JP3580132B2 - Automotive weather strip - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a weather strip for an automobile, and more particularly, to a weather strip for an automobile having a trim portion attached to a flange portion of a vehicle body and a seal portion that abuts against and seals with a mating member. It is.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 8 shows a conventional automobile weatherstrip (often referred to as an opening trim, but hereinafter simply referred to as a weatherstrip) 50. The weatherstrip 50 includes a trim portion 51 made of solid rubber and having a substantially U-shaped cross section, and a three-stage outside clamping lip 52 extending from the outside wall of the trim portion 51 toward the inside of the U shape. An inner holding lip 53 extending from the inner side wall of the trim portion 51 toward the inside of the U-shape, and a seal portion 54 made of sponge rubber integrally formed outside the outer side wall of the trim portion 51. have. A metal insert 55 is embedded in the trim portion 51, and the trim portion 51 is fitted into a vehicle body opening of a vehicle, for example, a flange portion 56 (see FIG. 9) around an opening for a side door. ing. By this fitting, the holding lips 52 and 53 on the inside and outside of the vehicle are attached by holding the flange portion 56. Then, when the door is closed, the seal portion 54 comes into contact with the door frame, and the seal portion 54 itself is crushed and deformed, thereby sealing between the door and the vehicle body opening.
[0003]
Most of such a weather strip 50 is constituted by an extruded portion 61 formed by a known extrusion method. However, when it is necessary to form an annular portion, both end portions of the extruded portion 61 are formed. They are connected by a molded part 62. In forming the molded portion 62, a material (rubber material) equivalent to that of the extruded portion 61 is used. A pair of sandwiching ribs 57, 58 are formed on the molded portion 62 so as to face inward from the outer side wall and the inner side wall, and both of the sandwiched ribs 57, 58 increase the rigidity of the molded portion 62. Has been granted. The size (width) between the sandwiching ribs 57 and 58 is formed to be substantially equal (actually slightly shorter) to the thinnest portion of the flange portion 56, that is, the portion where the two flanges are spot-welded. The two holding ribs 57 and 58 can hold the flange portion 56.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the thickness of the flange portion 56 of the actual vehicle body opening differs depending on the portion, and in the spot where the two flanges are spot-welded, as shown in FIG. In some cases, the thickness of the two flanges is larger than the thickness of the two flanges due to the opening 56A. Furthermore, three to four flanges are gathered at many places in the flange portion 56.
[0005]
Accordingly, when the weather strip 50 is mounted on the flange portion 56 of the opening of the vehicle body, as shown in FIG. When it is fitted in the mold, there is a problem that the molded part 62 is twisted and the sealing performance between the door and the vehicle body opening in this part is reduced.
[0006]
Further, since the molded portion 62 is formed of a rubber material, it takes a long time for vulcanization, and as a result, there is a problem that the molding time is prolonged.
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable a weather strip for an automobile to be able to suppress a decrease in sealing performance and to reduce manufacturing costs. Is to provide.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that an insert is buried and formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section, and a trim portion to be fitted into a flange portion of a vehicle body, and an outer side wall of the trim portion A vehicle-side clamping lip extending from the vehicle interior side wall of the trim portion toward the inside of the vehicle, a vehicle-side clamping lip extending inwardly from the vehicle interior side wall of the trim portion, and a seal portion integrally formed with the trim portion. And an extruded part formed by molding to connect the end of the extruded part. The trim part having a substantially U-shaped cross section of the molded part has An automotive weather strip, comprising a plurality of holding ribs extending from an outer side wall and an inner side wall toward the inside of a U-shape, respectively, and being capable of holding a flange portion of the vehicle body. And gist in that a clamping rib each other not opposed position.
[0008]
According to this configuration, the trim portion of the automobile weather strip is attached to the flange portion of the vehicle body. In addition, the seal between the flange and the mating member is sealed by a seal formed integrally with the trim. When mounting the automotive weather strip on the flange part of the vehicle body, even if the molded part is fitted to the opening of the spot weld spot in the flange part or the misaligned part where the number of flanges assembled is large, the thickness of the flange part is slightly The change is absorbed by a plurality of holding ribs provided at positions not opposed to each other. Therefore, the possibility that the molded part is twisted is low, and a decrease in the sealing performance between the flange part and the mating member in the molded part is suppressed.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the weather strip for an automobile according to the first aspect, the molded portion is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer.
[0010]
According to this configuration, since the molded portion is made of a thermoplastic elastomer, it is not necessary to perform vulcanization or the like at the time of molding, and the molding is completed in a shorter time than when a rubber material is used.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, an opening trim weather strip (hereinafter, referred to as “weather strip”) 14 is attached to a flange portion 13 of a vehicle body opening (for example, a roof side panel 12 or a door side panel) of the vehicle 11. Have been. The weather strip 14 has a trim portion 15 having a substantially U-shaped cross section and a hollow seal portion 16 integrally formed with the trim portion 15. The weather strip 14 is attached to the vehicle 11 by fitting the trim portion 15 into the flange portion 13. When the door 17 is closed, the seal portion 16 and the door frame 18 come into contact with each other, and the seal portion 54 itself is crushed and deformed, thereby sealing the door frame 18, the roof side panel 12, and the door side panel. .
[0012]
Most of the weatherstrip 14 is constituted by an extruded portion 21 formed by a known extrusion method. Further, the weather strip 14 in the present embodiment is formed in an annular shape, and both ends of the extruded portion 21 are connected by a molded portion 22.
[0013]
The trim portion 15 of the extruded portion 21 is made of EPDM solid rubber, and has a metal insert 23 embedded therein so that the trim portion 15 can maintain a predetermined shape. Further, a plurality of holding lips 24 are formed so as to protrude inwardly from the vehicle exterior side wall of the trim portion 15 toward the inside of the U-shape. It is formed so as to project toward. Therefore, when the trim portion 15 is fitted into the flange portion 13, the weather strip 14 is attached so as not to easily fall off due to the elastic pressing force of the holding lips 24, 25.
[0014]
Further, the seal portion 16 of the extruded portion 21 is made of EPDM sponge rubber.
Next, a characteristic portion of the present embodiment will be described. The molded part 22 has basically the same sectional shape as the extruded part 21 and is made of an olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPO).
[0015]
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, a plurality of (two in the present embodiment) clamping ribs 27 are formed at a predetermined interval from the vehicle outer side wall of the trim portion toward the inside of the U-shape. In addition, one holding rib 28 is formed from the vehicle inner side wall of the trim portion toward the inside of the U-shape. The holding ribs 27 and the holding ribs 28 are formed at positions not opposed to each other, and the holding ribs 27 and 28 impart rigidity to the molded portion 22. The size (width) W between the sandwiching ribs 27 and 28 is formed to be substantially equal (actually slightly shorter) to the thinnest portion of the flange portion 13, that is, the portion where the two flanges are spot-welded. The holding ribs 27 and 28 can hold the flange 13.
[0016]
In molding the molded part 22, a mold device 30 as shown in FIG. 6 is used. That is, the mold apparatus 30 has a simple configuration (a configuration that does not require partial cooling and heating for partial vulcanization of rubber), similar to that used for normal resin molding. Specifically, a first mold 31, a second mold 32, a third mold 33, and a fourth mold 34 are provided. The second mold 32 is provided with a core 36 for forming the inner surface of the trim portion of the molded portion 22. The core 36 and the second mold 32 are integrally formed. You may. These dies 31 to 34 form a cavity 35 for molding the molded part 22. A parting line between the first mold 31 and the third mold 33 is set at an intermediate portion of the trim part of the molding part 22, and is located between the first mold 31 and the third mold 33. Has a gate 37 formed therein.
[0017]
Subsequently, a method of manufacturing the weather strip 14 having the above configuration will be described. First, a long extrusion part 21 is obtained by a known extrusion method.
Next, both end portions of the extruder 21 are set in the mold device 30. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the plasticized TPO is injected and filled into the cavity 35 through the gate 37. At this time, unlike the case of molding a rubber material, the mold device 30 does not require a heating device necessary for vulcanization, and the TPO can be molded at room temperature, and after injection and filling, is cooled by the mold device 30, Cooled and solidified as a whole.
[0018]
Then, after cooling and solidification, the mold is opened, and the molded part 22 is taken out of the mold apparatus 30, whereby the weather strip 14 as shown in FIG. 1 is obtained.
Next, the operation and effect of the present embodiment will be described.
[0019]
In the weather strip 14 in the present embodiment, a plurality of holding ribs 27 and 28 are provided inside the molded portion 22 at positions not opposed to each other. The actual thickness of the flange portion 13 of the opening of the vehicle body differs depending on the portion. For example, when the two flanges are spot-welded and the ends of both flanges are opened as shown in FIG. However, due to the opening 13A, the thickness becomes larger than the thickness of the two flanges. In addition, three to four flanges are gathered at many places in the flange portion 13. However, when the weather strip 14 is attached to the flange portion 13 of the opening of the vehicle body, as shown in FIG. Even if the flange 13 is fitted, the variation in the thickness of the flange portion 13 is absorbed by the plurality of sandwiching ribs 27 and 28 provided at positions not opposed to each other. Therefore, the possibility that the molded part 22 is twisted is low, and a decrease in the sealing property between the door frame 18 and the roof side panel 12 or the like in the molded part 22 can be suppressed.
[0020]
The weather strip 14 in the present embodiment includes a molded part 22 connected to an extruded part 21 made of a rubber material, and the molded part 22 is made of TPO. Therefore, unlike the related art in which a rubber material is used as the material of the molded portion, the molding of the molded portion 22 does not require vulcanization or the like, and the molding is completed in a short time. As a result, workability can be improved and manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0021]
In addition, when obtaining the molded part 22, it is only necessary to inject and fill TPO, and it is not necessary to use a complicated and special mold. That is, the mold device 30 can be simplified. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an increase in the size of the equipment and an increase in cost.
[0022]
Further, since the plurality of sandwiching ribs 27 and 28 of the molded portion 22 are provided at positions not opposed to each other and are not provided on the entire inner side, the volume difference between the trim portion and the hollow seal portion in the molded portion 22 is reduced. However, the flow balance of the plasticized TPO to the trim part side and the hollow seal part side at the time of injection filling of TPO becomes good, and the product quality is improved.
[0023]
The above embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows.
-As shown in FIG. 7, one sandwiching rib 27, 28 is provided on each of the outer side wall and the inner side wall of the molded portion 22 of the weather strip 14, and these sandwiching ribs 27, 28 are not opposed to each other. May be provided. In this case, the same operation and effect as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.
[0024]
In the above embodiment, when molding the molded part 22, a fitting for fixing may be insert-molded into the trim part of the molded part 22. As described above, it is necessary to perform the molding even when the foreign matter is partially insert-molded. In such a case, the molding can be performed by the same method as the above embodiment, and the same operation and effect can be obtained.
[0025]
In the above embodiment, the molded part 22 is made of TPO and the TPO is exposed. However, a decorative member may be provided on the surface of the molded part 22. To achieve such a configuration, a decorative member may be set on the molding surface of the mold apparatus, and TPO may be injected and filled. With this configuration, the decorative member can improve the appearance quality.
[0026]
-It may be embodied as a weatherstrip having an interior lip that covers an edge of a pillar garnish constituting an interior component with respect to the vehicle interior of the trim portion 15.
-The seal part may be not only hollow but also lip-shaped.
[0027]
-The extruded part may be formed of TPO instead of EPDM rubber.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the automotive weather strip of the present invention, a slight change in the thickness of the flange portion can be absorbed by the plurality of holding ribs provided at positions not opposed to each other, and the molded portion is twisted. Possibility is low, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in sealing performance between the flange portion of the vehicle body and the mating member in the molded portion.
[0029]
In addition, since the molded part is made of a thermoplastic elastomer, it is not necessary to perform vulcanization or the like at the time of molding the molded part, and therefore, it is possible to improve workability and reduce cost in manufacturing a weather strip for an automobile. Can be planned.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an automobile weather strip according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing an automobile weather strip.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing a part of the vehicle.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing an extruded portion of a weather strip for an automobile.
FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view for explaining the operation of a molded portion of a weather strip for an automobile.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the mold apparatus showing a state at the time of molding of a molded part.
FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an automobile weatherstrip in another embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a partial front view showing a conventional automobile weather strip.
FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged view for explaining a problem in a conventional automobile weather strip.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference numeral 13 denotes a flange portion, 14 denotes a weather strip for automobiles, 15 denotes a trim portion, 16 denotes a seal portion, 21 denotes an extruded portion, 22 denotes a molded portion, 27 and 28 denotes a clamping rib, and 30 denotes a mold device.

Claims (2)

A trim portion having an insert embedded therein and formed substantially in a U-shaped cross section and fitted into a flange portion of a vehicle body, a vehicle-side clamping lip extending from a vehicle-side side wall of the trim portion toward the inside of the U-shape, An extruded portion having an inboard clamping lip extending from the inboard side wall of the trim portion toward the inside of the U shape, and a seal portion integrally formed with the trim portion;
A molding portion formed by molding so as to connect the end portions of the extrusion molding portion, and a trim portion having a substantially U-shaped cross section of the molding portion has a side wall on the vehicle exterior side and a side wall on the vehicle interior side. In a weather strip for an automobile, each of which extends toward the inside of a U-shape and has a plurality of holding ribs capable of holding a flange portion of the vehicle body,
A weather strip for an automobile, wherein the plurality of holding ribs are provided at positions not opposed to each other. The automotive weatherstrip according to claim 1, wherein the molded part is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer.

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