Method of using pressure-sensitive thin film strips to measure pressure applied to a seal

Abstract

A method of assembling a vehicle, comprising: Identifying critical fitting areas between a striker and a striker frame; Sticking a pressure indicator tape on the critical fitting areas; Closing the closure member against the closure member frame to create a mark on the pressure indicator band; and Visually comparing the intensity of the mark with a reference pressure intensity scale to produce an observed pressure intensity level.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for measuring the pressure exerted by a seal on a closure element of a vehicle to reduce wind noise. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0002] During vehicle assembly operations, closure elements such as doors and trunk lids must be properly installed within a door frame, trunk opening, hood opening, or the like. If a closure element is misaligned, or the closure element or frame is out of tolerance, areas surrounding the closure element may exert insufficient or excessive pressure on a surrounding seal. Insufficient pressure on a seal can lead to water ingress or noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) problems. Excessive pressure on a seal can result in a door requiring excessive effort to close.

[0003] Document DE 10 2014 226 312 A1 shows a test device for determining the pressure exerted on a seal.

[0004] The present disclosure aims to solve the above problems and other problems as summarized below. SUMMARY

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for assembling a vehicle is disclosed, which includes identifying critical mating areas between closure elements and frames that define openings to be closed by the closure elements. According to the method, a pressure indicator band is adhered to the critical mating areas. The closure element is then closed against an opening defined by the vehicle to activate the pressure indicator band and create a mark. The intensity of the mark is visually compared to a reference intensity scale to create an observed intensity level.

[0006] According to further aspects of the present disclosure, the method may further comprise recording the observed intensity level in a vehicle data set. The method may further comprise analyzing the observed intensity level to generate analytical data.

[0007] Operational improvements can be made directly during an assembly process to change the relative alignment of the closure element and the opening. Design improvements can also be made to the closure element, the opening defined by the vehicle, or a seal arranged between the closure element and the opening.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for mounting a door on a vehicle is disclosed, which includes identifying a critical fit area between the door, a seal, and a door frame. A pressure indicator tape is then adhered to the seal in the critical fit area. The door is then closed against the seal to create a mark on the pressure indicator tape. The intensity of the mark is visually compared to a reference pressure intensity scale to create an observed pressure intensity level.

[0009] The method can also be applied to a plurality of critical pass areas, and the door can be closed on a plurality of pressure indicator bands to generate marks that are compared to the reference pressure intensity scale to generate a plurality of observed pressure intensity levels at the critical pass areas. The observed pressure intensity levels can be correlated with specific critical pass areas in the vehicle dataset.

[0010] The above aspects of the present disclosure and other aspects are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a vehicle with a closed front door having X markings around the door illustrating a variety of critical fit locations. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a vehicle having an open front door with a plurality of segments of pressure indicator bands attached to a seal secured to the door frame. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the door opening seal taken along line 3-3 in Fig. 2. Fig. Figure 4A is a plan view of a segment of a pressure indicator band before pressure is applied to the band. Fig. Figure 4B is a plan view of a segment of a pressure indicator band after pressure is applied to the band by closing the illustrated door near a pressure intensity scale. Fig. Figure 5 is a schematic perspective detail view of the steps taken according to the method to close the door and test the pressure exerted in the critical fitting areas. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] The illustrated embodiments are disclosed with reference to the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are intended to be merely examples that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or reduced to show details of particular components. The specific structural and functional details disclosed are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to use the disclosed concepts.

[0012] With reference to Fig. 1, a vehicle, generally indicated by the reference numeral 10, is partially illustrated in the region of a front door 12. The front door 12 is shown disposed over a door opening 14. The door opening 14 is defined by an A-pillar 16 at a forward edge, a roof rail 18 at an upper edge, a B-pillar 20 at a rear edge, and a rocker panel 22 at a lower edge. Ten different critical fit areas 24 are indicated by stars spaced around the A-pillar 16, the roof rail 18, the B-pillar 20, and the rocker panel 22. The critical fit areas 24 are areas where the door 12 or striker may exert insufficient or excessive pressure on a circumferential seal.

[0013] The critical fitting areas 24 can lead to problems with water ingress or wind noise. Excessive pressure at a seal can cause a great deal of effort to close the door.

[0014] With reference to Fig. 2, the vehicle 10 is again shown with the door 12 open. The door opening 14 is provided with a seal 28 that extends around the perimeter of the door opening 14. A plurality of segments of the pressure indicator band 30 are adhered by pressure-sensitive adhesive to the seal 28 at the locations that correspond to the Fig. 1 correspond to the critical pass areas 24 shown.

[0015] With reference to Fig. 3, a seal is shown (generally designated by reference numeral 28) to contain a sealing flange receptacle 32, which is preferably formed integrally with a sealing tube 34. A segment of the pressure indicator band 30 is attached to the sealing tube 34 on the side of the sealing tube 34 which is Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 when the door 12 is closed. The sealing flange container 32 is adapted to be attached to a flange provided on the door opening 14.

[0016] With reference to Fig. Figure 4A shows a segment of a pressure indicator band 30 before it is used to indicate pressure in a test. The band 30 is shown before energy is applied to the surface (0 joules). Referring to Fig. Figure 4B shows a segment of a pressure indicator tape 30' after it has been used in the pressure test. The pressure indicator tape 30' shown in Figure 4B contains pressure marks 36 caused when the door is pushed against the door opening 14 (in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) is closed with a force of 6 joules. A pressure intensity scale 38 is placed next to the pressure indicator band 30' in Fig. 4B to illustrate the step of visually comparing the intensity of the print marks 36 with a reference print intensity scale 38.

[0017] With reference to Fig.Figure 5 schematically illustrates the test procedure. In the first step, the door 12 is gently closed to the first locking point of the door lock at 40. The pressure on the door handle is then gradually increased at 42 until the second locking point of the door lock is activated after the door 12 is completely closed. The door 12 must be closed gently to avoid erroneous pressure readings caused by the impact on the seal 28, which can occur if the door 12 is closed with excessive force.

[0018] The embodiments described above are specific examples and do not describe all possible forms of disclosure. The features of the illustrated embodiments may be combined with one another to form further embodiments of the disclosed concepts. The words used in the description are in the nature of description rather than limitation. The scope of the following claims is broader than the specifically disclosed embodiments and includes modifications of the illustrated embodiments.

Claims

[1] A method of assembling a vehicle, comprising: Identifying critical fitting areas between a striker and a striker frame; Sticking a pressure indicator tape on the critical fitting areas; Closing the closure member against the closure member frame to create a mark on the pressure indicator band; and Visually comparing the intensity of the mark with a reference pressure intensity scale to produce an observed pressure intensity level. [2] The method of claim 1, further comprising: Recording the observed intensity level in a vehicle dataset. [3] The method of claim 1, further comprising: Analyze the observed intensity level to generate analytical data. [4] The method of claim 3, further comprising: Performing operational improvements in an assembly process to change the relative orientation of the closure element and the opening. [5] The method of claim 3, further comprising: Making design improvements to the locking element, the locking element frame or a seal arranged between the locking element and the locking element frame. [6] A method of mounting a door on a vehicle, comprising: Identifying a critical fitting area between the door, a seal, and a door frame; Bonding a pressure indicator tape to the seal in the critical fitting area; Closing the door against the seal to create a mark on the pressure indicator tape; and Visually comparing the intensity of the mark with a reference pressure intensity scale to produce an observed pressure intensity level. [7] The method of claim 6, wherein the critical fit area is one of a plurality of critical fit areas and the pressure indicator band is one of a plurality of pressure indicator bands, wherein closing the door against the door frame produces markings on the pressure indicator bands which are compared to the reference pressure intensity scale to produce a plurality of observed pressure intensity levels at the critical fit areas. [8] The method of claim 6, further comprising: Recording the observed intensity level in a vehicle dataset, which is correlated with a specific critical pass area. [9] The method of claim 6, further comprising: Analyze the observed intensity level to generate analytical data for each critical pass area. [10] The method of claim 9, further comprising: Performing operational improvements in an assembly process to change the relative orientation of the closure element and the opening. [11] The method of claim 9, further comprising: Making structural improvements to the door, door frame or seal.

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