Trim panel incorporating a window seal
The integrated window scraper seal with a multi-layered trim panel simplifies installation and improves the secure attachment to the door lining, addressing the complexity of existing trim panel and seal positioning issues.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2017050508
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2017-01-23
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-02
- Estimated Expiration
- 2037-01-23
AI Technical Summary
Existing trim panels and window seals for vehicle doors require precise positioning during installation, complicating the manufacturing and assembly process.
The trim panel integrates a window scraper seal with an upper edge that forms an inverted U-shape, featuring multiple layers including a structural layer, a finishing layer, and a deformable layer, with a groove for secure attachment to the door lining, facilitating easier and more robust installation.
This design simplifies the assembly process and ensures better positioning and holding of the window scraper seal against the glass, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and robustness.
Smart Images
Figure 00000006_0000
Abstract
Description
The invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, more particularly to door trim panels for motor vehicles. The interior of a vehicle door includes, among other things, a trim panel and a window seal. The trim panel serves an aesthetic purpose and may also help to hold the window seal against the glass. This seal, in turn, ensures a tight seal, particularly against drafts from the outside. The published patent document US 2013 / 0320705 A1 discloses a trim panel with mechanical means for engaging the window seal. However, mounting the panel on the door requires particular care in positioning the engagement means on the window seal. The published patent document US 9,434,242 B2 discloses, similarly to the previous document, a trim panel and a window-cleaning seal. The seal has at least one lip positioned against the glass, and the trim panel includes means for engaging with the window-cleaning seal. Similar to the previous document, mounting the panel on the door requires particular care in positioning the means for engaging the window-cleaning seal. The invention aims to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art. More specifically, the invention aims to facilitate the manufacture and installation of trim panels and interior window seals on vehicle doors. The invention relates to an interior door trim panel for a motor vehicle, remarkable in that the panel includes an upper edge and a window scraper seal, said window scraper seal being formed integrally with said upper edge. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cladding panel comprises a wall including a main portion, generally extended and intended to be placed against a door lining, and an upper portion with a profile transverse in the shape of an inverted U, the end of said upper portion forming the upper edge. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the upper edge is configured to extend between the glass and an upper rebate of the door lining. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the upper edge forms a longitudinal band supporting the window scraper seal. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the upper portion of the wall comprises an inner face with a groove adapted to fit an upper rebate of the door lining. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the upper portion of the wall comprises an inner structural layer, an outer finishing layer and a layer of deformable material between the structural layer and the finishing layer, the window-cleaning seal being formed on the finishing layer. According to an advantageous mode, the upper portion of the wall comprises an inner face with a groove, said groove being formed on the inner structural layer of the wall. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the groove on the inner face is formed on the inner structural layer of the wall. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the window-cleaning seal comprises at least one lip extending from the upper edge. Preferably, the window seal comprises two sealing lips extending longitudinally over the upper edge of the trim panel. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle door, comprising: an outer wall; an inner lining forming with the outer wall an inner volume; an upper frame guiding a window adapted to slide in the inner volume; a trim panel for the inner lining; remarkable in that the trim panel conforms to the invention. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the window-cleaning seal is positioned between an upper rebate of the door lining and the glass. The measures of the invention are interesting in that they will facilitate and reduce assembly time, while allowing better robustness in the positioning and holding of the window scraper against the glass. Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with the aid of the description and drawing, including: - The only figure is a cross-section of a door with a trim panel according to the invention. The single figure shows a door 1 of a motor vehicle equipped, on its inner face, with a trim panel 9 according to the invention. The door 1 comprises, in addition to the trim panel 9, a window 3, an outer wall 5, and an inner lining 7 of the door 1. The trim panel 9 includes a wall 11 and a window seal 17. The wall 11 of the trim panel 9 is itself made up of two portions: a main portion 13, which extends laterally against the inner lining 7 of the door 1, and an upper portion 15, which is positioned on the upper part of said inner lining 7. This upper portion 15 rests on both the main portion 13 of the trim panel 9 and on an upper rebate 8 of the inner lining 7 of the door 1. The upper portion 15 has a vertical section with a U-shaped profile. The upper portion 15 itself comprises three distinct layers: an inner structural layer 15A, which is in contact with the inner lining 7 of the door 1 at its inner face 15D, an outer finishing layer 15B, serving as a support for the window scraper seal 17 and a layer of deformable material 15C, interposed between the two previous layers.The outer finishing layer 15B has an upper edge 15E with a U-shaped profile on which the window-cleaning seal 17 extends, in its portion facing the glass 3, and which allows the correct positioning of said window-cleaning seal 17 against the glass 3. The window-cleaning seal 17 can consist of at least one, preferably two sealing lips 17A and 17B.
Claims
DEMANDS 1. Interior door trim panel (9) of a motor vehicle; characterized in that said panel (9) includes an upper edge (15E) and a window scraper seal (17), said window scraper seal (17) being formed integrally with said upper edge (15E), said panel comprises a wall (11) with a main portion (13) generally extended and intended to be placed against a lining of the door (7), and an upper portion (15) with an inverted U-shaped cross profile, the end of said upper portion (15) forming the upper edge (15E), said upper portion (15) of the wall (11) comprises an inner structural layer (15A), an outer finishing layer (15B) and a layer of deformable material (15C) between the structural layer (15A) and the finishing layer (15B), the window-cleaning seal (17) being formed on the definition layer.
2. Trim panel (9) according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper edge (15E) forms a longitudinal band supporting the window scraper seal (17).
3. Cladding panel (9) according to claim 2, characterized in that the upper portion (15) of the wall (11) comprises an inner face (15D) with a groove suitable for fitting an upper rebate (8) of the door lining (7), said groove being formed on the inner structural layer (15A) of the wall (11).
4. Trim panel (9) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the window scraper seal (17) comprises at least one lip (17A, 17B) extending from the upper edge (15E).
5. Motor vehicle door (1), comprising: - an outer wall (5); - an inner lining (7) forming with the outer wall (5) an inner volume; - an upper frame guiding a pane of glass (3) capable of sliding in the interior volume; 5 - a covering panel (9) of the inner lining (7); characterized in that the cladding panel (9) is according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
6. Door (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the window seal (17) is positioned between an upper rebate (8) of the door lining (7) 10 and the glass (3).
7. Door (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the upper edge (15E) of the trim panel (9) extends between the glass (3) and the upper rebate (8) of the door lining (7).
8. Door (1) according to any one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the cladding panel (9) has an upper portion (15) with a transverse profile in the shape of an inverted U, said portion comprising an inner face (15D) with a groove fitting the upper rebate (8) of the door lining (7).