Motor vehicle side door and method for installing the motor vehicle side door

Abstract

A motor vehicle side door (16) and a method for installing the motor vehicle side door, the motor vehicle side door comprising: a) a glass panel (12), b) a frame (18), and c) an elastomeric sliding seal (10), characterized in that the elastomeric sliding seal (10) comprises at least one protruding rib (58, 60), the position and size of the at least one protruding rib being designed so that when the at least one rising strand (10b) is in an initial installation position on the frame, it can abut against the free end (30b) of the inner wall (30) or the free end (18d) of the frame (18), and when the at least one rising strand is in a final installation position on the frame, it can abut against the frame (18) or the inner wall (30), and the size (W) of the gap (34) between the inner wall and the outer wall (28, 30) is larger when the sliding seal (10) is in the initial installation position than when the sliding seal is in the final installation position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates at least to a motor vehicle side door and a method for installing the motor vehicle side door. Background Art

[0002] The vehicle side door includes a movable glass panel that is slidable and movable from an upper upright position to a lower upright position and from the lower upright position to the upper upright position. The door includes a lower body and an upper frame. In its upper upright position, the glass panel is at least partially located inside the door body, and in its lower upright position, the glass panel is surrounded by a frame extending along the peripheral edge of the glass panel.

[0003] The seal between the glass panel and the door frame is ensured by an elastomer run seal, known as a glass run channel (GRC), which is fixed to the frame and extends along the frame. The run seal defines a groove in which the glass panel can slide when moving. The run seal may further include a sealing lip abutting against the outer and inner faces of the glass panel. Typically, the run seal is U-shaped and includes two vertical or rising strands connected between them at their upper ends by horizontal strands or top strands. The strands of the run seal are each produced by extrusion molding and then bonded to each other by overmolding the bonding angles between the upper ends of the rising strands and the longitudinal ends of the horizontal strands.

[0004] The appearance of a vehicle door is very important to the consumer, i.e. the user of the vehicle. A solution to enhance the appearance of a vehicle door is to place the exterior of the glass panel of the vehicle door flush with the exterior of the structure surrounding the panel. One of the vertical edge elements of the frame may, for example, be adjacent to the glass panel and have an exterior face that is laterally flush with the exterior face of the glass panel.

[0005] Figures 1 to 3 Prior art is shown and elements similar to those disclosed in documents EP-B1-3 102 448 and EP-A1-3 558 728 are shown.

[0006] Figure 1 and Figure 2 An elastomeric sliding seal 10 and a glass panel 12 of a motor vehicle side door are shown. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the side door 16 and further illustrates the frame 18 extending along the edge of the glass panel 12 .

[0007] The sliding seal 10 is U-shaped and includes two rising strands 10b connected at their upper ends by a top strand 10a therebetween.

[0008] The or each rising strand 10 b has a substantially U-shaped transverse cross-section comprising an inner branch 20 and an outer branch 22 connected together by a connecting branch 24 and cooperating with the glass panel 12 .

[0009] The glass panel 12 has an outer face 12b and an inner face 12a and carries a panel guide 14 fixed to the inner face 12a. The outer face 12b is laterally flush with the outer face 26a of the vertical edge element 26 of the frame 18.

[0010] The cross section of the vertical edge element 26 includes a U-shaped portion, which includes: an outer wall 28 parallel to the glass panel 12 and including an outer face 26a; an inner wall 30 parallel to the glass panel 12; and a connecting wall 32 connecting the outer wall 28 to the inner wall 30.

[0011] like Figure 3 As shown, the outer branch 22 of the sliding seal 10 is configured to contact the outer wall 28 and can be sealingly contacted with the glass panel 12. The inner branch 20 can be in contact with the inner wall 30, and the inner branch 20 and the outer branch 22 define a gap 34 between them, which extends in a plane P substantially perpendicular to the glass panel 12.

[0012] The gap 34 is passed through by the panel guide 14, and the outer branch 22 comprises a groove 36 capable of receiving at least one hook 12a of the panel guide 14. Figure 3 As shown, the gap 34 is large and is much higher than the thickness E of the panel guide 12 , and even much higher than the thickness E′ of the hook portion 12 a .

[0013] The inner branch 20 comprises a protruding rib 38 capable of coming into contact with the inner wall 30 in order to position the sliding seal 10 relative to the vertical edge element 26 .

[0014] Figures 1 to 3 The sliding seal 10 is installed by a method comprising a first step of engaging the ascending strand 10b of the sliding seal 10 into the vertical edge element 26 so that the outer branch 22 of the sliding seal 10 is in contact with the outer wall 28 and the inner branch 20 is in contact with the inner wall 30. Then, the connecting branch 24 extends in front of the connecting wall 32 and parallel to it.

[0015] The method then comprises a second step in which the glass panel 12 carrying the panel guide 14 is mounted. The glass panel 12 is aligned with the outer wall 28 of the vertical edge element 26 and displaced towards it (arrow F) so that the panel guide 12 passes through the gap 34 and the hook 12a engages in the groove 36 of the outer branch 22.

[0016] However, due to the size of the gap 34, the glass panel 10 may move or vibrate in the plane P. The panel guide 14 abuts against the outer branch 22, but must move a greater distance D (equal to the difference between the size of the gap 34 and the thickness E of the panel guide 14) to abut against the inner branch 20.

[0017] Furthermore, since the thickness E' is smaller than the gap 34, the hook 14a can pass rearward through the gap 34 and can come out of the groove 36 of the outer branch 22, which may cause a safety problem, for example, when an unauthorized person wants to enter the vehicle by forcibly opening a door or glass panel.

[0018] The present invention provides a simple, effective and economical solution to these problems. Summary of the invention

[0019] According to the present invention, a motor vehicle side door is provided, the motor vehicle side door comprising:

[0020] a) a glass panel having an outer face and an inner face and carrying a panel guide fixed to said inner face, said glass panel being movable from an upper upright position to a lower upright position,

[0021] b) a frame configured to extend along an edge of the glass panel when the glass panel is in the upper upright position, the frame comprising a vertical edge element adjacent to the glass panel when the glass panel is in the upper upright position and having an outer surface laterally flush with the outer face, the cross section of the vertical edge element comprising a U-shaped portion comprising: an outer wall parallel to the glass panel and including the outer surface; an inner wall parallel to the glass panel; and a connecting wall connecting the outer wall to the inner wall,

[0022] c) an elastomeric sliding seal mounted on the frame and adapted to receive the glass panel when moved, the sliding seal comprising at least one rising strand configured to be at least partially mounted in the U-shaped portion, the at least one rising strand having: an outer branch configured to contact the outer wall and capable of sealingly contacting the glass panel; an inner branch capable of contacting the inner wall; and a connecting branch connecting the outer branch to the inner branch, the outer face of the inner branch and the inner face of the outer branch defining a gap therebetween, the gap extending in a first plane substantially perpendicular to the glass panel and configured to be passed through by the panel guide, the outer branch comprising a groove capable of receiving at least one hook of the panel guide, the inner branch comprising an inner face comprising at least one protruding rib capable of contacting the outer face of the inner wall or abutting against the outer face of the frame.

[0023] It is characterized in that the position and size of the at least one protruding rib are designed so that when the at least one rising strand is in an initial installation position on the frame, it can abut against the free end of the inner wall or the free end of the frame, and when the at least one rising strand is in a final installation position on the frame, it can abut against the outer surface of the inner wall or the outer surface of the frame, so that the movement of the at least one rising strand from the initial installation position to the final installation position is achieved in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first plane, and compared with when the sliding seal is in the final installation position, when the sliding seal is in the initial installation position, the size of the gap measured in the first plane is larger.

[0024] Therefore, the present invention proposes to optimize the size of the above-mentioned gap in order to avoid the disadvantages of the prior art. For this purpose, the gap is intended to have a first size in the initial installation position of the rising strand relative to the frame or the vertical edge element of the frame, and a smaller second size in the final installation position of the sliding seal. The size of the gap can be reduced by designing the size and position of one or more protruding ribs of the internal branch of the sliding seal to be adjacent to the inner wall of the vertical edge element or to the frame. When the rising strand is moved from the initial installation position to the final installation position, one or more protruding ribs move upward from the position where the protruding rib / the plurality of protruding ribs are in contact with the free end of the inner wall or with the free end of the frame to the position where the protruding rib / the plurality of protruding ribs are adjacent to the outer face of the inner wall or the outer face of the frame. This displacement causes the internal branch to be lifted and shifted toward the external branch, and thus reduces the gap.

[0025] As will be described below, the displacement of the rising strand is advantageously performed by means of a panel guide, so that the panel guide can be caught between the outer branch and the inner branch when the gap is reduced.

[0026] The motor vehicle side door according to the present invention may include one or more of the following features, which may be employed individually or in combination with each other:

[0027] - the at least one protruding rib has a triangular or trapezoidal shape in cross section;

[0028] - the inner branch has a first end connected to the connecting wall and an opposite second end;

[0029] - said at least one protruding rib is located at a distance D1 from said first end, said distance D1 being smaller than a distance D2 between said protruding rib and said opposite second end;

[0030] - said at least one protruding rib is located at said opposite second end;

[0031] - a first protruding rib is located at said opposite second end, and a second protruding rib is located at a distance D2 from said opposite second end and at a distance D1 from said first end;

[0032] - the thickness of the first protruding rib is greater than the thickness of the second protruding rib, the thickness being measured in a direction perpendicular to the glass panel;

[0033] - when the sliding seal is in the final installed position, the protruding rib has a thickness equal to or greater than the gap size, the thickness being measured in a direction perpendicular to the glass panel;

[0034] - the protruding rib comprises a first surface on the glass panel side and a second surface on the opposite side, the first surface being substantially perpendicular to the inner branch and the second surface being inclined to form a slope configured to cooperate with the free end in a sliding manner;

[0035] - the inner wall comprises a retaining rib extending towards the glass panel and configured to abut against the at least one protruding rib to retain the sliding seal in the final installed position;

[0036] - the retaining rib has a triangular or trapezoidal shape in cross section;

[0037] - the retaining rib comprises a first surface on the glass panel side and a second surface on the opposite side, the second surface being substantially perpendicular to the inner wall, and the first surface being inclined to form a slope configured to cooperate with the at least one protruding rib in a sliding manner;

[0038] - the inner wall comprises a first end connected to the connecting wall and an opposite second end, the retaining rib being located on the opposite second end;

[0039] - the length of the inner wall measured between a first end and an opposite second end is greater than the length of the outer wall;

[0040] - the internal branch and the connecting branch are connected between them by a longitudinal portion of the sliding seal, the longitudinal portion being made of a first material different from a second material of the internal branch and of the connecting branch and having a Shore A hardness lower than that of the second material;

[0041] - the first material has a Shore A hardness lower than 75 and the second material has a Shore A hardness higher than 75;

[0042] - the outer wall comprises a protruding leg which projects from the inner face of the outer wall towards the outer face of the inner wall and is configured to engage in a groove of the outer branch;

[0043] - the protruding leg has a triangular, rectangular or trapezoidal shape in cross section;

[0044] - the outer wall comprises a first end or a first portion connected to the connecting wall and an opposite second end, the protruding leg being located on or close to the opposite second end.

[0045] - the vertical edge elements are fixed to the frame by snap-fitting or by screwing;

[0046] - the panel guide comprises a first edge and an opposite second edge, the first edge being fixed to the inner face of the glass panel, and the opposite second edge being L-shaped and comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being parallel to the glass panel and having a thickness less than the gap dimension when the sliding seal is in the initial installation position and the final installation position, the second portion being perpendicular to the glass panel and forming the at least one hook-shaped portion, the hook-shaped portion having a thickness greater than the gap dimension when the sliding seal is in the initial installation position, the thickness being measured in a direction perpendicular to the glass panel.

[0047] The invention further proposes a method for installing a motor vehicle door according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps:

[0048] a) positioning the sliding seal so that the rising strand of the sliding seal is in the initial installation position relative to the inner wall or the frame, in which the connecting branch engages in the U-shaped portion and the at least one protruding rib abuts against the free end of the inner wall or the free end of the frame, and

[0049] b) engaging the panel guide through the gap and into the U-shape to push the rising strand into the final installation position, in which the connecting branch moves toward the connecting wall and forces at least one protruding rib to abut against the outer surface of the inner wall or the outer surface of the frame.

[0050] The method according to the invention may include one or more of the following features and / or steps, taken alone or in combination with each other:

[0051] - step a) is performed by displacing the ascending strand in at least one direction that is substantially parallel to the inner and outer walls or inclined at an angle of 1° to 30° relative to the inner and outer walls;

[0052] - step b) is performed by displacing the glass panel in a direction substantially parallel to the inner wall and the outer wall;

[0053] - before step a), the ascending strand has a rest position in which the inner branch and the connecting branch are inclined to each other at an angle greater than 90°;

[0054] - After step b), the ascending strand has a restrained position in which the inner branch and the connecting branch are inclined to each other at an angle less than 90°. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] The invention will be better understood and other details, features and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following description given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0056] - Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an elastomeric sliding seal and a glass panel for a motor vehicle side door, the glass panel being remote from the sliding seal and located in the body of the door,

[0057] - Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Another schematic perspective view of an elastomeric glide seal and a glass panel which is partially engaged and guided into the glide seal,

[0058] - Figure 3 yes Figure 2A schematic cross-sectional view of a motor vehicle side door and further showing the frame of the door, the cross section is based on Figure 2 The line III-III is intercepted,

[0059] - Figure 4 is similar to Figure 3 and shows a first embodiment of a motor vehicle side door according to the invention,

[0060] - Figures 5 to 7 yes Figure 4 A schematic cross-sectional view of a motor vehicle side door and illustrating the steps of the method according to the invention, and

[0061] - Figures 8 to 10 is similar to Figure 4 Schematic cross-sectional views of views of the present invention and show other embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] In this specification, the words "inside", "interior", "internal" and the like refer to the interior of a motor vehicle. The words "outside", "exterior", "exterior" and the like refer to the exterior of a motor vehicle. External elements are then located on the outside of the vehicle. A first external element, a first external part or a first external surface may be visible to a user of the motor vehicle or may be concealed by a second external element, a second external part or a second external surface covering the first external element.

[0063] Moreover, axes X, Y and Z refer to three vertical axes, respectively. Axis X extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, essentially horizontally and in particular from the rear to the front of the vehicle. Axis Y extends transversely to the car from one side to the opposite side. Considering the side door, axis Y extends from the inside to the outside of the side door. Axis Z extends essentially vertically from bottom to top.

[0064] Furthermore, the length is considered to be measured in a direction parallel to the axis X. The thickness is considered to be measured in a direction parallel to the axis Y, and the height is considered to be measured in a direction parallel to the axis Z.

[0065] Figures 1 to 3 The prior art is shown and has been described above, but may also be used to illustrate some features of a motor vehicle side door 16 according to the present invention.

[0066] As mentioned above, the motor vehicle side door 16 comprises at least:

[0067] a) a glass panel 12 carrying at least one panel guide 14,

[0068] b) a frame 18 comprising at least one vertical edge element 26, and

[0069] c) A sliding seal 10 which ensures sealing and guidance of the glass panel 12 relative to the frame.

[0070] Figure 4 For the sake of clarity and for a better understanding, in this figure and the following figures still used to illustrate the present invention, the first embodiment of the present invention has been described. Figures 1 to 3 Elements that have been described are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0071] Figure 4 The sliding seal 10 is U-shaped (such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 ) and includes two rising strands 10b, which are connected at their upper ends by a top strand 10a between the two rising strands. Figure 4 Only one of the rising strands 10b is visible.

[0072] The rising strand 10 b has a substantially U-shaped transverse cross section and comprises an inner branch 20 and an outer branch 22 connected together by a connecting branch 24 , and receives a panel guide 14 carried by the glass panel 12 .

[0073] The panel guide 14 is fixed to the inner face 12a of the glass panel 12. The outer face 12b of the glass panel 12 is laterally flush with the outer face 26a of the vertical edge element 26 of the frame 18.

[0074] The cross section of the vertical edge element 26 includes a U-shaped portion, which includes: an outer wall 28 parallel to the glass panel 12 and including an outer face 26a; an inner wall 30 parallel to the glass panel 12; and a connecting wall 32 connecting the outer wall 28 to the inner wall 30.

[0075] The various components of the vehicle side door 16 will now be described in greater detail.

[0076] The glass panel 12 comprises a vertical edge 12c coplanar with said outer wall 28 and facing the vertical edge 28a of the outer wall. The panel guide 14 is fixed to the inner face 12a along the edge 12c.

[0077] The panel guide 14 comprises a first edge 14b which is applied to the inner face 12a and fixed thereto, for example by bonding or gluing, and an opposite second edge 14c which is substantially L-shaped.

[0078] The second edge 14c includes a first portion 14ca and a second portion 14cb, the first portion 14ca is parallel to the glass panel 12, and the second portion 14cb is perpendicular to the glass panel 12 and forms one or more of the hooks 14a. In the case where the panel guide 14 will include a single hook 14a, the hook can extend along a portion or the entirety of the height of the panel guide 14. In the case where the panel guide will include two or more hooks, these hooks can be located at specific positions along the height of the panel guide. The edges 14b, 14c are connected between the edges 14b, 14c by an intermediate portion 14c that is inclined relative to the glass panel 12.

[0079] E1 represents the thickness of the panel guide 14, in particular, the thickness of the portion 14ca of the panel guide 14. E2 represents the thickness of the one or more hook-shaped portions 14a. Both thicknesses are measured in a direction perpendicular to the glass panel 12.

[0080] The frame 18 may be made of metal or plastic or both. The frame 18 may, for example, include at least one metal plate 18a, 18b configured to extend inwardly along and from the edge 12c of the glass panel 12 and inwardly from the sliding seal 10. The vertical edge element 26 may be made in one piece with the frame 18 or may be fixed to the frame 18. The vertical edge element 26 is, for example, made of plastic or a composite material.

[0081] exist Figure 4 In the example shown, the inner wall 30 of the vertical edge element 26 comprises at least one fastening leg 40 intended to be fixed to the frame 18, for example by one or more screws, one or more bolts or equivalent. This leg 40 is connected to the inner end of the connecting wall 32 and extends inwardly from the inner wall 30. The leg 40 is spaced apart from the rest of the inner wall 30 and has a length measured along the axis X similar to that of the inner wall 30.

[0082] Furthermore, in the example shown, the frame 18 comprises two metal plates 18a, 18b: an inner metal plate 18a and an outer metal plate 18b. The two plates 18a, 18b are substantially superposed and extend inwardly from the vertical edge element 26 and the glass panel 12. The two metal plates 18a, 18b comprise a longitudinal portion 18c opposite the vertical edge element 26, which is substantially parallel to the glass panel 12 and comprises a free end 18d.

[0083] The inner wall 30 of the vertical edge element 26 comprises a first end 30a connected to the connecting wall 32 and an opposite second end 30b which is free in the example shown.

[0084] The inner wall 30 includes a retaining rib 42 extending from the outer face 30c of the inner wall toward the outer wall 28 or the glass panel 12. The retaining rib 42 has a triangular or trapezoidal shape in cross section. The retaining rib 42 includes a first surface 42a located on the glass panel side and a second surface 42b located on the opposite side. The second surface 42b is substantially perpendicular to the inner wall 30, and the first surface 42a is inclined to form an inclined surface.

[0085] A retaining rib 42 is located on the opposite second end portion 30b.

[0086] The connecting wall 32 is substantially perpendicular to the walls 28 and 30 .

[0087] The outer wall 28 of the vertical edge element 26 includes a free end 28 a and a portion or end connected to the connecting wall 32 .

[0088] The outer wall 28 comprises a protruding leg 44 which protrudes from its inner face 28c towards the outer face 30c of the inner wall 30. In the example shown, the leg 44 has a rectangular shape in cross section and comprises two opposite faces 42a which are parallel and perpendicular to the glass panel 12 between them.

[0089] The protruding leg 44 is located on or near the free end 28a.

[0090] The sliding seal 10, and in particular the rising strand 10b thereof, may be made of one or more materials, preferably elastic materials, such as elastomers.

[0091] The connecting branch 24 is substantially parallel to the connecting wall 32 and perpendicular to the glass panel 12. The connecting branch 24 includes an inner end 24a connected to the first end 20a of the inner branch 20 and an outer end 24b connected to the first end 22a of the outer branch 22.

[0092] The outer branch 22 comprises an opposite second end 22 b connected to a sealing lip 46 configured to abut against at least one of the edges 12 c , 28 a to ensure sealing in this region, ie between the glass panel 12 and the vertical edge element 26 .

[0093] The outer branch 22 includes or defines two grooves 48, 50. The outer groove 48 is formed in the outer face of the outer branch 22 and is configured to receive the protruding leg 44, and the inner groove 50 is formed in the inner face 22c of the outer branch 22 and is configured to receive one or more hooks 14a of the panel guide 14.

[0094] The shape and size of the groove 48 are similar to the shape and size of the leg 44. In the example shown, the leg 44 is configured to abut against at least the bottom of the groove 48 and one of the side faces of the groove 48.

[0095] In the example shown, the shape and size of the groove 50 is larger than the shape and size of the one or more hooks 14a.

[0096] exist Figure 4 position, portion 14ca of the panel guide 14 abuts against the outer branch 22, particularly on the inner face 22c of the outer branch 22, and one or more hook portions 14a are slightly spaced apart from the outer branch 22, i.e., spaced apart from the bottom and side faces of the groove 50.

[0097] The outer branch 22 , in particular the inner face 22 c thereof, as well as the bottom and side faces of the groove 50 may be covered by a friction-reducing layer 52 .

[0098] The two ends 20a, 24a of the branches 20, 24 may be joined together by a longitudinal portion 54 of the sliding seal 10 made of a material different from that of at least a portion of each branch 20, 24. Advantageously, this portion 54 is configured to have an articulation function so as to be able to vary the angle α between the branches 20, 24.

[0099] The Shore A hardness of the material of portion 54 may be lower than the Shore A hardness of at least a portion of each branch 20, 24. For example, the material of portion 54 has a Shore A hardness lower than 75, while the material of at least a portion of each branch 20, 24 has a Shore A hardness higher than 75.

[0100] The inner branch 20 extends from an end 20a to an opposite end 20b and includes an outer face 20c facing the panel guide 14 and the glass panel 12 and includes at least one sealing lip 56 intended to cooperate with the inner face 12a of the glass panel 12 or the panel guide 14.

[0101] The inner branch 20 comprises an inner face 20 d facing the inner wall 30 and a part of the frame 18 , in particular the inner metal plate 18 a .

[0102] At least one protruding rib protrudes from the inner face 20d. In the example shown, the inner branch 20 can be seen as having two protruding ribs 58,60.

[0103] The rib 58 is located at a distance D1 from the end 20a, which is less than the distance D2 between the rib 58 and the opposite end 20b. This means that the rib 58 is closer to the end 20a than the end 20b. The rib 60 is located at the opposite end 20b.

[0104] The rib 58 has a triangular or trapezoidal shape in cross section and includes a first surface 58a on the glass panel side and a second surface 58b on the opposite side. The first surface 58a is substantially perpendicular to the inner branch 20 and is configured to cooperate with the surface 42b by abutting, as shown, and the second surface 58b is inclined to form a slope that is configured to cooperate with the end 30b and the slope formed by the surface 42a.

[0105] The rib 60 has a rectangular shape in cross section and includes a first surface 60 a facing the surface 58 a and an opposite second surface 60 b. The first surface 60 a is substantially perpendicular to the inner branch 20 .

[0106] The second surface 60 b is covered by a material that may be similar to the material of the portion 54 and that serves to define an outer sealing lip 62 configured to mate with the interior face 12 a of the glass panel 12 and an inner hook 64 .

[0107] like Figure 4 As shown, the hook 64 extends inwardly from the rib 60 and defines a slot 65 with the rib, which is configured to receive the two ends 18d. The rib 60 is configured to abut against the outer face 18ba of the frame 18, in particular the outer metal plate 18b, and the hook 64 is configured to abut against the inner face 18aa of the frame 18, in particular the inner metal plate 18a.

[0108] As with the sealing lips 46, 56 and 62, the hook 64 is Figure 4 In contrast, when the sliding seal 10 is installed, the sealing lip and the hook 64 occupy a position in which the sealing lip and the hook are restrained.

[0109] The thickness E3 of the rib 60 is greater than the thickness E4 of the rib 58 .

[0110] exist Figure 4 In the position shown, the thickness E4 of the rib 58 is equal to or greater than the dimension W of the gap 34 .

[0111] Figure 4 The position of the sliding seal 10, referred to as the final installation position, is shown. In this particular position, the branches 20, 22 of the sliding seal 10, in particular the faces 22c, 20c, define a gap 34 through which the panel guide 14 passes. Figure 4In FIG. 3 , this gap 34 corresponds to the smaller space between the branches 20 , 22 , and the dimension W of this gap 34 is measured in the plane P.

[0112] The dimension W of the gap 34 is similar to the thickness in that it is measured along the Y axis.

[0113] like Figure 4 As shown, in the final installed position, dimension W is advantageously greater than E1 but equal to or less than E2.

[0114] Figures 5 to 7 The steps of the method according to the invention for installing a motor vehicle side door 16 are shown.

[0115] The method includes Figure 5 and Figure 6 The first step a) is shown during which the sliding seal 10 is positioned so that its ascending strand 10b is in an initial installation position relative to the inner wall 30 or the frame 18. Figure 6 As shown, in this position, the connecting branch 24 engages in the U-shaped portion of the element 26 , ie between the walls 28 , 30 , until the ribs 58 , 60 abut against the free ends 30 b , 18 d .

[0116] Step a) is performed by displacing the rising strand 10b in at least one direction H1 , H2 . Figure 5 The first direction H1 is shown to be inclined at an angle of 1° to 30° relative to the walls 28 , 30 . Figure 6 The second direction H2 is shown to be substantially parallel to the inner wall 30 and the outer wall 28 .

[0117] Figure 6 The protruding leg 44 is shown entering the groove 48 of the sliding seal 10 , and the inner face 20 d of the inner branch 20 abuts the retaining rib 42 , which helps to reduce the size of the gap 34 .

[0118] In fact, before step a), the rising strand 10b has Figure 5 The static position shown, in which the angle α is greater than 90°. Figure 6 , the angle α decreases, which causes the size W′ of the gap 34 to decrease.

[0119] like Figure 7 As shown, the method includes a second step b) in which the panel guide 14 is engaged through the gap 34 and engaged into the U-shape, thereby pushing the rising strand 10b to Figure 4In this position, the connecting branch 24 moves toward the connecting wall 32 and forces the ribs 58, 60 to abut against the outer face 30c of the inner wall 30 and the outer face 18ba of the frame 18 (in particular the outer face 18ba of the outer metal plate 18b).

[0120] Then, rib 58 is slid onto rib 42 until Figure 4 The position shown in FIG. 1 is such that the two surfaces 42b, 58a are Figure 4 As shown, they face each other and cooperation is performed between these two faces to ensure the fixing of the sliding seal 10 .

[0121] Step b) is performed by displacing the glass panel 14 in a direction substantially parallel to the walls 28 , 30 .

[0122] When the rising strand 10b is in Figure 4 In the position of , the angle α is reduced to a value less than 90° and the gap 34 has the dimension W as indicated above.

[0123] Figures 8 to 10 Some other embodiments according to the present invention are shown.

[0124] Figure 8 and Figures 4 to 7 The embodiments are different, according to Figure 8 , the protruding leg 44' and the groove 48' receiving the leg have different cross-sectional shapes of a triangle or a trapezoid. The leg 44' includes a first side surface 44a' on the glass panel side 12 and a second side surface 44b' on the opposite side. The surface 44a' is inclined, while the surface 44b' is perpendicular to the glass panel 12.

[0125] Fig. 9 and Fig.10 and Figures 4 to 7 The embodiments are different, according to Fig. 9 and Fig.10 , the vertical edge elements 26 are fixed to the frame 18 by screwing. One or more screws 70 pass through the apertures of the U-shaped portion and are screwed into threaded apertures of the frame 18 or nuts carried by the frame.

[0126] exist Fig. 9 In the example shown, the aperture of the U-shaped portion is formed in the leg 72 and is Fig.10 In the example shown, the orifice is formed in the connecting wall 32 .

Claims

1. A motor vehicle side door (16), the motor vehicle side door include: a) a glass panel (12) having an outer face (12b) and an inner face (12a) and carrying a panel guide (14) fixed to the inner face, the glass panel being movable from an upper upright position to a lower upright position, b) a frame (18) configured to extend along an edge (12c) of the glass panel (12) when the glass panel is in the upper upright position, the frame comprising a vertical edge element (26) adjacent to the glass panel when the glass panel is in the upper upright position, and having an outer surface (26a) laterally flush with an outer face (12b) of the glass panel, the vertical edge element having a cross-section comprising a U-shaped portion, the U-shaped portion comprising: an outer wall (28) parallel to the glass panel (12) and including the outer surface (26a); an inner wall (30) parallel to the glass panel (12); and a connecting wall (32) connecting the outer wall to the inner wall, c) an elastomeric sliding seal (10) mounted on the frame (18) and adapted to receive the glass panel (12) when moved, the sliding seal comprising at least one rising strand (10b) configured to be at least partially mounted in the U-shaped portion, the at least one rising strand having: an outer branch (22) configured to contact the outer wall (28) and capable of sealingly contacting the glass panel (12); an inner branch (20) capable of contacting the inner wall (30); and a connecting branch (24) connecting the outer branch to the inner branch, the outer face (20c) of the inner branch (20) and an inner face (22c) of the outer branch (22) defining a gap (34) therebetween, the gap extending in a first plane (P) substantially perpendicular to the glass panel (12) and configured to be passed through by the panel guide (14), the outer branch (22) comprising an inner groove (50) capable of receiving at least one hook (14a) of the panel guide (14), the inner branch (20) comprising an inner face, the inner face of the inner branch comprising at least one protruding rib (58, 60) protruding inwardly and capable of contacting the outer face (30c) of the inner wall (30) or abutting against the outer face (18ba) of the frame (18), The invention is characterized in that the inner wall (30) includes a retaining rib (42), which extends toward the glass panel (12) and is configured to abut against the second protruding rib (58) to retain the sliding seal (10) in a final installation position, the inner wall (30) includes a first end (30a) connected to the connecting wall (32) and an opposite second free end (30b), and the retaining rib (42) is located on the opposite second free end (30b) of the inner wall (30), Furthermore, the position and size of the at least one protruding rib (58, 60) are designed so that when the at least one rising strand (10b) is in an initial installation position on the frame, it can abut against the opposite second free end (30b) of the inner wall (30), in which the at least one hook-shaped portion is introduced into the inner groove, and when the at least one rising strand is in a final installation position on the frame, it can abut against the outer surface (30c) of the inner wall (30) and abut against the retaining rib of the inner wall, in which the at least one hook-shaped portion is located in the inner groove, so that the movement of the at least one rising strand from the initial installation position to the final installation position is achieved along a direction (H1, H2) substantially perpendicular to the first plane (P), and when the sliding seal (10) is in the initial installation position, the gap size (W, W') of the gap (34) measured in the first plane is larger than when the sliding seal is in the final installation position.

2. The motor vehicle side door (16) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The inner branch (20) has a first end (20a) connected to the connecting branch (24) and an opposite second end (20b), and the at least one protruding rib (58, 60) is located at a distance D1 from the first end (20a) that is smaller than a distance D2 between the protruding rib and the opposite second end (20b).

3. The motor vehicle side door (16) according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The first protruding rib (60) is located at the opposite second end (20b), and the second protruding rib (58) is located at a distance D2 from the opposite second end (20b) and at a distance D1 from the first end (20a).

4. The motor vehicle side door (16) according to claim 3, It is characterized in that The thickness (E3) of the first protruding rib (60) is greater than the thickness (E4) of the second protruding rib (58), the thickness being measured in a direction perpendicular to the glass panel (12).

5. A motor vehicle side door (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, It is characterized in that When the sliding seal (10) is in the final installation position, the thickness (E3, E4) of the at least one protruding rib (58, 60) is equal to or greater than the gap size (W), and the thickness is measured in a direction perpendicular to the glass panel (12).

6. A motor vehicle side door (16) according to claim 3 or 4, It is characterized in that The second protruding rib (58) includes a first surface (58a) located on the glass panel side and a second surface (58b) located on the opposite side, the first surface (58a) being substantially perpendicular to the inner branch (20), and the second surface (58b) being inclined to form an inclined surface configured to cooperate with the opposite second free end of the inner wall (30) in a sliding manner.

7. The motor vehicle side door (16) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that A length (L1) of the inner wall (30) measured between the first end (30a) and the opposite second free end (30b) is greater than a length (L2) of the outer wall (28).

8. A motor vehicle side door (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, It is characterized in that The outer wall (28) comprises a protruding leg (44) which protrudes from the inner face (28c) of the outer wall towards the outer face (30c) of the inner wall (30) and is configured to engage in an outer groove (48) of the outer branch (22).

9. The motor vehicle side door (16) according to claim 8, It is characterized in that The outer wall (28) includes a first end or first portion (28b) connected to the connecting wall (32) and an opposite second end (28a), and the protruding leg (44) is located on or near the opposite second end (28a).

10. A motor vehicle side door (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, It is characterized in that The panel guide (14) includes a first edge (14b) and an opposite second edge (14c), the first edge being fixed to an inner face (12a) of the glass panel (12), and the opposite second edge being L-shaped and including a first portion (14ca) and a second portion (14cb), the first portion being parallel to the glass panel (12) and having a thickness (E1) less than the gap dimension (W) when the sliding seal (10) is in an initial installation position and a final installation position, and the second portion being perpendicular to the glass panel (12) and forming the at least one hook-shaped portion (14a), the hook-shaped portion having a thickness (E2) greater than the gap dimension (W) when the sliding seal (10) is in the initial installation position, the thickness being measured in a direction perpendicular to the glass panel (12).

11. A method for installing a motor vehicle side door (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, It is characterized in that The method comprises the following steps: a) positioning the sliding seal (10) so that the rising strand (10b) of the sliding seal is in the initial installation position relative to the inner wall (30) or the frame (18), in which the connecting branch (24) is engaged in the U-shaped portion and the at least one protruding rib (58, 60) abuts against the opposite second free end of the inner wall (30) or the free end (18d) of the frame (18), and b) engaging the panel guide (14) through the gap (34) and into the U-shape to push the rising strand (10b) into the final installation position, wherein the connecting branch (24) moves toward the connecting wall (32) and forces the at least one protruding rib (58, 60) to abut against the outer surface (30c) of the inner wall (30) or the outer surface of the frame (18).

12. The method according to claim 11, It is characterized in that Step a) is performed by displacing the rising strand (10b) in at least one direction (H1, H2) that is substantially parallel to the inner wall (30) and the outer wall (28) or inclined at an angle of 1° to 30° relative to the inner wall and the outer wall.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, It is characterized in that Step b) is performed by displacing the glass panel (12) in a direction (H3) substantially parallel to the inner wall (30) and the outer wall (28).

14. The method according to claim 11 or 12, It is characterized in that Before step a), the ascending strand (10b) has a rest position in which the inner branch and the connecting branch are inclined to each other at an angle (αα) greater than 90°, and after step b), the ascending strand has a restrained position in which the inner branch and the connecting branch are inclined to each other at an angle (αα) less than 90°. α α).

15. A motor vehicle side door, the motor vehicle side door include: a glass panel having an outer face and an inner face and carrying a panel guide fixed to the inner face, the glass panel being movable from an upper upright position to a lower upright position, a frame configured to extend along an edge of the glass panel when the glass panel is in the upper upright position, the frame comprising a vertical edge element adjacent to the glass panel when the glass panel is in the upper upright position, and the vertical edge element having an outer surface laterally flush with an outer face of the glass panel, the vertical edge element having a cross-section comprising a U-shaped portion, the U-shaped portion comprising: an outer wall substantially parallel to the glass panel and comprising the outer surface; an inner wall substantially parallel to the glass panel; and a connecting wall connecting the outer wall to the inner wall, an elastomeric glide seal mounted on the frame and adapted to receive the glass panel when moved, the glide seal comprising at least one rising strand configured to be at least partially mounted in the U-shaped portion, the at least one rising strand having: an outer branch configured to contact the outer wall and capable of sealingly contacting the glass panel; an inner branch capable of contacting the inner wall; and a connecting branch connecting the outer branch to the inner branch, the outer face of the inner branch and the inner face of the outer branch defining a gap therebetween, the gap extending in a first plane substantially perpendicular to the glass panel and configured to be passed through by the panel guide, the outer branch comprising an inner groove capable of receiving at least one hook of the panel guide, the inner branch comprising an inner face, the inner face of the inner branch comprising at least one protruding rib capable of contacting the outer face of the inner wall or abutting against the outer face of the frame, wherein the position and size of the at least one protruding rib are designed so that when the at least one rising strand is in an initial installation position on the frame, it can abut against the free end of the inner wall or the free end of the frame, and when the at least one rising strand is in a final installation position on the frame, it can abut against the outer surface of the inner wall or the outer surface of the frame, so that the movement of the at least one rising strand from the initial installation position to the final installation position is achieved in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first plane, and when the sliding seal is in the initial installation position, the gap size measured in the first plane is larger than when the sliding seal is in the final installation position, wherein the inner wall comprises a retaining rib extending toward the glass panel and configured to abut against the at least one protruding rib to retain the sliding seal in the final installed position, And wherein the inner wall includes a first end connected to the connecting wall and an opposite second end, the retaining rib is located on the opposite second end, and the length of the inner wall measured between the first end and the opposite second end is greater than the length of the outer wall.

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