WEATHER STRIP FOR AUTOMOBILE

Abstract

An installation base member couples to an opening of an automobile body and has a substantially U-shaped cross section. A hollow seal member includes a first base root and a second base root which extend from an outer-cabin side wall of the installation base member. The hollow seal member in cross section protrudes from the first base root outwardly to a first turning point, curves toward a base root of the flange and connects with the second base root. A side of the first base root includes solid (dense) material. An interval between the first and the second base roots includes sponge material. A first border between the solid (dense) material of the side of the first base root and the sponge material is closer to an exterior of the automobile than the first turning point.

Claims

1. A weather strip for an automobile, the weather strip comprising: an installation base member configured to operably couple to a flange formed along a peripheral edge of an opening of an automobile body corresponding to a door, the installation base member having a substantially U-shaped cross section including an outer-cabin side wall, an inner-cabin side wall and a connecting wall which connects the side walls; and a hollow seal member protruding outwardly toward an exterior of the automobile, the hollow seal member configured to make elastic contact with said door, the hollow seal member including: a first base root which extends from the outer-cabin side wall of said installation base member on a side of a top end of the flange; and a second base root which extends from said outer-cabin side wall on a side of a base root of the flange, said hollow seal member in cross section diagonally protruding from said first base root outwardly toward the exterior of the automobile and toward the side of the top end of the flange to a first turning point which is an end of a part protruding from the first base root, curving from the first turning point outwardly toward the exterior of the automobile and toward the side of the base root of the flange, and connecting with said second base root, wherein a side of the first base root of said hollow seal member comprises solid material, an interval between the first base root and the second base root comprises sponge material, a first border between the solid material of the side of said first base root and the sponge material is closer to the exterior of the automobile than said first turning point.

2. The weather strip for the automobile as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first border is on a position closest to the exterior of the automobile of said hollow seal member.

3. The weather strip for the automobile as claimed in claim 1, wherein a distance between said first turning point and said first border which is closer to the exterior of the automobile than the first turning point is same as a distance between said first base root and said first turning point.

4. The weather strip for the automobile as claimed in claim 1, wherein a film which comprises the solid material covers a surface of said hollow seal member and hardness of said film is lower than hardness of the solid material of the side of the first base root and the side of the second base root of said hollow seal member.

5. The weather strip for the automobile as claimed in claim 1, wherein a space is formed between said outer-cabin side wall and a part of said hollow seal member between said first base root and said first turning point, and an end of an interior material is inserted in the space.

6. The weather strip for the automobile as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side of the first base root of said hollow seal member comprises the solid material which is the same as the solid material of said installation base member and the side of the first base root is formed on said installation base member continuously and integrally.

7. A weather strip for an automobile, the weather strip comprising: an installation base member configured to operably couple to a flange formed along a peripheral edge of an opening of an automobile body corresponding to a door, the installation base member having a substantially U-shaped cross section including an outer-cabin side wall, an inner-cabin side wall and a connecting wall which connects the side walls; and a hollow seal member protruding outwardly toward an exterior of the automobile, the hollow seal member configured to make elastic contact with said door, the hollow seal member including: a first base root which extends from the outer-cabin side wall of said installation base member on a side of a top end of the flange; and a second base root which extends from said outer-cabin side wall on a side of a base root of the flange, said hollow seal member in cross section diagonally protruding from said first base root outwardly toward the exterior of the automobile and toward the side of the top end of the flange to a first turning point which is an end of a part protruding from the first base root, curving from the first turning point outwardly toward the exterior of the automobile and toward the side of the base root of the flange, and connecting with said second base root, wherein a side of the first base root of said hollow seal member includes a first material, an interval between said first base root and said second base root includes a second material which is more flexible than said first material, a first border between said first material of the side of said first base root and said second material is closer to the exterior of the automobile than said first turning point, the side of the first base root of said hollow seal member includes said first material which is the same as the first material of said installation base member and the side of the first base root is formed on said installation base member continuously and integrally.

8. The weather strip for the automobile as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first material comprises a rubber like elastic body which has hardness of not less than 40 measured with JIS K 6253, durometer type A, and said second material comprises a rubber like elastic body which has the hardness of less than 40 measured with JIS K 6253, durometer type A.

9. The weather strip for the automobile as claimed in claim 2, wherein a film which comprises the solid material covers a surface of said hollow seal member and hardness of said film is lower than hardness of the solid material of the side of the first base root and the side of the second base root of said hollow seal member.

10. The weather strip for the automobile as claimed in claim 3, wherein a film which comprises the solid material covers a surface of said hollow seal member and hardness of said film is lower than hardness of the solid material of the side of the first base root and the side of the second base root of said hollow seal member.

11. The weather strip for the automobile as claimed in claim 2, wherein a space is formed between said outer-cabin side wall and a part of said hollow seal member between said first base root and said first turning point, and an end of an interior material is inserted in the space.

12. The weather strip for the automobile as claimed in claim 3, wherein a space is formed between said outer-cabin side wall and a part of said hollow seal member between said first base root and said first turning point, and an end of an interior material is inserted in the space.

13. The weather strip for the automobile as claimed in claim 4, wherein a space is formed between said outer-cabin side wall and a part of said hollow seal member between said first base root and said first turning point, and an end of an interior material is inserted in the space.

14. The weather strip for the automobile as claimed in claim 9, wherein a space is formed between said outer-cabin side wall and a part of said hollow seal member between said first base root and said first turning point, and an end of an interior material is inserted in the space.

15. The weather strip for the automobile as claimed in claim 10, wherein a space is formed between said outer-cabin side wall and a part of said hollow seal member between said first base root and said first turning point, and an end of an interior material is inserted in the space.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] FIG. 1 is an I-I line enlarged cross section of FIG. 7, illustrating a weather strip according to an embodiment of the present invention for an automobile;

[0035] FIG. 2 is the I-I line enlarged cross section of FIG. 7, illustrating another weather strip according to the embodiment of the present invention for the automobile;

[0036] FIG. 3 is the I-I line enlarged cross section of FIG. 7, illustrating still another weather strip according to the embodiment of the present invention for the automobile;

[0037] FIG. 4 is the I-I line enlarged cross section of FIG. 7, illustrating still another weather strip according to the embodiment of the present invention for the automobile;

[0038] FIG. 5 is the I-I line enlarged cross section of FIG. 7, illustrating still another weather strip according to the embodiment of the present invention for the automobile;

[0039] FIG. 6 is a side view of an outward appearance of an automobile;

[0040] FIG. 7 is an enlarged side view of a weather strip for an automobile configured to operably couple to a door opening of an automobile body of FIG. 6; and

[0041] FIG. 8 is an I-I line enlarged cross section of FIG. 7, illustrating a weather strip according to a prior art for an automobile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, a weather strip according to an embodiment of the present invention for an automobile will be described. When constituents or items correspond to those in prior arts (FIG. 8), the same symbols are used.

[0043] A weather strip 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention for an automobile is configured to operatively couple to a flange 101 formed along a peripheral edge 100 of an opening of an automobile body corresponding to a front door 200. The weather strip 20 for the automobile includes an installation base member 21 and a hollow seal member 22. The hollow seal member 22 is integrally molded with the installation base member 21 and configured to make elastic contact with the front door 200 when the front door 200 is in a closed position.

[0044] The installation base member 21 has a substantially U-shaped cross section including an outer-cabin side wall 21a, an inner-cabin side wall 21b and a connecting wall 21c which connects the side walls 21a, 21b. The installation base member 21 has a core 23 (which includes metal or resin) buried therein.

[0045] A plurality of protrusions 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d are formed on an inner-cabin side of the outer-cabin side wall 21a and an outer-cabin side of the inner-cabin side wall 21b, and make elastic contact with both surfaces of the flange 101 over which the installation base member 21 is inserted. In the present embodiment, three protrusions 24a, 24b, 24c are formed on the outer-cabin side wall 21a and a large protrusion 24d, which is larger than the protrusions 24a, 24b, 24c, is formed on the inner-cabin side wall 21b. But the protrusions are not strictly limited in number, size or shape as long as the protrusions stably hold the flange 101.

[0046] A decorative lip 25 is formed on a connecting part between the inner-cabin side wall 21b and the connecting wall 21c. The decorative lip 25 has a substantially tongue-shaped cross section.

[0047] The hollow seal member 22 has a first base root 22a and a second base root 22b, which are spaced apart from each other and extend from an outer-cabin side of the outer-cabin side wall 21a of the installation base member 21. The hollow seal member 22 protrudes outwardly toward an exterior of the automobile.

[0048] The first base root 22a extends from the outer-cabin side wall 21a on a side of a top end 101a of the flange 101 and the second base root 22b extends from the outer-cabin side wall 21a on a side of a base root 101b of the flange 101, which is a side opposite to the side of the top end 101a of the flange 101.

[0049] The hollow seal member 22 in cross section diagonally protrudes from the first base root 22a outwardly toward the exterior of the automobile and toward the side of the top end 101a of the flange 101 to a first turning point 60, which is an end of a part protruding from the first base root 22a, curves from the first turning point 60 outwardly toward the exterior of the automobile and toward the side of the base root 101b of the flange 101, and connects with the second base root 22b. On a side of the second base root 22b of the hollow seal member 22 in cross section, the hollow seal member 22 diagonally protrudes from the second base root 22b outwardly toward the exterior of the automobile and toward the side of the base root 101b of the flange 101 to a second turning point 70, which is an end of a part protruding from second base root 22b.

[0050] More specifically, the first base root 22a and the second base root 22b of the hollow seal member 22 in cross section diagonally extend and are spaced apart from each other, gradually widened in other words. One end on an outer side of a curved part 22c, which curves outwardly toward the exterior of the automobile, connects with the first base root 22a. Another end on an inner side of the curved part 22c connects with the second base root 22b. The hollow seal member 22 has a shape of a pantograph in cross section, in which the first turning point 60 (the side of the top end 101a of the flange 101) and the second turning point 70 (the side of the base root 101b of the flange 101) are spaced apart from each other.

[0051] The side of the first base root 22a and the side of the second base root 22b of the hollow seal member 22 include solid (dense) material. An interval between the side of the first base root 22a and the side of the second base root 22b, which is a side of the curved part 22c, includes sponge material. A first border 50 between the solid (dense) material of the side of the first base root 22a and the sponge material is closer to the exterior of the automobile than the first turning point 60. More specifically, the first border 50 is on a position 140, which is slightly closer (5 mm in the present embodiment) to the side of the curved part 22c than the first turning point 60.

[0052] A second border 80 between the solid (dense) material of the side of the second base root 22b and the sponge material is closer to an interior of the automobile than the second turning point 70. This configuration is the same as ordinary weather strips for automobiles.

[0053] Examples of the solid (dense) material of the hollow seal member 22 include EPDM rubber and thermoplastic elastomer. In the present embodiment, the hollow seal member 22 and the installation base member 21 include the same solid (dense) material which has hardness 70 degrees JISA of Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS).

[0054] The side of the first base root 22a of the hollow seal member 22 and the installation base member 21 include the same solid (dense) material and the side of the first base root 22a is formed on the installation base member 21 continuously and integrally. Accordingly, the side of the first base root 22a and the installation base member 21 have the configuration that the same solid (dense) material is extended toward the side of the first base root 22a of the hollow seal member 22 from installation base member 21. The side of the second base root 22b of the hollow seal member 22 and the installation base member 21 include the same solid (dense) material and the side of the second base root 22b is formed on the installation base member 21 continuously and integrally. Accordingly, the side of the second base root 22b and the installation base member 21 have the configuration that the same solid (dense) material is extended toward the side of the second base root 22b of the hollow seal member 22 from installation base member 21.

[0055] The solid (dense) material according to the embodiment of the present invention includes materials high in rigidity to some extent even with bubbles therein as well as materials without bubbles therein. More specifically, the solid (dense) material includes the rubber like elastic body of which expansion ratio is less than 1.7 times. In case of EPDM rubber, which has a filler such as carbon black added therein, for use as the solid (dense) material has specific gravity of more than 0.7.

[0056] The sponge material according to the embodiment of the present invention includes materials which are flexible and with bubbles therein. More specifically, the sponge material includes the rubber like elastic body of which expansion ratio is not less than 1.7 times. In case of EPDM rubber, which has the filler such as carbon black added therein, for use as the sponge material has the specific gravity of not more than 0.7.

[0057] The rubber like elastic body according to the embodiment of the present invention includes materials with elasticity. Examples of the rubber like elastic body include the aforementioned rubber and thermoplastic elastomer.

[0058] According to the weather strip 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention for the automobile, the hollow seal member 22 as a whole, which protrudes outwardly toward the exterior of the automobile, does not include solely the solid (dense) material or solely the sponge material. That is, the side of the first base root 22a and the side of the second base root 22b of the hollow seal member 22 include the solid (dense) material, the interval between the side of the first base root 22a and the side of the second base root 22b includes the sponge material, and the first border 50 between the solid (dense) material of the side of the first base root 22a and the sponge material is closer to the exterior of the automobile than the first turning point 60. This configuration widens a range which includes the solid (dense) material of the hollow seal member 22 as compared with a configuration that only the side of the first base root 22a and the side of the second base root 22b include the solid (dense) material.

[0059] This configuration enables formation of a part of the hollow seal member 22, against which parts of human bodies 500 (backs or hips) or luggage often rub as shown by an arrow 300 in FIG. 1 while passengers are getting in or getting off the automobiles, with the solid (dense) material. Accordingly, this configuration remarkably improves durability of the hollow seal member 22 and prevents damages on the hollow seal member 22, as compared with hollow seal members which consist of the sponge material. In addition, since the hollow seal member 22 as a whole does not include the solid (dense) material, folding wrinkles hardly appear on the surface of the hollow seal member 22. Further, the part including the solid (dense) material is increased in section density and is improved in sound insulation performance as a side effect.

[0060] In the present embodiment, the first border 50 between the solid (dense) material of the side of the first base root 22a and the sponge material is on the position 140, which is slightly closer to the exterior of the automobile than the first turning point 60. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2, the first border 50 may be on a position 90 closest to the exterior of the automobile of the hollow seal member 22.

[0061] With this configuration, the part of the hollow seal member 22, against which parts of human bodies 500 (backs or hips) or luggage often rub while passengers are getting in or getting off the automobiles and therefore requires protection, includes the solid (dense) material and the other part of the hollow seal member 22 includes the sponge material. Accordingly, the hollow seal member 22 performs the durability most effectively.

[0062] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, with the configuration that a distance between the first turning point 60 and the first border 50, which is closer to the exterior of the automobile than the first turning point 60, is the same as a distance between the first base root 22a and the first turning point 60, the hollow seal member 22 sufficiently performs the effect.

[0063] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, with the configuration that a film 30, which includes the solid (dense) material, covers a surface of the hollow seal member 22 and hardness of the film 30 is lower than hardness of the solid (dense) material of the side of the first base root 22a and the side of the second base root 22b, the durability of the hollow seal member 22 improves more.

[0064] In the present embodiment, the film 30 has the hardness 50 degrees JISA and the solid (dense) material for the hollow seal member 22 has the hardness 70 degrees JISA.

[0065] FIG. 4 illustrates that an end of the film 30 on the side of the second base root 22b is adjacent to the second border 80. In case this configuration degrades door closability, the end of the film 30 on the side of the second base root 22b may be adjacent to the second turning point 70, against which parts of human bodies 500 (backs or hips) or luggage hardly rub.

[0066] Alternatively, the second base root 22b may include the flexible sponge material of the hollow seal member 22. In other words, the second base root 22b, which includes the flexible sponge material, may be formed on the hollow seal member 22, which includes the same flexible sponge material, continuously and integrally.

[0067] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the weather strip 20 for the automobile configured to operably couple to the flange 101. In the weather strip 20 for the automobile of FIG. 4, a space is formed between the outer-cabin side wall 21a and a part of the hollow seal member 22 between the first base root 22a and the first turning point 60, and an end 40a of an interior material 40 is inserted in the space.

[0068] In case the parts of human bodies 500 or the luggage rub against the hollow seal member 22, the hollow seal member 22 is partially pressed against the end 40a of the interior material 40 strongly and is easily damaged. Accordingly, it is very effective to protect the part of weather strip 20 for the automobile of FIG. 4, with which the parts of human bodies 500 or luggage often abut, with the solid (dense) material.

[0069] In FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the first border 50 is substantially perpendicular to a visible outline of the hollow seal member 22. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, the first border 50 may form an acute angle and may be substantially diagonal with respect to the visible outline of the hollow seal member 22.

[0070] In FIG. 5, an end of the first border 50 on a side of an outer surface of the hollow seal member 22 is slightly closer to the exterior of the automobile than the first turning point 60 and an end of the first border 50 on a side of an inner surface of the hollow seal member 22 is adjacent to the position 90 closest to the exterior of the automobile of the hollow seal member 22.

[0071] In FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, on the front and the rear of the first border 50, rigidity of the hollow seal member 22 suddenly turns. In FIG. 5, on the front and the rear of the first border 50, the rigidity of the hollow seal member 22 gradually turns and therefore, this configuration further improves abrasion-resistant property of the hollow seal member 22.

[0072] Results of abrasion-resistant property test are shown below.

[0073] Specifically, the abrasion-resistant property was tested by rubbing the surface of the hollow seal member 22 with a 3 kg abrasion factor (surface of which is jeans) at a speed of 30 times/minute for 10000 times to count number of rubs before the hollow seal member 22 begins to be worn away.

[0074] The following is the results.

TABLE-US-00001 Results Embodiments FIG. 1 no abrasion by 10000.sup.th rub FIG. 2 no abrasion by 10000.sup.th rub FIG. 3 no abrasion by 10000.sup.th rub FIG. 4 no abrasion by 10000.sup.th rub FIG. 5 no abrasion by 10000.sup.th rub Comparative Example FIG. 8 tear (hole) on 500.sup.th rub

[0075] In the present embodiment, the side of the first base root 22a and the side of the second base root 22b of the hollow seal member 22 include the solid (dense) material and the interval between the side of the first base root 22a and the side of the second base root 22b includes the sponge material such that variation in the specific gravity between the solid (dense) material and the sponge material divides the hollow seal member 22. Alternatively, the hardness may divide the hollow seal member 22, not the specific gravity.

[0076] More specifically, the side of the first base root 22a and the side of the second base root 22b of the hollow seal member 22 include the first material high in the hardness, the interval between the side of the first base root 22a and the side of the second base root 22b includes the second material which is more flexible and lower in the hardness than the first material, and the first border 50 between the first material of the side of the first base root 22a and the second material is closer to the exterior of the automobile than the first turning point 60. The side of the first base root 22a of the hollow seal member 22 and the installation base member 21 include the same first material, and the side of the first base root 22a is formed on the installation base member 21 continuously and integrally.

[0077] The second base root 22b may include the material different from the material of the first base root 22a. Examples of the material of the second base root 22b include the flexible second material of the hollow seal member 22 such that the second base root 22b is formed on the hollow seal member 22 continuously and integrally.

[0078] Examples of the first material include the rubber like elastic body which has the hardness of not less than 40 measured with JIS K 6253, durometer type A. Examples of the second material include the rubber like elastic body which has the hardness of less than 40 measured with JIS K 6253, durometer type A.

[0079] This configuration widens a range which includes the first material of the hollow seal member 22, which protrudes outwardly toward the exterior of the automobile, as compared with a configuration that only the side of the first base root 22a and the side of the second base root 22b include the first material.

[0080] This configuration enables formation of a part of the hollow seal member 22, against which parts of human bodies or luggage often rub while passengers are getting in or getting off the automobiles, with the first material. The first material is high in the hardness and the installation base member 21 includes the same first material. Accordingly, this configuration remarkably improves durability of the hollow seal member 22 and prevents damages on the hollow seal member 22, as compared with the hollow seal members which consist of the second material low in the hardness. In addition, since the hollow seal member 22 as a whole does not include the first material, folding wrinkles hardly appear on the surface of the hollow seal member 22. Further, the part including the first material is increased in section density and is improved in the sound insulation performance as the side effect.