Sealing element, sealing carrier, sealing system, mounting tool for mounting the sealing system, and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealing system (3) comprising a sealing element (1) and a sealing carrier (2), wherein the sealing element (1) is designed as a seamless and continuous monolithic plastic part and has a hollow chamber sealing structure (6) that communicates with the environment of the sealing element (1) by means of an opening gap (8). The sealing element (1) has an outwardly projecting positive locking hook (12). The sealing carrier (2) is designed as an endless ring and has a positive locking hook receptacle (23) corresponding to the positive locking hook (12) for forming a positive locking connection between the sealing element (1) and the sealing carrier (2). The invention further relates to an assembly tool (4) by means of which the sealing element (1) and the sealing carrier (2) can be attached to one another particularly easily. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising the sealing element (1) and / or the sealing carrier (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealing element for a sealing system for a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a sealing carrier for the sealing system. In addition, the invention proposes an assembly tool by means of which the sealing system can be assembled. Moreover, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising the sealing element, the sealing carrier, or the sealing system.

[0002] The need to seal connecting openings of nozzles, pipes, ducts, shafts, etc., as well as door openings and other exterior openings (cargo area, engine compartment, fuel tank, charging port, roof openings, etc.) that can be closed with a hinged element, exists not only in automotive manufacturing. This prevents the unwanted ingress of fluids, i.e., gases and / or liquids such as air, water, etc., from the outside. Furthermore, there is a need to ensure the best possible sound insulation. A fresh air intake for a vehicle's interior air conditioning unit serves as an example. One known method is to cut a continuous seal from a foam sheet. However, this is disadvantageous due to the resulting unusable cutting waste, and conventional foam seals tend to sag under heavy compression, thus reducing their sealing effectiveness.This is because a conventional foam seal generates very high counter-pressure forces when compressed. If the foam seals are glued to the edge of the opening to be sealed, as is common practice nowadays, shear forces can cause the adhesive to fail, which is also detrimental to the sealing effect. The effort required to glue the seal in place and its long-term effectiveness are further negatively impacted if the part to which the seal is glued is uneven and / or has a three-dimensional shape. If the foam seal is subject to permanent compression in its installed position—for example, due to manufacturing tolerances—a continuous settling effect of the foam also occurs, which further impairs the sealing function. Multi-layered foam seals, whose individual foam layers differ in terms of porosity, hardness, etc., have not been able to satisfactorily eliminate these disadvantages.

[0003] Therefore, hollow chamber seals made of a reversibly elastic material, manufactured by extrusion, are being used more and more frequently. Extrusion results in conventional hollow chamber seals being uniform along their entire length and requiring them to be bent to fit the contours of openings, nozzles, or flaps. The minimum bending radius is limited by the extruded geometry of the conventional seal; in particular, very small radii often cannot be achieved by bending the extruded material. Furthermore, bending introduces stresses into the material of the conventional seal.If a conventional seal is to completely enclose an opening, the conventional extruded hollow chamber seal must not only be cut to length and bent with high repeatability, but also joined at end faces to form a ring-like, continuous seal, for example by gluing, welding, etc. This represents an additional effort in the manufacture of the conventional seal. A conventional hollow chamber seal is known from DE 20 2016 107 342 U1. A conventional hollow profile seal that can be glued to a body component is known from DE 20 2017 106 935 U1. DE 20 2007 011 529 U1 and DE 10 2020 118 481 A1 present further conventional seals with a hollow chamber profile.In summary, it can be stated that conventional seals for use in a motor vehicle require a particularly high manufacturing effort on the one hand and, on the other hand - especially in view of the loads, vibrations, etc. that occur in a motor vehicle during driving operation - only have a particularly short service life.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a solution for sealing two components, in particular of a motor vehicle, in a particularly efficient manner and with a permanent sealing effect.

[0005] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further possible embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims, the description, and the figures. Features, advantages, and possible embodiments set forth in the description for one of the subject matter of the independent claims are to be regarded, at least analogously, across categories and embodiments as features, advantages, and possible embodiments of the respective subject matter of the other independent claims, as well as of any possible combination of the subject matter of the independent claims, optionally in conjunction with one or more of the dependent claims.

[0006] The invention proposes a sealing element and a corresponding sealing carrier. The sealing element and the sealing carrier are designed to be assembled together. In their intended installation position—that is, when the sealing element and the sealing carrier are assembled together as intended—they form a sealing system. The invention further proposes an assembly tool for mounting the sealing system. This tool is intended for use in a motor vehicle, although its use in other fields of technology is not excluded. The invention also includes a motor vehicle or an assembly for manufacturing a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle or said assembly comprises the sealing element, the sealing carrier, or the sealing system.

[0007] In a further development of the motor vehicle, it is envisaged that the sealing carrier is formed by a body element and / or a structural element and / or a flap element of the motor vehicle. This means that at least one or more of the elements / features of the sealing carrier described below can be an integral part of the corresponding body element, structural element, or flap element of the motor vehicle. To form the sealing system, the sealing element is then attached directly to the corresponding body element, structural element, or flap element of the motor vehicle. This allows the sealing element or the sealing system to be used particularly efficiently, for example, as a door seal, a fuel filler flap seal, a convertible top seal, a sliding sunroof seal, an engine compartment lid seal, a cargo area lid seal, etc.The sealing system thus has a particularly small number of individual parts, which further supports the idea of ​​particularly simple manufacturing. Of course, it is also conceivable that the sealing carrier is an integral part of another object on / in which the sealing element can be used as intended.

[0008] The sealing element according to the invention is designed as a monolithic and elastically reversibly deformable plastic part, which is formed seamlessly and continuously along a ring- or frame-like circumferential direction of the sealing element. The sealing element is therefore not a section of material supplied by a meter, the cut ends of which have been joined to form a continuous plastic part. Instead, the sealing element is seamlessly and integrally molded. As a result, the sealing element has no bending, since it was not initially straight and then bent; rather, the radii exhibited by the sealing element were formed during the initial molding process. This makes it possible to form particularly small radii, and the finished sealing element is advantageously not subject to any bending stresses. The sealing element is universally applicable and not limited to use in automotive engineering.For example, the seal can be used on / in household appliances such as washing machines or the like.

[0009] Along its direction of rotation, the sealing element features a hollow chamber sealing structure. This allows the sealing element to compensate for large tolerances between the components being sealed. Furthermore, the hollow chamber sealing structure allows the sealing element to compensate for relative movements between these components without compromising the sealing effect. Additional advantages include low restoring forces and the absence of a permanent settling effect of the sealing element.

[0010] On the sealing element mounting side opposite the hollow chamber sealing structure, the sealing element has an opening gap that is continuous along the direction of rotation. Due to this opening gap, the sealing element is open at the mounting side, as the opening gap extends along its entire length, on the one hand into the hollow chamber sealing structure (i.e., into an interior space of the sealing element bounded by an inner surface of the hollow chamber sealing structure) and on the other hand into the surrounding environment of the sealing element.

[0011] The sealing element has one or more positive locking sections. In each positive locking section, the sealing element has an outwardly projecting positive locking hook on the sealing element mounting side. This hook is designed to create a positive locking connection between the sealing element and the corresponding sealing carrier of the sealing system. Thanks to the positive locking hook, the sealing element and the sealing carrier can be connected to the sealing system particularly easily and with minimal effort.

[0012] This creates a completely enclosed sealing element that, due to its monolithic manufacturing, can be produced with particularly small radii. These radii can be smaller compared to conventional, extruded and then bent hollow chamber seals. Furthermore, the joining of cut ends to form a conventional circumferential seal is advantageously eliminated.

[0013] According to a possible further development, the sealing element is manufactured using injection molding or is pre-molded in one piece. This makes the production of the sealing element particularly simple and cost-effective, and injection molding also offers considerable freedom in the design of the sealing element's geometry. In particular, unlike extrusion, there is no requirement for the sealing element to be uniform along its entire length. However, additive / layer-by-layer manufacturing ("3D printing") of the sealing element is equally conceivable. In another possible embodiment, the plastic used for the sealing element is a synthetic rubber, specifically EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer; M-group). EPDM exhibits particularly high resistance to oxygen, ozone, and UV radiation, as well as to alkaline liquids, solvents, and cleaning agents.Furthermore, EPDM is highly elastic, which facilitates the compensation of relative movements between the components to be sealed while maintaining the sealing effect.

[0014] According to another possible embodiment, the sealing element has a circumferential mounting extension that projects laterally and at an angle from an outer surface of the sealing element, either continuously or in sections along the direction of rotation. This forms a groove open towards the sealing element mounting side, into which a mounting rib of the sealing carrier can be inserted. In particular, it is provided that the sealing element has two such circumferential mounting extensions, one of which runs along the outer surface of a ring or frame and the other along the inner surface of a ring or frame of the sealing element. The mounting extension(s) allow the sealing element to be held even more securely on the sealing carrier.

[0015] In a further possible embodiment, the hollow chamber sealing structure of the sealing element features a predetermined bending point arrangement, which includes an external predetermined bending point formed by an outer material recess. Alternatively or additionally, the predetermined bending point arrangement includes an internal predetermined bending point formed by an internal material recess. The predetermined bending point arrangement may include two or more external and / or internal predetermined bending points. This achieves a defined deformation of the sealing element when it is deformed between the components to be sealed, for example, due to tolerance compensation during the joining of the components, due to relative movement of the components to each other, etc.

[0016] Another possible embodiment provides that in a first rotational direction section, the cross-sectional shape of the sealing element, in particular the hollow chamber sealing structure, is designed differently than in a second rotational direction section. This means that the sealing element can have different cross-sectional shapes from one rotational direction section to the next. Accordingly, the sealing element can have different radii, wall thicknesses, etc., depending on the rotational direction section. This makes the sealing element particularly versatile. For example, the sealing element can be designed to be stiffer / more stable in the first rotational direction section than in the second, perhaps to compensate for different gap dimensions required for the design between an opening and a corresponding cover element.

[0017] In a possible further development, the arrangement of the predetermined bends in the first rotation direction section is designed differently than in the second rotation direction section. In other words, the predetermined bend arrangement in the first rotation direction section can, for example, have more or fewer predetermined bends overall than in the second rotation direction section. Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the predetermined bends in the first rotation direction section can differ from one of the predetermined bends in the second rotation direction section with regard to its geometry and / or its position on the hollow chamber sealing structure. Again, alternatively or additionally, the predetermined bend arrangement in the first rotation direction section can have more or fewer inner or outer predetermined bends than in the second rotation direction section. This further enhances the particularly versatile application of the sealing element.

[0018] The sealing carrier according to the invention is designed to form the sealing system in conjunction with the sealing element. For this purpose, the sealing carrier is designed as a continuous ring or frame along a circumferential direction corresponding to the circumferential direction of the sealing element. The sealing carrier has one or more positive-locking sections. In each positive-locking section, the sealing carrier has one or more positive-locking hook receptacles on a sealing carrier mounting side, corresponding to the positive-locking hook. The respective positive-locking hook receptacle is designed to form a positive connection between the sealing element and the sealing carrier sealing system. It is particularly provided that the sealing carrier has as many positive-locking hook receptacles as the sealing element has positive-locking hooks.The respective positive locking hook receptacle is positioned so that it corresponds to the positive locking hook. The presence of at least one positive locking hook receptacle facilitates the assembly of the sealing system.

[0019] Preferably, a sealing carrier is used which is / has been modified for use with the sealing element according to the invention. For example, a conventional carrier intended for use with a conventional seal is modified accordingly.

[0020] In a possible further development, the sealing carrier has a retaining clip by means of which the sealing carrier can be inserted into an installation opening such that the retaining clip engages behind an edge of the installation opening. In particular, the sealing carrier has two or more retaining clips. Furthermore, the sealing carrier, together with the (respective) retaining clip, is manufactured by injection molding. In order to demold the sealing carrier with the retaining clip(s) from the injection mold, a (respective) demolding opening is required at the location of the (respective) retaining clip, because such a retaining clip represents an undercut element of the sealing carrier. This demolding opening not only serves the purpose of demolding but also acts as the receptacle for the form-fitting hook.In other words, the respective positive locking hook receptacle is formed by the respective demolding opening of the seal carrier, which is required for demolding the seal carrier from an injection mold. Accordingly, the seal carrier has as many retaining clips as the sealing element has positive locking hooks.

[0021] Along the direction of rotation of the sealing carrier, it features – according to another possible embodiment – ​​a gap engagement rib that projects from the sealing carrier mounting side and is designed to be tightly inserted into the opening gap of the sealing element. This ensures that the opening gap of the sealing element is tightly sealed by means of the gap engagement rib, thus preventing the unwanted ingress of dirt, liquid, etc., into the hollow chamber sealing structure. Furthermore, this ensures a particularly stable and reliable fit of the sealing element to the sealing carrier. In addition, the sealing element can be secured against lateral displacement along its direction of rotation.

[0022] In connection with the embodiment of the sealing element in which it has a groove open towards the sealing element mounting side, a further possible embodiment of the sealing carrier proposes that the latter have a mounting rib extending along the circumferential direction of the sealing carrier and projecting from the sealing carrier mounting side. This rib is designed to be inserted tightly into the aforementioned groove of the sealing element. This further reinforces the particularly firm and secure fit of the sealing element to the sealing carrier.

[0023] The sealing system according to the invention comprises, on the one hand, the sealing element and, on the other hand, the sealing element carrier, which are connected or mounted together as intended. The respective positive locking hook engages through its corresponding positive locking hook receptacle, so that the sealing carrier is engaged from behind by the respective positive locking hook. This creates a particularly secure and reliable assembly connection between the sealing element and the sealing carrier in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner, namely a positive locking connection that requires no additional components.

[0024] To simplify the manufacturing of the sealing system, the assembly tool according to the invention is used. This tool has one or more straight punches, with each punch defining the assembly direction of the tool. The number of punches is determined by the number of positive-locking sections of the sealing element or seal carrier. Therefore, the assembly tool has as many punches as the sealing element has positive-locking hooks. The assembly tool further comprises an upper and a lower tool. The lower tool has a sealing element receptacle into which the hollow chamber sealing structure of the sealing element can be inserted, at least in the area of ​​the positive-locking section. In addition, the lower tool has a punch guide for each punch, which opens into the sealing element receptacle in the area of ​​the positive-locking section of the sealing element and also terminates on the underside of the lower tool.The punch(es) is / are arranged in one of the respective punch guides, whereby the lower tool and the punch(es) are mounted relative to each other in a translationally movable manner. Furthermore, the lower tool has a support contour onto which the seal carrier, with its seal carrier mounting side, can be placed. By placing the seal carrier onto the support contour of the lower tool, whereby the seal carrier is also placed onto the sealing element, the respective positive locking hook and the respective positive locking hook receptacle are aligned parallel to each other in the assembly direction. The upper tool can be placed on a lower side of the seal carrier resting on the sealing element, opposite the seal carrier mounting side, and has a recess in the area of ​​the positive locking sections. In particular, the upper tool has a circumferential orendless contour, so that it can be fitted precisely onto the underside of the sealing carrier along the sealing element.

[0025] In the initial position of the mounting tool, the lower tool and the punches are arranged relative to each other such that the punch end of each punch, positioned at the sealing element receptacle, does not protrude into the sealing element receptacle. For example, the punches are attached to a base plate of the mounting tool, with one or more spring elements arranged between the base plate and the lower tool. When the (respective) spring element is relaxed, the lower tool is held in the initial position. Alternatively, in the initial position, the tools may be fixed in space, while the punch(es) are movable relative to the tools.

[0026] Starting from the initial position, with the sealing element and the seal carrier inserted into the mounting tool as described above, the procedure for mounting the sealing system is as follows: By means of a working stroke of the mounting tool, the plunger end located on the seal element receptacle is moved into the receptacle. As a result, the hollow chamber sealing structure is reversibly and elastically compressed between the upper and lower tools until an inner surface of the hollow chamber sealing structure, in the area of ​​the positive-locking section of the sealing element, comes to rest against a foot of the positive-locking hook. This prevents the sealing element from being lifted out of the seal element receptacle and the seal carrier from being lifted off the support contour by the upper tool.For this purpose, it is specifically provided that the sealing element and the sealing carrier are clamped between the upper and lower tools. Finally, the positive locking hook is driven through the positive locking hook receptacle under reversible elastic tension. As soon as the positive locking hook has been fully driven through the positive locking hook receptacle, it relaxes again, thereby positively connecting the sealing element and the sealing carrier.

[0027] For example, the working stroke can be performed by moving the upper tool in the assembly direction. This clamps the sealing element and the seal carrier between the tools and moves the tools, along with the sealing element and carrier, towards the base plate. Since the respective punch is fixed to the base plate, the punch end located at the seal element receptacle dips into the receptacle, thereby creating the positive fit between the sealing element and the seal carrier, as described above.

[0028] The terms "upper" and "lower" tool are used solely for the purpose of simplifying the identification of the two tools within the assembly tool; the actual positional arrangement of the tools in space cannot be derived from these designations. Therefore, the tools referred to here as upper and lower tools of the assembly tool can also be used in different positions within space.

[0029] The tools and / or the respective punch can each have a fixing device by means of which the corresponding tool or punch can be fixed to a ram or table of a press machine. The sealing system is then assembled by means of a press stroke. For example, it is conceivable that the tool referred to here as the upper tool is attached to the press table, then loaded with the seal carrier, and then the sealing element is placed onto the seal carrier. Subsequently, the tool referred to here as the lower tool is clamped onto the upper tool. In this case, the respective punch is attached to the press ram. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the respective punch is attached to the press table, the spring element is arranged between the table and the lower tool, and the upper tool is fixed to the press ram.

[0030] Further features of the invention may become apparent from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features shown below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures themselves, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0031] The drawing shows in: Fig. 1 a cross-sectional figure of a sealing system for a motor vehicle, wherein a sealing element and a sealing carrier are positively attached to one another, Fig. 2 a perspective view of a positive locking hook receptacle of the sealing carrier, Fig. 3 A perspective view of the sealing system with a view of the in Fig. 2 shown form-locking hook receptacle, wherein a form-locking hook of the sealing element engages behind the form-locking hook receptacle, Fig. 4 a cutaway view of an assembly tool for mounting the sealing system, wherein the sealing element and the sealing carrier are inserted into the assembly tool, and Fig. 5 a cutaway view of the mounting tool loaded with the sealing element and the sealing carrier, wherein a working stroke is performed by means of the mounting tool.

[0032] The following section provides a joint description of a sealing element 1, a sealing carrier 2, a sealing system 3, an assembly tool 4, and a motor vehicle (not shown). In the figures, identical and functionally equivalent elements are designated with the same reference numeral.

[0033] Both the sealing element 1 and the sealing carrier 2 are designed to form the sealing system 3 together. Accordingly, the sealing element 1 and the sealing carrier 2 are components of the sealing system 3. In its intended installation position, the sealing system 3 forms a component of the motor vehicle. Therefore, the motor vehicle comprises the sealing element 1, the sealing carrier 2, or the sealing system 3. It is possible that the sealing carrier 2 is formed by a body element and / or a structural element and / or a flap element of the motor vehicle.

[0034] Fig. Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the sealing system 3, in which the sealing element 1 and the sealing carrier 2 are positively connected to one another. The section plane is perpendicular to a direction of rotation (perpendicular to the image plane). Fig. 1, reference numeral 5) of the sealing element 1 or the sealing carrier 2. The sealing element 1 is designed as a monolithic and elastically reversibly deformable plastic part, which is formed in a ring-like or frame-like, seamless and continuous manner along the circumferential direction 5 of the sealing element 1. In this case, the sealing element is seamlessly and integrally molded by injection molding from a synthetic rubber, here EPDM in this example. The sealing element 1 therefore has no bend, because it was not initially straight and then bent into the desired shape. Instead, the sealing element 1 was given its final shape or geometry directly during the primary forming process. Along the circumferential direction 5, the sealing element 1 has a hollow chamber sealing structure 6.On a sealing element mounting side 7 opposite the hollow chamber sealing structure 6, the sealing element 1 has an opening gap 8 that is continuous along the circumferential direction 5. Due to the opening gap 8, the sealing element 1 is open at the sealing element mounting side 7, as the opening gap 8 extends along its entire length along the circumferential direction 5, opening on the one hand into the hollow chamber sealing structure 6, i.e., into an interior space 10 of the sealing element 1 bounded by an inner surface 9 of the hollow chamber sealing structure 6, and on the other hand into the surrounding area of ​​the sealing element 1. At the sealing element mounting side 7, the sealing element 1 has a positive locking section 11 in which a positive locking hook 12 is arranged. Depending on the designated application of the sealing element 1, orThe sealing system 3 can have two or more positive locking sections 11, i.e., two or more positive locking hooks 12, along the direction of rotation 5. The positive locking hook 12 projects outwards from its base 13 on the sealing element mounting side 7.

[0035] According to the present example, the sealing element 1 has a circumferential fastening extension 14 – here, two fastening extensions 14. The fastening extensions 14 project laterally and at an angle from an outer surface 15 of the sealing element 1, either continuously or in sections along the circumferential direction 5. As can be seen from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1, one of the fastening extensions 14 is arranged on an outer ring or frame side of the sealing element 1, whereas the other fastening extension 14 is arranged on an inner ring or frame side of the sealing element 1. This creates a groove 16 on both the inner and outer frame sides of the sealing element 1, each open towards the sealing element fastening side 7.

[0036] Furthermore, the sealing element 1, that is, its hollow chamber sealing structure 6, in the present example has a predetermined bending point arrangement 17, which has an outer predetermined bending point 18 formed by an outer material recess. Additionally, the predetermined bending point arrangement 17 in this example includes an inner predetermined bending point 19 formed by an inner material recess. As in Fig. As can be seen from Figure 1, the predetermined bending point arrangement 17 has two or more external and / or internal predetermined bending points 18, 19.

[0037] In a first rotation direction section, the cross-sectional shape of the sealing element 1, in particular the hollow chamber sealing structure 6, can be configured differently than in a second rotation direction section. In the present case, the sealing element 1 therefore has different cross-sectional shapes from one rotation direction section to the next. Accordingly, the sealing element 1 can have different radii, wall thicknesses, etc., depending on the rotation direction section. In particular, the predetermined bending point arrangement 17 is configured differently in the first rotation direction section than in the second rotation direction section. According to the present example, the predetermined bending point arrangement 17 therefore has, for example, more or fewer predetermined bending points 18, 19 in the first rotation direction section than in the second rotation direction section.Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the predetermined bending points 18, 19 in the first rotation direction section differs from one of the predetermined bending points 18, 19 in the second rotation direction section with respect to a predetermined bending point geometry and / or with respect to a positional location on the hollow chamber sealing structure 6. Again, alternatively or additionally, the predetermined bending point arrangement 17 in the first rotation direction section has more or fewer external predetermined bending points 18 or internal predetermined bending points 19 than in the second rotation direction section.

[0038] The sealing carrier 2 is formed in a ring-like or frame-like continuous shape along a circumferential direction 20 of the sealing carrier 2 that corresponds to the circumferential direction 5 of the sealing element 1. The sealing carrier 2 is made, for example, of polypropylene. In this case, the sealing carrier 2 is an injection-molded part, particularly if the sealing carrier 2 is not integrally formed with a body element, load-bearing structural element, and / or flap element of the motor vehicle. The sealing carrier 2 has one or more positive-locking sections 21. Analogous to the sealing element 1, the sealing carrier 2 can have two or more positive-locking sections 21 along its circumferential direction 20, depending on the designated application of the sealing system 3. In each positive-locking section 21, the sealing carrier 2 has a positive-locking hook receptacle 23 on a sealing carrier mounting side 22, which corresponds to the positive-locking hook 12.In this example, the sealing carrier 2 has as many positive locking hook receptacles 23 as the sealing element 1 has positive locking hooks 12. The positive locking hooks 12 and the positive locking hook receptacles 23 are arranged in a positionally corresponding manner.

[0039] Out of Fig. Figure 1 also shows that the sealing carrier 2 has fastening clips 24, with a corresponding number of fastening clips 24 and a corresponding number of positive locking sections 11, 21. Since the sealing carrier 2, together with its respective fastening clip 24, is manufactured by injection molding, a demolding opening 25 is required at the location of each fastening clip 24 in order to demold or eject the sealing carrier 2 from the injection mold. The respective positive locking hook receptacle 23 is formed by the respective demolding opening 25 of the sealing carrier 2. The purpose of each fastening clip 24 is to engage the edge of an installation opening in order to fix the sealing carrier 2 to said installation opening. Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of one of the positive locking hook receptacles 23 of the sealing carrier 2, in which the associated fastening clamp 24 can also be seen. Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the sealing system 3 with a view of the in Fig. 2 shown form-locking hook receptacle 23 or demolding opening 25, wherein a form-locking hook 12 of the sealing element 1 engages behind the form-locking hook receptacle 23.

[0040] In this example, the sealing carrier 2 also has a gap engagement web 26 that projects from the sealing carrier mounting side 22. In the sealing system 3, the gap engagement web 26 is tightly inserted into the opening gap 8 of the sealing element 1, whereby the opening gap 8 of the sealing element 1 is tightly closed by means of the gap engagement web 26 and the sealing element 1 is held particularly stably on the sealing carrier 2. Furthermore, the sealing carrier 2 has a mounting web 27 formed along its circumferential direction 20, which projects from the sealing carrier mounting side 22. As in Fig. As further shown in Figure 1, the sealing carrier 2 has a mounting rib 27 for each groove 16, wherein in the sealing system 3 the respective mounting rib 27 is inserted into the corresponding groove 16. In particular, the sealing carrier 2 has an interference at the locations of the mounting ribs 27 compared to the groove width of the grooves 16, so that a force-fit is formed between the grooves 16 and the mounting ribs 27 in the sealing system 3. Similarly, the gap engagement rib 26 can have an interference compared to the gap width of the opening gap 8, so that a further force-fit is formed between the opening gap 8 and the gap engagement rib 26.

[0041] Fig. Figure 4 shows a cutaway view of the mounting tool 4 for mounting the sealing system 3, in which the sealing element 1 and the sealing carrier 2 are inserted into the mounting tool 4. In the exemplary embodiment of the mounting tool 4 described here, it has straight punches 28, each punch defining a mounting direction 29 of the mounting tool 4. The mounting tool 4 has one punch 28 for each positive-locking section 11 or 21. Furthermore, the mounting tool 4 has a lower tool 30 and an upper tool 31. The lower tool 30 has a sealing element receptacle 32 into which the hollow chamber sealing structure 6 of the sealing element 1 is appropriately inserted, at least in the area of ​​the respective positive-locking section 11.Furthermore, the lower tool 30 has a punch guide 33 for each punch 28, which opens into the sealing element receptacle 32 in the area of ​​the positive locking section 11 of the sealing element 1 and into a lower surface 34 of the lower tool. The respective punch 28 is arranged in correspondingly assigned punch guides 33, whereby the lower tool 30 and the punches 28 are mounted relative to each other in a translationally movable manner. The lower tool 30 also has a support contour 35 onto which the sealing carrier 2 with its sealing carrier mounting side 22 is appropriately placed, whereby the sealing carrier 2 is also placed onto the sealing element 1 by means of the sealing carrier mounting side 22. The positive locking hooks 12 and the positive locking hook receptacle 23 are aligned parallel to each other with respect to the assembly direction 29.The upper tool 31 is placed on the underside 36 of the sealing carrier 2, which rests on the sealing element 1, opposite the sealing carrier mounting side 22, and has a recess 37 in the area of ​​the positive locking sections 11. The upper tool has a circumferential or continuous contour, so that it fits precisely onto the underside 36 of the sealing carrier 2 along the sealing element 1.

[0042] In Fig. Figure 4 shows the mounting tool 4 in a starting position in which the lower tool 30 and the punches 28 are arranged relative to each other such that a punch end 38 of the respective punch 28, located at the sealing element receptacle 32, does not protrude into the sealing element receptacle 32. In this example, it is shown that the punches 28 are attached to a base plate 39 of the mounting tool 4, with a spring element (not shown) arranged between the base plate 39 and the lower tool 30. To prevent the mounting tool 4 from tilting, a separate spring element can be arranged between the base plate 39 and the lower tool 30 for each punch 28. In the relaxed state of the respective spring element, the lower tool 30 is then in the starting position – as shown in Figure 4. Fig. 4 shown - held.

[0043] Starting from the initial position ( Fig. 4) A method for mounting the sealing system 3 proceeds as follows: By means of a working stroke of the mounting tool 4, the punch end 38 arranged on the sealing element receptacle 32 is moved into the sealing element receptacle 32. This is in Fig. Figure 5 shows a sectional view of the mounting tool 4 loaded with the sealing element 1 and the sealing carrier 2, wherein the mounting tool 4 is used to perform the working stroke for mounting the sealing system 3 or for connecting the sealing element 1 to the sealing carrier 2. During the execution of the working stroke, the hollow chamber sealing structure 6 between the upper tool 31 and the lower tool 30 is reversibly elastically compressed by the plunger ends 38 plunging into the sealing element receptacle (see arrow 40 in Figure 5). Fig.5) The hollow chamber sealing structure 6 is reversibly elastically deformed such that the inner surface 9 of the hollow chamber sealing structure 6 comes to rest against the base 13 of the positive locking hook 12 in the area of ​​the positive locking section 11 of the sealing element 1. This prevents the sealing element 1 from being lifted out of the sealing element receptacle 32 and the sealing carrier 2 from being lifted off the support contour 35 by the upper tool 31. Finally, the positive locking hook 12 is driven through the positive locking hook receptacle 23 under reversible elastic tension. As soon as the positive locking hook 12 has been completely driven through the positive locking hook receptacle 23, it relaxes again, thereby positively connecting the sealing element 1 and the sealing carrier 2.

[0044] The sealing element 1, the sealing carrier 2, the sealing system 3, and the motor vehicle each represent a solution for sealing two components particularly efficiently, meaning simply, with minimal effort, reliably, and with a durable finish. This is complemented by the assembly tool 4, which simplifies the installation of the sealing system 3, especially compared to manual installation. A key advantage of the sealing element 1 is that it is not based on a foam structure. Furthermore, compared to the state of the art, the sealing element 1 has superior properties regarding counter-pressure forces, fatigue strength, and the ability to compensate for tolerances / movements of the components to be sealed, etc. Reference symbol list 1 sealing element 2 sealing carriers 3 Sealing system 4 Mounting tools 5. Direction of rotation of the sealing element 6 Hollow chamber sealing structure 7 Sealing element mounting side 8 opening gap 9 Inside 10 Interior 11 Form-fit section of the sealing element 12 positive locking hooks 13 feet 14 Mounting extension 15 Outer shell area 16 Nut 17 Design point arrangement 18 external predetermined bending point 19 inner predetermined bending point 20 Direction of rotation of the sealing carrier 21 Form-fit section of the sealing carrier 22 Seal carrier mounting side 23 Form-locking hook receptacle 24 fastening clips 25 Demolding opening 26 Split-input bridge 27 Mounting bracket 28 stamps 29 Mounting direction 30 lower tools 31 Upper tool 32 Sealing element holder 33 Stamp guidance 34 Lower tool underside 35 Support contour 36 Underside of the seal carrier 37 recess 38 Stamp ends 39 Base plate 40 Arrow QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 20 2016 107 342 U1

[0003] DE 20 2017 106 935 U1

[0003] DE 20 2007 011 529 U1

[0003] DE 10 2020 118 481 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Sealing element (1) for a sealing system (3), wherein the sealing element (1) - is designed as a monolithic and elastically reversibly deformable plastic part which is formed in a ring-like, seamless and endless manner along a circumferential direction (5) of the sealing element (1), - has a hollow chamber sealing structure (6) along the direction of rotation (5), - on a sealing element fastening side (7) opposite the hollow chamber sealing structure (6) - has an opening gap (8) which runs continuously along the direction of rotation (5) and which opens into the hollow chamber sealing structure (6) on the one hand and into an area surrounding the sealing element (1) on the other hand, - in a form-fitting section (11) of the sealing element (1) has an outwardly projecting form-fitting hook (12) for forming a form-fitting connection between the sealing element (1) and a corresponding seal carrier (2) of the sealing system (3). [2] Sealing element (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that it is molded in one piece by injection molding. [3] Sealing element (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that its plastic is synthetic rubber, especially EPDM. [4] Sealing element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a circumferential lateral fastening extension (14) which projects laterally and at an angle from an outer circumferential surface (15) of the sealing element (1) along the circumferential direction (5) and thereby forms a groove (16) which is open in the direction of the sealing element fastening side (7) and into which a fastening web (27) of the seal carrier (2) can be inserted. [5] Sealing element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the hollow chamber sealing structure (6) has a predetermined bending point arrangement (17) which - an external predetermined bending point (18) formed by an external material recess and / or - has an internal predetermined bending point (19) formed by an internal material recess. [6] Sealing element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that in a first circumferential direction section a cross-sectional figure of the sealing element (1) is designed differently than in a second circumferential direction section. [7] Sealing element (1) according to claim 5 and 6, characterized by that the predetermined bending point arrangement (17) is designed differently in the first section of the direction of rotation than in the second section of the direction of rotation. [8] Seal carrier (2) which is designed to form a sealing system (3) for a motor vehicle in interaction with the sealing element (1) designed according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the seal carrier (2) - is formed in a ring-like, endless manner along a direction of rotation (20) of the seal carrier (2) corresponding to the direction of rotation (5) of the sealing element (1), - on a seal carrier fastening side (22) in a form-fitting section of the seal carrier (2) has a form-fitting hook receptacle (23) corresponding to the form-fitting hook (12) for forming the form-fitting connection between the sealing element (1) and the seal carrier (2). [9] Seal carrier (2) according to claim 8, characterized bya fastening clamp (24) by means of which the seal carrier (2) can be inserted into an installation opening in such a way that the fastening clamp (24) engages behind an edge of the installation opening, wherein the seal carrier (2) together with the fastening clamp (24) is produced by means of injection molding, and the form-fitting hook receptacle (23) is formed by a demolding opening (25) of the seal carrier (2), which is required for demolding the seal carrier (1) from an injection mold. [10] Seal carrier (2) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by a gap engagement web (26) formed along the circumferential direction of the seal carrier (2), which protrudes from the seal carrier fastening side (22) and is designed to be tightly inserted into the opening gap (8) of the sealing element (1). [11] Seal carrier (2) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized bya fastening web (27) formed along the circumferential direction (20) of the seal carrier (2), which protrudes from the seal carrier fastening side (22) and is designed to be inserted tightly into the groove (16) of the sealing element (1) having the features of claim 4. [12] Sealing system (3) for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a sealing element (1) designed according to one of claims 1 to 7 and - a seal carrier (2) designed according to one of claims 8 to 11. [13] Mounting tool (4) for mounting the sealing system (3) designed according to claim 12, comprising: - a straight punch (28) by which a mounting direction (29) of the mounting tool (4) is predetermined, - a lower tool (30) with - a sealing element receptacle (32) into which the hollow chamber sealing structure (6) of the sealing element (1) can be inserted, - a punch guide (33) which opens into the sealing element receptacle (32) in the region of the form-fitting section (11) of the sealing element (1) on the one hand and into a lower tool underside (34) on the other hand, wherein the punch (28) is arranged in the punch guide (33), whereby the lower tool (30) and the punch (28) are mounted on one another in a translationally movable manner, - a support contour (35) onto which the seal carrier fastening side (22) can be placed in a fitting manner, such that the form-locking hook (12) and the form-locking hook receptacle (23) are aligned parallel to the mounting direction (29), - an upper tool (31) which can be placed on an underside (36) of the seal carrier (2) opposite the seal carrier fastening side (22) and which has a recess (37) in the region of the form-locking sections (11, 21) so that the form-locking hook (12) can be driven through the form-locking hook receptacle (23) by means of a working stroke of the assembly tool (4) by moving a punch end (38) arranged on the sealing element receptacle (32) into the sealing element receptacle (32), wherein the hollow chamber sealing structure (6) is reversibly elastically compressed between the upper tool (31) and the lower tool (30) until an inner side (9) of the hollow chamber sealing structure (6) comes to rest on a foot (13) of the form-locking hook (12) in the region of the form-locking section (11) of the sealing element (1) and finally the form-locking hook (12) is pushed through the Form-locking hook holder (23) is driven through. [14] Motor vehicle with - a sealing element (1) designed according to one of claims 1 to 7 or - a seal carrier (2) designed according to one of claims 8 to 11 or - a sealing system (3) designed according to claim 12. [15] Motor vehicle according to claim 14, characterized by that the seal carrier (2) is formed by a body element and / or a supporting structure element and / or a flap element of the motor vehicle.

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