GB2266742A

GB2266742A - Profiled sealing member for a flange of motor vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2266742A
Application number: GB9307994A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hans-Juergen Warnecke; Josef Bormann
Original assignee: Meteor Gummiwerke KH Badje GmbH and Co
Current assignee: Meteor Gummiwerke KH Badje GmbH and Co
Priority date: 1992-05-07
Filing date: 1993-04-19
Publication date: 1993-11-10
Anticipated expiration: 2013-04-19
Also published as: DE4214489A1; GB9307994D0; GB2266742B; ITTO930301A1; FR2690878A1; ES2088333B1; ES2088333A2; ITTO930301A0; ES2088333R; DE4214489C2; FR2690878B1; IT1270915B

Abstract

A profiled sealing member (1) comprises a fixing portion (2) made wholly of rubber and a sealing portion (3) secured thereto. The fixing portion (2) is substantially L-shaped in cross-section and has a first limb (6) positioned opposite an outer side face (7) of a flange (8) of the motor vehicle chassis. Opposite an end face (15) of the flange (8) is a second limb (14) of the fixing portion (2) connected to the first limb (6). The second limb (14) overlaps and is connected fixedly and in a moisture-sealing manner to the end face (15) by an adhesive means (17) and the first limb (6) is connected in like manner to the outer side face (7) by an adhesive means (13). <IMAGE>

Description

2266742 The invention relates to profiled sealing members for fixing to a

flangeof an opening in the bodywork of a motor vehicle closable by a closure member.

The invention is particularly concerned with such profiled sealing members which comprise a fixing portion adhesively fixable to the flange, and a sealing portion fixed to the fixing portion and arranged to co operate with the closure member, wherein the fixing portion has a first limb on the outer side which is to face the closure member and be opposite an outer side face of the flange, wherein the sealing portion is fixed to the first limb on the outside thereof, wherein on an internal face of the first limb there is provided an adhesive means throughout the longitudinal direction of the fixing portion and arranged to co-operate sealingly with the outer side face of the flange, wherein a second limb of the fixing portion extends from the first limb parallel to an end face of the flange, and wherein the fixing portion has a substantially L-shaped cross-section.

In one known profiled sealing member of this type (DE 33 17 548 Al, Fig. 14) the fixing portion consists of a metal strip core 11 whose first limb parallel to the bodywork flange is partially overlaid by a U-shaped fixing profile which has been co-extruded with a sealing profile. The metal strip core 11 has an edge portion 12 bent at right angles serving as the second limb, but which does not however cover the end face of the bodywork flange, serving instead simply to reinforce the profiled sealing member. The length of the out-turned second limb 12 is limited, since the metal strip core 11, 12 overall has to be shaped (page 13. lines 10 to 14) to fit a closure or sealing frame according to Figs. 11 and 12 along the door opening 16 (Fig. 14). The visible screening is provided rather by an additional screening profile (page 14, lines 6 to 9) which is shown in broken lines in Fig. 14. This known profiled sealing member is expensive and is not in a position to mask the end faces of bodywork flanges of different thicknesses.

In another known profiled sealing member (DE 28 42 207 Al) the fixing portion is made of a U-shaped metallic reinforcement 6 with a flexible U-shaped sleeve 5 of plastics material or the like. The adhesive means 12 consists of non-vulcanised sticky rubber and can be provided on the inside of the webs of the fixing portion 5, 6 (page 5, paragraph 2). The adhesive means 12 is to improve the gripping and is sealing effect of the fixing portion. However, it is a disadvantage that there are difficulties in mounting the fixing portion 5, 6 on the flange. For this purpose, its legs are first slightly spread and then, using an additional tool, are bent and pressed against the flange (page 6. lines 16 to 30). It is an additional disadvantage that each fixing portion co operates optimally only with one predetermined thickness of flange. If the flange thickness changes locally, for example due to reinforcements in the bodywork of convertibles, one must use another fixing portion with a suitably adapted web thickness. The known fixing portion 5, 6 is also expensive because of its U-shaped nature and the reinforcement 6 and is unsuitable for re-use.

From DE 33 46 070 Al it is known to equip the fixing portion with a U-shaped clamping region 35; 44 in which a metallic reinforcement 32; 42 is mounted.

At one or both free ends of the limbs 35a; 44a, 44b of the clamping region 35; 44 an extension 36; 46a, 46b is pivotally mounted which carries an adhesive layer 38; 48a, 48b on its side which faces the flange 31; 41. If only one extension 36 is provided, then the inside face of the opposing limb region 34 is likewise provided with an adhesive layer 39. The adhesive layers 38, 39; 48a, 48b help to make the fixing portion a seal against moisture and bond it to the flange 31, 41. it is again a disadvantage here that each fixing portion optimally co-operates only with one predetermined thickness of flange. The structure of the fixing portion makes it very expensive because of the U-shape and the reinforcement 32; 42. Also. the central internal face of the clamping region 44 can have an adhesive layer 49 as an aid to mounting (Fig. 3 and page 9, paragraph 2).

From EP 90 947 A2 it is known to make the is fixing portion as a U-shaped clamping profile 1 of hard plastics material (page 2, lines 19 and 20), reinforced with a metallic support strip 7. On the base 14 of the clamping profile 1 is fitted an L-shaped fixing rail of hard plastics material (page 2, lines 19 and 20). The free limb of the fixing rail forms, together with a limb 5 of the clamping profile 1, a further clamping profile 2 for a prefabricated roof-covering 13.

From EP 357 973 A1 there is known a sealing profile 1 composed of different stiffness elastomers 2, 3 mounted by means of a double-sided adhesive strip 9 on a hinged windscreen V of a tractor cabin.

It is an object of the invention to simplify the fixing portion of a profiled sealing member and to design it to be compatible with different thicknesses of flange.

This object is achieved, in a profiled sealing member of the type first referred to above, by the fixing portion being made wholly of rubber, and the second limb overlapping the end face of the flange by more than the maximum possible thickness of the flange.

The sealing portion can be made in particular in the f orm of one or more parallel tubes of elastic material. It can be made for example of sponge rubber which is co-extruded with the fixing portion which is likewise made of rubber. The special L-shaped cross sectional shape of the fixing portion permits the use of the profiled sealing member without disadvantages on different thicknesses of flange. For this, only the second limb of the fixing portion needs to be so long that it overlaps the end face for the maximum permissible flange thickness. Consequently, one has a universally usable fixing portion which co-operates optimally with the flange, even if its thickness changes along the bodywork opening. This occurs for is example with convertibles in which the flange is thickened in the region of the floor section for reinforcement. There, the total sheet thickness of the flange can amount to up to 7 mm, while the normal flange thickness on the basis of -a standard sheet thickness of 0.8 mm would be either 0.8 mm or 1.6 mm or 2.4 mm, depending upon whether the flange was made up of one, two or three sheets. All these flange thicknesses can be used equally well with the universally applicable fixing portion of the present invention on a profiled sealing member. It is also an advantage that the fixing portion of the present invention, because of the lack of any metallic reinforcement in the fixing portion, can be mounted on the flange very easily, reliably and without the need for any additional tool. This leads to a considerable reduction in working stress for the assembly personnel.

It is also an advantage that the fixing portion of the present invention is sealed against the entry of moisture by the adhesive means. Because of the lack of any metallic reinforcement in the fixing portion, the re-use of the profiled sealing member is facilitated.

Preferably, on an internal face of the second limb there is provided an adhesive means covering at least a part of the longitudinal extent of the fixing portion and arranged to co-operate with the end face of the f la ' nge. As necessary, this results in an additional f itting of the second limb against the flange. If the adhesive means is mounted throughout the lengthwise direction of the second limb, then it effects additional sealing there.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the fixing portion is of soft rubber having a Shore A hardness of 40 to 95. preferably from 60 to 80. This leads to a particularly simple but nevertheless functionally reliable and long-lasting design for the fixing portion. it is of particular advantage that the cost of an additional metallic reinforcement within the soft rubber has been avoided. This is primarily achievable because the fixing portion according to the invention is no longer clamped on to the flange.

In another embodiment, the fixing portion and the sealing portion are integral and of sponge rubber having a Shore A hardness of 15 to 30. Again, this arrangement omits any metallic reinforcement of the fixing portion. By making the fixing portion and sealing portion integral with one another the manufacture of the product is yet further simplified.

In a preferred embodiment, at a free end of the second limb. there is provided a masking lip which provides an overlap to an inner side face of the flange. The masking lip can serve on the one hand to cover gaps between the flange and for example internal fittings and on the other hand to cover the edges of structural and fitting parts.

Preferably, the masking lip is formed as one piece with the fixing portion and is formed of the same material as the fixing portion. -This has advantages, particularly from the point of view of manufacturing technique. The masking lip can be co-extruded jointly with the fixing portion.

In a preferred embodiment the masking lip is provided with a rib on its inside in the region of its transition to the second limb. The rib can serve as a support for the mounting of the fixing portion and of the masking lip. The rib also leads to a controlled reinforcement of the fixing portion and of the masking lip.

Preferably, the adhesive means is formed as a double-sided adhesive strip which has a foam layer between adhesive layers. This arrangement has been shown to be particularly advantageous. The adhesive strip can be for example 11 mm wide and be provided on the outside with a cover strip which is peeled off before the fitting of the fixing portion. The adhesive strip can be so shaped that on the one hand it provides a very secure and moisture-resistant seal with the fixing portion and on the other hand, after the fitting, provides likewise firm and moisture-resistant connection to the flange. The adhesive strip is particularly well suited to accommodate any unevenness in the flange, such as a result for example of sheet imperfections, welds and seams. The adhesive layer between the foamed layer and the fixing portion can be for example a heat-activatable hot-melt adhesive, while on the other side of the foamed layer one can use a cold adhesive. The foamed layer itself can be made for example of foamed acrylate. Alternatively, one could use a double-sided adhesive strip which functions in the cold state.

In order that the invention may be fully -7 understood, a number of embodiments of the invention will now be described by way-of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a cross-section through a first embodiment of profiled sealing member according to the invention mounted on a flange; Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, through an adhesive strip secured to the fixing portion of the profiled sealing member; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view through a further embodiment of profiled sealing member having a masking lip, mounted on a flange; and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view through a further embodiment of profiled sealing member in is accordance with the invention.

In Fig. 1 is shown a profiled sealing member 1 which comprises a fixing portion 2 of substantially L-shaped cross-section. to which is vulcanised a tubular-shape sealing portion 3. The fixing portion 2, in the same way as the sealing portion 3, is of sponge rubber, with the two portions being co-extruded. The sealing portion 3 includes ventilation holes 4 which are known per se and which are arranged spaced from each other.

In use. a closure member (not shown) of a motor vehicle, f or example a door. a boot lid or the bonnet, comes into contact with an outside f ace 5 of the sealing portion 3, and thus compresses the sealing portion 3. In this way one achieves a suf f icient resilient sealing effect between the closure member and the sealing portion 3.

The fixing portion 2 comprises a first limb 6 on the outer side adjacent to the closure member, to the outside of which the sealing portion 3 is f ixed.

This first limb 6 lies opposite an outer side face 7 of a flange 8 which extends along a bodywork opening (not shown) of a motor vehicle. The flange 8, in the example shown in Fig. 1, is composed of sheets 9, 10 and 11 which are fixed to one another. The sheets 9 and 10 each have the standard thickness of 0.8 mm while sheet 11 which is for reinforcing the flange 8 is provided only over a part of the length of the flange 8 and is of twice the standard thickness, namely 1.6 mm.

Such reinforcements are incorporated for example in the floor sections of convertibles, in order to ensure a sufficient rigidity of the whole chassis when one has no rigid roof structure.

On an inside face 12 of the first limb 6 is provided adhesive means 13 which is continuous in the longitudinal direction of the fixing portion 2 and co operates with the outside side face 7 of the flange 8.

By means of the adhesive means 13 the first limb 6 is fixed to the flange 8 on the one hand and, additionally, moisture is prevented from penetrating into the gap between the first limb 6 and the outer side face 7 from the right-hand side as shown in Fig.

1.

A second limb 14 of the fixing portion 2 is formed integrally with the first limb 6. Again, this second limb 14 can be made from soft rubber and is positioned opposite an end face 15 of the flange 8. On an inside face 16 of the second limb 14 there is provided an adhesive means 17 which covers at least a part of the longitudinal extent of the fixing portion 2 and which co-operates with the end face 15 of the flange 8. The second limb 14 is fixed to the flange 8 above all by the adhesive means 17.

In all the Figures of the drawings the same or corresponding parts are shown by the respective same reference numerals.

-g- In Fig. 2 the adhesive means is shown formed as a double-sided adhesive strip. The adhesive strip comprises first an adhesive layer 18 of a hot-melt adhesive which ensures a firm and sealing connection of the adhesive means 13 to the sponge rubber of the first limb 6.. This is followed by a foamed layer 19 which can consist for example of foamed acrylate. The foamed layer 19 carries a further adhesive layer 20, for example of a tacky adhesive. The adhesive layer 20 is protected by a peel-off strip 21, for example of paper, until it is brought into contact with the profiled sealing member 1. The peel-off strip 21 is peeled away from the adhesive layer 20 before the profiled sealing member 1 is presented to the flange 8 (Fig. 1). Before the adhesive layer 20 is brought into contact with the outer side face 7 of the flange 8, this outer side face 7 can be cleaned if necessary. Normally howevert such cleaning is not necessary. On the contrary, the adhesive layer 20 bonds significantly and very well in sealing terms to bodywork enamel for example.

If, as already described, a so-called heat activatable system is used for the adhesive means 13, then first of all the limb 6 of the fixing portion 2 and the adhesive strip must be pre-heated to a temperature of for example more than 1200C. Then. the adhesive strip is pressed against the limb 6 and bonds very firmly to it comparatively quickly. This adhesive connection can however be freed again from the flange 8 after the initial adhesion, for possible positional correction of the profiled sealing member 1, and can then be set in place anew.

Instead of using such a heat-activatable system for the adhesive means 13 one can alternatively use a double-sided adhesive strip of a type which is known per se and which functions in the cold state.

With this however the bonding to the limb 6 of the fixing portion 2 is not so good.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3. the end face 15 of the flange 8 is arranged at a free spacing 22 from the internal surface 16 of the second limb 14.

Thus, in this embodiment the adhesive means 17 used in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is omitted.

Alternatively. the internal surface 16 can be brought into contact with the end face 15, so that the second limb 14 rests directly against the end face 15.

The other difference from the embodiment according to Fig. 1 is that in Fig. 3 the fixing portion 2 and the sealing portion 3 are not made from the same material. on the contrary. in Fig. 3. the is fixing portion 2 is made of soft rubber and the sealing portion 3 is made in the form of two parallel tubes of sponge rubber. A further difference is that in Fig. 3 the sheet 11 has the same standard thickness as the sheets 9 and 10. The flange 8 can in the embodiment according to Fig. 3 be made basically in any desired manner from one or several sheet-form layers of different thickness and variable total thickness. The second limb 14 is in each case in the position to mask or screen the end face 15 of the flange 8. Thus, with a fixing portion 2 shaped in this manner one has a universally utilisable structural element which, moreover, can be mounted on the flange 8 rapidly and securely without special force and without the need for additional tools.

In the case of Fig. 3, at one free end 23 (see Fig. 1) of the second limb 14, there is an integral masking lip 24 formed from the same material as the fixing portion 2. The masking lip 24 can, as required, be of a different length, as is indicated in Fig. 3 by the use of both solid lines and broken lines.

The length of the masking lip 24 depends upon what type of gaps and/or parts of the internal fittings of the motor vehicle are involved and are to be screened by the masking lip 24. In this way the masking lip 24 is in contact sealingly and resiliently with other parts of the chassis.

On aesthetic grounds the second limb 14 and the masking lip 24 which is an extension of it are provided with a flock covering 25. The masking lip 24 extends to a position opposite an internal side face 26 of the flange 8.

The embodiment according to Fig. 4 shows how the masking lip 24 can contact a plastics sheet 27 under low pressure, where the sheet 27 can be a part of is an internal fitting of the motor vehicle. Between the plastic sheet 27 and the inner side face 26 of the flange 8 there is a gap 28 which may be large or small depending upon the thickness of the flange 8. In the case of Fig. 4 the flange is formed-by only two sheets 9 and 10. In this embodiment also, one can alternatively have just the sheet 9 or alternatively one or more further sheets in association with the sheet 10 to form the flange 8.

The masking lip 24 has a rib 29 on its inside in the region of the transition to the second limb 14 of the fixing portion 2. The rib 29 is provided on the one hand for reinforcing the connection between the second limb 14 and the masking lip 24 and serves on the other hand as a joint support. Thus. the outer end of the plastics sheet 27 is engaged by one side face 30 of the rib 29.

In the case of Fig. 4 the internal surface 16 of the second limb 14 is in direct contact with the end face 15 of the flange 8. At this position one could alternatively have an adhesive means corresponding to the adhesive means 17 used in Fig. 1.

z

Claims

1 A profiled sealing member f or fixing to a flange of a chassis opening of a motor vehicle which is closable by a closure member, comprising a fixing portion ' adhesively fixable to the flange, and a sealing portion fixed to the fixing portion and arranged to co operate with the closure member, wherein the fixing portion has a first limb on the outer side which is to face the closure member and be opposite an outer side face of the flange, wherein the sealing portion is fixed to the first limb on the outside thereof, wherein on an internal face of the first limb there is provided an adhesive means throughout the longitudinal direction of the fixing portion and arranged to co-operate sealingly with the outer side face of the flange.

wherein a second limb of the fixing portion extends from the first limb parallel to an end face of the flange, wherein the fixing portion has a substantially L-shaped cross-section and consists only of the first limb and the second limb. and wherein the fixing portion is wholly of rubber and the second limb overlaps the end face of the flange by more than the maximum possible thickness of the flange.

2. A profiled sealing member according to claim 1, in which on an internal face of the second limb there is provided an adhesive means covering at least a part of the longitudinal extent of the fixing portion and arranged to co-operate with the end face of -the flange.

3. A profiled sealing member according to claim 1 or 2, in which the fixing portion is of soft rubber having a Shore A hardness of 40 to 95.

4. A profiled sealing member according to claim 3, in which the fixing portion has a Shore A hardness of 60 to 80.

5. A profiled sealing member according to claim 1 or 2, in which the fixing portion and the sealing portion are integral and of sponge rubber having a Shore A hardness of 15 to 30.

6. A profiled sealing member according to any preceding claim, in which at a free end of the second limb there is a masking lip which provides an overlap to an internal side face of the flange.

7. A profiled sealing member according to claim 6, in which the masking lip is integral with the fixing portion and of the same material as the fixing portion.

8. A profiled sealing member according to is any preceding claim, in which the masking lip has a rib on its inside in the region of its transition to the second limb.

9. A profiled sealing member according to any preceding claim, in which the adhesive means is a double-sided adhesive strip which has a foamed layer between adhesive layers.

10. A profiled sealing member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the Figures of the accompanying drawings.