Opening trim sealing strip

Abstract

Opening trim sealing strip (10) attached to a flange (7) configured to surround a circumferential edge (6) of a vehicle body opening of a vehicle (1) and sealing a gap between a vehicle door and the circumferential edge (6) of a vehicle body opening, comprising: a mounting base section (20) that is attached to the flange, and a hollow sealing section (30) which is integrated into the mounting base section (20) and rests against a door frame (2) of the vehicle door or a door wall surface for sealing the gap between the vehicle door and the circumferential edge (6) of the vehicle body opening, in which the mounting base section (20) is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross-section, which is formed by a vehicle outer side wall (21), a vehicle inner side wall (22) and a lower wall (23), the hollow sealing section (30) is designed such that it is divided by a connecting wall (35) of the hollow sealing section (30) into a first hollow section (31) extending from the mounting base section (20) and a second hollow section (36) abutting the door frame or an outer circumference of the door wall surface, wherein the first hollow section (31) comprises a first outer circumferential side wall (32) extending obliquely from an opening end of the vehicle outer side wall (21) of the mounting base section (20) in a vehicle outer direction and in an inner circumferential direction of the circumferential edge (6) of the vehicle body opening, the inner circumferential direction being directed towards the center of the opening, such that the first outer circumferential side wall (32) has no folded-back section between the connecting surface of the vehicle outer side wall (21) and a bending section (34) of the hollow sealing section, wherein the connecting wall (35) of the hollow sealing section extends in an extension direction of the first outer circumferential side wall (32), and a first inner circumferential side wall (33) connected from a lower wall side of the vehicle outer side wall (21) of the mounting base section to a tip of the connecting wall of the hollow sealing section.and includes the vehicle's outer side wall of the mounting base section, . wherein the second hollow section (36) comprises a second outer circumferential side wall (37) extending from a connector between the first outer circumferential side wall (32) and the connecting wall (35) of the hollow sealing section to an outer circumferential side of the circumferential edge (6) of the vehicle body opening, and a second inner circumferential side wall (38) configured to extend from a connector between the first inner circumferential side wall (33) and the connecting wall (35) of the hollow sealing section in an inner circumferential direction to the second outer circumferential side wall (37), and tips of the second outer circumferential side wall (37) and the second inner circumferential side wall (38) are connected to each other to form a tip section (36a) of the second hollow section (36), a connector between the first outer circumferential side wall (32) and the second outer circumferential side wall (37) forms the bending section (34) of the hollow sealing section, and an outer surface of the bending section (34) of the hollow sealing section is designed such that it is arranged more in the inner circumferential direction of the circumferential edge (6) of the vehicle body opening than the tip section (36a) of the second hollow section (36), and the ratio of the length of the connecting wall (35) of the hollow sealing section to the length of the first outer circumferential side wall (32) is 1:1.57 to 1.82.

Description

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an opening trim sealing strip for a vehicle, which seals a gap between a vehicle door and a circumferential edge of a vehicle body opening. 2. Description of the state of the art

[0002] An opening cladding sealing strip is disclosed in GB 2 407 119 A.

[0003] In the state of the art, as it is described in the Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the sealing of a gap between a vehicle door and a circumferential edge of a vehicle body opening is carried out by a disc guide (not shown) attached to a channel (not shown) of an inner circumference of a door frame 2 of the door, a door sealing strip (not shown) attached near an opening of a circumferential edge 6 of a vehicle body opening, and an opening trim sealing strip 110 (described below) attached to a flange 7 of the circumferential edge 6 of the vehicle body opening.

[0004] As it is in the Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the opening trim sealing strip 110 is formed as a single unit by extrusion, its ends being connected by a connector 111 to form a ring shape, and the opening trim sealing strip 110 is substantially attached to the entire circumference of the perimeter edge 6 of the vehicle body opening. Consequently, when the door is closed, the opening trim sealing strip 110 rests against the door frame 2 or the outer perimeter of a door wall surface, thus providing a seal. As shown in the Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the flange 7 is provided in the circumferential edge of a vehicle body opening 6, the opening trim sealing strip 110 is attached to the flange 7, and the flange 7 is formed by firmly welding the tips of an inner wall surface 8 and an outer wall surface 9.

[0005] As it is in the Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the opening trim sealing strip 110 comprises a hollow sealing section 130 and a mounting base section (trim section) 120 with a substantially U-shaped cross-section, and is attached to the flange 7 by the mounting base section (trim section) 120. The trim section 120 is formed by a vehicle outer side wall 121, a vehicle inner side wall 122, and a lower wall 123, each with a substantially U-shaped cross-section (see, e.g., JP 2011 189 880 A).

[0006] As it is in the Fig. As shown in Figure 5, an outer vehicle side retaining lip 124 and an inner vehicle side retaining lip 125 are formed on the respective inner surfaces, which have a substantially U-shaped cross-section, of the outer vehicle side wall 121 and the inner vehicle side wall 122, such that the flange 7 is gripped. When the flange 7 is inserted into the trim section 120, the tips of the outer vehicle side retaining lip 124 and the inner vehicle side retaining lip 125 are bent and press against the respective side surfaces of the flange 7, thus holding the flange 7 and allowing the opening trim sealing strip 110 to be attached. A door frame protrusion 2a of the door frame 2 rests against the hollow sealing section 130, thus achieving a seal.

[0007] As it is in the Fig. As shown in Figure 6, there is a technique in which an opening trim sealing strip 210 has a trim section 220 attached to the flange 7 and a hollow sealing section 230 formed by two hollow sections: a hollow base section 234 and a hollow extension section 235 (see, e.g., JP 2005 119 350 A). In this case, bending sections 236 and 236 are provided in a sealing wall of the hollow base section 234 of the hollow sealing section 230 to reduce a door opening force and to ensure a sealing capacity.

[0008] However, if a swing door with a small gap between the door and the periphery edge of a vehicle body opening 6 has a sealing structure for pressing and compressing the entire hollow base section 234 and the hollow extension section 235 instead of for pressing down the hollow extension section 235, the side walls of the hollow sealing section 230 are overlapped in a triple manner, so that with some variations in the dimension between the door and the periphery edge of a vehicle body opening 6, ground contact may occur due to deformation, causing the closing load on the door to increase rapidly. SUMMARY

[0009] The invention provides an opening trim sealing strip for a vehicle in which a door closing force is reduced when closing a door and a sealing surface pressure is ensured, so that a sealing capability can be guaranteed.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the invention, an opening trim sealing strip is provided, which is attached to a flange configured to surround a circumferential edge of a vehicle body opening and seals a gap between a vehicle door and the circumferential edge of a vehicle body opening, comprising: an attachment base section attached to the flange, and a hollow sealing section integrated on the attachment base section and bearing against a door frame of the vehicle door or a door wall surface to seal the gap between the vehicle door and the circumferential edge of a vehicle body opening, wherein the hollow sealing section is configured to be divided by a connecting wall of the hollow sealing section into a first hollow section extending from the attachment base section and a second hollow section,which abuts the door frame or an outer circumference of the door wall surface, wherein the first hollow section comprises a first outer circumferential side wall extending obliquely from an opening end of a vehicle outer side wall of the mounting base section in a vehicle outer direction and in an inner circumferential direction of the circumferential edge of a vehicle body opening, wherein the connecting wall of the hollow sealing section extends in an extension direction of the first outer circumferential side wall, a first inner circumferential side wall connected from a lower wall side of the vehicle outer side wall of the mounting base section to a tip of the connecting wall of the hollow sealing section, and the vehicle outer side wall of the mounting base section, wherein the second hollow section comprises a second outer circumferential side wall,extending from a connector between the first outer circumferential side wall and the connecting wall of the hollow sealing section to an outer circumferential side of the circumferential edge of a vehicle body opening, and comprising a second inner circumferential side wall configured such that it is arranged in an inner circumferential direction of the second outer circumferential side wall by a connector between the first inner circumferential side wall and the connecting wall of the hollow sealing section, and tips of the second outer circumferential side wall and the second inner circumferential side wall are connected to each other to form a tip section of the second hollow section, and a connector between the first outer circumferential side wall and the second outer circumferential side wall forms a bend section of the hollow sealing section, and an outer surface of the bend section of the hollow sealing section is configured such thatthat it is arranged more in the inner circumferential direction of the circumferential edge of a vehicle body opening than the tip section of the second hollow section.

[0011] According to the first aspect of the invention, the opening trim sealing strip comprises the mounting base section, which is attached to the flange, and the hollow sealing section, which is integrated into the mounting base section and bears against the door frame of the vehicle door or the outer perimeter of the door wall surface to seal the gap between the vehicle door and the perimeter edge of a vehicle body opening. Therefore, when the mounting base section is attached to the flange, the hollow sealing section bears against the door frame or the outer perimeter of the door wall surface, thus sealing the gap between the door frame or the outer perimeter of the door wall surface and the perimeter edge of a vehicle body opening.The hollow sealing section is designed in a hollow shape so that it reliably rests smoothly on a wide area of ​​the door frame projection, even if there is a variation in the door assembly, thus ensuring the sealing capacity.

[0012] The hollow sealing section is designed such that it is divided by the connecting wall of the hollow sealing section into the first hollow section, which extends from the mounting base section, and the second hollow section, which rests against the door frame or the outer perimeter of the door wall surface. For this reason, the first and second hollow sections can be designed with different deformation stiffnesses, so that the second hollow section rests against the door frame or the outer perimeter of the door wall surface with a predetermined surface pressure, thereby ensuring a proper seal.

[0013] The first hollow section comprises the first outer circumferential side wall extending obliquely from the opening end of the vehicle outer side wall of the mounting base section in the vehicle outer direction and in the inner circumferential direction of the circumferential edge of a vehicle body opening, wherein the connecting wall of the hollow sealing section extends in the extension direction of the first outer circumferential side wall, the first inner circumferential side wall connected from the lower wall side of the vehicle outer side wall of the mounting base section to the tip of the connecting wall of the hollow sealing section, and the vehicle outer side wall of the mounting base section.For this reason, when the first hollow section rests against the door frame or door wall surface, the connector between the first outer circumferential side wall of the first hollow section and the connecting wall of the hollow sealing section is positioned far from the connecting surface of the vehicle's outer side wall. This allows for easy bending and reduces the door closing force.

[0014] The second hollow section comprises the second outer circumferential side wall, which extends from the connector between the first outer circumferential side wall and the connecting wall of the hollow sealing section to the outer circumferential side of the circumferential edge of a vehicle body opening, and the second inner circumferential side wall, which is configured to be arranged from the connector between the first inner circumferential side wall and the connecting wall of the hollow sealing section in the inner circumferential direction of the second outer circumferential side wall, and the tips of the second outer circumferential side wall and the second inner circumferential side wall are connected to each other to form the tip section of the second hollow section.For this reason, when the second hollow section is in contact with the door frame or door wall surface, it exhibits resistance to deformation, ensuring sealing surface pressure and thus improving the sealing capacity.

[0015] The connector between the first outer perimeter side wall and the second outer perimeter side wall forms the bent section of the hollow sealing section. This bent section is positioned closer to the inner perimeter of the perimeter edge of a vehicle body opening than the pointed section of the second hollow section. Therefore, when the door closes, the hollow sealing section bends towards the bent section of the hollow sealing section, reducing the closing force required. The pointed section of the second hollow section rests against the door frame or door wall surface in a linear sealing manner, further improving the sealing performance.

[0016] A second aspect of the invention provides the opening trim sealing strip according to the first aspect, wherein, when the door frame of the vehicle door or the door wall surface abuts the hollow sealing section, the distance between the door frame of the vehicle door or a tip of the outer circumference of the door wall surface and a connecting surface between the first outer circumference side wall and the vehicle outer side wall is formed to a length of 1.2 to 2.5 times the total wall thickness of the first outer circumference side wall, the second outer circumference side wall and the second inner circumference side wall.

[0017] According to the second aspect of the invention, when the door frame of the vehicle door or the door wall surface abuts the hollow sealing section, the distance between the door frame of the vehicle door or the tip of the outer circumference of the door wall surface and the connecting surface between the first outer circumference side wall and the vehicle outer side wall is formed to a length of 1.2 to 2.5 times the total wall thickness of the first outer circumference side wall, the second outer circumference side wall and the second inner circumference side wall.

[0018] For this reason, when the door is closed, the total wall thickness of the first outer perimeter side wall, the second outer perimeter side wall and the second inner perimeter side wall, which are located between the door frame or door wall surface and the vehicle outer side wall attached to the flange of the perimeter edge of a vehicle body opening, is greater than the gap between the vehicle outer side wall and the door frame or door wall surface, thus preventing the door closing force from increasing rapidly.

[0019] In a case where the distance between the door frame or the tip of the outer perimeter of the door wall surface and the vehicle's outer side wall is less than 1.2 times the total thickness of the walls, there are concerns that the door closing force may be increased, for example, depending on the combination of the door frame or door wall surface and the perimeter edge of a vehicle body opening. In a case where the distance between the door frame or the tip of the outer perimeter of the door wall surface and the vehicle's outer side wall is greater than 2.5 times the total thickness of the walls, the sealing surface pressure exerted when the tip of the second hollow section rests against the door frame or the tip of the outer perimeter of the door wall surface is low, thus reducing the sealing capacity.

[0020] A third aspect of the invention provides the opening trim sealing strip according to the first aspect or the second aspect, wherein, when the door frame of the vehicle door or the outer circumference of the door wall surface abuts the hollow sealing section, the distance between the door frame of the vehicle door or the tip of the outer circumference of the door wall surface and an outer surface of the bending section of the hollow sealing section is greater than the total wall thickness of the second outer circumference side wall and the second inner circumference side wall.

[0021] According to the third aspect of the invention, when the door frame of the vehicle door or the door wall surface abuts the hollow sealing section, the distance between the door frame of the vehicle door or the tip of the outer circumference of the door wall surface and the outer surface of the bending section of the hollow sealing section is greater than the total wall thickness of the second outer circumference side wall and the second inner circumference side wall.For this reason, when closing the door itself, taking into account the variation in the dimensions of the door frame or door wall surface, the total wall thickness of the second outer perimeter side wall and the second inner perimeter side wall, which are located between the door frame or the tip of the outer perimeter of the door wall surface and the first outer perimeter side wall, is smaller than the dimension between the position of the bending section of the hollow sealing section and the door frame or the tip of the outer perimeter of the door wall surface when the first outer perimeter side wall is bent, thus not increasing the door closing force.

[0022] A fourth aspect of the invention provides the opening cladding sealing strip according to one of the first, second and third aspects, wherein the ratio of the length of the connecting wall of the hollow sealing section to the length of the first outer circumferential side wall is 1:1.57 to 1.82.

[0023] According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the ratio of the length of the connecting wall of the hollow sealing section to the length of the first outer circumferential side wall is 1:1.57 to 1.82. Therefore, when the door closes, the first outer circumferential side wall of the first hollow section is only slightly deformed, thus not increasing the door closing force. Furthermore, the connecting wall of the hollow sealing section, which joins the second hollow section and the first hollow section, is narrow, causing the second hollow section to twist and deform slightly. In cases where the ratio is less than 1:1.57, the connecting wall of the hollow sealing section is long. Therefore, it is unlikely that the second hollow section will twist and deform, and deformation by pressing and crushing the second hollow section increases the deformation load on the second hollow section, thus increasing the door closing force.In a case where the ratio exceeds 1:1.82, the deformation of the second hollow section does not occur as a rotational deformation, but as a bending deformation in the longitudinal direction, the deformation load is increased and the sealing capacity between the tip section of the second hollow section and the door frame or the door wall surface is reduced.

[0024] A fifth aspect of the invention provides the opening cladding sealing strip according to one of the first, second, third and fourth aspects, wherein the ratio of the distance between an outermost surface of the second outer circumferential side wall and an outermost surface of the second inner circumferential side wall to the distance from an upper surface of the connecting wall of the hollow sealing section of the second hollow section to a tip of the second hollow section is 1:1.3 to 1.8.

[0025] According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the ratio of the distance between the outermost surface of the second outer perimeter side wall and the outermost surface of the second inner perimeter side wall to the distance from the upper surface of the connecting wall of the hollow sealing section of the second hollow section to the tip of the second hollow section is 1:1.3 to 1.8. For this reason, the stiffness of the second hollow section is ensured, so that the door frame or the tip of the outer perimeter of the door wall surface can abut the tip section of the second hollow section in a linearly sealing manner when the door is closed, thereby achieving a seal.Furthermore, the hollow sealing section is designed to be vertically long, the connecting wall of the hollow sealing section, which connects the second hollow section and the first hollow section, is narrow, and consequently the rotational deformation of the second hollow section can be easily carried out.

[0026] In cases where the spacing ratio is less than 1:1.3, the hollow sealing section is not vertically long, the deformation of the second hollow section does not occur as a rotational deformation but as a bending deformation in the longitudinal direction, the deformation stress is increased, and the door closing force is increased. In cases where the ratio exceeds 1:1.8, the deformation of the second hollow section does not occur as a rotational deformation but as a bending deformation in the longitudinal direction, the deformation stress is increased, and the sealing capacity between the tip of the second hollow section and the door frame or door wall surface is reduced.

[0027] A sixth aspect of the invention provides the opening cladding sealing strip according to one of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth aspects, wherein the second outer circumferential side wall is curved in an arc shape in an outer direction of the second hollow section.

[0028] According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the second outer circumferential side wall is curved in an arc shape in the outer direction of the second hollow section. Therefore, when the door frame or the tip of the outer circumference of the door wall surface presses against the second hollow section during closing of the door, a rapid increase in the load in the initial stage of the pressure can be prevented.

[0029] A seventh aspect of the invention provides the opening cladding sealing strip according to one of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth aspects, wherein a section of the second inner circumferential side wall near the tip of the second hollow section is designed to be thicker than other sections of the second inner circumferential side wall.

[0030] According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the section of the second inner perimeter side wall near the apex of the second hollow section is designed to be thicker than the other section of the second inner perimeter side wall. Therefore, deformation of the second inner perimeter side wall is prevented when the door frame or door wall surface presses against the second hollow section, and consequently, when the door is closed, the apex of the door frame or door wall surface rests against the apex of the second hollow section in a linearly sealing manner, thereby improving the sealing surface pressure and creating a seal.

[0031] An eighth aspect of the invention provides the opening trim sealing strip according to one of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh aspects, wherein the mounting base section is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross-section which is formed by the vehicle outer side wall, a vehicle inner side wall and a lower wall.

[0032] According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the mounting base section is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross-section, which is formed by the vehicle's outer side wall, the vehicle's inner side wall, and the lower wall. Therefore, the flange can be held in an inner section of the substantially U-shaped cross-section and firmly arranged between a vehicle outer side retaining lip and a vehicle inner side retaining lip formed in the vehicle's outer and inner side walls.

[0033] The first hollow section comprises the first outer circumferential side wall, which extends obliquely from the opening end of the vehicle's outer side wall of the mounting base section in the vehicle's outer direction or in the central direction of the circumferential edge of a vehicle body opening. Therefore, when the first hollow section abuts the door frame or door wall surface, the connector between the first outer circumferential side wall of the first hollow section and the connecting wall of the hollow sealing section is positioned far from the connecting surface of the vehicle's outer side wall, allowing for easy bending and consequently reducing the door closing force.

[0034] The connector between the first outer perimeter side wall and the second outer perimeter side wall forms the bending section of the hollow sealing section, and the bending section of the hollow sealing section is designed such that it is positioned on the tip side of the flange of the tip section of the second hollow section. Therefore, when the door closes, the hollow sealing section is bent within the bending section of the hollow sealing section, thus reducing the door closing force, and the tip section of the second hollow section rests against the door frame or door wall surface in a linearly sealing manner, thereby improving the sealing performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The present invention will be better understood with the detailed description given below and the accompanying drawings, which serve only for illustration and are therefore not intended to limit the present invention, and wherein: Fig. 1 a sectional view along line AA in the Fig. 4 is showing a state in which an opening cladding sealing strip according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a flange, Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing a state in which the opening cladding sealing strip is attached to the flange according to the embodiment of the present invention, and a dimensional relationship in the Fig. 1 shows, Fig. 3 is a perspective view from the rear, showing a state in which a vehicle door is open, Fig. 4 is a front view showing a door opening trim sealing strip according to the embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing a state in which a prior art door opening trim sealing strip is attached to a circumferential edge of a vehicle opening, and Fig. Figure 6 is a sectional view showing a state in which an additional door opening trim sealing strip of the prior art is attached to a circumferential edge of a vehicle opening. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] One embodiment of the present invention is based on the Fig. 1 to 4 described.

[0037] As it is in the Fig. As shown in Figure 3, a vehicle body 1 comprises a door opening section, and the door opening section is opened and closed by a door as an opening / closing element. A circumferential edge 6 of a vehicle body opening is formed at the edge of the door opening section, and the circumferential edge 6 of the vehicle body opening comprises a flange 7 (see Figure 3). Fig. 1), which is obtained by welding together the tips of an outer wall surface 9, an inner wall surface 8, and the like, which form the vehicle body 1. The number of welded wall surfaces in the flange 7 varies from two to eight sheets, depending on the position of the circumferential edge 6 of the vehicle body opening of the vehicle body 1.

[0038] The sealing of a gap between the door and the periphery edge 6 of the vehicle body opening is achieved by a window guide (not shown) attached to a channel of the door for sealing a gap between a door glass 5 and the inner periphery of a door frame 2, an opening sealing strip (not shown) for sealing the opening side of the periphery edge 6 of the vehicle body opening, and an opening trim sealing strip 10 attached to the flange 7 for sealing the inside of the vehicle like the opening sealing strip.

[0039] The present invention relates to the opening trim sealing strip 10. The opening trim sealing strip 10 is formed by extrusion in a straight line shape. The opening trim sealing strip 10, which is formed as a unit in the straight line shape, is mounted on the flange 7 such that it has a ring shape along the shape of the circumferential edge 6 of the vehicle body opening, as shown in the Fig. 4 is shown.

[0040] The assembly is carried out by successively mounting the opening cladding sealing strip 10 into the flange 7 from one end and, after complete assembly, connecting the other end to the first end. The ends can be fused together by means of a connector 11 to form the ring shape.

[0041] The ends of the opening trim sealing strip 10 can be bonded together with an adhesive to form the ring shape before assembly.

[0042] As it is in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the opening trim sealing strip 10 comprises a trim section (mounting base section) 20, which is attached to the flange 7 and has a substantially U-shaped cross-section, and a hollow sealing section 30 with a hollow shape, which is integrated with the trim section 20 and serves as a sealing section that abuts a door frame protrusion 2a of the door frame 2 to seal a gap between the door and the circumferential edge 6 of the vehicle body opening.

[0043] The embodiment of the present invention is described by way of example using the opening trim sealing strip 10, which rests against the door frame 2.

[0044] According to the present invention, the hollow sealing section 30 is integrated onto the outer surface of a vehicle outer side wall 21 of the cladding section 20. The hollow sealing section 30 is described below.

[0045] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows the direction to the left, which is in the Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle's interior direction and the direction to the right are shown in the Fig. 1 shows an outside direction for the vehicle. The upward direction is from Fig. Figure 1 shows an outer circumferential direction of the circumferential edge 6 of the vehicle body opening and the downward direction of Fig. Figure 1 shows an inner circumferential direction of the circumferential edge 6 of the vehicle body opening. The outer circumferential direction of the circumferential edge 6 of the vehicle body opening, which is an opening of the vehicle body as shown in the Fig. Figure 3 shows a direction opposite to the center of the opening. The inner circumferential direction of the circumferential edge 6 of the vehicle body opening is a direction towards the center of the opening. The flange 7, which is formed in the circumferential edge 6 of the vehicle body opening, is oriented towards the central direction of the opening; consequently, a tip direction of the flange 7 is the inner circumferential direction, and a base direction of the flange 7 is the outer circumferential direction.

[0046] The direction (up, down, right, and left) of the outer and inner circumferences varies depending on the position of the circumferential edge 6 of the vehicle body opening. In the upper section of the circumferential edge 6 of the vehicle body opening, the outer circumferential direction is upward and the inner circumferential direction is downward. In the lower section of the circumferential edge 6 of the vehicle body opening, the outer circumferential direction is downward and the inner circumferential direction is upward.

[0047] The cladding section 20, which serves as the mounting base section, comprises the vehicle outer side wall 21, an inner side wall 22, and a lower wall 23, and is essentially formed in a U-shaped cross-section. An insert element 27 is embedded in the cladding section 20, thus increasing the strength for gripping the flange 7. The insert element 27 is formed from a metal sheet or a hard resin and is configured in a ladder shape, a herringbone pattern, a zigzag pattern, or the like, to ensure the flexibility required when mounted in corner sections. The cladding section 20 is formed from a solid material or a finely foamed material.

[0048] An outer vehicle side retaining lip 24 and an inner vehicle side retaining lip 25, extending longitudinally and sandwiching around the flange 7, are formed on the inner surfaces of the outer vehicle side wall 21 and the inner vehicle side wall 22, respectively. Therefore, the tips of the outer vehicle side retaining lip 24 and the inner vehicle side retaining lip 25 rest against the respective two side surfaces of the flange 7, thus holding the flange 7 firmly in place. Consequently, the trim section 20 is not tilted, and the hollow sealing section 30 rests reliably against the door frame 2, ensuring a proper seal.

[0049] The vehicle inner side retaining lip 25 according to this embodiment is designed as a single, long unit. For this reason, the vehicle inner side retaining lip 25 can hold the flange 7 so stably that the vehicle inner side retaining lip 25 is bent, so that the flange 7 is pressed towards the vehicle outer side wall 21 even when the thickness of the flange 7 is changed. The tip of the vehicle inner side retaining lip 25 is designed to bend towards the lower wall 23, thus making it easy to hold the flange 7.

[0050] According to this embodiment, the vehicle outer side retaining lip 24 is designed as a short unit after extrusion, and the vehicle inner side retaining lip 25 is designed as a long unit and projects obliquely towards the inner section with a substantially U-shaped cross-section. For this reason, the flange 7 is located on the inside of the vehicle outer side wall 21 and is held by the vehicle outer side retaining lip 24. Furthermore, the vehicle outer side retaining lip 24 and the vehicle inner side retaining lip 25 reliably follow the unevenness or curvature of the flange 7, so that they bear against the flange 7, thus ensuring a seal.

[0051] A cover lip 28 extends in an inward direction of the vehicle from a continuous section of the vehicle's inner side wall 22 and the lower wall 23 and covers a tip of a decorative element 40 that is fitted in the vehicle.

[0052] A vehicle outer side sealing lip 26, designed to abut the flange 7, is provided at the tip of the vehicle outer side wall 21. For this reason, as shown in the Fig. As shown in Figure 1, when the cladding section 20 is attached to the flange 7, the vehicle outer side sealing lip 26 is attached to the base section of the flange 7, so that a gap between the outer wall surface 9 and the vehicle outer side wall 21 is covered. Therefore, rainwater flowing in through the outer wall surface 9 can be prevented from penetrating the vehicle between the outer wall surface 9 and the vehicle outer side wall 21.

[0053] Next, the hollow sealing section 30, which serves as a sealing section, is constructed according to the embodiment of the present invention based on the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 described.

[0054] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the hollow sealing section 30 comprises two hollow sections and the hollow sealing section 30 is designed such that it is divided by a connecting wall 35 of the hollow sealing section into a first hollow section 31, which extends from the cladding section 20, and a second hollow section 36, which abuts the door frame 2 or the outer circumference of a door wall surface.

[0055] The hollow sealing section 30 is preferably made of a sponge material with a relative density of 0.5 to 0.7. In this case, the hollow sealing section 30 exhibits flexibility and can therefore conform to the variation of the door frame 2 of a vehicle door, thus ensuring a seal with the door frame 2. Furthermore, the overall weight of the opening trim sealing strip 10 is reduced, which contributes to a reduction in the vehicle's weight.

[0056] The first hollow section 31 and the second hollow section 36 can be designed with different cross-sectional shapes and can have different deformation stiffnesses. For this reason, the first hollow section 31 can be easily bent, and a pointed section 36a of the second hollow section 36 (described below) rests against the door frame 2 or the outer perimeter of the door wall surface in a linearly sealing manner at a given surface pressure, thus ensuring a seal.

[0057] The first hollow section 31 comprises a first outer circumferential side wall 32, which extends obliquely in the vehicle outer direction from the end of the opening having the substantially U-shaped cross-section, the vehicle outer side wall 21 of the panel section 20 or in the inner circumferential direction from the circumferential edge 6 of the vehicle body opening (an oblique direction to the right and lower side in the Fig. 1) extends, wherein the connecting wall 35 of the hollow sealing section extends in the extension direction of the first outer circumferential side wall 32, a first inner circumferential side wall 33, which is connected to the end of the connecting wall 35 of the hollow sealing section from the lower wall side of the vehicle outer side wall 21 of the cladding section 20, and the vehicle outer side wall 21 of the cladding section 20. The first outer circumferential side wall 32 extends from a connecting surface of the vehicle outer side wall 21a, which is arranged at the apex of an extension section of the vehicle outer side wall 21b of the vehicle outer side wall 21.

[0058] In this embodiment, the first inner circumferential side wall 33 comprises a retaining section of the first inner circumferential side wall 33a extending from the vehicle's outer side wall 21, and a body of the first inner circumferential side wall 33b extending from the retaining section of the first inner circumferential side wall 33a. A skin layer of the first inner circumferential side wall 33c, formed from a solid material, is provided on the outer surface of the body of the first inner circumferential side wall 33b. This results in a smooth surface, thus improving its appearance.

[0059] The retaining section of the first inner circumferential side wall 33a is made of a solid material similar to the vehicle's outer side wall 21, and the body of the first inner circumferential side wall 33b is made of a sponge material. The retaining section of the first inner circumferential side wall 33a is connected to the body of the first inner circumferential side wall 33b by the connecting surface of the first inner circumferential side wall 33d. The retaining section of the first inner circumferential side wall 33a is designed to be gradually curved in the inner circumferential direction.

[0060] The second hollow section 36 comprises a second outer circumferential side wall 37 extending from a bending section of the hollow sealing section 34, which serves as a connector between the first outer circumferential side wall 32 and the connecting wall 35 of the hollow sealing section with the outer circumferential side of the circumferential edge 6 of the vehicle body opening, and a second inner circumferential side wall 38, which is designed to be arranged in the inner circumferential direction to the second outer circumferential side wall from a connector between the first inner circumferential side wall 33 and the connecting wall 35 of the hollow sealing section.

[0061] The apex of the second outer perimeter side wall 37 and the apex of the second inner perimeter side wall 38 are connected to each other such that the apex section 36a of the second hollow section 36 is formed. The second outer perimeter side wall 37 and the second inner perimeter side wall 38 are formed in an arc shape, and consequently, the second hollow section 36 has an oval cross-sectional shape. Therefore, when the door frame 2 or the door wall surface abuts the apex section 36a of the second hollow section 36, the second hollow section 36 exhibits a deformation resistance such that the apex section 36a abuts it in a linearly sealing manner, thus ensuring sealing surface pressure and improving the sealing performance.

[0062] The first outer perimeter side wall 32 and the connecting wall 35 of the hollow sealing section are continuously curved, and consequently, the first hollow section 31 essentially has a triangular cross-sectional shape. When the door frame 2 or the door wall surface abuts the opening trim sealing strip 10, the curved section 34 of the hollow sealing section, which serves as a connector between the first outer perimeter side wall 32 of the first hollow section 31 and the connecting wall 35 of the hollow sealing section, is compressed by the second outer perimeter side wall 37 of the second hollow section 36.

[0063] The bending section 34 of the hollow sealing section is arranged away from the connecting surface of the vehicle outer side wall 21a, which limits the deformation of the first outer circumferential side wall 32, and consequently a deformation movement can easily contribute to a reduction in a door closing force.

[0064] The first outer circumferential side wall 32 does not have a folded-back section between the connecting surface of the vehicle outer side wall 21a and the bending section 34 of the hollow sealing section, and consequently the tolerance until ground contact occurs due to an overlap of the side walls is large even if the hollow sealing section 30 is strongly deformed.

[0065] The second outer circumferential side wall 37 is curved in an arc shape in the outer circumferential direction of the second hollow section 36. Consequently, when the door frame 2 or the door wall surface presses against the second hollow section 36 during door closing, the curved section 34 of the hollow sealing section is compressed, while the shape of the second outer circumferential wall 37 itself is maintained. Therefore, in the initial stage of the pressure, the second hollow section 36 is deformed due to a transitional behavior or rotation, thus preventing the door closing force from increasing.

[0066] In the second inner perimeter side wall 38, a thick section 38a is formed, which is thicker than the other section of the second inner perimeter side wall 38, preferably near the tip section 36a of the second hollow section 36. In this case, when the door frame 2 or the door wall surface presses against the second hollow section 36, deformation of the second inner perimeter side wall 38 is prevented. Therefore, when the tip section 36a of the second hollow section 36 rests against the door frame 2 or the door wall surface when the door is closed, the sealing surface pressure is improved, thereby achieving a linear sealing effect.

[0067] A connector between the first outer circumferential side wall 32 and the second outer circumferential side wall 37 forms the bend section 34 of the hollow sealing section, and the outer surface of the bend section 34 of the hollow sealing section is designed such that it is arranged further in the inner circumferential direction of the circumferential edge 6 of the vehicle body opening than the tip section 36a of the second hollow section 36. That is, in the Fig. 1 the bending section 34 of the hollow sealing section is arranged below the tip section 36a of the second hollow section 36.

[0068] For this reason, when the door frame 2 or the door wall surface rests against the pointed section 36a of the second hollow section 36 during the closing of the door, the second hollow section 36 is bent in the bending section 34 of the hollow sealing section, and consequently, the hollow sealing section 30 can be slightly bent. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the door closing force. Furthermore, the pointed section 36a of the second hollow section 36 rests against the door frame 2 or the door wall surface in a linearly sealing manner, which improves the sealing performance.

[0069] When the door frame projection 2a of the door frame 2 or the outer circumference of the door wall surface rests against the hollow sealing section 30 when the vehicle door is closed, the distance between the door frame projection 2a of the door frame 2 of the vehicle door or the tip of the outer circumference of the door wall surface and the connecting surface of the vehicle outer side wall 21a between the first outer circumference side wall 32 and the vehicle outer side wall 21 (a distance which is in the Fig. 2 specified by A) preferably formed in a length of 1.2 to 2.5 times the total wall thickness of the first outer circumferential side wall 32, the second outer circumferential side wall 37 and the second inner circumferential side wall 38.

[0070] In this case, when the door is closed, the first outer perimeter side wall 32, which is arranged between the door frame projection 2a of the door frame 2 or the outer perimeter of the door wall surface and the vehicle outer side wall 21, which is attached to the flange 7 of the perimeter edge 6 of the vehicle body opening, the second outer perimeter side wall 37 and the second inner perimeter side wall 38 do not increase the door closing force.

[0071] In a case where there is a distance between the door frame projection 2a of the door frame 2 or the tip of the outer circumference of the door wall surface and the connecting surface of the vehicle outer side wall 21a (the distance which is in the Fig. 2 with A) is less than 1.2 times the total thickness of the walls, there are concerns that the door closing force will increase rapidly due to, for example, the variation in the combination of the door frame 2 or the door wall surface and the flange 7 of the circumferential edge 6 of the vehicle body opening.

[0072] In a case where the distance between the door frame projection 2a of the door frame 2 or the tip of the outer perimeter of the door wall surface and the connecting surface of the vehicle outer side wall 21a is greater than 2.5 times the total thickness of the walls, the sealing surface pressure is low when the tip section 36a of the second hollow section is in contact with the door frame 2 or the tip of the outer perimeter of the door wall surface, thereby reducing the sealing capacity.

[0073] When the door frame projection 2a of the door frame 2 or the outer circumference of the door wall surface rests against the hollow sealing section 30 during the closing of the door, the distance between the door frame projection 2a or the tip of the outer circumference of the door wall surface and the outer surface of the bending section 34 of the hollow sealing section (the distance that is in the Fig. 2 (as specified by B) is preferably larger than the total wall thickness of the second outer perimeter side wall 37 and the second inner perimeter side wall 38. In this case, when the door is closed, the second outer perimeter side wall 37 and the second inner perimeter side wall 38, which are arranged between the door frame projection 2a of the door frame 2 or the door wall surface and the first outer perimeter side wall 32, suppress the rapid increase in the door closing force.

[0074] The ratio of the length of the connecting wall 35 of the hollow sealing section (the distance that is in the Fig. 2 is specified by C) to the length of the first outer circumferential side wall 32 (the distance which is in the Fig. 2, specified by D) is preferably 1:1.57 to 1.82. In this case, when the door frame projection 2a or the tip of the outer circumference of the door wall surface rests against the hollow sealing section 30 during door closing, the distance between the bending section 34 of the hollow sealing section and the connecting surface of the vehicle's outer side wall 21a is large. Consequently, a crushing deformation of the bending section 34 of the hollow sealing section readily occurs, and furthermore, the second hollow section 36 can readily undergo a displacement by reducing the length of the connecting wall 35 of the hollow sealing section, thereby reducing the door opening force through a synergistic effect of the two effects.

[0075] The ratio of the distance between the outermost surface of the second outer perimeter side wall 37 and the outermost surface of the second inner perimeter side wall 38 (the distance that is in the Fig. 2 is specified by F) to the distance from the upper surface of the connecting wall 35 of the hollow sealing section of the second hollow section 36 to the tip section 36a of the second hollow section 36 (the distance which is specified in the Fig. 2, as indicated by E) is preferably 1:1.3 to 1.8.

[0076] In this case, the rigidity of the second hollow section 36 is ensured so that the door frame projection 2a of the door frame 2 or the outer perimeter of the door wall surface and the second hollow section 36 can abut each other in a linearly sealing manner, thus ensuring a seal when the door is closed. In a case where the ratio of the distance described above is less than 1:1.3, displacement deformation is not easily possible, and consequently, the second hollow section 36 can be easily deformed by compression from the door frame 2 or the door wall surface. Deformation by compression of the entire hollow sealing section 30 reduces the sealing capacity and increases the door closing force.In a case where the ratio is greater than 1:1.8, the second hollow section 36 itself may simply be subject to bending deformation, and the door closing force will be increased or the sealing ability will be reduced.

[0077] Next, the manufacturing process of the opening cladding sealing strip 10 is described.

[0078] The opening trim sealing strip 10 is formed by extrusion dies. A solid rubber or a finely foamed material forming the trim section 20 and a foam plastic forming the hollow sealing section 30 can be integrated and extruded by an extrusion die machine.

[0079] Afterwards, vulcanization is carried out using a conventional method, and then the opening cladding sealing strip is cut to a predetermined length corresponding to one unit.

[0080] It is explicitly emphasized that all features disclosed in the description and / or the claims are to be considered separate and independent of one another for the purposes of the original disclosure as well as for the purpose of limiting the claimed invention, irrespective of the combinations of features in the embodiments and / or the claims. It is explicitly stated that all range specifications or specifications of groups of units disclose every possible intermediate value or subgroup of units for the purposes of the original disclosure as well as for the purpose of limiting the claimed invention, in particular also as a boundary of a range specification.

Claims

[1] Opening trim sealing strip (10) attached to a flange (7) configured to surround a periphery edge (6) of a vehicle body opening of a vehicle (1) and to seal a gap between a vehicle door and the periphery edge (6) of a vehicle body opening, comprising: a mounting base section (20) that is attached to the flange, and a hollow sealing section (30) which is integrated into the mounting base section (20) and rests against a door frame (2) of the vehicle door or a door wall surface for sealing the gap between the vehicle door and the circumferential edge (6) of the vehicle body opening, in which the mounting base section (20) is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross-section, which is formed by a vehicle outer side wall (21), a vehicle inner side wall (22) and a lower wall (23), the hollow sealing section (30) is designed such that it is divided by a connecting wall (35) of the hollow sealing section (30) into a first hollow section (31) extending from the mounting base section (20) and a second hollow section (36) abutting the door frame or an outer circumference of the door wall surface, wherein the first hollow section (31) comprises a first outer circumferential side wall (32) extending obliquely from an opening end of the vehicle outer side wall (21) of the mounting base section (20) in a vehicle outer direction and in an inner circumferential direction of the circumferential edge (6) of the vehicle body opening, the inner circumferential direction being directed towards the center of the opening, such that the first outer circumferential side wall (32) has no folded-back section between the connecting surface of the vehicle outer side wall (21) and a bending section (34) of the hollow sealing section, wherein the connecting wall (35) of the hollow sealing section extends in an extension direction of the first outer circumferential side wall (32), and a first inner circumferential side wall (33) connected from a lower wall side of the vehicle outer side wall (21) of the mounting base section to a tip of the connecting wall of the hollow sealing section.and includes the vehicle's outer side wall of the mounting base section, wherein the second hollow section (36) comprises a second outer circumferential side wall (37) extending from a connector between the first outer circumferential side wall (32) and the connecting wall (35) of the hollow sealing section to an outer circumferential side of the circumferential edge (6) of the vehicle body opening, and a second inner circumferential side wall (38) configured to extend from a connector between the first inner circumferential side wall (33) and the connecting wall (35) of the hollow sealing section in an inner circumferential direction to the second outer circumferential side wall (37), and tips of the second outer circumferential side wall (37) and the second inner circumferential side wall (38) are connected to each other to form a tip section (36a) of the second hollow section (36), a connector between the first outer circumferential side wall (32) and the second outer circumferential side wall (37) forms the bending section (34) of the hollow sealing section, and an outer surface of the bending section (34) of the hollow sealing section is designed such that it is arranged more in the inner circumferential direction of the circumferential edge (6) of the vehicle body opening than the tip section (36a) of the second hollow section (36), and the ratio of the length of the connecting wall (35) of the hollow sealing section to the length of the first outer circumferential side wall (32) is 1:1.57 to 1.

82. [2] Opening trim sealing strip (10) according to claim 1, wherein, when the door frame (2) of the vehicle door or the door wall surface abuts the hollow sealing section (30), the distance (A) between the door frame (2) of the vehicle door or a tip of the outer circumference of the door wall surface and a connecting surface between the first outer circumferential side wall (32) and the vehicle outer side wall (21) is formed in a length of 1.2 to 2.5 times the total wall thickness of the first outer circumferential side wall (32), the second outer circumferential side wall (37) and the second inner circumferential side wall (38). [3] Opening trim sealing strip (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when the door frame (2) of the vehicle door or the outer circumference of the door wall surface abuts the hollow sealing section (30), the distance (B) between the door frame (2) of the vehicle door or the tip of the outer circumference of the door wall surface and an outer surface of the bending section (34) of the hollow sealing section (30) is greater than the total wall thickness of the second outer circumferential side wall (37) and the second inner circumferential side wall (38). [4] Opening cladding sealing strip (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ratio of the distance (F) between an outermost surface of the second outer circumferential side wall (37) and an outermost surface of the second inner circumferential side wall (38) to the distance (E) from an upper surface of the connecting wall (35) of the hollow sealing section of the second hollow section (36) to a tip of the second hollow section (36) is 1:1.3 to 1.

8. [5] Opening cladding sealing strip (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second outer circumferential side wall (37) is curved in an arc shape in an outer direction of the second hollow section (36). [6] Opening cladding sealing strip according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a section (38b) of the second inner circumferential side wall (38) near the tip of the second hollow section (36) is designed to be thicker than other sections of the second inner circumferential side wall (38).

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