An apparatus is for use with a pillar adjacent to a vehicle window, such as a windshield. The apparatus includes a molding for positioning adjacent to the pillar, the molding forming a channel in a deployed condition for receiving moisture from the vehicle windshield, or for reducing the effects of wind throb when a single vehicle window is open. An actuator may be associated with the molding for activating a non-deployed condition of the molding for reducing the effects of wind noise. The molding may include a passage for receiving an airflow and transmitting it to an outlet for directing fluid away from the molding, the pillar and adjacent side window. In the deployed condition, the molding may project from a surface of the pillar and in the non-deployed condition may be substantially flush with the surface of the pillar.

An apparatus provides an air shield over a portal access opening between a vehicle access member and a stationary vehicle trim member. An air supply device disposed within the vehicle. The air supply device includes an active material creating the burst of air. The air supply device produces a burst of air that discharges upon opening of the vehicle access member. At least one output port outputs the burst of air. The burst of air forms the air shield in a direction substantially transverse to the portal opening. The air shield is formed across at least a portion of a perimeter of the portal access opening between the vehicle access member and the stationary vehicle trim member. The air shield inhibits precipitation from entering the compartment of the vehicle during a pressure equalization phase that occurs in response to the opening of the vehicle access member.

An apparatus provides an air shield over a portal access opening between a vehicle access member and a stationary vehicle trim member. An air supply device disposed within the vehicle. The air supply device includes an active material creating the burst of air. The air supply device produces a burst of air that discharges upon opening of the vehicle access member. At least one output port outputs the burst of air. The burst of air forms the air shield in a direction substantially transverse to the portal opening. The air shield is formed across at least a portion of a perimeter of the portal access opening between the vehicle access member and the stationary vehicle trim member. The air shield inhibits precipitation from entering the compartment of the vehicle during a pressure equalization phase that occurs in response to the opening of the vehicle access member.

A door weather strip for an automobile, which exhibits excellent sealing properties between a door of the automobile and a door opening portion of a vehicle body with a small door-closing force. The door weather strip includes a base portion and a tubular seal portion. The base portion includes a bottom wall contacting the door, a partition formed in a boundary between the bottom wall and the tubular seal portion, and an interior space formed between the bottom wall and the partition. The tubular seal portion includes a seal wall surrounding an outer periphery thereof, and an interior space inside the seal wall. The partition includes a connection hole connecting the interior space of the base portion to the interior space of the tubular seal portion.

A vehicle body structure has surfaces that define a door opening and a door. A first seal is attached to the surfaces that define the door opening surrounding the door opening. A second seal is attached to a peripheral surface of the door such that with the door in a closed orientation, the second seal contacts areas of the surfaces that define the door opening. The peripheral surfaces of the door between the first seal and the second seal, the first seal and the second seal define a space therebetween. A vent member is installed on a section of the first seal compressing that section of the first seal such that the vent member and an adjacent section of the door define a vent gap therebetween thereby allowing escape of air trapped and compressed within the space during movement of the door to the closed orientation.

A vehicle body structure has surfaces that define a door opening and a door. A first seal is attached to the surfaces that define the door opening surrounding the door opening. A second seal is attached to a peripheral surface of the door such that with the door in a closed orientation, the second seal contacts areas of the surfaces that define the door opening. The peripheral surfaces of the door between the first seal and the second seal, the first seal and the second seal define a space therebetween. A vent member is installed on a section of the first seal compressing that section of the first seal such that the vent member and an adjacent section of the door define a vent gap therebetween thereby allowing escape of air trapped and compressed within the space during movement of the door to the closed orientation.

A vehicle body structure has surfaces that define a door opening and a door. A first seal is attached to the surfaces that define the door opening surrounding the door opening. A second seal is attached to a peripheral surface of the door such that with the door in a closed orientation, the second seal contacts areas of the surfaces that define the door opening. The peripheral surfaces of the door between the first seal and the second seal, the first seal and the second seal define a space therebetween. A vent member is installed on a section of the first seal compressing that section of the first seal such that the vent member and an adjacent section of the door define a vent gap therebetween thereby allowing escape of air trapped and compressed within the space during movement of the door to the closed orientation.

A vehicle body structure has surfaces that define a door opening and a door. A first seal is attached to the surfaces that define the door opening surrounding the door opening. A second seal is attached to a peripheral surface of the door such that with the door in a closed orientation, the second seal contacts areas of the surfaces that define the door opening. The peripheral surfaces of the door between the first seal and the second seal, the first seal and the second seal define a space therebetween. A vent member is installed on a section of the first seal compressing that section of the first seal such that the vent member and an adjacent section of the door define a vent gap therebetween thereby allowing escape of air trapped and compressed within the space during movement of the door to the closed orientation.

A door weather strip for an automobile couples to a flange of a door of the automobile. The door weather strip includes an installation base member, a hollow seal member, an air vent, and a sponge layer. The installation base member couples to the flange. The hollow seal member is integrally molded with the installation base member, and makes elastic contact with an automobile body of the automobile when the door is in a closed position. The hollow seal member includes a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall. The air vent is provided on the hollow seal member, and is used to release air from the hollow seal member. The sponge layer is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the hollow seal member except the air vent, and has a specific gravity lower than the first, second, third, and fourth walls.

A door weather strip for an automobile couples to a flange of a door of the automobile. The door weather strip includes an installation base member, a hollow seal member, an air vent, and a sponge layer. The installation base member couples to the flange. The hollow seal member is integrally molded with the installation base member, and makes elastic contact with an automobile body of the automobile when the door is in a closed position. The hollow seal member includes a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall. The air vent is provided on the hollow seal member, and is used to release air from the hollow seal member. The sponge layer is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the hollow seal member except the air vent, and has a specific gravity lower than the first, second, third, and fourth walls.