Vehicle door handle assembly with foaming sealing structure, vehicle door and machining process

Abstract

The vehicle door handle assembly comprises a handle base, the handle base is provided with a first opening used for allowing a handle body to extend out, and the handle base is provided with a sealing arrangement area on the peripheral side of the first opening. Liquid silica gel polystyrene foam is applied to the sealing arrangement area, the liquid silica gel polystyrene foam is cured in situ in the sealing arrangement area to form a sealing foaming adhesive tape, and the interior of the sealing foaming adhesive tape is foamed and cured to form an elastic closed-cell structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive parts and equipment technology, specifically to a door handle assembly with a foamed sealing structure, a door, and a processing technology. Background Technology

[0002] Car doors are an important component of vehicles. With the rapid development of automotive industrial technology, hidden handles have become increasingly popular on the market. When a user approaches the vehicle, the handle automatically extends and retracts when the user leaves, giving it a strong sense of ceremony and technology.

[0003] To ensure the proper functioning of concealed door handles and the overall environmental adaptability of the door, the handle and the door sheet metal must have good sealing performance to prevent external environmental factors such as dust and moisture from entering the door and affecting the reliability and lifespan of electrical components and moving mechanisms. Existing handle components and the frame achieve a sealing effect by setting a sealant to prevent dust and rainwater from entering the door during vehicle operation.

[0004] In existing technologies, seals are typically made using foam strips or polyurethane foam. For foam strips, the starting and ending ends need to be joined to create a joint, and the foam strips require adhesive backing. In production, manual application is usually used, resulting in a lot of rework and material waste. In the assembly of the handle assembly, the foam strips also need to be die-cut, and the joints of the foam strips need to be further sealed, resulting in high overall costs. For polyurethane foam, the foam inside has an open-cell structure. Polyurethane foam is sealed by the molded skin. Once the skin is damaged, the sealing performance is lost, and the aging resistance is poor.

[0005] In addition, existing technologies address the aforementioned issues by using pre-made foam sealing strips, which are pre-formed and possess a certain degree of elasticity and sealing performance. These strips achieve a seal between the handle assembly and the door panel through irregularly shaped extensions. However, these foam sealing strips are fixed to the door panel via snap-fit ​​structures or adhesives. Because they operate on a "make-first, install-later" basis, additional molds are needed to produce corresponding foam sealing strips to accommodate differences in vehicle models or handle structures. Furthermore, since these sealing strips and the handle assembly are separate components, assembly processes and material management become more complex. Moreover, aging and cracking of the irregularly shaped extensions in the foam sealing strip can lead to seal failure and a risk of leakage. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the shortcomings of the existing technology, the purpose of this invention is to provide a car door handle assembly with a foamed sealing structure.

[0007] The above-mentioned technical objective of the present invention is achieved through the following technical solution: a car door handle assembly with a foamed sealing structure, including a handle base, the handle base having a first opening for the handle body to extend out, the handle base having a sealing arrangement area around the first opening, the sealing arrangement area being coated with liquid silicone foam, and the liquid silicone foam being cured in situ in the sealing arrangement area to form a sealing foam strip, the sealing foam strip having an elastic closed-cell structure formed inside through foaming and curing.

[0008] Furthermore, the sealing arrangement area is provided with adhesive application channels surrounding the first opening.

[0009] Furthermore, the sealing foam strip extends out of the outer end face of the handle base facing the opening direction of the handle body.

[0010] Furthermore, the sealing arrangement area is configured as a platform structure surrounding the first opening, and the outer edge of the sealing arrangement area is provided with a first stop extending in the vehicle width direction.

[0011] Furthermore, the first guard edge surrounds the first opening, and a notch is provided on the first guard edge.

[0012] Furthermore, the sealing arrangement area includes an edge portion and a transition portion extending to the inner or outer peripheral side of the edge portion. The transition portion is offset from the edge portion and provides an application surface for liquid silicone foam.

[0013] Furthermore, the sealed arrangement area is provided with multiple grooves at intervals, which allow liquid silicone foam to enter and cure within the grooves.

[0014] Furthermore, the sealing foam strip has an elastic surface that is away from the sealing arrangement area.

[0015] The present invention also provides a car door, including the above-mentioned car door handle assembly with a foam sealing structure, including a car door sheet metal, wherein the car door sheet metal is provided with a second opening that mates with the handle body, and the sealing foam strip is held in a compressed posture against the inner surface of the car door sheet metal and located on the periphery of the second opening.

[0016] Furthermore, the inner edge of the second opening is also provided with a second guard edge facing the inside of the vehicle body, and the sealing foam strip is arranged on the side of the second guard edge opposite to the second opening.

[0017] The present invention also provides a processing method for a car door handle assembly with a foamed sealing structure, comprising: Position the handle assembly correctly and clean the sealing area of ​​the handle assembly; A glue-applying robot is set up to apply glue to the predetermined sealing area, injecting liquid silicone foam into the periphery of the first opening or the target sealing position. Liquid silicone foam is foamed and cured in situ in the sealing area or target sealing position, forming a sealing foam strip integrally integrated into the handle assembly; When the handle assembly is assembled to the door sheet metal, the sealing foam strip elastically abuts against the inner surface of the door sheet metal. The handle assembly is fixed to the door sheet metal under the elastic compression of the sealing foam strip.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages and beneficial effects: 1. This invention uses liquid silicone foam to coat the sealing area of ​​the handle assembly, which is suitable for the application process by a glue-applying robot. No sealing joints are generated in the sealing area. The cured sealing foam strip can be directly integrated into the sealing position to form an integral structure with the handle assembly. There is no need to die-cut it, which effectively reduces labor costs.

[0019] 2. In terms of sealing effect, the silicone foam strip in this invention has a closed-cell structure after curing. Based on the silicone component, it maintains an overall seal after molding. Even if the surface is damaged, it still maintains a seal with the door sheet metal due to its elasticity, thus improving the effective service life. In addition, the silicone foam strip has high elasticity, which supports repeated disassembly and reassembly of the handle assembly relative to the door sheet metal. On the other hand, the use of silicone foam strip can compensate for the error between the handle assembly and the door sheet metal, so as to improve the situation where the handle assembly and the door sheet metal do not fit properly due to the accumulation of manufacturing and assembly errors. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the handle assembly of the present invention; Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the handle assembly and sealing foam strip of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the handle assembly and sealing foam strip of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the handle assembly and sealing foam strip of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the fit between the handle assembly of the present invention and the door sheet metal; Figure 6 for Figure 5 Enlarged view of point A in the middle; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another handle assembly structure according to the present invention; Figure 8This is an exploded view of another handle assembly and sealing foam strip of the present invention; Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of another handle assembly and sealing foam strip according to the present invention; Figure 10 for Figure 9 Enlarged view of point B in the middle; Figure 11 This is an exploded view of the adhesive application channel and the sealing foam strip of the present invention; Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of another handle assembly and sealing foam strip according to the present invention; In the picture: 1. Handle base; 1.1. First opening; 1.2. First retaining edge; 1.3. Notch area; 2. Handle body; 3. Sealing arrangement area; 3.1 Adhesive channel; 3.2 Edge area; 3.3 Transition area; 3.4 Molded groove; 4. Sealing foam strips; 5. Door sheet metal; 5.1. Second opening; 5.2. Second edge; Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0022] It should be understood that although the terms upper, middle, lower, top, one end, etc., appear in this document to describe various elements, these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the elements from each other for ease of understanding, and are not used to define any directional or sequential restrictions.

[0023] like Figures 1 to 4 ,as well as Figures 7 to 10 As shown, a car door handle assembly with a foam sealing structure includes a handle base 1. The handle base 1 has a first opening 1.1 for the handle body 2 to extend out. The handle base 1 has a sealing arrangement area 3 around the first opening 1.1. Liquid silicone foam is applied to the sealing arrangement area 3, and the liquid silicone foam is cured in situ in the sealing arrangement area 3 to form a sealing foam strip 4. The sealing foam strip 4 forms an elastic closed-cell structure through foaming and curing. The elastic closed-cell structure specifically refers to the fact that the air bubbles inside the sealing foam strip are closed cells, and the sealing foam strip as a whole has resilience and toughness.

[0024] The handle base 1 is housed inside the door sheet metal 5, and the handle body 2 is movably disposed inside the handle base 1, having both an extended position and a concealed position relative to the door sheet metal 5.

[0025] In this embodiment, the sealing arrangement area 3 has at least an adhesive application plane so that liquid silicone foam can be applied and cured thereon. Furthermore, the sealing foam strip 4 formed by the curing of the silicone foam and the handle base 1 form an integral structure. The above is the basic structure of the present invention. The sealing foam strip 4 forms a reliable seal between the handle assembly and the door sheet metal 5 to prevent water, dust and other external substances from entering the interior of the door, while also having good resilience and assembly adaptability.

[0026] The handle assembly forms a sealing foam strip 4 by directly applying adhesive to its own structure and foaming it in situ, making the sealing structure an integral part of the handle assembly. This eliminates the need for additional sealing strips, simplifies the assembly process, and improves sealing reliability and process controllability.

[0027] It is worth mentioning that, based on the silicone-based foam, the air bubbles inside the cured sealing foam strip 4 are elastic closed-cell structures, which gives the sealing foam strip 4 a certain degree of elasticity and toughness. Thus, when the handle assembly is assembled to the door sheet metal 5, it can be fixed in a pressure-deformed posture. In addition, even if the surface of the sealing foam strip 4 is damaged, the damaged surface is further elastically pressed against the door sheet metal 5 by the rebound characteristics of the sealing foam strip 4, so as to fit the door sheet metal 5 tightly and reduce noise.

[0028] This invention provides the application of foamed sealing structures in various handle assemblies, for example... Figure 1 The fully concealed handle, in which the handle body 2 is flush with the door panel 5 when concealed, for example... Figure 7 The semi-concealed handle in the middle has an operating opening facing downwards when it is in the concealed state, which is used for flipping up to open. The two are similar in that the sealing arrangement area 3 around the first opening 1.1 of the handle base 1 is applied to the sealing arrangement area 3, and liquid silicone foam is applied to the sealing arrangement area 3, so that it is cured in place on the handle base 1 to form a sealing foam strip 4.

[0029] Preferably, the sealing foam strip 4 extends out of the outer end face of the handle base 1 facing the opening direction of the handle body 2. This method mainly controls the relative extension of the sealing foam strip 4 by controlling the amount of silicone foam dispensing, so as to ensure that the end of the sealing foam strip 4 extends out of the handle assembly. During the assembly process, it provides sufficient stroke for the abutting deformation of the sealing foam strip 4 and the door sheet metal 5. Furthermore, the sealing foam strip 4, which is elastically deformed in the abutting posture, further expands in the circumferential direction, thereby increasing the contact area of ​​the sealing foam strip 4 and the door sheet metal 5.

[0030] Specifically, the sealing arrangement area 3 is arranged in the form of a platform structure around the first opening 1.1, and the outer edge of the sealing arrangement area 3 is provided with a first stop 1.2 extending in the vehicle width direction. The platform structure of the sealing arrangement area 3 provides convenience for the application of silicone foam. In addition, the first stop 1.2 defines the application space of silicone foam and guides the cured and expanded sealing foam strip 4. For the sealing foam during assembly, the first stop 1.2 is located outside the sealing arrangement area 3 to hinder the deformation of the sealing foam under pressure, so that its deformation direction is guided towards the first opening 1.1, thereby improving the waterproof sealing effect.

[0031] Preferably, the first retaining edge 1.2 is provided to surround the first opening 1.1.

[0032] like Figure 2 and Figure 8 As shown, in some other embodiments, a notch 1.3 is provided on the first retaining edge 1.2. The notch 1.3 specifically refers to an opening formed on the first retaining edge 1.2. The notch 1.3 serves as a stress release area for the cured and expanded silicone foam, allowing excess silicone foam to be released at the notch 1.3, thereby avoiding high pressure inside the foam cavity, making the foaming more uniform, reducing bulging or defects, guiding the release of excess adhesive or gas, improving the quality of the closed-cell structure of the foam, reducing the precision requirements of the adhesive application process, and enhancing production tolerance.

[0033] In some embodiments, the sealing arrangement area 3 includes an edge portion 3.2 and a transition portion 3.3 extending on the inner or outer peripheral side of the edge portion 3.2. The transition portion 3.3 is offset from the edge portion 3.2 and provides an application surface for liquid silicone foam.

[0034] like Figure 3 As shown, the transition portion 3.3 is disposed on the outer periphery of the edge portion 3.2, wherein the transition portion 3.3 is specifically an annular groove that is recessed relative to the edge portion 3.2, and the transition portion 3.3 engages with the first retaining edge 1.2; like Figure 10 As shown, the transition portion 3.3 is disposed on the inner circumferential side of the edge portion 3.2, wherein the transition portion 3.3 is specifically an annular groove that further converges and sinks towards the first opening 1.1 relative to the edge portion 3.2, so that the liquid silicone foam can partially flow to the transition portion 3.3 under the effect of the allowance.

[0035] In the above embodiments, the transition portion 3.3 is set on the inner or outer peripheral side of the edge portion 3.2, the purpose of which is to further improve the bonding stability between the silicone foam and the sealing arrangement area 3, so as to ensure the sealing fit between the handle assembly and the door sheet metal 5.

[0036] like Figure 3 As shown, specifically, multiple grooves 3.4 are spaced apart on the sealing arrangement area 3. The grooves 3.4 allow liquid silicone foam to enter and cure within the grooves 3.4. On the one hand, the liquid silicone foam enters the regularly contoured grooves 3.4 and cures to ensure the stability of its connection with the handle assembly. On the other hand, the grooves 3.4 can be configured to engage with traditional sealing rings to meet different production needs.

[0037] Specifically, the sealing foam strip 4 has an elastic surface that is away from the sealing arrangement area 3. That is, the interface between the sealing foam strip 4 and the door sheet metal 5 can be tightly fitted to the door sheet metal 5 through compression. The reliable seal between the handle base 1 and the door sheet metal 5 is achieved through its own elastic recovery force and elastic closed-cell structure. Moreover, the smooth surface of the sealing foam strip 4 is conducive to uniform compression, reduces friction, and facilitates multiple insertions and removals and assembly between the handle assembly and the door sheet metal 5.

[0038] like Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, in one embodiment of the sealing arrangement area 3 of the present invention, the sealing arrangement area 3 is provided with an adhesive channel 3.1 surrounding the first opening 1.1, so that the silicone foam can enter the adhesive channel 3.1 and be cured in the adhesive channel 3.1. The portion that enters the adhesive channel 3.1 forms the root of the sealing foam strip 4, thereby improving the integration of the sealing foam strip 4 and the handle base 1.

[0039] As an example, the groove depth of the adhesive channel 3.1 is 1.5mm and the groove width is 4mm. After the sealing foam strip is applied, it fills the adhesive channel, and the forming height of the sealing foam strip is 3.2mm ± 0.5mm. By further controlling the sealing foam strip and the adhesive channel, it is ensured that it extends beyond the surface of the handle base, the adhesive channel 3.1 and the sealing arrangement area 3.1, thereby improving the density effect around the first opening when it comes into contact with the door sheet metal.

[0040] like Figure 4 As shown, the adhesive channel 3.1 is preferably arranged on the edge portion 3.2.

[0041] Optionally, the adhesive channel 3.1 can be an enclosed annular contour, or a plurality of adhesive channels 3.1 spaced around the first opening 1.1.

[0042] It should be noted that only the adhesive channel 3.1 can be provided in the sealing arrangement area 3, or a groove 3.4 can be further provided in the adhesive channel 3.1 to further improve the bonding stability between the sealing foam strip 4 and the handle base 1, and further reduce the possibility of water leakage.

[0043] In other embodiments, to improve the bonding tightness between the cured silicone foam and the sealing arrangement area 3, a surface roughening treatment may be applied to the sealing arrangement area 3.

[0044] like Figures 3 to 5 ,as well as Figures 9 to 10 As shown, the present invention also provides a car door, including the car door handle assembly with the foam sealing structure described above, including a car door sheet metal 5, a second opening 5.1 that cooperates with the handle body 2 on the car door sheet metal 5, and a sealing foam strip 4 that is held in a compressed position against the inner surface of the car door sheet metal 5 and located around the second opening 5.1.

[0045] Specifically, the inner edge of the second opening 5.1 is also provided with a second guard edge 5.2 facing the inside of the vehicle body. The sealing foam strip 4 is arranged on the side of the second guard edge 5.2 away from the second opening 5.1. By setting the second guard edge 5.2, on the one hand, the problem of rough edges of the door sheet metal 5 at the second opening 5.1 is solved, and a stop part is formed on the inside in the vehicle width direction, which helps to prevent the handle body 2 from moving around at the second opening 5.1. On the other hand, for the sealing foam strip 4 in the pressure deformation posture, the second guard edge 5.2 provides a deformation stop part to prevent the sealing foam strip 4 from being over-deformed and contacting the handle body 2, or from being exposed from the second opening 5.1.

[0046] The present invention also provides a processing method for a car door handle assembly with a foamed sealing structure, comprising: Straighten the handle assembly and clean the sealing area 3 of the handle assembly; A glue-applying robot is set up to apply glue to the predetermined sealing arrangement area 3, injecting liquid silicone foam into the periphery of the first opening 1.1 or the target sealing position. Liquid silicone foam is foamed and cured in situ in the sealing arrangement area 3 or the target sealing position, forming a sealing foam strip 4 integrally integrated into the handle assembly; The handle assembly is assembled to the door sheet metal 5. At this time, the sealing foam strip 4 elastically abuts against the inner surface of the door sheet metal 5. The handle assembly is fixed to the door sheet metal 5 under the elastic compression of the sealing foam strip 4.

[0047] Among them, the preferred glue-applying robot is an automatic glue-applying device capable of three-axis movement, which is a conventional technical means in the field of automated glue application and will not be elaborated on here.

[0048] In the above embodiments, the sealing foam strips all protrude from the surface of the handle base.

[0049] This specific embodiment is merely an explanation of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. After reading this specification, those skilled in the art can make modifications to this embodiment without contributing any inventive step, but such modifications are protected by patent law as long as they are within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle door handle assembly having a foamed seal structure, characterized by, The handle base (1) is provided with a first opening (1.1) for the handle body (2) to extend out, and a sealing arrangement area (3) is arranged on the peripheral side of the first opening (1.1), and liquid silicone foam adhesive is applied on the sealing arrangement area (3), and the liquid silicone foam adhesive is cured in situ on the sealing arrangement area (3) to form a sealing foam adhesive strip (4), and the interior of the sealing foam adhesive strip (4) is formed into an elastic closed-cell structure by foaming and curing.

2. A door handle assembly having a foam seal structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing arrangement area (3) is provided with an adhesive application channel (3.1) arranged around the first opening (1.1).

3. A door handle assembly having a foam seal structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing foam adhesive strip (4) extends out of the outer end face of the handle base (1) in the opening direction of the handle body (2).

4. The door handle assembly having a foam seal structure according to claim 1, wherein: The sealing arrangement area (3) is in the form of a table body structure arranged on the peripheral side of the first opening (1.1), and the outer edge of the sealing arrangement area (3) is provided with a first retaining edge (1.2) extending in the vehicle width direction.

5. A door handle assembly having a foam seal according to claim 4, wherein: The first retaining edge (1.2) is arranged around the first opening (1.1), and an opening part (1.3) is formed in the first retaining edge (1.2).

6. A door handle assembly having a foam seal structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The sealing arrangement area (3) includes an edge portion (3.2) and a transition portion (3.3) extending on the inner or outer peripheral side of the edge portion (3.2), the transition portion (3.3) is arranged in a staggered manner with the edge portion (3.2), and provides an adhesive application surface for the liquid silicone foam adhesive.

7. A door handle assembly having a foam seal structure according to claim 1, wherein: A plurality of grooves (3.4) are arranged at intervals on the sealing arrangement area (3), which allow the liquid silicone foam adhesive to enter and cure in the grooves (3.4).

8. A vehicle door comprising the vehicle door handle assembly having a foamed seal structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The door panel (5) is provided with a second opening (5.1) matched with the handle body (2), and the sealing foam adhesive strip (4) is arranged in a compressed state against the inner surface of the door panel (5) and on the peripheral side of the second opening (5.1).

9. A vehicle door according to claim 8, characterised in that: The inner edge of the second opening (5.1) is also provided with a second retaining edge (5.2) facing the inside of the vehicle body, and the sealing foam adhesive strip (4) is arranged on the side of the second retaining edge (5.2) away from the second opening (5.1).

10. A process for manufacturing a vehicle door handle assembly having a foamed seal structure, characterized by, The handle assembly is adjusted and the sealing arrangement area (3) of the handle assembly is cleaned; An adhesive application robot is arranged to apply adhesive on the predetermined sealing arrangement area (3), and inject liquid silicone foam adhesive to the peripheral side of the first opening (1.1) or the target sealing position; The liquid silicone foam adhesive is foamed and cured in situ on the sealing arrangement area (3) or the target sealing position, and forms a sealing foam adhesive strip (4) integrated on the handle assembly; The handle assembly is assembled to the door panel (5), and at this time the sealing foam adhesive strip (4) is elastically arranged against the inner surface of the door panel (5), and the handle assembly and the door panel (5) are fixed in an elastic compression state of the sealing foam adhesive strip (4). ​

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