bends by its root because of the concave 5 a formed in the root portion on the back side thereof. Moreover, the elasticity of the seal lip 5 is reinforced by the sponge elasticity-reinforcing member 105 which fills the concave 5 a. As a result, the door glass 22 is prevented from rattling without increasing the force in controlling the vertical movement of the door glass 22 . Furthermore, when the door is strongly closed with the door glass 22 being slightly opened, the door glass 22 swings widely. Even if the door glass 22 swings widely, the inner seal lip 5 is prevented from contacting the inner side wall 3 a of the channel portion 4 by the sponge elasticity-reinforcing member 105 intervening therebetween, which prevents generation of a contacting sound.
- FIG. 3 shows a modified glass run 111 of the first embodiment.
- the glass run 111 comprises a sponge elasticity-reinforcing member 105 provided only on the root portion of a seal lip 5 .
- the sponge elasticity-reinforcing member 105 is formed from a sponge EPDM rubber to have an increased wall thickness.
- the entire wall thickness of the modified seal lip 5 shown in FIG. 3 is formed thinner than that shown in FIG. 1. So the seal lip 5 can be formed from the same material as is used for the channel portion 4 , i.e., a solid EPDM rubber or a solid TPO, having a spring hardness of Hs 70° to 90° (JIS A).
- Other components of the glass run 111 are the same as those of the glass run 110 of FIG. 1.
- the same effect as is achieved by the glass run 110 of FIG. 1 is also achieved by the glass run 111 .
- the same material can be used for the channel portion 4 and the seal lips 5 , so that the glass run 111 can be manufactured easier than the glass run 110 of FIG. 1.
- a glass run 113 of a second embodiment is shown in FIG. 4.
- This glass run 113 comprises covering lips 104 provided on the outer sides of the side walls 3 a, 3 b of the channel portion 4 , respectively.
- the glass run 113 also comprises the sponge elasticity-reinforcing member 105 , which is formed from a sponge EPDM rubber and explained in the first embodiment. According to the glass run 113 , however, the inner seal lip 5 and the free end of the inner side wall 3 a are connected through the sponge elasticity-reinforcing member 105 , and not directly connected by solid EPDM rubber.
- the boundary between the low-friction layer 7 and the bottom portion 2 of the channel portion 4 is formed to the wavy shape, while a plurality of gutters are formed on the inner surface of the low-friction layer 7 to thereby enhance its slidability against the end face of the door glass 22 .
- Other components of the glass run 113 are the same as those of the first embodiment. Accordingly, the same effect as is achieved by the glass run 110 is also achieved by the glass run 113 .
- a glass run 115 of a third embodiment is shown in FIG. 5.
- the glass run 115 comprises a sponge elasticity-reinforcing member 105 .
- the sponge elasticity-reinforcing member 105 is formed like a bridge for connecting the middle portion on the back side of the inner seal lip 5 and the middle portion of the inner side wall 3 a, and forms a hollow portion 106 between itself and the root portion on the back side of the inner seal lip 5 .
- Other components of the glass run 115 are the same as those of the first embodiment. Accordingly, the same effect as is achieved by the glass run 110 is also achieved by the glass run 115 with such a bridge-like sponge elasticity-reinforcing member 105 .
- the present invention may be applied to a glass run used for a side or rear sliding glass of an automobile.
- the present invention may be applied to a glass run (weather strip) used for a slide part of a sliding roof provided on the roof part of an automobile.
Abstract
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- This invention relates to a glass run of an automobile for sliding and guiding the peripheral edge of a moving window glass of a door, and for sealing between the window glass and the door when the window glass is fully closed.
- 2. Description of Related Art
- A conventional glass run channel (glass run)80 of an automobile is shown in FIG. 7 for sliding and guiding the peripheral edge of a moving glass (door glass) 10 upwardly and downwardly. Such a glass run is disclosed in the Related Art Section of Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 5-62312. The
glass run 80 comprises a main body 81 and two seal lips 82, 83. The main body 81 has a generally U-shaped cross section and is set in a holder (door sash) 20. The seal lips 82, 83 project from both opening ends of the main body 81 toward the bottom surface of the main body 81. The seal lips 82, 83 are provided withnotches 86 at their roots, respectively, so as to decrease the load of thedoor glass 10 moving, which bears against the seal lips 82, 83 when thedoor glass 10 slidably moves. With the thus-providednotch 86, however, each seal lip 82, 83 is liable to be bent on the boundary ofnotch 86, which deteriorates the sealing and gripping properties of theglass run 80 compared with another conventional glass run (not shown) without any notches. Such defects of theglass run 80 are pointed out in the Specification of the above-mentioned No. 5-62312. - On the other hand, FIG. 8 shows another
glass run 30, which is disclosed in the Embodiment Section of the same Specification. Theglass run 30 comprises a main body 31 and twoseal lips 32, 33. The main body 31 has a generally U-shaped cross section and is set in theholder 20. The seal lips 32, 33 project from both opening ends of the main body 31 toward the bottom surface of the main body 31. At least one of two seal lips, e.g., theseal lip 32 in FIG. 8, is thinned in its wall thickness compared with that of other conventional glass run, and is provided with asponge rubber layer 34 attached to the back side thereof. - According to the Specification of the above-mentioned No. 5-62312, the glass run30 with the
thinner lip 32 and thesponge rubber layer 34 shows an increased flexibility and decreased load of the slidably movingdoor glass 10, which facilitates the vertical movement of thedoor glass 10. Furthermore, theseal lip 32 bends over its full length and is not bent at its root, so the sealing and gripping properties are secured for the glass run 30 as well as a conventional glass run, so thedoor glass 10 never rattles, the Specification describes. - However, when the
seal lip 32 is thinned in its wall thickness and thesponge rubber layer 34 is attached to the back side of theseal lip 32, so that when theseal lip 32 bends over its full length and is not bent at its root, as is the case with the glass run 30 shown in FIG. 8, the following problem occurs. Namely, when thedoor glass 10 vertically moves, and the contact position on the door glass, where thedoor glass 10 slidably contacts theseal lip 32, varies in the direction of the inside and outside of an automobile, as shown in FIG. 9, the radius of curvature on the outer surface of theseal lip 32 easily varies over its full length. Therefore, the contact width W of theseal lip 32 and thedoor glass 10 varies to vary their contact area, which causes the adverse effect for slidable movement of thedoor glass 10. By the way, it is also disclosed in the same Specification that thesponge rubber layer 34 is divided at a position near its root to form a branch. The tip of the branch is connected to the middle portion on the inner surface of a side wall of the main body to form a hollow portion. Even if the hollow portion is formed, there is no change in that the above-mentioned problem remains. - It is an object of this invention to provide a glass run of an automobile which can achieve the following effects (1) to (4).
- (1) A seal lip is thickened in its wall thickness at its middle portion in a manner that the back side of the seal lip projects more to the other side at the middle portion than at its root portion, thereby forming a convex at the middle portion on the back side of the seal lip. Accordingly, when a door glass moves, and a contact position on the door glass, where the door glass slidably contacts the seal lip, varies, the radius of curvature on the outer surface of the seal lip hardly varies over its full length except for the root portion of the seal lip. Therefore, the contact width of the seal lip and the door glass, consequently, their contact area, hardly varies, which never causes adverse effect for slidable movement of the door glass.
- (2) when the door glass moves, and the contact position on the door glass, where the door glass slidably contacts a seal lip, varies, the seal lip easily bends by its root because of the concave formed in the root portion on the back side of the seal lip. Moreover, the elasticity of the seal lip is reinforced by a sponge elasticity-reinforcing member. As a result, the door glass is prevented from rattling without increasing the force in controlling the movement of the door glass.
- (3) When a door is strongly closed with the door glass being slightly opened, the door glass swings widely. Even if the door glass swings widely, the seal lip is prevented from contacting a side wall of a channel portion by the sponge elasticity-reinforcing member intervening therebetween, which prevents generation of a contacting sound.
- (4) With the sponge elasticity-reinforcing-member, occurrence of permanent set in fatigue or abnormal deformation of the seal lip is prevented, and the follow-up quality of the seal lip to the door glass and the sealing quality of the seal lip are not deteriorated.
- A first invention resides in a glass run comprising a channel portion including a bottom portion and inner and outer side walls. The inner side wall is provided inside of an automobile, while the outer side wall is provided outside of the automobile. The glass run further comprises inner and outer seal lips projecting into the channel portion from the inner and outer side walls respectively. The inner seal lip is provided inside of the automobile, while the outer seal lip is provided outside of the automobile. The seal lips have back sides facing inside of the channel portion. At least the inner seal lip is thickened in its wall thickness at its middle portion in a manner that the back side of the seal lip projects more inwardly into the channel portion at the middle portion than at a root portion of the seal lip, thereby forming a convex at the middle portion on the back side of the seal lip while relatively forming a concave at the root portion on the back side of the seal lip. The glass run further comprises a sponge elasticity-reinforcing member provided between the root portion on the back side of the inner seal lip and the inner side wall.
- The sponge elasticity-reinforcing member may extend to the middle portion of the seal lip. In such a case, it is preferable that the wall thickness of sponge on the middle portion is thinner than that formed between the root portion and the inner side wall.
- A second invention resides in a glass run comprising a channel portion including a bottom portion and inner and outer side walls. The inner side wall is provided inside of an automobile, while the outer side wall is provided outside of the automobile. The glass run further comprises inner and outer seal lips projecting into the channel portion from the inner and outer side walls respectively. The inner seal lip is provided inside of the automobile, while the outer seal lip is provided outside of the automobile. The seal lips have back sides facing inside of the channel portion. At least the inner seal lip is thickened in its wall thickness at its middle portion in a manner that the back side of the seal lip projects more inwardly into the channel portion at the middle portion than at a root portion of the seal lip, thereby forming a convex at the middle portion on the back side of the seal lip while relatively forming a concave at the root portion on the back side of the seal lip. The glass run further comprises a sponge elasticity-reinforcing member formed like a bridge for connecting the middle portion on the back side of the inner seal lip and the inner side wall.
- In the first or second invention, the channel portion is preferably formed by extrusion molding from a solid rubber or a solid thermoplastic elastomer (hereinafter referred to as TPE) having a spring hardness of Hs 70° to 90° in accordance with JIS A. When priority is given to the permanent set resistant property of the seal lips of the glass run, the seal lips are formed from a solid ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM) rubber. In this case, it is preferable that the channel portion is formed from the same solid rubber as the seal lips. A solid EPDM rubber having a spring hardness of Hs 70° to 80° in accordance with JIS A is more preferable.
- The seal lips are preferably formed from a solid rubber or a solid TPE having a spring hardness of Hs 50° to 90° in accordance with JIS A and being different from a solid rubber or a solid TPE which forms the channel portion in compounding ratio of materials. A solid EPDM rubber having a spring hardness of about Hs 70° is preferable from a viewpoint of permanent set in fatigue resistant property. The seal lips are preferably formed from the same kind of material as is used for the channel portion from a viewpoint of successive integral forming.
- The sponge elasticity-reinforcing member is preferably formed from a sponge rubber or a sponge TPE. A TPE foam (sponge), especially an olefin-based TPE (TPO) foam, or a sponge EPDM rubber is preferable. When the seal lips are formed from a solid EPDM rubber and the sponge elasticity-reinforcing member is formed from a sponge EPDM rubber, the bonding connection between connecting surfaces of these two components are strengthened. Because both are the same kind of materials and the SP (Solubility Parameter) of these components are the same or closer to each other.
- When the seal lips and channel portion are formed from a solid TPO, a material for the sponge elasticity-reinforcing member is preferably decided as follows. Namely, if the object of the material selection for the seal lips and channel portion is to eliminate the vulcanization process and simplify the manufacturing process to thereby decrease the manufacturing cost, the sponge elasticity-reinforcing member is preferably formed from a sponge TPO. On the other hand, if the object is to make up for the decrease in the flexibility of the seal lips, the sponge elasticity-reinforcing member is preferably formed from a sponge EPDM rubber. In this case, the sponge elasticity-reinforcing member can be formed by simultaneous extrusion molding by inserting a previously prepared linear sponge EPDM rubber.
- It is preferable that the surface of the bottom portion is covered with a low-friction layer. The low-friction layer can be formed by conventional techniques such as applying a urethane coating or bonding a polyethylene sheet. The low-friction layer on the bottom portion is preferably formed from a TPE or a resin having a Shore D type hardness of 45° to 60°. It is more preferable that the low-friction layer is formed from a TPO having a Shore D type hardness of about 55°. The low-friction layer is preferably formed by simultaneous extrusion molding from a TPO.
- Further objects of this invention will become evident upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiments described below. Various advantages not specifically referred to herein but within the scope of the instant invention will occur to one skilled in the art upon practice of the presently disclosed invention. The following examples and embodiments are illustrative and not seen to limit the scope of the invention.
- FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a glass run of the first embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view showing the operation of the glass run of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view showing a modified glass run of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a glass run of the second embodiment;
- FIG. 5 is sectional view showing a glass run of the third embodiment;
- FIG. 6 is a partial side view of an automobile to which the glass run of each embodiment is applied;
- FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a conventional glass run;
- FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing another conventional glass run; and
- FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the operation of the glass run of FIG. 8.
- Each embodiment shows a glass run, which is attached to a
door sash 21, as shown in FIG. 6, and seals between the outer peripheral edge of a vertically movingdoor glass 22 and thedoor sash 21. - A
glass run 110 of a first embodiment is shown in FIG. 1. Thisglass run 110 comprises achannel portion 4, which includes abottom portion 2 and twoside walls inner side wall 3 a is provided on the inner side of thedoor glass 22 in a door of an automobile, while theouter side wall 3 b is provided on the outer side of thedoor glass 22. Theglass run 110 further comprises twoseal lips 5 which project into the interior space of thechannel portion 4 from the free ends of bothside walls channel portion 4 is formed from a solid EPDM rubber having a spring hardness of Hs 70° to 90°, while theseal lips 5 are formed from a solid EPDM rubber, having a spring hardness of Hs 50° to 70°, which is different from EPDM for thechannel portion 4 in the compounding ratio of materials. “Spring hardness” is a value measured in accordance with JIS A. Theglass run 110 further comprises a sponge elasticity-reinforcingmember 105 provided between the root portion on the back side of theinner seal lip 5, which is provided on the inner side of thedoor glass 22, and theinner side wall 3 a of thechannel portion 4. The sponge elasticity-reinforcingmember 105 is formed from a sponge EPDM rubber. Thechannel portion 4, seallips 5 and sponge elasticity-reinforcingmember 105 are integrally formed by extrusion molding. The sponge elasticity-reinforcingmember 105 may be provided between theouter seal lip 5 provided on the outer side of thedoor glass 22, and theouter side wall 3 b. A low-friction layer 7 is formed on the inner surface of thebottom portion 2 of thechannel portion 4, while low-friction layers 8 are formed on the outer surfaces of theseal lips 5. The low-friction layers - It is possible to form the
channel portion 4 from a solid TPO having a spring hardness of Hs 70° to 90° (JIS A), and form theseal lips 5 from a solid TPO having a spring hardness of Hs 50° to 70° (JIS A). In such a case, it is possible to form the low-friction layer 7 on thebottom portion 2 from a TPO having a Shore D type hardness of 45° to 60°, and form the low-friction layers 8 on theseal lips 5 from a TPO, having a Shore D type hardness of 30° to 45°, which is different from TPO for the low-friction layer 7 in the compounding ratio of materials. Furthermore, the sponge elasticity-reinforcingmember 105 may be formed by simultaneous extrusion molding from a TPO foam (sponge). - According to the
glass run 110 of this first embodiment, theinner seal lip 5 is thickened in its wall thickness at its middle portion in a manner that the back side of theseal lip 5 projects more inwardly into thechannel portion 4 at the middle portion than at a root portion of theseal lip 5, thereby forming a convex 5 b at the middle portion while relatively forming a concave 5 a at the root portion. With this structure, the boundary between the sponge elasticity-reinforcingmember 105 and theinner seal lip 5 is formed to the ruggedness. As a result, the contact area between themember 105 and theseal lip 5 increases, which strengthens the bonding connection therebetween. Moreover, the middle portion of theseal lip 5 is thickened in its wall thickness and it shows a high rigidity. Accordingly, when thedoor glass 22 vertically moves, and the contact position on thedoor glass 22, where thedoor glass 22 slidably contacts theseal lip 5, varies in the inside and outside direction of the automobile, as is shown in FIG. 2, the radius of curvature on the outer surface of theseal lip 5 hardly varies over its full length except for the root portion of theseal lip 5. Therefore, the contact width W of theseal lip 5 and thedoor glass 22, consequently, their contact area, hardly varies, which never causes adverse effect for slidable movement of thedoor glass 22. - The
seal lip 5 easily bends by its root because of the concave 5 a formed in the root portion on the back side thereof. Moreover, the elasticity of theseal lip 5 is reinforced by the sponge elasticity-reinforcingmember 105 which fills the concave 5 a. As a result, thedoor glass 22 is prevented from rattling without increasing the force in controlling the vertical movement of thedoor glass 22. Furthermore, when the door is strongly closed with thedoor glass 22 being slightly opened, thedoor glass 22 swings widely. Even if thedoor glass 22 swings widely, theinner seal lip 5 is prevented from contacting theinner side wall 3 a of thechannel portion 4 by the sponge elasticity-reinforcingmember 105 intervening therebetween, which prevents generation of a contacting sound. Moreover, with the sponge elasticity-reinforcingmember 105, occurrence of permanent set in fatigue or abnormal deformation of theseal lip 5 is prevented, and the follow-up quality of theseal lip 5 to thedoor glass 22 and the sealing quality of theseal lip 5 are not deteriorated. - FIG. 3 shows a modified
glass run 111 of the first embodiment. Theglass run 111 comprises a sponge elasticity-reinforcingmember 105 provided only on the root portion of aseal lip 5. The sponge elasticity-reinforcingmember 105 is formed from a sponge EPDM rubber to have an increased wall thickness. The entire wall thickness of the modifiedseal lip 5 shown in FIG. 3 is formed thinner than that shown in FIG. 1. So theseal lip 5 can be formed from the same material as is used for thechannel portion 4, i.e., a solid EPDM rubber or a solid TPO, having a spring hardness of Hs 70° to 90° (JIS A). Other components of theglass run 111 are the same as those of theglass run 110 of FIG. 1. Accordingly, the same effect as is achieved by theglass run 110 of FIG. 1 is also achieved by theglass run 111. Moreover, the same material can be used for thechannel portion 4 and theseal lips 5, so that theglass run 111 can be manufactured easier than theglass run 110 of FIG. 1. - A
glass run 113 of a second embodiment is shown in FIG. 4. Thisglass run 113 comprises coveringlips 104 provided on the outer sides of theside walls channel portion 4, respectively. Theglass run 113 also comprises the sponge elasticity-reinforcingmember 105, which is formed from a sponge EPDM rubber and explained in the first embodiment. According to theglass run 113, however, theinner seal lip 5 and the free end of theinner side wall 3 a are connected through the sponge elasticity-reinforcingmember 105, and not directly connected by solid EPDM rubber. Furthermore, the boundary between the low-friction layer 7 and thebottom portion 2 of thechannel portion 4 is formed to the wavy shape, while a plurality of gutters are formed on the inner surface of the low-friction layer 7 to thereby enhance its slidability against the end face of thedoor glass 22. Other components of theglass run 113 are the same as those of the first embodiment. Accordingly, the same effect as is achieved by theglass run 110 is also achieved by theglass run 113. - A
glass run 115 of a third embodiment is shown in FIG. 5. Theglass run 115 comprises a sponge elasticity-reinforcingmember 105. The sponge elasticity-reinforcingmember 105 is formed like a bridge for connecting the middle portion on the back side of theinner seal lip 5 and the middle portion of theinner side wall 3 a, and forms ahollow portion 106 between itself and the root portion on the back side of theinner seal lip 5. Other components of theglass run 115 are the same as those of the first embodiment. Accordingly, the same effect as is achieved by theglass run 110 is also achieved by theglass run 115 with such a bridge-like sponge elasticity-reinforcingmember 105. - The present invention is not restricted to the embodiments described above, but it can be changed and embodied properly within such a range as not departing from the gist of the invention, for example, as shown below.
- (1) The present invention may be applied to a glass run used for a side or rear sliding glass of an automobile.
- (2) The present invention may be applied to a glass run (weather strip) used for a slide part of a sliding roof provided on the roof part of an automobile.
- As many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments thereof except as defined in the appended claims.
Claims (8)
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP33972099 | 1999-11-30 | ||
JP11-339720 | 1999-11-30 | ||
JP2000293741A JP3812310B2 (en) | 1999-11-30 | 2000-09-27 | Glass run |
JP2000-293741 | 2000-09-27 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20010001916A1 true US20010001916A1 (en) | 2001-05-31 |
US6389754B2 US6389754B2 (en) | 2002-05-21 |
Family
ID=26576508
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/725,490 Expired - Fee Related US6389754B2 (en) | 1999-11-30 | 2000-11-30 | Glass run of an automobile |
Country Status (2)
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US (1) | US6389754B2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP3812310B2 (en) |
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WO2003104008A1 (en) * | 2002-06-05 | 2003-12-18 | Metzeler Automotive Profile Systems Gmbh | Sealing system for sealing a closing element, especially a door or a window pane of a motor vehicle, and method for influencing the rigidity of said seal |
US6792718B2 (en) | 2001-06-07 | 2004-09-21 | Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. | Vehicle seal |
US6962350B2 (en) | 2002-08-13 | 2005-11-08 | Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. | Insertable wear strip for glass run seals |
US20050279026A1 (en) * | 2004-06-17 | 2005-12-22 | Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd. | Weatherstrip for vehicles |
US20060086053A1 (en) * | 2004-10-27 | 2006-04-27 | Peter John Ellis | Lightweight glass-run channels |
US20060141208A1 (en) * | 2004-12-28 | 2006-06-29 | Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. | Glass run |
US20070175101A1 (en) * | 2004-03-05 | 2007-08-02 | Tokai Kogyo Co Ltd | Glass run channel |
EP1935694A1 (en) | 2006-12-20 | 2008-06-25 | METZELER Automotive Profiles GmbH | Sealing profile, in particular for sealing a door against the bodywork of a motor vehicle |
US20100242373A1 (en) * | 2009-03-31 | 2010-09-30 | Iacovoni Donald P | Relief lip for flocked tape belt seal |
US20110308170A1 (en) * | 2010-06-21 | 2011-12-22 | Tokai Kogyo Co., Ltd. | Glass run channel |
US20140212621A1 (en) * | 2011-05-10 | 2014-07-31 | Hutchinson | Profile section molded by multi-injection molding and forming a seal or a molding for the body of a motor vehicle, and method for manufacturing same |
US9475375B1 (en) * | 2015-04-13 | 2016-10-25 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. | Weather strip foam retention feature |
US20170136861A1 (en) * | 2015-11-12 | 2017-05-18 | Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd. | Glass run for motor vehicles |
US20180313139A1 (en) * | 2017-04-27 | 2018-11-01 | Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd. | Glass run for automobile door |
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JP2005008140A (en) * | 2003-05-26 | 2005-01-13 | Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd | Glass run for automobile |
JP2005082005A (en) * | 2003-09-09 | 2005-03-31 | Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd | Glass weather strip for automobile |
US20050120633A1 (en) * | 2003-11-26 | 2005-06-09 | Tomohiro Takase | Glass run for vehicle |
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US20050129911A1 (en) * | 2003-12-12 | 2005-06-16 | Schlegel Corporation | Surface treated particulated polymeric matrix for forming an exposed surface of a weatherseal |
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US20090039672A1 (en) * | 2007-07-30 | 2009-02-12 | Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. | Glass run and manufacturing method thereof |
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JP6901387B2 (en) * | 2017-12-12 | 2021-07-14 | 西川ゴム工業株式会社 | Grass run |
JP7216919B2 (en) * | 2019-03-26 | 2023-02-02 | 豊田合成株式会社 | glass run |
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JP2861522B2 (en) | 1991-09-04 | 1999-02-24 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Cassette detection device for cassette mounting device |
DE4331790C2 (en) * | 1993-09-18 | 1996-02-08 | Daimler Benz Aerospace Ag | Device to prevent squeaking noises through a seal on a window pane |
JP3336926B2 (en) * | 1997-09-08 | 2002-10-21 | 豊田合成株式会社 | Car door glass run |
US6185869B1 (en) * | 1998-05-28 | 2001-02-13 | Katsunori Kawai | Door glass run for a motor vehicle |
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US6266925B1 (en) * | 1998-07-15 | 2001-07-31 | Bard E. Camerer | Weather stripping system with heating element for vehicles |
US6273433B1 (en) * | 1999-02-22 | 2001-08-14 | The Standard Products Company | Seal with magnetic coating |
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- 2000-09-27 JP JP2000293741A patent/JP3812310B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-11-30 US US09/725,490 patent/US6389754B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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US6792718B2 (en) | 2001-06-07 | 2004-09-21 | Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. | Vehicle seal |
WO2003104008A1 (en) * | 2002-06-05 | 2003-12-18 | Metzeler Automotive Profile Systems Gmbh | Sealing system for sealing a closing element, especially a door or a window pane of a motor vehicle, and method for influencing the rigidity of said seal |
US6962350B2 (en) | 2002-08-13 | 2005-11-08 | Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. | Insertable wear strip for glass run seals |
US20070175101A1 (en) * | 2004-03-05 | 2007-08-02 | Tokai Kogyo Co Ltd | Glass run channel |
US20050279026A1 (en) * | 2004-06-17 | 2005-12-22 | Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd. | Weatherstrip for vehicles |
US20060086053A1 (en) * | 2004-10-27 | 2006-04-27 | Peter John Ellis | Lightweight glass-run channels |
US20060141208A1 (en) * | 2004-12-28 | 2006-06-29 | Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. | Glass run |
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US8127499B2 (en) * | 2009-03-31 | 2012-03-06 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Relief lip for flocked tape belt seal |
US20100242373A1 (en) * | 2009-03-31 | 2010-09-30 | Iacovoni Donald P | Relief lip for flocked tape belt seal |
US20110308170A1 (en) * | 2010-06-21 | 2011-12-22 | Tokai Kogyo Co., Ltd. | Glass run channel |
US8327584B2 (en) * | 2010-06-21 | 2012-12-11 | Tokai Kogyo Co., Ltd. | Glass run channel |
US9840207B2 (en) * | 2011-05-10 | 2017-12-12 | Hutchinson | Profile section molded by multi-injection molding and forming a seal or a molding for the body of a motor vehicle, and method for manufacturing same |
US20140212621A1 (en) * | 2011-05-10 | 2014-07-31 | Hutchinson | Profile section molded by multi-injection molding and forming a seal or a molding for the body of a motor vehicle, and method for manufacturing same |
US9475375B1 (en) * | 2015-04-13 | 2016-10-25 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. | Weather strip foam retention feature |
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US9845000B2 (en) * | 2015-11-12 | 2017-12-19 | Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd. | Glass run for motor vehicles |
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US10611223B2 (en) * | 2017-04-27 | 2020-04-07 | Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd. | Glass run for automobile door |
US20220089008A1 (en) * | 2018-09-11 | 2022-03-24 | Magna Mirrors Of America, Inc. | Vehicular rear slider window assembly with upper rail filler having at least one angled end |
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US11590834B2 (en) * | 2019-03-26 | 2023-02-28 | Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. | Glass run |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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JP3812310B2 (en) | 2006-08-23 |
US6389754B2 (en) | 2002-05-21 |
JP2001219745A (en) | 2001-08-14 |
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