Mould

Abstract

The utility model provides a mold capable of firmly connecting the ends of a sealing strip to each other without deteriorating the construction performance. The mold maintains the ends in a specified shape when the ends of a sealing strip having a mounting portion 4 are connected to each other. The mold includes a main body portion having a cavity formed therein, and a sliding core 40 that can be pulled out toward the open side of the mounting portion 4. A lower protrusion 44 is formed at one end of the sliding core 40, and the lower protrusion 44 protrudes downward at a position on the opposite side of the open side that is closer to the tilted lip 5. The curvature radius R2 of the concave R of the root 44a of the lower protrusion 44 is set to be larger than the curvature radius R1 of the convex R of the front end 5a of the lip 5.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a mold for connecting two ends of a weather strip. Background Art

[0002] In the past, a sealing strip formed in an annular shape (hereinafter also referred to as an "annular sealing strip") is known. The sealing strip includes a mounting portion with a U-shaped cross-section and a lip portion (sealing lip) on the inner side. The sealing strip is installed on the vehicle body side by clamping the vehicle body panel that divides the vehicle door openings such as the front door and the rear door by the mounting portion, thereby sealing the entire circumference of the door opening.

[0003] However, since the weather strip is usually formed into a straight shape by extrusion molding, when manufacturing the annular weather strip, a sheet is often sandwiched between both ends of the weather strip that has been temporarily formed into a straight shape, and the both ends are connected via the sheet.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 (JP2001-301042A (Paragraphs

[0006] ,

[0007] )) discloses a method for connecting a sealing strip, in which when connecting the two ends of an extruded sealing strip using a plate made of unvulcanized rubber or the like, a connecting mold divided into three parts is used to hold the ends of the sealing strip, and the connecting mold is composed of a lower mold and an upper mold obtained by molding the outer shape of the sealing strip, and an intermediate mold as a nested mold obtained by molding the inner side of a mounting base (equivalent to a mounting portion).

[0005] However, although not described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, in a sealing strip, a core material is sometimes embedded in the mounting portion to increase the rigidity of the mounting portion. Therefore, even if the two ends of the sealing strip with the embedded core material are connected via a sheet material, since the core materials are not connected to each other, the joint of the core material becomes a weak portion, and the connection portion may break when the annular sealing strip is bent.

[0006] Therefore, it is also possible to consider pulling out a core material of a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction of the sealing strip from the mounting parts at both ends of the sealing strip and then connecting the two ends via the sheet material. However, if pressure is applied to the mounting part whose rigidity is reduced due to the pulling out of the core material in order to firmly clamp the sheet material at both ends, the mounting part will escape (deform), making it difficult to achieve a good connection part, resulting in a problem of the connection part breaking when the annular sealing strip is bent.

[0007] Here, as described in the above-mentioned patent document 1, although it is also possible to consider using a nested mold obtained by molding the inner side of the installation part to suppress the escape of the installation part, when the nested mold is demolded, not only will the so-called "forced extraction" occur, and the part that is "forced extracted" (lip, etc.) is easily damaged, but there is also a problem that the rigidity of the installation part caused by the core material is increased (difficult to deform) and combined with the "forced extraction", the construction performance is deteriorated.

[0008] It should be noted that such a problem is not limited to the case of manufacturing an annular weather strip, and generally occurs when the ends of a weather strip having a core material embedded in the mounting portion are connected to each other. Utility Model Content

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above point, and an object of the present invention is to provide a die capable of firmly connecting the ends of a weather strip to each other without deteriorating the workability.

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, in the mold described in the utility model, when the ends of the sealing strip are connected to each other, the shape of the sliding core in the mounting part with a U-shaped cross-section located at the end is designed to reduce the gap in the mounting part and make the sliding core easily pulled out of the mounting part.

[0011] Specifically, the utility model is directed to a mold which, when connecting the ends of a sealing strip having a mounting portion having a U-shaped cross section and a lip portion on the inner side and having a core material embedded therein, maintains the cross-sectional shape of the end portion in a prescribed shape after the core material is pulled out by a prescribed length in the longitudinal direction of the sealing strip.

[0012] Furthermore, the mold is characterized in that it comprises: a main body portion, which is formed with a cavity divided along the outer periphery of the cross section of the above-mentioned sealing strip; and a sliding core, which extends to the entire length of the cavity and, when the sealing strip is inserted into the cavity, extends from the inner side of the above-mentioned mounting portion to the opposite side of the open side to abut against the mounting portion and can be withdrawn toward the open side of the mounting portion; a protrusion portion is formed at one end of the above-mentioned sliding core, and when the above-mentioned sealing strip is inserted into the above-mentioned cavity so that one end edge of the sliding core coincides with the end edge of the sealing strip, the protrusion portion protrudes in a direction orthogonal to the withdrawal direction and contacts the mounting portion at a position closer to the opposite side of the open side than the above-mentioned lip portion that tilts to the opposite side of the open side due to interference from the sliding core and contacts the above-mentioned mounting portion, and the curvature radius of the concave R of the root of the protrusion portion is set to be larger than the curvature radius of the convex R of the front end of the lip portion.

[0013] According to this structure, the two ends of the sealing strip after the core material is pulled out from the installation part are respectively inserted into a pair of molds. Through the sheet material clamped by the two ends, not only can the two ends be connected, but the sheet material softened by heating, for example, can also flow into the hollow part after the core material is pulled out, thereby improving the adhesion between the ends.

[0014] Here, in order to make the softened sheet material flow reliably into the hollow portion, it is necessary to firmly maintain the cross-sectional shape of the two end portions while applying pressure to firmly clamp the sheet material at both ends. However, if pressure is applied to the mounting portion whose rigidity is reduced due to the core material being pulled out, the mounting portion may sometimes escape, making it difficult for the softened sheet material to flow into the hollow portion.

[0015] In this regard, in the utility model, since the sealing strip is inserted into the cavity divided along the outer periphery of the cross section of the sealing strip, it is possible to suppress the installation portion from escaping outward (deforming) after the core material is pulled out. In addition, at both ends of the sealing strip and the corresponding ends of the mold, the sliding core extends from the inner side of the installation portion to the opposite side of the open side, that is, the anti-open side (hereinafter "the opposite side of the open side" is referred to as "the anti-open side") to abut against the installation portion, and due to the interference of the sliding core, the lip tilts toward the anti-open side and contacts the installation portion, and the protrusion contacts the installation portion at a position closer to the anti-open side than the tilted lip, so that most of the inner space of the installation portion with a U-shaped cross section is filled with the sliding core, the tilted lip and the protrusion. As a result, it is also possible to suppress the installation portion whose rigidity is reduced due to the extraction of the core material from escaping inward (deforming). Therefore, even when pressure is applied to firmly clamp the sheet, the cross-sectional shape of both end portions can be firmly maintained, thereby allowing the softened sheet to reliably flow into the cavity, thereby reliably improving the bonding strength between the end portions.

[0016] However, if the inner space of the mounting portion having a U-shaped cross-section is filled too densely, it will be difficult to pull out the sliding core toward the open side. In the present invention, since the protrusion is arranged at a position closer to the anti-opening side than the lip portion tilted toward the anti-opening side, the curvature radius of the concave R at the root of the protrusion is set to be larger than the curvature radius of the convex R at the front end of the tilted lip. Therefore, the sliding core can be smoothly pulled out from the mounting portion compared to the case where the curvature radius of the convex R is the same as the curvature radius of the concave R (the front end of the lip is embedded in the root of the protrusion) or the curvature radius of the convex R is larger than the curvature radius of the concave R (the front end of the lip fills the root of the protrusion).

[0017] Thus, according to the mold of the utility model, even when pressure is applied to firmly clamp the sheet, the cross-sectional shape of the two end portions can be firmly maintained, and the sliding core can be smoothly pulled out from the mounting portion. Therefore, a mold that can firmly connect the ends of the sealing strip to each other can be realized without deteriorating the workability.

[0018] Furthermore, in the mold, when the weather strip is inserted into the cavity, the front end portion of the protrusion that contacts the mounting portion is in an R shape when viewed from the extending direction of the slide core.

[0019] According to this structure, since the front end of the protrusion that contacts the mounting portion is in an R shape, the mounting portion can be prevented from escaping to the inside after the core material is pulled out by the protrusion, and an appropriate gap is formed between the front end of the lip that tilts toward the anti-opening side and the front end of the protrusion that is arranged at a position closer to the anti-opening side than the lip. Thus, by setting the curvature radius of the concave R of the root of the protrusion to be larger than the curvature radius of the convex R of the front end of the tilted lip and forming an appropriate gap between the front end of the tilted lip and the front end of the protrusion, it is possible to reliably prevent the protrusion from hooking the lip, so that the sliding core can be pulled out from the mounting portion more smoothly.

[0020] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned mold, the above-mentioned protrusion is formed in a range from one end edge of the above-mentioned sliding core to a specified length corresponding to the above-mentioned core material being pulled out, and the above-mentioned sliding core is formed so that the cross-sectional area observed from the extension direction of the sliding core decreases as it moves toward the other side.

[0021] According to this structure, since the protrusion is formed in the range from one end edge of the sliding core to the range corresponding to the specified length, in other words, in the range where the mounting portion after the core material is pulled out needs to be suppressed from escaping inward, the portion where the inner space of the mounting portion with a U-shaped cross section is filled, that is, the portion where the resistance to the withdrawal of the sliding core is large, can be suppressed to the necessary minimum. In addition, since the sliding core is formed so that the cross-sectional area observed from the extension direction of the sliding core decreases as it moves toward the other side, the resistance to the withdrawal of the sliding core can be reduced as much as possible except for the portion where the inner space of the mounting portion needs to be filled. The combination of the two makes it possible to more smoothly withdraw the sliding core from the mounting portion.

[0022] As described above, according to the mold of the present invention, it is possible to realize a connection structure in which the ends of the weather strip are firmly connected to each other without deteriorating the workability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 It is a perspective view schematically illustrating a method for manufacturing an annular weather strip using a mold according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a weather strip.

[0025] Figure 3 is a diagram schematically showing an annular sealing strip, Figure 3 (a) is a perspective view showing a state where the door opening of the front door corresponding to the front seat is applied. Figure 3 (b) is a perspective view showing a door opening applied to a tailgate. Figure 3 (c) is a front view of the case where it is applied to the door opening of the front door.

[0026] Figure 4 It is a perspective view schematically showing a mold.

[0027] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the mold in a mold clamping state.

[0028] Figure 6 is a diagram schematically showing a sliding core, Figure 6 (a) is Figure 4 The cross-sectional view corresponding to the VIa-VIa line observed in the direction of the arrow, Figure 6 (b) is related to Figure 4 A cross-sectional view corresponding to the VIb-VIb line observed in the direction of the arrow.

[0029] Figure 7 Is the sealing strip inserted into the mold cavity with Figure 6 (a) The corresponding graph.

[0030] Figure 8 1 is a flow chart showing the manufacturing process of the annular weather strip.

[0031] Fig. 9 FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a weather strip during the manufacturing process.

[0032] Fig.10 FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a weather strip during the manufacturing process.

[0033] Fig.11 FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a weather strip during the manufacturing process.

[0034] Fig.12 It is a perspective view schematically showing a state where a weather strip is inserted into a mold cavity.

[0035] Fig.13 It is a perspective view schematically showing a connection portion of an annular weather strip.

[0036] Fig.14 It is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the relationship between the lip portion and the lower protrusion portion.

[0037] Fig.15 In the case where a sealing strip is inserted into the mold cavity according to Modification 1, Figure 6 (a) The corresponding graph.

[0038] Fig.16 In the case where a sealing strip is inserted into the mold cavity according to Modification 2, Figure 6 (a) The corresponding graph.

[0039] Fig.17It is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the internal state of the mounting portion of the weather strip when a slide core that prioritizes mold release properties is used.

[0040] Fig.18 This is a diagram schematically illustrating a problem in a connection portion molding process when a slide core that prioritizes mold releasability is used.

[0041] 1, 1': sealing strip, 1a: first end, 1b: second end, 4: mounting portion, 5, 6, 7: lip, 5a: front end, 8: core material, 20A, 20A', 20A": first mold, 20B: second mold, 30: main body, 30a: cavity, 21: end edge on one side, 40, 40': sliding core, 42, 43: upper protrusion, 44: lower protrusion, 44a: root, 44b: front end, 60: sheet, R: specified length, R1, R2: radius of curvature, Y1: one side in the width direction (anti-opening side), Y2: the other side in the width direction (opening side). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] -Overview of Manufacturing Method-

[0044] Figure 1 The annular seal strip 10 (see FIG. Figure 3 (c) is a perspective view of a manufacturing method. The manufacturing method is as follows Figure 1 As shown, the sealing strip 1 is formed into a ring shape by holding both ends 1a and 1b of the sealing strip 1 formed into a linear shape by the mold 20 (the first mold 20A and the second mold 20B) and connecting the both ends 1a and 1b via the rectangular sheet 60.

[0045] It should be explained that Figure 1 The molds 20A and 20B illustrated in the example are formed into a rectangular parallelepiped, with the directions indicated by arrows X1 and X2 as the length direction, the directions indicated by arrows Y1 and Y2 orthogonal to the length direction as the width direction, and the directions indicated by arrows Z1 and Z2 orthogonal to the length direction and the width direction as the height direction. Therefore, in the following description, the direction indicated by arrow X1 in each figure is referred to as one side in the length direction, and the direction indicated by arrow X2 is referred to as the other side in the length direction, and the direction indicated by arrow Y1 is referred to as one side in the width direction, and the direction indicated by arrow Y2 is referred to as the other side in the width direction, and the direction indicated by arrow Z1 is referred to as the upper side, and the direction indicated by arrow Z2 is referred to as the lower side, but this is only for convenience and does not limit the direction of mold opening and mold closing of the molds 20A and 20B.

[0046] -Sealing strip-

[0047] Figure 2 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the sealing strip 1. Figure 3 1 is a diagram schematically showing an annular sealing strip 10. Figure 3 (a) is a perspective view showing a door opening of a front door 51 corresponding to a front seat. Figure 3 (b) is a perspective view showing the door opening of the back door 53. Figure 3 (c) is a front view showing a state of being applied to a door opening of a front door 51. In the manufacturing method of this embodiment, the weather strip 1 to be formed is as follows. Figure 2 As shown, the first hollow portion 2 with a circular cross section, the second hollow portion 3 with a trapezoidal cross section, and the mounting portion 4 are formed into a long straight line shape by extrusion molding.

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, the mounting portion 4 includes a first wall portion 4a provided on the side of the first and second hollow portions 2 and 3, a third wall portion 4c provided opposite to the first wall portion 4a, and a second wall portion 4b connecting the first wall portion 4a and the third wall portion 4c, and is formed into a cross-sectional shape (cross-sectional U-shaped shape) having a mounting space 4d. In order to improve the rigidity of the mounting portion 4, a metal core material 8 is buried in the mounting portion 4. In addition, the mounting portion 4 has three lips 5, 6, and 7 on its inner side. In more detail, a lip portion 5 extending toward the first wall portion 4a is formed on the third wall portion 4c, and two lips 6 and 7 smaller than the lip portion 5 extending toward the third wall portion 4c are formed on the first wall portion 4a.

[0049] like Figure 3 (a) Figure 3 As shown in (b), the sealing strip 1 is mounted on the vehicle body panels 50a and 50b that divide the door opening of the vehicle 50, and is formed into a ring shape to seal the entire circumference of the door opening. More specifically, the sealing strip 1 formed into a long straight strip by extrusion molding is cut (cut) into a predetermined length, such as Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 5( c ), the first end portion 1 a and the second end portion 1 b are connected via a connecting portion 11 , thereby forming an annular seal strip 10 .

[0050] In order to install the annular weather strip 10 on the vehicle body panels (door opening edges) 50a, 50b, when the vehicle body panels 50a, 50b are inserted into the installation space 4d from the open side (opposite to the second wall portion 4b) of the installation portion 4, the vehicle body panels 50a, 50b are firmly clamped by the installation portion 4 whose rigidity is increased by the core material 8, and the lips 5, 6, 7 abut against the vehicle body panels 50a, 50b, thereby sealing the door opening. In addition, when the front door 51 and the back door 53 are closed, the first and second hollow portions 2, 3 are compressed between the front door 51, the back door 53 and the vehicle body panels 50a, 50b, so that the reaction force acting on the front door 51 and the back door 53 is reduced.

[0051] -Overall structure of the mold-

[0052] Figure 4 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a mold 20. The mold 20 is not a mold for extrusion molding or injection molding, but is a mold for forming a ring shape by connecting the two ends 1a and 1b of the sealing strip 1 formed in a straight line shape with a core material 8 embedded therein and a mounting portion 4 having lips 5, 6, and 7 on the inner side, and extending the sealing strip 1 by a predetermined length R in the longitudinal direction (see Fig. 9 ) is a mold in which the cross-sectional shapes of the two end portions 1a and 1b after the core material 8 is pulled out are maintained in a prescribed shape.

[0053] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the mold 20 includes a pair of molds 20A and 20B. Specifically, the mold 20 includes a first mold 20A for holding the first end 1a of the sealing strip 1, and a second mold 20B for holding the second end 1b of the sealing strip 1. It should be noted that since the first mold 20A and the second mold 20B are formed symmetrically, the first mold 20A will be used as a representative for description below. In addition, the first mold 20A will be referred to as "mold 20A" below.

[0054] Figure 5 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the mold 20A in the mold clamping state. Figure 5 As shown, the mold 20A includes an upper mold 31 and a lower mold 32 that can move relatively up and down, sliding molds 33 and 34 that can move relatively in the width direction, and a sliding core 40 that can move relatively in the width direction like the sliding mold 34.

[0055] For example, Figure 5 As shown by the hollow arrow in FIG. , the upper mold 31 is in a mold-closing state by relatively moving downward, and is in a mold-opening state by relatively moving upward. Figure 5As shown by the dot arrow, the lower mold 32 is in a mold-closed state by relatively moving upward, and is in a mold-opened state by relatively moving downward. Figure 5 As shown by the hatching arrow, the slide mold 33 is in a mold-closed state by relatively moving to the other side in the width direction, and is in an open state by relatively moving to one side in the width direction. Figure 5 As shown by the solid black arrow in FIG. 1 , the slide mold 34 is in a mold-closed state by relatively moving to one side in the width direction, and is in a mold-opened state by relatively moving to the other side in the width direction.

[0056] like Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , mold surfaces 31a, 32a, 33a, 34a for dividing a portion of the mold cavity 30a of the mold 20A are formed on the upper mold 31, the lower mold 32, and the sliding molds 33, 34, respectively. When the upper mold 31, the lower mold 32, and the sliding molds 33, 34 are combined (molded), as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, these mold surfaces 31 a , 32 a , 33 a , 34 a form a mold cavity 30 a divided along the cross-sectional periphery of the sealing strip 1 .

[0057] The upper mold 31, the lower mold 32, and the sliding molds 33, 34 formed with such mold surfaces 31a, 32a, 33a, 34a have the same cross-sectional shape from the end edge 21 on one side in the longitudinal direction to the end edge 22 on the other side. Therefore, when the portion after the upper mold 31, the lower mold 32, and the sliding molds 33, 34 are molded together, in other words, the portion excluding the sliding core 40 from the mold 20A after the mold is closed is called the "main body 30", it can be said that the main body 30 is formed with the cavity 30a divided along the outer periphery of the cross section of the weather strip 1.

[0058] -Sliding core-

[0059] On the other hand, the slide core 40 is formed so that the cross-sectional shape changes as it progresses from the end edge 21 on one side toward the end edge 22 on the other side in the longitudinal direction. Figure 6 2 is a diagram schematically showing a slide core 40. Figure 6 (a) is Figure 4 The cross-sectional view corresponding to the VIa-VIa line observed in the direction of the arrow, Figure 6 (b) is related to Figure 4 The cross-sectional view corresponding to the line VIb-VIb in FIG. Figure 7 The sealing strip 1 is inserted into the cavity 30a of the mold 20A. Figure 6 (a) The corresponding figure. It should be noted that Figure 7 In order to facilitate viewing of the figure, the upper mold 31, the lower mold 32 and the sliding molds 33 and 34 are omitted.

[0060] like Figure 4 As shown, the sliding core 40 extends to the entire length of the cavity 30a in the longitudinal direction, and as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown by the black solid arrow in FIG. 1 , the slide core 40 is relatively moved to one side in the width direction to achieve a mold closing state, and is relatively moved to the other side in the width direction to achieve a mold opening state. Figure 7 In the state shown, the slide core 40 is moved to one side in the width direction and relatively drawn out toward the open side of the mounting portion 4 of the weather strip 1 .

[0061] The slide core 40 has a core body 41 which is formed when the weather strip 1 is inserted into the cavity 30a (see Figure 7 ), extending in the installation space 4d inside the installation portion 4 to one side in the width direction (the opposite open side) until it abuts against the inner side surface 4e of the second wall portion 4b. The front end surface 41a of the core body portion 41 is formed as follows: Figure 6 As shown in (a), the end of one side in the longitudinal direction of the mold 20A abuts against the inner side surface 4e of the second wall portion 4b of the sealing strip 1, and gradually retreats to the other side in the width direction as it advances to the other side in the longitudinal direction. Figure 6 That is, the slide core 40 is formed so that the cross-sectional area viewed in the longitudinal direction (the extending direction of the slide core 40 ) decreases toward the other side in the longitudinal direction.

[0062] Thus, by forming the sliding core 40 (core body 41) so that the cross-sectional area observed in the length direction decreases as it proceeds from one side to the other side in the length direction, the sealing strip 1 can be easily inserted into the cavity 30a from the other side to one side in the length direction. In addition, due to the interference of the core body 41 whose cross-sectional area increases as it proceeds to one side in the length direction, the lips 6 and 7 tilt toward one side in the width direction (the anti-opening side) and contact the first wall portion 4a, and the lip 5 tilts toward one side in the width direction and contacts the third wall portion 4c. Therefore, when the sealing strip 1 is inserted into the cavity 30a so that the end edge 21 on one side of the mold 20A is aligned with the end edge of the sealing strip 1, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 As shown, the core body 41 is pressed against the mounting space 4d of the mounting portion 4 of the weather strip 1 from the other side in the width direction (the open side of the mounting portion 4), so that the core body 41 is completely accommodated in the mounting space 4d.

[0063] Furthermore, if Figure 6 (a) and Figure 7As shown in FIG. 1 , two upper protrusions 42 and 43 protruding upward from the upper surface 41b and a lower protrusion 44 protruding downward from the lower surface 41c are formed at one end of the core body 41 in the longitudinal direction. The positions of the upper and lower protrusions 42, 43, 44 are determined based on the lips 5, 6, 7 of the weather strip 1.

[0064] In more detail, the two upper protrusions 42, 43 are formed as follows: when the sealing strip 1 is inserted into the cavity 30a so that the end edge 21 on one side of the mold 20A is consistent with the end edge of the sealing strip 1, when viewed from the end surface of the sealing strip 1, the two upper protrusions 42, 43 protrude upward (in a direction orthogonal to the withdrawal direction) and respectively contact the first wall 4a of the mounting portion 4 at a position closer to one side in the width direction (the opposite opening side of the mounting portion 4) than the lips 6, 7 which are tilted to one side in the width direction due to interference from the core body 41 and contact the first wall 4a of the mounting portion 4.

[0065] In addition, the lower protrusion 44 is formed as follows: when the sealing strip 1 is inserted into the cavity 30a so that the end edge 21 on one side of the mold 20A is consistent with the end edge of the sealing strip 1, when viewed from the end face of the sealing strip 1, the lower protrusion 44 protrudes downward (in a direction orthogonal to the withdrawal direction) and contacts the third wall portion 4c of the mounting portion 4 at a position closer to one side in the width direction than the lip portion 5 which tilts to one side in the width direction due to interference from the core body portion 41 and contacts the third wall portion 4c of the mounting portion 4.

[0066] The upper and lower protrusions 42, 43, 44 are formed in a range from the end edge of one side in the longitudinal direction of the slide core 40 to a predetermined length R corresponding to the core material 8 of the weather strip 1 drawn out. The upper and lower protrusions 42, 43, 44 are formed so that the protrusion length gradually decreases as it goes toward the other side in the longitudinal direction and becomes 0 at a predetermined position.

[0067] -Manufacturing process of annular sealing strip-

[0068] Next, a description will be given of a process for producing the annular weather strip 10 using the mold 20 configured as described above.

[0069] Figure 8 1 is a flow chart showing the manufacturing process of the annular sealing strip 10. Figures 9 to 11 Schematically shows a sealing strip 1 during the manufacturing process. Figure 8 As shown, it includes an extrusion molding step S1, a cutting step S2, a core material extraction step S3, a mold insertion step S4, a connection portion molding step S5, and a molded product demolding step S6. It should be noted that Fig. 9 Corresponding to the core material extraction step S3, Fig.10 Corresponding to the mold insertion step S4, in addition, Fig.11This corresponds to the connection portion forming step S5. Fig.10 and Fig.11 In the figure, the lengths of the molds 20A and 20B in the longitudinal direction are exaggerated for ease of viewing.

[0070] First, in the extrusion molding step S1, rectangular metal sheets 8a arranged in parallel at a certain interval are connected by a connecting portion (not shown) to form a flat workpiece, and the workpiece is bent into a U-shape in a plane perpendicular to the arrangement direction to prepare a core material 8. The core material 8 is continuously coated with a rubber material (molded integrally with the rubber material) through composite extrusion molding to manufacture a long sealing strip 1.

[0071] Next, in the cutting step S2 , the long weather strip 1 produced in the extrusion step S1 is cut into a length corresponding to the entire circumference of the door opening of the front door 51 of the vehicle 50 using a cutting blade (not shown) such as a cutter.

[0072] Next, in the core material extraction step S3, the core material 8 of a predetermined length R in the longitudinal direction of the sealing strip 1 is extracted from the mounting portions 4 of the two end portions 1a, 1b of the sealing strip 1 cut in the cutting step S2. Fig. 9 As shown in the upper half of the figure, use a tool such as pliers to slit the metal sheets 8a of the core material 8 at the two ends of the sealing strip 1 as shown in the figure. Fig. 9 As shown by the hollow arrows in FIG. Fig. 9 As shown in the lower half of FIG. 1 , a cavity 9 having a U-shaped cross section and having a predetermined length R from which the core material 8 is drawn is generated at both end portions 1a and 1b of the weather strip 1 .

[0073] Next, in the mold insertion step S4, as shown in FIG. Fig.10 As shown, a pair of molds 20A and 20B are prepared, and the two end portions 1a and 1b of the sealing strip 1 are respectively inserted into the pair of molds 20A and 20B so that one end edge of the molds 20A and 20B is aligned with the end edge of the sealing strip 1. Fig.12 As shown, the first end 1a of the sealing strip 1 is inserted into the cavity 30a of the first mold 20A from the other side in the length direction, so that the end edge 21 on one side of the first mold 20A is consistent with the end edge of the sealing strip 1. Similarly, the second end 1b of the sealing strip 1 is inserted into the cavity 30a of the second mold 20B from one side in the length direction, so that the end edge 21 on the other side of the second mold 20B is consistent with the end edge of the sealing strip 1.

[0074] Next, in the connection portion forming step S5, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 and Fig.11 As shown, the two ends 1a and 1b of the sealing strip 1 are clamped by inserting them into a pair of molds 20A and 20 (see Fig.11A rectangular sheet 60 with a thickness of 1.4 mm made of unvulcanized rubber (black solid arrow in the upper part) is heated, as shown in FIG. Fig.11 As shown in the lower half of the drawing, the two end portions 1a and 1b are connected, and the softened sheet 60 flows into the cavity 9 formed after the core material 8 (metal sheet 8a') of the two end portions 1a and 1b is pulled out, thereby forming a strong connection portion 11.

[0075] Finally, in the molded product demolding step S6, in the pair of molds 20A and 20B, the upper mold 31 is relatively moved upward, the lower mold 32 is relatively moved downward, the slide mold 33 is relatively moved to one side in the width direction, and the weather strip 1 is moved to one side in the width direction (the core body 41 is relatively pulled out from the mounting portion 4), thereby removing the molded product from the pair of molds 20A and 20B. Fig.13 The manufacture of the annular sealing strip 10 is shown.

[0076] As described above, according to the manufacturing method of the annular sealing strip 10 involved in this embodiment, the two end portions 1a, 1b of the sealing strip 1 after the core material 8 (metal sheet 8a') is pulled out from the mounting portion 4 are respectively inserted into a pair of molds 20A, 20B, and not only are the two end portions 1a, 1b connected via the sheet 60 clamped by the two end portions 1a, 1b, but the softened sheet 60 is also made to flow into the hollow portion 9 formed after the core material 8 is pulled out, thereby being able to improve the bonding strength between the end portions 1a, 1b, thereby being able to manufacture the annular sealing strip 10 having a strong connecting portion 11.

[0077] -Protrusion of the sliding core-

[0078] Here, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, a problem in the case of using a slide core that prioritizes mold releasability (extractability) will be described. Fig.17 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the internal state of the mounting portion 4 of the weather strip 1 when a slide core 140 that prioritizes demolding properties is used. Fig.18 This is a diagram schematically illustrating a problem in the connection portion molding step S5 when the slide core 140 that prioritizes mold releasability is used.

[0079] If demoulding (extraction) is the priority, then Fig.17 As shown, consider providing a straight core body 141 on the sliding core 140, the upper surface of the core body 141 is roughly flush with the lower ends of the tilted lips 6 and 7, and the lower surface of the core body 141 is roughly flush with the upper end of the tilted lip 5, so that when the sliding core 140 is relatively pulled out from the other side in the width direction (the open side of the mounting portion 4), it will not hook (will not interfere with) the tilted lips 6 and 7 on the upper side and the tilted lip 5 on the lower side.

[0080] However, in such a core body 141, at both ends 1a and 1b of the sealing strip 1, a gap 4f is generated between the third wall 4c of the mounting portion 4 and the core body 141 at a position closer to one side in the width direction than the tilted lip 5, and gaps 4g and 4h are generated between the first wall 4a of the mounting portion 4 and the core body 141 at a position closer to one side in the width direction than the tilted lip 6 and 7. In other words, a space not filled by the slide core 140 and the tilted lip 5, 6, 7 is generated in the mounting space 4d inside the mounting portion 4 having a U-shaped cross section.

[0081] Therefore, taking the gap 4f as an example, in order to firmly connect the two ends 1a and 1b of the sealing strip 1, as shown in FIG. Fig.18 As shown by the hollow arrows in (a), it is necessary to apply pressure to the mounting portions 4 at both ends 1a and 1b during molding. However, if pressure is applied to the mounting portions 4 whose rigidity is reduced due to the withdrawal of the core material 8, Fig.18 As shown by the solid black arrow in (a), the mounting portion 4 (third wall portion 4c) sometimes escapes into the upper gap 4f, causing the two end portions 1a and 1b to be unable to be firmly connected, or the softened sheet 60 to have difficulty flowing into the cavity 9.

[0082] In addition, due to the presence of the gap 4f, it is difficult to firmly hold the mounting portion 4 (third wall portion 4c) at both end portions 1a and 1b. Fig.18 As shown by the hollow arrows in (b), even if pressure is applied to the mounting portion 4 at both ends 1a and 1b during molding, the mounting portion 4 whose rigidity is reduced due to the withdrawal of the core material 8 will be Fig.18 (b) As shown by the black solid arrow, the sheet 60 is pushed back by the elastic force, and it is assumed that the position in the longitudinal direction will be unstable.

[0083] In this regard, in the first and second molds 20A and 20B involved in the present embodiment, the sealing strip 1 is inserted into the cavity 30a divided along the outer periphery of the cross section of the sealing strip 1, thereby suppressing the deformation of the mounting portion 4 toward the outside due to the reduction of rigidity caused by the extraction of the core material 8 (metal sheet 8a'), specifically, suppressing the deformation of the second wall portion 4b toward one side in the width direction and the deformation of the third wall portion 4c toward the downward side.

[0084] In addition, at the two end portions 1a, 1b of the sealing strip 1, and the corresponding ends on one side of the length direction of the first mold 20A and the other side of the length direction of the second mold 20B, the core body portion 41 extends to one side in the width direction in the installation space 4d of the installation portion 4 until it abuts against the second wall portion 4b, and the lips 5, 6, 7 are tilted to one side in the width direction due to the interference of the core body portion 41 and contact the installation portion 4, and the upper and lower protrusions 42, 43, 44 contact the installation portion 4 at a position closer to one side in the width direction than the tilted lips 5, 6, 7, so that most of the installation space 4d of the installation portion 4 with a U-shaped cross-section is filled with the core body portion 41, the tilted lips 5, 6, 7 and the upper and lower protrusions 42, 43, 44. This can also prevent the mounting portion 4 from deforming inward due to the reduction in rigidity caused by the core 8 being pulled out. Specifically, it can prevent the first wall portion 4a from deforming downward, the second wall portion 4b from deforming to the other side in the width direction, and the third wall portion 4c from deforming upward.

[0085] Therefore, even when pressure is applied to the mounting portions 4 at both ends 1a, 1b to firmly clamp the sheet 60, Fig.11 As shown in the upper half of the figure, the cross-sectional shapes of the two end portions 1a and 1b can also be firmly maintained, thereby, as shown in FIG. Fig.11 As shown in the lower half of , the softened sheet 60 can reliably flow into the cavity 9, thereby reliably improving the bonding strength between the end portions 1a, 1b.

[0086] -Shape of protrusion-

[0087] Fig.14 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the relationship between the lip portion 5 and the lower protrusion 44. Fig.14 In the figure, for ease of viewing, the hatching of the slide core 40 other than the lower protrusion 44 is omitted.

[0088] As described above, in this embodiment, by providing the upper and lower protrusions 42, 43, 44 on the core body 41, when the two ends 1a, 1b of the weather strip 1 are connected, the gap of the installation space 4d of the installation portion 4 at the two ends 1a, 1b is reduced, and the deformation of the installation portion 4 due to the reduction of rigidity caused by the withdrawal of the core material 8 is suppressed. However, if the installation space 4d of the installation portion 4 with a U-shaped cross section is filled too densely, it is difficult to withdraw the slide core 40 from the installation portion 4.

[0089] Therefore, in this embodiment, by making efforts to improve the shapes of the upper and lower protrusions 42, 43, 44, the slide core 40 can be easily extracted from the mounting portion 4. Fig.14 As shown, the curvature radius R2 of the concave R of the base portion 44 a of the lower protrusion 44 is set larger than the curvature radius R1 of the convex R of the front end portion 5 a of the lip portion 5 .

[0090] Thus, since the curvature radius R2 of the concave R of the root 44a of the lower protrusion 44 (corresponding to the tilted lip 5) which is arranged at a position closer to one side (the anti-opening side) in the width direction of the mounting portion 4 than the tilted lip 5 is set to be larger than the curvature radius R1 of the convex R of the front end 5a of the tilted lip 5, the sliding core 40 can be smoothly pulled out from the mounting portion 4, compared with, for example, the curvature radius R1 of the convex R and the curvature radius R2 of the concave R are the same (the front end 5a is embedded in the root 44a) or the curvature radius R1 of the convex R is larger than the curvature radius R2 of the concave R (the front end 5a fills the root 44a).

[0091] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the weather strip 1 is inserted into the cavity 30a, the front end portion 44b of the lower protrusion 44 that contacts the third wall portion 4c is formed in an R shape having a curvature radius R3 when viewed from the longitudinal direction (the extending direction of the slide core 40).

[0092] Thus, since the front end portion 44b of the lower protrusion 44 in contact with the third wall portion 4c is in an R shape, the lower protrusion 44 can suppress the third wall portion 4c, whose rigidity is reduced due to the withdrawal of the core material 8, from deforming inwardly, and Fig.14 As shown, an appropriate gap 4i can be formed between the front end 5a of the tilted lip 5 and the front end 44b of the lower protrusion 44 provided at a position closer to one side in the width direction than the tilted lip 5. Thus, by setting the curvature radius R2 of the concave R of the root 44a of the lower protrusion 44 to be larger than the curvature radius R1 of the convex R of the front end 5a of the tilted lip 5 and forming an appropriate gap 4i between the front end 5a of the tilted lip 5 and the front end 44b of the lower protrusion 44, the slide core 40 can be more smoothly extracted from the mounting portion 4.

[0093] It should be noted that, although the description is omitted to avoid repetition, the relationship between the lip 6 and the upper protrusion 42 and the shape of the upper protrusion 42, as well as the relationship between the lip 7 and the upper protrusion 43 and the shape of the upper protrusion 43 are also the same as the relationship between the lip 5 and the lower protrusion 44 and the shape of the lower protrusion 44.

[0094] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as described above, since the upper and lower protrusions 42, 43, 44 are formed in the range from the edge of one side in the longitudinal direction of the slide core 40 to the range corresponding to the predetermined length R, in other words, in the range where the mounting portion 4 after the core material 8 is pulled out needs to be prevented from escaping inward, the portion where the mounting space 4d of the mounting portion 4 having a U-shaped cross section is filled, that is, the portion where the resistance to the withdrawal of the slide core 40 is large, can be suppressed to the minimum necessary limit. In addition, since the slide core 40 is formed so that the cross-sectional area as viewed in the longitudinal direction decreases as it advances toward the other side in the longitudinal direction, the resistance to the withdrawal of the slide core 40 can be reduced as much as possible except for the portion where the mounting space 4d of the mounting portion 4 needs to be filled. The combination of the two makes it possible to more smoothly withdraw the slide core 40 from the mounting portion 4.

[0095] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the annular weather strip 10 in which both end portions 1 a and 1 b of the weather strip 1 formed in a linear shape are firmly bonded can be manufactured without deteriorating workability.

[0096] (Variant 1)

[0097] The present modification example is different from the above-described embodiment in that only the lower protrusion is provided. Hereinafter, the difference from the embodiment will be mainly described.

[0098] Fig.15 In the case where the sealing strip 1 is inserted into the cavity 30a of the mold 20A' according to the present modification, Figure 6 (a) Corresponding figure. In the above embodiment, although the upper and lower protrusions 42, 43, 44 are provided, the first wall portion 4a is continuous with the second hollow portion 3 and is therefore difficult to bend, unlike the second wall portion 4b or the third wall portion 4c, and is therefore less likely to break, compared to the second wall portion 4b or the third wall portion 4c.

[0099] Therefore, in the mold 20A' involved in this modification, Fig.15 As shown, the upper protrusions 42 and 43 on the first wall 4a side are omitted, and only the lower protrusion 44' is formed on the slide core 40'. Therefore, even when the slide core 40' is formed with only the lower protrusion 44', the second wall 4b can be prevented from escaping inward by the core body 41', and the third wall 4c can be prevented from escaping upward by the lower protrusion 44', thereby making it possible to reliably allow the softened sheet 60 to flow into the hollow portion 9 of the second wall 4b and the third wall 4c, thereby reliably improving the bonding strength between the end portions 1a and 1b.

[0100] Furthermore, by omitting the upper protrusions 42 and 43 , the structure of the slide core 40 ′ can be simplified, and the slide core 40 ′ can be pulled out from the mounting portion 4 more smoothly.

[0101] (Variant 2)

[0102] This modification example is different from the above-described embodiment in that the present invention is applied to a weather strip having a decorative lip. Hereinafter, the difference from the embodiment will be mainly described.

[0103] Fig.16 In the case where the sealing strip 1' is inserted into the cavity 30a of the mold 20A" according to this modification, Figure 6 (a) Corresponding figure. The sealing strip 1' is different from the above-mentioned sealing strip 1 in that it has a decorative lip 15, and the decorative lip 15 extends in a curved manner toward the other side in the width direction as it moves downward from the corner formed by the second wall portion 4b and the third wall portion 4c. On the other hand, since the portion between the third wall portion 4c and the decorative lip 15 becomes an undercut, the mold 20A" is different from the mold 20A in that the lower mold 32 is divided into a sliding mold 35 that moves in the width direction and a lower mold 32'.

[0104] By using the mold 20A" involved in this modification, as in the above-mentioned embodiment, an annular sealing strip in which both ends of the sealing strip 1' are firmly bonded can be manufactured. In addition, since the second wall portion 4b and the third wall portion 4c are continuous with the decorative lip 15, they are difficult to bend. Combining the two, an annular sealing strip that is more difficult to break can be manufactured.

[0105] (Other embodiments)

[0106] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.

[0107] In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the sealing strip 1 having the first and second hollow parts 2 and 3 , but is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention may also be applied to the sealing strip having one hollow part.

[0108] In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the sealing strip 1 having three lips 5, 6, 7 in the installation space 4d, but is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention may be applied to a sealing strip having less than two or more than four lips in the installation space.

[0109] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the utility model is applied to a sealing strip 1 in which the mounting portion 4 with a U-shaped cross section is open in a direction substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the first and second hollow portions 2, 3 and the mounting portion 4, but is not limited thereto. For example, the utility model may also be applied to a sealing strip in which the mounting portion with a U-shaped cross section is open in a direction opposite to the hollow portion (in a direction substantially the same as the arrangement direction of the hollow portion and the mounting portion).

[0110] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the utility model is applied to the annular sealing strip 10 used for the door opening of the front door 51 corresponding to the front seat, but it is not limited to this. For example, the utility model can also be applied to the annular sealing strip 10 used for the door opening of the rear door 52 corresponding to the rear seat.

[0111] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the sheet 60 made of unvulcanized rubber is used, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, a sheet made of a thermoplastic elastomer or a sheet made of a resin such as polyethylene may be used.

[0112] In the above embodiment, the two ends 1a and 1b of the sealing strip 1 formed in a straight line are connected to manufacture the annular sealing strip 10, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the first mold 20A and the second mold 20B may be used and the sealing strip 10 may be manufactured by connecting the two ends 1a and 1b of the sealing strip 1 formed in a straight line. Figure 8 The same process as shown in the flowchart connects the ends of different sealing strips 1 to each other.

[0113] Therefore, the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted in a limiting sense. Furthermore, all modifications and changes within the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

[0114] -Industrial Applicability-

[0115] According to the present invention, since the ends of the weather strip can be firmly connected to each other without deteriorating the workability, the present invention is applicable to a mold used in a method for manufacturing an annular weather strip or a method for connecting a weather strip, and is very useful.

Claims

1. A mold which, when the ends of a sealing strip having a mounting portion having a U-shaped cross section and a lip portion on the inner side and in which a core material is embedded, are connected to each other via a sheet material, the cross-sectional shape of the end portion after the core material of a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction of the sealing strip is pulled out is maintained in a predetermined shape, characterized in that: The mold comprises: a main body portion having a cavity formed therethrough and divided along the outer periphery of the cross section of the sealing strip; and a sliding core extending over the entire length of the cavity and extending from the inner side of the mounting portion to the opposite side of the open side to abut against the mounting portion when the sealing strip is inserted into the cavity, and being withdrawable toward the open side of the mounting portion; A protrusion is formed at one end of the sliding core, and when the sealing strip is inserted into the cavity so that one end edge of the sliding core is consistent with the end edge of the sealing strip, when observed from the end surface of the sealing strip, the protrusion protrudes in a direction orthogonal to the withdrawal direction and contacts the mounting portion at a position closer to the opposite side of the open side than the lip portion that tilts toward the opposite side of the open side due to interference from the sliding core and contacts the mounting portion, and the curvature radius of the concave R at the root of the protrusion is set to be larger than the curvature radius of the convex R at the front end of the lip portion.

2. The mold according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the weather strip is inserted into the cavity, a front end portion of the protrusion that contacts the mounting portion has an R shape when viewed from the extending direction of the slide core.

3. The mold according to claim 1, characterized in that: The protrusion is formed in a range from one end edge of the slide core to a predetermined length corresponding to the core material being drawn out. The slide core is formed so that a cross-sectional area viewed in the extending direction of the slide core decreases toward the other side.

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