Sealing system for a vehicle

Abstract

A sealing system for a vehicle includes a mounting member including a web and first and second flanges extending oppositely from the web, and a sealing member including a sealing body and first and second engagement portions integrally connected to the sealing body, the first and second engagement portions facing each other relative to the web, the first engagement portion being in elastic engagement with the first flange, and the second engagement portion being in elastic engagement with the second flange.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference with related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0042920, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on April 1, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a sealing system for vehicles, and more specifically, to a sealing system designed for simple and easy installation of sealing components (e.g., weatherstripping). Background Technology

[0004] The vehicle includes doors for covering or exposing door openings in the vehicle body. Additionally, the vehicle includes sealing structures for the doors to form a seal between the door and the door openings in the vehicle body.

[0005] A sealing system for a vehicle includes a door side weatherstripping mounted on the edge of a door and a body side weatherstripping attached to the vehicle body around the door opening. When the door is closed, the door side weatherstripping comes into close contact with the vehicle body, forming a seal between the vehicle body and the door, and the body side weatherstripping comes into close contact with the door, forming a seal between the door and the vehicle body.

[0006] Typically, buses include folding doors that move between an unfolded position where the folding door covers the door opening and a folded position where the folding door exposes the door opening. Door side weatherstripping can be press-fitted into the edge of the folding door, and body side weatherstripping can be press-fitted into the body around the door opening. For example, a flange can be provided on the edge of the folding door, and the door side weatherstripping can be press-fitted into the flange of the folding door using tools such as a screwdriver or soapy water. Brackets can be attached to the body around the door opening using fasteners, welding, and / or similar methods, and body side weatherstripping can be press-fitted into the brackets of the body.

[0007] Because traditional weatherstripping is press-fitted to the door or body, the assembly time can be too long, and the door panel may be scratched because the operator uses tools such as screwdrivers when assembling the weatherstripping.

[0008] In addition, traditional weatherstripping is difficult to fix to the door or body with fasteners, so the weatherstripping may sag or partially fall off the door or body due to frequent opening and closing of the door.

[0009] The information described above in this background section is provided to aid in understanding the background of the inventive concept, and may include any technical concept known to those skilled in the art that is not considered prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0010] One aspect of the present invention provides a sealing system for a vehicle, which is designed to allow for simple and easy assembly of sealing components (e.g., weatherstripping) relative to the door and / or body.

[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, a sealing system for a vehicle may include: a mounting member including a web and a first flange and a second flange extending opposite to each other from the web; and a sealing member including a sealing body, and a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion integrally connected to the sealing body. The first engagement portion and the second engagement portion may face each other relative to the web, the first engagement portion may resiliently engage with the first flange, and the second engagement portion may resiliently engage with the second flange.

[0012] The first joint can be integrally connected to the sealing body through the elastically deformable first connecting part, and the second joint can be integrally connected to the sealing body through the elastically deformable second connecting part.

[0013] The mounting member may include a first groove defined by a web and a first flange, and a second groove defined by a web and a second flange.

[0014] The first joint can be elastically inserted into the first groove, and the second joint can be elastically inserted into the second groove.

[0015] The first joint may have a first cavity defined therein, and the second joint may have a second cavity defined therein.

[0016] The first joint and the second joint can be engaged with the web plate by fasteners, and the fasteners can penetrate the first joint and the second joint and the web plate through the first cavity and the second cavity to fasten the first joint and the second joint and the web plate.

[0017] The sealing system may further include a protective cover for covering the first cavity and the second cavity, and the protective cover may have a first retaining protrusion fitted into the first cavity and a second retaining protrusion fitted into the second cavity.

[0018] The first flange may have a first retaining protrusion projecting from its end, and the first retaining protrusion may be perpendicular to the first flange.

[0019] The mounting member may include a groove defined by a first flange, a first retaining protrusion, and a web, and the first engagement may have a retaining protrusion that fits into the groove of the mounting member.

[0020] The second flange may have a second retaining protrusion projecting from its end, and the second retaining protrusion has a curved shape.

[0021] The second connecting portion may have a curved shape corresponding to the curved shape of the second retaining protrusion.

[0022] The mounting member may include a retaining flange disposed on the web, the retaining flange extending curvedly from the web toward a second flange such that the retaining flange may define a groove opening toward the second flange, and the second engagement may have a retaining protrusion fitting into the groove of the retaining flange. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0024] Figure 1 A bus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0025] Figure 2 It shows along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a sealing system for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken by line AA;

[0026] Figure 3 The diagram illustrates a state in which the sealing member is separated from the mounting member in a sealing system for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 A perspective view of a sealing system for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0028] Figure 5 The process of covering a pair of cavities with a protective cover in a sealing system for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0029] Figure 6 It shows along Figure 1 The image shows a cross-sectional view of a sealing system for a vehicle according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken by line BB.

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0031] 2: Vehicle body;

[0032] 3: Car door;

[0033] 4: Door panel;

[0034] 5: Car door glass;

[0035] 6: Car door opening;

[0036] 10, 50: Sealing system;

[0037] 11, 51: Install components;

[0038] 12, 52: Sealing components;

[0039] 21, 61: Web;

[0040] 22a, 62a: First flange;

[0041] 22b, 62b: Second flange;

[0042] 32a, 72a: First connecting part;

[0043] 32b, 72b: Second connecting part;

[0044] 33a, 73a: First joint;

[0045] 33b, 73b: Second joint. Detailed Implementation

[0046] It is understood that the terms "vehicle" or "of a vehicle" or other similar terms as used herein include motor vehicles in general, such as passenger vehicles including SUVs, buses, trucks, and various commercial vehicles, watercraft including various boats and vessels, and aircraft, and include hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels derived from resources other than petroleum). As mentioned herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle with two or more power sources, such as a vehicle that combines gasoline and electric power.

[0047] The terminology used herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that, when used in this specification, the words “comprising” and / or “including” specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the word “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Throughout this specification, unless expressly stated otherwise, the word “comprising” and variations thereof such as “including” or “including” will be understood to imply inclusion of the stated elements but not exclusion of any other elements. Furthermore, the terms “unit,” “machine,” “device,” and “module” described in the specification refer to a unit that performs at least one function and operation and can be implemented by hardware or software and combinations thereof.

[0048] Furthermore, the control logic of this invention can be embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing executable program instructions that are executed by a processor, controller, or the like. Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, ROM, RAM, optical disc (CD)-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash drive, smart card, and optical data storage device. The computer-readable medium can also be distributed across a network-connected computer system, enabling it to be stored and executed in a distributed manner, for example, via a telematics server or a controller area network (CAN).

[0049] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are consistently used to denote the same or equivalent elements. Furthermore, detailed descriptions of well-known techniques associated with the present invention will be excluded to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the gist of the invention.

[0050] Terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) are used to describe elements in exemplary embodiments of the present invention. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another, and the inherent characteristics, order, or sequence of the corresponding elements are not limited by these terms. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having the same meaning as in the context of the relevant field and should not be interpreted as having an ideal or overly formal meaning unless expressly defined herein.

[0051] In this specification, the term "interior" refers to the direction toward the interior space of the vehicle, and the term "exterior" refers to the direction toward the exterior space of the vehicle.

[0052] Reference Figure 1 The bus 1 may include a body 2 having a door opening 6 and a door 3 for covering or exposing the body 2. The door 3 may include a door panel 4 and a door glass 5 fixedly mounted to the door panel 4. (See reference...) Figure 2 The door panel 4 may include an inner panel 4a facing the interior of the vehicle and an outer panel 4b facing the exterior of the vehicle, and the inner panel 4a and the outer panel 4b may be joined by means of fasteners, welding and / or similar methods.

[0053] For example, door 3 can be a folding door that moves between an unfolded position where the door covers the door opening 6 of bus 1 and a folded position where the door exposes the door opening 6. As another example, door 3 can be a swing door that swings about a hinge axis. As yet another example, door 3 can be a sliding door that slides along the longitudinal direction of the body 2 of bus 1.

[0054] Reference Figures 2 to 5According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a sealing system 10 for a vehicle may include a mounting member 11 disposed on the edge of a door 3 and a sealing member 12 detachably engaged with the mounting member 11.

[0055] Mounting member 11 can be integrally connected to door panel 4 of door 3. Mounting member 11 may include a web 21 extending from the edge of door 3 toward sealing member 12, and a pair of flanges 22a and 22b extending opposite to each other from the ends of web 21. The longitudinal axis of each of flanges 22a and 22b may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of web 21. The pair of flanges 22a and 22b may be opposite to each other relative to web 21. That is, mounting member 11 may have a T-shaped cross-section defined by web 21 and pair of flanges 22a and 22b.

[0056] The web 21 may include a first half-web 21a extending from the inner plate 4a and a second half-web 21b extending from the outer plate 4b. The first half-web 21a and the second half-web 21b may extend toward the sealing member 12, and the first half-web 21a may be attached to the second half-web 21b by fasteners, welding or the like.

[0057] The pair of flanges 22a and 22b may include a first flange 22a extending from the end of the first half-web 21a and a second flange 22b extending from the end of the second half-web 21b. The first flange 22a may extend from the end of the first half-web 21a toward the interior of the vehicle, and the second flange 22b may extend from the end of the second half-web 21b toward the exterior of the vehicle.

[0058] Mounting member 11 may have a first recess 23a defined by web 21 and a first flange 22a. The first recess 23a may be defined by the edge surface of the door 3, the first half-web 21a, and the first flange 22a, and the first recess 23a may open toward the interior of the vehicle. Mounting member 11 may have a second recess 23b defined by web 21 and a second flange 22b. The second recess 23b may be defined by the edge surface of the door 3, the second half-web 21b, and the second flange 22b, and the second recess 23b may open toward the exterior of the vehicle. The first recess 23a and the second recess 23b may be opposite to each other relative to the web 21.

[0059] The sealing member 12 may include a sealing body 31 and a pair of mating portions 33a, 33b integrally connected to the sealing body 31. The sealing member 12 may be made of an elastic material such as rubber. Therefore, the sealing member 12 can be easily deformed to fully achieve the sealing performance between the door 3 and the body 2.

[0060] The sealing body 31 may have multiple sealing lips 31a and 31b. The sealing body 31 may have a tubular shape, defining a cavity 31c. When the door 3 is closed, the sealing body 31 may resiliently contact the vehicle body 2 around the door opening 6.

[0061] The pair of joints 33a and 33b may include a first joint 33a and a second joint 33b facing each other in the width direction of the vehicle. The first joint 33a may elastically engage with the first half-web 21a and the first flange 22a of the mounting member 11, and the second joint 33b may elastically engage with the second half-web 21b and the second flange 22b of the mounting member 11.

[0062] The first engagement portion 33a may face the interior of the vehicle, and the first engagement portion 33a may be integrally connected to the sealing body 31 via a first connecting portion 32a that is elastically deformable. The first engagement portion 33a may be spaced from the sealing body 31 by a first gap 35a corresponding to the length of the first connecting portion 32a. When the first connecting portion 32a is elastically bent, the first engagement portion 33a may be detachably engaged with the first groove 23a. The first engagement portion 33a may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the first groove 23a, so that the first engagement portion 33a can be tightly and elastically inserted into the first groove 23a of the mounting member 11. In particular, the first engagement portion 33a may fill the first groove 23a. For example, the first groove 23a and the first engagement portion 33a may have corresponding rectangular cross-sections.

[0063] According to an exemplary embodiment, the width of the first connecting portion 32a may be smaller than the width of the first joining portion 33a, making the first connecting portion 32a easier to bend elastically. Furthermore, the first joining portion 33a may have a first cavity 34a, and the first joining portion 33a may be more easily deformable due to the first cavity 34a.

[0064] The second engagement portion 33b may face the exterior of the vehicle, and the second engagement portion 33b may be integrally connected to the sealing body 31 via a resiliently deformable second connecting portion 32b. The second engagement portion 33b may be spaced from the sealing body 31 by a second gap 35b corresponding to the length of the second connecting portion 32b. When the second connecting portion 32b is elastically bent, the second engagement portion 33b may be detachably engaged with the second groove 23b. The second engagement portion 33b may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the second groove 23b, so that the second engagement portion 33b can be tightly and elastically inserted into the second groove 23b of the mounting member 11. In particular, the second engagement portion 33b may fill the second groove 23b. For example, the second groove 23b and the second engagement portion 33b may have corresponding rectangular cross-sections.

[0065] According to an exemplary embodiment, the width of the second connecting portion 32b may be smaller than the width of the second joining portion 33b, making the second connecting portion 32b easier to bend elastically. Furthermore, the second joining portion 33b may have a second cavity 34b, and the second joining portion 33b may be more easily deformable due to the second cavity 34b.

[0066] Since the first joint 33a and the second joint 33b face each other with respect to the web 21, the first cavity 34a and the second cavity 34b can also face each other with respect to the web 21.

[0067] According to an exemplary embodiment, the joints 33a and 33b of the sealing member 12 can be engaged with the web 21 of the mounting member 11 by fasteners, and the fasteners can penetrate the pair of joints 33a and 33b and the web 21 through a pair of cavities 34a and 34b, and fasten the pair of joints 33a and 33b to the web 21. (Refer to...) Figure 2 The fastener can be a snap-fit ​​40, which can be embedded in the through holes 41a and 41b of the web 21 and the through holes 42a and 42b of the joints 33a and 33b. Specifically, the web 21 can have a first through hole 41a defined in the first half-web 21a and a second through hole 41b defined in the second half-web 21b, and the first through hole 41a can be aligned with the second through hole 41b. The first joint 33a can have a third through hole 42a aligned with the first through hole 41a of the web 21, and the second joint 33b can have a fourth through hole 42b aligned with the second through hole 41b of the web 21. For example, the snap-fit ​​clip 40 can have a head and two resilient legs extending from the head, and each resilient leg can have a retaining end. The head of the snap-fit ​​clip 40 can be located in the first cavity 34a, and the retaining ends of the resilient legs of the snap-fit ​​clip 40 can be located in the second cavity 34b. Since the sealing member 12 is securely engaged with the mounting member 11 by fasteners, it can prevent the sealing member 12 from sagging or partially falling off the edge of the door 3 due to frequent opening and closing of the door 3.

[0068] Reference Figure 5 The sealing system 10 for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a protective cover 45 for covering the first cavity 34a and the second cavity 34b of the sealing member 12. The protective cover 45 may include a first retaining protrusion 45a inserted into and engaging with the first cavity 34a and a second retaining protrusion 45b inserted into and engaging with the second cavity 34b. Therefore, the protective cover 45 can prevent foreign objects from entering the cavities 34a and 34b of the sealing member 12.

[0069] Reference Figure 6 According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a sealing system 50 for a vehicle may include a mounting member 51 disposed on the edge of the vehicle body 2, and a sealing member 52 detachably engaged with the mounting member 51.

[0070] Mounting member 51 can be detachably engaged with the edge of vehicle body 2 by fasteners (screws, rivets, etc.). Mounting member 51 may include a web 61 extending from vehicle body 2 toward the outside of the vehicle, and a pair of flanges 62a and 62b extending opposite to each other from the ends of web 61. That is, mounting member 51 may have a T-shaped cross-section defined by web 61 and the pair of flanges 62a and 62b.

[0071] The web 61 may extend outward in the width direction of the vehicle, and each of the flanges 62 and 62b may extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The pair of flanges 62a and 62b may include a first flange 62a extending from the end of the web 61 toward the vehicle body 2 and a second flange 62b extending from the end of the web 61 toward the door 3.

[0072] The first flange 62a may include a first retaining protrusion 62c projecting from its end toward the interior of the vehicle, and the first retaining protrusion 62c may be perpendicular to the first flange 62a. The mounting member 51 may include a groove 62e defined by the first flange 62a, the first retaining protrusion 62c and the web 61.

[0073] The second flange 62b may include a second retaining protrusion 62d projecting from its end toward the door 3. In particular, the second retaining protrusion 62d may have a curved shape.

[0074] The sealing member 52 may include a sealing body 71 and a pair of mating portions 73a and 73b integrally connected to the sealing body 71. The sealing member 52 may be made of an elastic material such as rubber. Therefore, the sealing member 52 can be easily deformed to fully achieve the sealing performance between the door 3 and the body 2.

[0075] The sealing body 71 may have a plurality of sealing lips 71a and 71b that resiliently contact the vehicle body 2 and the door 3. According to an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of sealing lips 71a and 71b may include a first sealing lip 71a that resiliently contacts the vehicle body 2 or a component attached to the vehicle body 2 (such as an exterior glass panel), and a second sealing lip 71b that resiliently contacts the door 3. (See also...) Figure 6 The outer glass 2a may be arranged adjacent to the vehicle body 2, and the first sealing lip 71a may elastically contact the outer glass 2a. The door side sealing member 3a may be installed on the edge of the door 3, and the second sealing lip 71b may elastically contact the door side sealing member 3a.

[0076] The pair of joints 73a and 73b may include a first joint 73a and a second joint 73b that are opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the first joint 73a and the second joint 73b may face the interior of the vehicle.

[0077] The first engagement portion 73a can be integrally connected to the sealing body 71 via an elastically deformable first connecting portion 72a. The first engagement portion 73a can be spaced apart from the sealing body 71 corresponding to the length of the first connecting portion 72a. When the first connecting portion 72a is elastically bent, the first engagement portion 73a can be detachably engaged with the first flange 62a and the first retaining protrusion 62c of the mounting member 51.

[0078] The first engagement portion 73a may have a retaining protrusion 74a protruding from its end toward the outside of the vehicle. Since the retaining protrusion 74a of the first engagement portion 73a fits tightly and elastically into the groove 62e of the mounting member 51, the first engagement portion 73a can be more firmly engaged with the first flange 62a of the mounting member 51.

[0079] The second engagement portion 73b can be integrally connected to the sealing body 71 via the elastically deformable second connecting portion 72b. When the second connecting portion 72b is elastically bent, the second engagement portion 73b can be detachably engaged with the second flange 62b of the mounting member 51. The second connecting portion 72b can have a curved shape corresponding to the curved shape of the second retaining protrusion 62d of the mounting member 51, and the second connecting portion 72b can engage with the second retaining protrusion 62d of the mounting member 51.

[0080] Mounting member 51 may have a retaining flange 64 disposed on web 61, the retaining flange 64 extending curvedly from web 61 toward a second flange 62b, thereby defining a groove opening toward the second flange 62b. Second engagement portion 73b may have a retaining protrusion 74b projecting from its end toward the vehicle interior, and the retaining protrusion 74b may have a curved surface corresponding to the curved surface of the retaining flange 64, thus allowing the retaining protrusion 74b to fit tightly and elastically into the groove of the retaining flange 64 of mounting member 51.

[0081] As described above, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, sealing members such as weatherstripping can be easily assembled to mounting members provided on vehicle doors and / or vehicle bodies, thus reducing the assembly time of the sealing members. Furthermore, since no separate tools are required, damage to the vehicle doors or vehicle bodies can be prevented.

[0082] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, since the sealing member and the mounting member have corresponding T-shaped cross sections, the assembly structure of the sealing member is simple, thereby significantly reducing manufacturing costs.

[0083] In the foregoing, although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments and accompanying drawings, the invention is not limited thereto, but can be modified and altered by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A sealing system for a vehicle, the sealing system comprising: a mounting member comprising a web and a first flange and a second flange extending from the web opposite each other; and a sealing member comprising a sealing body and a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion integrally connected to the sealing body; wherein the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion face each other relative to the web, wherein the first engagement portion is in elastic engagement with the first flange, wherein the second engagement portion is in elastic engagement with the second flange, wherein the first engagement portion has a first cavity defined inside and the second engagement portion has a second cavity defined inside, and wherein: the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are engaged with the web by fasteners, and the fasteners penetrate the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion and the web through the first cavity and the second cavity, thereby fastening the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion and the web.

2. The sealing system of claim 1, wherein, the first engagement portion is integrally connected to the sealing body by a first connecting portion that is elastically deformable, and the second engagement portion is integrally connected to the sealing body by a second connecting portion that is elastically deformable.

3. The sealing system of claim 1, wherein, the mounting member comprises a first recess defined by the web and the first flange and a second recess defined by the web and the second flange.

4. The sealing system of claim 3, wherein, the first engagement portion is elastically inserted into the first recess, and the second engagement portion is elastically inserted into the second recess.

5. The sealing system according to claim 1, further comprising a protective cover for covering the first cavity and the second cavity, wherein the protective cover has a first retaining protrusion fitted into the first cavity and a second retaining protrusion fitted into the second cavity.

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