SEALING AND PROTECTION DEVICE FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE BODIES AND VEHICLES

Description

1 / 7 SEALING AND PROTECTION DEVICE FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE BODIES AND VEHICLES Field of Invention

[0001] The present invention is situated in the field of sealing and protection devices applied to the body of automotive vehicles, more specifically in the development of solutions designed to prevent the infiltration of water and dust in susceptible areas, ensuring greater efficiency, durability and simplicity in application in different vehicle designs and platforms. Background of the Invention Modern automotive vehicles increasingly demand advanced technical solutions to meet growing standards of quality, comfort, and durability. Among the various components that make up the vehicle body, fastening and sealing systems play a crucial role in protecting the vehicle's interior from external elements such as water and dust. However, solutions currently available on the market have significant limitations that negatively impact functionality and consumers' perception of quality.

[0003] Currently, bumpers used in vehicle bodies are often fixed by threads or pins and designed to perform basic support or closure functions. However, such systems generally do not offer adequate protection against water infiltration, especially when applied to critical areas of the body, such as regions near rear windows or doors with challenging surfaces for attachment. These problems are amplified in vehicles exposed to severe conditions, such as heavy rain, dusty roads, or regions with high humidity, where sealing failures can lead to component corrosion, material degradation, and compromised user experience.

[0004] Although some solutions on the market use additional seals or alterations to fastening methods, these approaches often involve high costs, greater complexity in production and application, and limited results regarding sealing effectiveness. No widely disseminated patents or innovations have been identified that solve these problems efficiently, practically, and at a competitive cost. Petition 870250005125, dated 01 / 22 / 2025, page 10 / 21 2 / 7

[0005] The need for an effective solution to address these limitations led to the development of a new bumper concept with integrated protection against water and dust. This innovation was designed to offer a reliable seal, allowing its direct application to the vehicle body in critical areas, without the need for structural modifications or additional components. Furthermore, the concept was designed to ensure compatibility with different automotive designs, increasing its flexibility of use across various platforms and markets.

[0006] 0 This project was conceived based on technical feasibility studies, 3D CAD modeling, validations in physical prototypes, and large-scale production. It also rigorously complies with applicable technical standards, ensuring reliability and superior performance. Thus, the invention meets the demands of the modern automotive industry, while contributing to cost reduction and increased consumer perception of quality.

[0007] Some prior art documents have attempted to solve this problem, as can be seen below:

[0008] KR102278350 - The present invention relates to a vehicle support device comprising a dust cover portion, an upper seat portion coupled to the dust cover portion, a bearing element mounted to support the rotation of the tie rod shaft, and an elastic support member. The upper seat portion includes a body part where the bearing element is positioned and a cover portion, removablely coupled to the body part, which covers the bearing element. The body part has an internal thread groove, while the dust cover portion has a corresponding external thread, allowing both to be joined by means of threads.

[0009] Existing solutions face significant challenges in providing sealing and protection devices for automotive vehicle bodies that combine sealing efficiency, compatibility with different designs, and adequate durability to withstand harsh environmental conditions. Furthermore, these solutions often rely on complex installation processes, which may require special tools or adjustments. Petition 870250005125, dated 01 / 22 / 2025, page 11 / 21 3 / 7 structural components, resulting in higher production costs and difficulty in maintenance or replacement during use, compromising the practicality and flexibility of the systems. Objectives of the Invention

[0010] The present invention has as its main objective to provide a sealing and protection device for automotive vehicle bodies, which prevents the infiltration of water and dust in critical areas, ensuring greater durability and reliability.

[0011] Another objective of the invention is to simplify the assembly process, allowing the device to be applied directly to the car body, eliminating the need for structural modifications or additional components, and increasing production efficiency.

[0012] Additionally, the aim is to standardize the use of the device in different automotive projects and platforms, reducing costs, optimizing manufacturing and maintenance processes, and contributing to the flexibility and sustainability of the automotive industry. Brief Description of the Invention

[0013] The present invention discloses a sealing and protection device for automotive vehicle bodies, comprising an elastomeric main body. Said main body comprises a mounting base configured to be coupled directly to the vehicle body.

[0014] The main body also includes an integrated sealing element, configured to prevent water and dust infiltration. The mounting base is designed to allow modular installation in different automotive designs.

[0015] The sealing element also has a trapezoidal cross-section.

[0016] The main body includes internal channels designed to direct water away from the contact area, preventing accumulation and seepage.

[0017] Now, quoting the aforementioned sealing element, it is removable and replaceable.

[0018] In addition, the aforementioned mounting base includes a secondary sealing system.

[0019] Moreover, the aforementioned main body is configured with a flexible section. [0020JO] The aforementioned sealing and protection device for automotive vehicle bodies is configured to allow application in curved or irregular areas of the body.

[0021] The aforementioned mounting base comprises pressure fittings configured to facilitate installation without the use of tools. Petition 870250005125, dated 01 / 22 / 2025, page 12 / 21 4 / 7

[0022] Nevertheless, the main body is made of thermoplastic elastomer with properties of resistance to high temperatures and chemicals.

[0023] The present invention further discloses a vehicle comprising a sealing and protection device for automotive vehicle bodies, as described earlier in this descriptive report. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] The present invention will be described in more detail after the presentation of the figures, which contain a preferred configuration. The Figures show: Figure 1 illustrates a front view of the present invention installed in a vehicle. Figure 2 illustrates a side view in section of the present invention installed in a vehicle. Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the present invention. Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the present invention.

[0025] 0s reference elements present in the figures are: 100 - sealing and protection device; 1 - main body; 2 - fixing base; 3 - sealing element. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0026] Before the invention is detailed, it is important to understand that it is not limited to the specific components of the described device, as these may vary. It is also relevant to emphasize that the terminology employed serves only to describe particular embodiments and should not be seen as limiting. It should be noted that, as used in this descriptive report and in the associated claims, the singular forms a, an, or may refer to both singular and plural elements, unless the context indicates otherwise. Furthermore, when ranges of numerical parameters are provided, they are considered to include limiting values.

[0027] It should also be understood that the modalities presented here should not be viewed in isolation or disconnected. The characteristics described for one modality are also applicable to the other modalities mentioned. If a specific characteristic is mentioned in one modality but not in another, the specialist in the field would understand that this does not necessarily imply that the characteristic should not be considered for the other modality. The specialist would understand that the Petition 870250005125, dated 01 / 22 / 2025, p. 13 / 21 5 / 7 The objective of this request is to reveal the characteristic for other modalities as well, but, for the sake of clarity and conciseness, this has not been explicitly stated in each case.

[0028] The present invention discloses a sealing and protection device for automotive vehicle bodies 100, comprising an elastomeric main body 1, said main body 1 comprising a mounting base 2 configured to be coupled directly to the vehicle body.

[0029] Furthermore, the aforementioned main body 1 comprises an integrated sealing element 3, configured to prevent the infiltration of water and dust.

[0030] The aforementioned mounting base 2 is designed to allow modular installation in different automotive designs and the aforementioned sealing element 3 is configured to ensure efficient protection in critical areas without the need for additional components.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sealing element 3 has a trapezoidal cross-section contour that improves adhesion to the body surface.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main body 1 includes internal channels designed to direct water away from the contact area, thereby preventing accumulation and seepage.

[0033] In addition, preferably the mounting base 2 includes a secondary sealing system to reinforce protection against infiltration.

[0034] Also in a preferred configuration, the aforementioned main body 1 is configured with a flexible section that compensates for movements between the connected parts.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said sealing and protection device for automotive vehicle bodies 100 is configured to allow application in curved or irregular areas of the body, ensuring complete sealing even on non-linear surfaces.

[0036] Moreover, a preferred embodiment of the present invention reveals that the mounting base 2 comprises snap-fit ​​fittings configured to facilitate installation without the use of tools. Petition 870250005125, dated 01 / 22 / 2025, page 14 / 21 6 / 7

[0037] Regarding the present invention, the aforementioned main body 1 is manufactured from thermoplastic elastomer with properties of resistance to high temperatures and chemicals.

[0038] The present invention further discloses that the sealing element 3 includes UV resistance properties, increasing its durability in outdoor conditions, and includes internal reinforcements to increase its mechanical strength.

[0039] In its preferred configuration, the main body 1 has a length between 20 mm and 40 mm, more preferably between 20 mm and 35 mm, even more preferably, said main body 1 has a length of 40 mm.

[0040] In its preferred configuration, the fixing base 2 has a diameter between 25 mm and 30 mm, more preferably between 25 mm and 35 mm, even more preferably, said fixing base 2 has a diameter of 35 mm.

[0041] In its preferred configuration, the sealing element 3 has a height between 30 mm and 50 mm, more preferably between 30 mm and 60 mm, and even more preferably, said sealing element 3 has a height of 65 mm.

[0042] In its preferred configuration, device 100 is designed to withstand pressures up to 15 MPa, more preferably up to 20 MPa, even more preferably, said device 100 withstands pressures of 22 MPa.

[0043] The present invention further discloses a vehicle comprising a sealing and protection device for automotive vehicle bodies 100 as described earlier in this descriptive report.

[0044] 0 The vehicle in question is preferably a passenger car. In an alternative configuration of the present invention, the vehicle may be a bus, a truck, a van or a pickup truck.

[0045] The present invention fulfills the proposed objectives by offering a sealing and protection device capable of efficiently preventing the infiltration of water and dust into critical areas of the automotive vehicle body, ensuring greater durability and reliability. Furthermore, its technical configuration simplifies the assembly process by allowing direct application, eliminating the need for structural modifications or additional components, reducing complexity and production costs. Petition 870250005125, dated 01 / 22 / 2025, page 15 / 21 7 / 7 compatibility with different automotive projects and platforms enables standardization of application, optimizing manufacturing and maintenance processes, while contributing to sustainability by minimizing waste of materials and time. Thus, the invention presents itself as an innovative, versatile technical solution aligned with the demands of the modern automotive industry.

[0046] All combinations of elements that perform the same function in a substantially similar manner, using equivalent methods and producing the same results as the elements specified in the claims, are encompassed within the scope of this invention. This means that even if a variation of elements performs the function in a slightly different way, as long as the result is essentially the same, these variations are also protected by the patent. Furthermore, it is important to emphasize that the scope of protection conferred by this invention is not limited only to the literal content of the claims described, but also includes variations or modifications that may be considered equivalent.

[0047] It is necessary to observe that the attached drawings, although representing the ideas and concepts of the invention, have not necessarily been drawn to scale and serve only to illustrate conceptually the possible configurations of the elements. This choice aims only to facilitate the understanding of the invention and not to restrict the interpretation of the claims to a specific or exact dimension. Furthermore, all combinations of elements that perform the same function in an essentially equivalent way, even if they operate slightly differently, are protected by the scope of the invention. The patent protection, therefore, covers a wide range of potential variations that may differ in their specific characteristics, but which achieve the same results.This flexibility allows the invention to protect not only the exact forms described, but also other possible variations and modifications, including so-called equivalents, which fall within the broader scope of the claims. Petition 870250005125, dated 01 / 22 / 2025, page 16 / 21

Claims

1 / 2 Claims 1. Sealing and protection device for automotive vehicle bodies (100), characterized by comprising an elastomeric main body (1); wherein said main body (1) comprises a mounting base (2) configured to be coupled directly to the vehicle body; wherein said main body (1) comprises an integrated sealing element (3), configured to prevent water and dust infiltration; wherein said mounting base (2) is designed to allow modular installation in different automotive designs.

2. Sealing and protection device for automotive vehicle bodies (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing element (3) has a trapezoidal contour section.

3. Sealing and protection device for automotive vehicle bodies (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that the main body (1) includes internal channels designed to direct water away from the contact area.

4. Sealing and protection device for automotive vehicle bodies (100), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing element (3) is removable and replaceable.

5. Sealing and protection device for automotive vehicle bodies (100), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mounting base (2) includes a secondary sealing system.

6. Sealing and protection device for automotive vehicle bodies (100), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main body (1) is configured with a flexible section.

7. Sealing and protection device for automotive vehicle bodies (100), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by being configured to allow application in curved or irregular areas of the body. Petition 870250005125, dated 22 / 01 / 2025, page 17 / 21 2 / 2 8. Sealing and protection device for automotive vehicle bodies (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that the mounting base (2) comprises pressure fittings configured to facilitate installation without the use of tools.

9. Sealing and protection device for automotive vehicle bodies (100), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main body (1) is made of thermoplastic elastomer with properties of resistance to high temperatures and chemicals.

10. Vehicle characterized by comprising a sealing and protection device for automotive vehicle bodies (100), as described in any of the preceding claims. Petition 870250005125, dated 22 / 01 / 2025, pp. 18 / 21

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