SEALING PROFILE STRAND AND SEALING ARRANGEMENT FOR A SLIDING WINDOW

Abstract

A sealing profile strand for mounting to a frame profile of a window frame which is slidable along a third direction. The sealing profile strand extends along a first direction and comprises a support segment that is formed of a relatively hard material and a sealing segment that is mainly formed of a relatively soft material, is attached to the support segment, and includes at least one inner sealing portion and an edge sealing portion. The support segment comprises a vertical support section for arrangement on an outside of the frame profile in a second direction perpendicular to the first and third directions. The support segment comprises a vertical protrusion which extends in the third direction. The edge sealing portion comprises a window edge closure lip which extends in the second direction and is configured to be engaged by the edge of the window.

Claims

1. A sealing profile strand for mounting to a frame profile of a window frame for a sliding window which is slidable along a third direction, the sealing profile strand extending along a first direction and comprising: a support segment for mounting the sealing profile strand to the frame profile, the support segment including a relatively hard material; and a sealing segment which is mainly formed of a relatively soft material, which is attached to the support segment, and which includes at least an inner sealing portion configured to engage an inner surface of the sliding window, and an edge sealing portion configured to seal an edge of the sliding window in its closed state, wherein the support segment comprises a vertical support section which is configured to be arranged on an outside of the frame profile in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction and to the third direction, wherein the support segment comprises a vertical protrusion which extends with respect to the vertical support section in the third direction, and wherein the edge sealing portion comprises a window edge closure lip which extends from the vertical protrusion of the support segment to an inside in the second direction and which is configured to be engaged by the edge of the window.

2. The sealing profile strand of claim 1, wherein the support section comprises a lower support section which is configured to be arranged on a lower side of a transversal portion of the frame profile in the third direction.

3. The sealing profile strand of claim 2, wherein the lower support section comprises a locking section which is configured to be engaged by a locking tongue of the frame profile.

4. The sealing profile strand of claim 3, wherein a groove is formed between the vertical protrusion and the locking section of the support segment.

5. The sealing profile strand of claim 3, wherein the window edge closure lip extends from the vertical protrusion of the support segment across at least a part of the groove in the second direction.

6. The sealing profile strand of claim 1, wherein the window edge closure lip is configured to extend from the vertical protrusion of the support segment at least across the entire upper edge of the window in the second direction.

7. The sealing profile strand of claim 1, wherein the sealing segment includes an upper sealing portion which is configured to engage an upper part of the frame profile.

8. The sealing profile strand of claim 7, wherein the upper sealing portion and the window edge closure lip are connected to each other.

9. The sealing profile strand of claim 8, wherein a lining portion of the sealing segment is arranged on the outside of the vertical support section.

10. The sealing profile strand of claim 1, wherein a lining segment is attached to the outside of the vertical support section in the second direction.

11. The sealing profile strand of claim 10, wherein the lining segment comprises a lug which is introduced into a receptacle of the support segment.

12. The sealing profile strand of claim 1, wherein the support segment comprises an upper support section and a lower support section which are configured to be arranged on opposite sides of the frame profile in the third direction.

13. The sealing profile strand of claim 12, wherein the inner sealing portion is connected to the lower support section.

14. The sealing profile strand of claim 1, wherein the sealing segment is mainly made of at least one of a rubber elastomer material or a thermoplastic elastomer material.

15. The sealing profile strand of claim 1, wherein the support segment is mainly made of at least one of a rubber elastomer material or a thermoplastic elastomer material.

16. The sealing profile strand of claim 1, wherein the support segment includes a reinforcement portion.

17. The sealing profile strand of claim 1, wherein the sealing segment and the support segment are integrated by co-extrusion.

18. The sealing profile strand of claim 1, wherein the sealing segment and the support segment are made of the same material family.

19. A sealing profile strand for mounting to a frame profile of a window frame for a sliding window which is slidable along a third direction, the sealing profile strand extending along a first direction and comprising: a support segment for mounting the sealing profile strand to the frame profile, the support segment including a relatively hard material, wherein the support segment is mainly made of at least one of a rubber elastomer material or a thermoplastic elastomer material; and a sealing segment which is mainly formed of a relatively soft material, is attached to the support segment, and includes at least an inner sealing portion configured to engage an inner surface of the window, and an edge sealing portion configured to seal an edge of the window in its closed state, wherein the sealing segment is mainly made of at least one of a rubber elastomer material or a thermoplastic elastomer material, wherein the support segment comprises a vertical support section which is configured to be arranged on an outside of the frame profile in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction and to the third direction, wherein the support segment comprises a vertical protrusion which extends with respect to the vertical support section in the third direction, and wherein the edge sealing portion comprises a window edge closure lip which extends from the vertical protrusion of the support segment to an inside in the second direction and which is configured to be engaged by the edge of the window, and wherein the window edge closure lip extends from a lower end of the vertical protrusion of the support segment to the inside in the second direction.

20. A sealing arrangement for a sliding window which is slidable along a third direction, the sealing arrangement including a frame profile of a window frame and a sealing profile strand, the sealing profile strand being mounted to the frame profile of the window frame and extending along a first direction, wherein the sealing profile strand comprises: a support segment mounting the sealing profile strand to the frame profile, the support segment including a relatively hard material, and a sealing segment which is mainly formed of a relatively soft material, which is attached to the support segment, and which includes at least an inner sealing portion which engages an inner surface of the sliding window, and includes an edge sealing portion configured to seal an edge of the sliding window in its closed state, wherein the support segment comprises a vertical support section which is arranged on an outside of the frame profile in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction and to the third direction, wherein the support segment comprises a vertical protrusion which extends with respect to the vertical support section in the third direction, and wherein the edge sealing portion comprises a window edge closure lip which extends from the vertical protrusion of the support segment to an inside in the second direction and which is configured to be engaged by the edge of the window.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0067] Further features and advantages can be taken from the subsequent description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The drawings show:

[0068] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a vehicle;

[0069] FIG. 2 is a sectional view along a plane II-II in FIG. 1 and shows an embodiment of a header sealing profile strand (nominal upper end position of window);

[0070] FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 and shows a state in which an upper edge of a window engages a window edge closure lip of the header sealing profile strand (maximum upper end position of window); and

[0071] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 and shows another embodiment of a header sealing profile strand.

EMBODIMENTS

[0072] FIG. 1 is a side view of a passenger automotive vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 has a body 12 which includes a front door 14 and a rear door 16. The front door 14 and/or the rear door 16 define a window frame 15.

[0073] The front door 14 has a front door window 18. The front door window 18 has an upper edge 19.

[0074] The rear door 16 has a rear door window 20.

[0075] The body 12 defines an A-pillar region 22, a B-pillar region 24, and a C-pillar region 25. A first direction, which corresponds to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle 10, is shown at X. A second direction (transversal/lateral direction) is shown at Y. A third direction (vertical direction) is shown at Z.

[0076] The front door window 18 is arranged between the A-pillar region 22 and the B-pillar region 24. The rear door window 20 is arranged between the B-pillar region 24 and the C-pillar region 25.

[0077] The front door 14 includes a front door window sealing arrangement 26. The rear door 16 includes a rear door window sealing arrangement 28. The front door window sealing arrangements 26, 28 serve to seal a periphery of the respective door windows.

[0078] An applique arrangement 30 may be provided both on the front door window sealing arrangement 26 and the rear door window sealing arrangement 28. The front door 14 and the rear door 16 are regular doors where the hinges for a swivel movement of the respective doors are arranged at the front. However, the doors may also be so-called suicide doors, where the hinges are arranged at the opposite section of the doors. As a third alternative, one or both of the doors may be sliding doors.

[0079] Each of the front door window sealing arrangement 26 and the rear door window sealing arrangement 28 include a header sealing profile strand 34 which is adapted to provide a sealing for the respective upper edges (for example the upper edge 19 of the front door window) of the respective windows 18, 20.

[0080] The header sealing profile strand 34 is mounted to a respective upper door frame profile 36 of the respective door 14, 16.

[0081] Typically, the front door 14 and the rear door 16 share a common header sealing profile strand. In other applications, the front door 14 and the rear door 16 each have their own header sealing profile strand.

[0082] In the following, header sealing profile strands 34 are described with respect to the front door window 18. However, the same description may be applied to the rear door window 20.

[0083] FIGS. 2 and 3 are sectional views along a plane II-II in FIG. 1 and show an embodiment of a header sealing profile strand 34. The header sealing profile strand 34 is, as mentioned above, attached to an upper door frame profile 36. The upper door frame profile 36 includes a transversal portion 38 which extends in the second direction Y, and a vertical portion 40 which essentially extends along the third direction Z. The transversal portion 38 has an inner end which is arranged on the inside I of a passenger compartment of the vehicle 10. The opposite end of the transversal portion 38 extends to the outside O.

[0084] The vertical portion 40 is connected to the inside end of the transversal portion 38 and extends downwardly.

[0085] The header sealing profile strand 34 includes a sealing segment 42 and a support segment 44. The sealing segment 42 is formed of a relatively soft material, for example rubber elastomer and/or thermoplastic (elastomer) material. The support segment is formed of a relatively hard material, for example rubber elastomer and/or thermoplastic (elastomer) material adopting the same material family as the sealing segment.

[0086] The upper door frame profile 36 is typically made from metal or compound sheet metal. The sealing segment 42 and the support segment 44 are typically made from thermoplastic materials. Preferably, the sealing segment 42 and the support segment 44 are integrated by co-extrusion.

[0087] The header sealing profile strand 34 is mounted to the upper door frame profile 36 by means of the support segment 44, which engages the upper door frame profile 36 in a fixedly attached manner, preferably in a lockingly engaging manner.

[0088] The sealing segment 42 includes an upper sealing portion 46 which is arranged above the transversal portion 38 and serves to seal the upper part of the respective door against a door frame of the body 12, or against an upper part of the upper door frame profile 36. An exemplary upper part of the upper door frame profile 36 is schematically shown in FIG. 2 at 52. The upper sealing portion 46 includes an inner lip 50 and an outer lip 48, which are distant from each other in the second direction Y. However, the upper sealing portion 46 may include only a single lip, or more than two lips.

[0089] The sealing segment 42, further, includes an inner sealing portion 54. The inner sealing portion 54 includes a lower lip 56 and an upper lip 58. The inner sealing portion 54 engages an inner surface of the window 18.

[0090] The inner sealing portion 54 is attached to a vertical carrier portion 60 of the support segment 44. The vertical carrier portion 60 rests against the vertical portion 40 of the upper door frame profile 36. Further, the vertical carrier portion 60 is connected to other portions of the support segment 44, for example via an intermediate sealing portion 62 of the sealing segment 42, which includes a sealing lip that engages an outside surface of the vertical portion 40.

[0091] The support segment 44 includes an upper support section 64 which is arranged on top of the transversal portion 38. The upper sealing portion 46 is connected to the upper support section 64.

[0092] Further, the support segment 44 includes a lower support section 68 which is arranged on the underside of the transversal portion 38 and is connected to the vertical carrier portion 60 (directly, or indirectly via the intermediate sealing portion 62).

[0093] Further, the upper support section 64 and the lower support section 68 are connected to each other by means of a vertical support section 66 which is arranged on the outside of the transversal portion 38. In other words, the upper support section 64, the vertical support section 66, and the lower support section 68 together form a U-shaped profile which is pushed from the outside on the transversal portion 38 of the upper door frame profile 36 so as to mount it thereon.

[0094] Preferably, the support segment 44 further includes a vertical form or force closing locking section 70 which is arranged at an inner end of the lower support section 68 and has a portion that extends upwardly. The transversal portion 38 of the door frame profile 36 preferably includes a locking tongue 72 which extends obliquely from the outside O to the inside I and engages the vertical locking section 70 of the support segment 44. The locking engagement can be configured such that the sealing profile strand 34 is tensioned to the inside I.

[0095] The sealing segment 42 includes a window edge closure lip 76. The window edge closure lip 76 extends from a vertical protrusion 78 of the support segment 44.

[0096] The vertical protrusion 78 extends from the vertical support section 66 in the third direction (downwardly). In other words, the vertical protrusion 78 is an extension of the vertical support section 66 and has a free lower end. The window edge closure lip 76 is preferably attached to the free lower end of the vertical protrusion 78, and extends to the inside in the second direction Y

[0097] On the inside of the vertical protrusion 78, a longitudinal groove 80 may be formed, which preferably is arranged between the vertical protrusion 78 and the locking section 70 of the support segment 44. Preferably, the groove 80 overlaps in the second (transversal) direction Y with an upper edge 19 of the window 18.

[0098] The window edge closure lip 76 extends from the free end of the vertical protrusion 78 inwardly, so as to extend across the entire upper edge of the window and, preferably, at least across a part of the longitudinal groove 80 in the second (transversal) direction.

[0099] The window edge closure lip 76 overlaps with at least one of the lower lip 56 and the upper lip 58, when viewed in the third (vertical) direction. The window edge closure lip 76 extends from the outside O to the inside I, whereas the lower lip 56 and the upper lip 58 extend from the inside I to the outside O.

[0100] In FIG. 2, the window edge closure lip 76 is shown in a non-deflected state, although the window 18 is in its nominally closed position.

[0101] FIG. 3 shows the header sealing profile strand 34 of FIG. 2, wherein the window 18 has reached its maximum closed position, such that the upper edge 19 deflects the window edge closure lip 76 and may enter at least partially into the longitudinal groove 80 of the support segment 44.

[0102] In other words, the vertical protrusion 78 and/or an outer part of the window edge closure lip 76 overlaps with an upper portion of the window 18 when viewed in the second (transversal) direction. Therefore, the vertical protrusion 78 and/or the outer part of the window edge closure lip 76 provides security against intrusion attempts, where an intruder tries to move the upper portion of the window 18 in the transversal direction Y to the outside, to as to access the inside I of the passenger compartment.

[0103] Further, the header sealing profile strand 34 of FIGS. 2 and 3 provides a good sealing structure, particularly of the upper edge 19 of the window 18, which reduces the intrusion of liquids and reduces noise in the inside I of the passenger compartment.

[0104] As mentioned above, the sealing segment 42 and the support segment 44 are preferably co-extruded.

[0105] Therefore, portions of the sealing segment 42 are directly and permanently attached to the support segment 44. In FIG. 3, the support segment 44 is shown as a hatched cross section. The several lips etc. of the sealing segment 42 are shown non-hatched.

[0106] As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper sealing portion 46 and the window edge closure lip 76 are preferably connected to each other by means of a lining portion 84 which is arranged on the outside of the vertical support section 66 and the vertical protrusion 78.

[0107] The lining portion 84 may form a visible portion of the header sealing profile strand 34 and may be provided based on an appearance material, with a coating or the like in order to improve the overall appearance.

[0108] The header sealing profile strand 34 extends beyond an outer surface of the window 18 by a transversal protrusion amount Lt which is preferably smaller than 6 mm, and further preferred smaller than 5 mm, and most preferred smaller than or equal to 3.5 mm.

[0109] An overlap in the vertical direction Z between the sealing profile strand 34 on the outside of the window (vertical protrusion 78 and/or outer part of window closure lip 76) and the window 18 is shown at Lp (vertical protrusion amount). The vertical protrusion amount Lp in upper window end position is preferably larger than 2 mm, particularly larger than 3 mm and most preferred larger than 3 mm. Typically, the vertical protrusion amount Lp is smaller than 8 mm.

[0110] The transversal protrusion amount Lt may be determined by a transversal thickness of the vertical support section 66, and/or by a transversal thickness of the optional lining portion 84 (or of the lining segment 86), which are arranged on the outside of the transversal portion 38 of the upper door frame profile 36.

[0111] Further, a thickness t of the window 18 in the transversal direction Y is preferably larger than the vertical protrusion amount Lp. Further, it is preferred if the thickness t is larger than the transversal protrusion amount Lt.

[0112] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a header sealing profile strand 34, which corresponds with respect to structure and function in general to the header sealing profile strand 34 of FIGS. 2 and 3. Therefore, mostly differences against the header sealing profile strand 34 are described below.

[0113] In the header sealing profile strand 34, a separate lining segment 86 is provided. The lining segment 86 is attached to the outside of the support segment 44. Particularly, the lining segment 86 has an upper hook which engages an upwardly extending lug of the support segment 44. Further, the lining segment 86 itself comprises a lug 88 which is inserted into a receptacle 90 of the lower support section 68. The lower support section 68, therefore, includes an upper part 68a which is arranged between the receptacle 90 and the transversal portion 38 of the upper door frame profile 36, and a lower part 68b which is arranged below the receptacle 90.

[0114] The lower support section 68 includes a vertical protrusion 78, from which the window edge closure lip 76 extends in the transversal direction Y.

[0115] The window edge closure lip 76 includes a portion which is arranged on the outside O of the outer surface of the window 18 and provides security against intrusion attempts. The outer portion of the window edge closure lip 76 is shown at 91 in FIG. 4 (and correspondingly in FIG. 3 for the first embodiment).

[0116] The support segment 44 includes a U-shaped reinforcement portion 92 which is U-shaped and extends from the upper support section 64 through the vertical support section 66 and the lower support section 68.

[0117] The reinforcement portion 92 may be made of metal, particularly of spring steel or the like which allows to reliably mount the header sealing profile strand 34 to the upper door frame profile 36.

[0118] It is to be understood that the foregoing is a description of one or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. The invention is not limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed herein, but rather is defined solely by the claims below. Furthermore, the statements contained in the foregoing description relate to particular embodiments and are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention or on the definition of terms used in the claims, except where a term or phrase is expressly defined above. Various other embodiments and various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiment(s) will become apparent to those skilled in the art. All such other embodiments, changes, and modifications are intended to come within the scope of the appended claims.

[0119] As used in this specification and claims, the terms for example, e.g., for instance, such as, and like, and the verbs comprising, having, including, and their other verb forms, when used in conjunction with a listing of one or more components or other items, are each to be construed as open-ended, meaning that the listing is not to be considered as excluding other, additional components or items. Other terms are to be construed using their broadest reasonable meaning unless they are used in a context that requires a different interpretation.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0120] 10 automobile/vehicle [0121] 12 body [0122] 14 front door [0123] 15 window frame [0124] 16 rear door [0125] 18 front door window [0126] 19 upper edge (18) [0127] 20 rear door window [0128] 22 A-pillar region [0129] 24 B-pillar region [0130] 25 C-pillar region [0131] 26 front door window sealing arrangement [0132] 28 rear door window sealing arrangement [0133] 30 applique arrangement [0134] 34 header sealing profile strand [0135] 36 upper door frame profile (14) [0136] 38 transversal portion (36) [0137] 40 vertical portion (36) [0138] 42 sealing segment (34) [0139] 44 support segment (34) [0140] 46 upper sealing portion (42) [0141] 48 outer lip (46) [0142] 50 inner lip (46) [0143] 52 upper part (36) [0144] 54 inner sealing portion (42) [0145] 56 lower lip (54) [0146] 58 upper lip (54) [0147] 60 vertical carrier portion (54) [0148] 62 intermediate sealing portion [0149] 64 upper support section (44) [0150] 66 vertical support section (44) [0151] 68 lower support section (44) [0152] 68a upper part [0153] 68b lower part [0154] 70 vertical locking section (44) [0155] 72 locking tongue (36/38) [0156] 76 window edge closure lip (34) (edge sealing portion) [0157] 78 vertical protrusion (44) [0158] 80 longitudinal groove [0159] 81 engagement portion (68) [0160] 84 lining portion (42) [0161] 86 lining segment [0162] 88 lug (86) [0163] 90 receptacle (68) [0164] 91 outer portion (76) [0165] 92 reinforcement portion [0166] X longitudinal (first) direction [0167] Z vertical (third) direction [0168] Y transversal (second) direction [0169] I inside [0170] O outside [0171] Lp vertical protrusion amount [0172] Lt transversal protrusion amount [0173] t thickness (18)