Assembly intended to close an opening in a motor vehicle.

Abstract

Assembly for closing an opening in a motor vehicle. Assembly (10) for closing an opening (5) in a motor vehicle (100), characterized in that it comprises: a first window (1) whose position is fixed relative to the opening (5), a second window (2) capable of pivoting about a given axis (12) substantially parallel to a first edge (11) of the first window (1), between, on the one hand, a first position (P1) in which the vehicle opening is at least partially open, and on the other hand, a second position (P2) in which the opening (5) is closed, and a seal (3) comprising a first part (31) fixed to the first window (1), and a lip (32) extending substantially along the given axis (12) and having a curved section perpendicular to the given axis (12). Figure for the abbreviation: 5

Description

Title of the invention: Assembly intended to close an opening of a motor vehicle.

[0001] The invention relates to an assembly for closing an opening in a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle equipped with an assembly according to the invention. Finally, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing an assembly according to the invention.

[0002] An opening in a motor vehicle may be equipped with an assembly comprising a fixed pane of glass and a movable pane that pivots around the fixed pane. The vehicle must then also include sealing means to close the opening tightly when the movable pane is in the closed position.

[0003] Technical solutions exist in the prior art to solve the problem of sealing between the fixed pane and the movable pane. However, these solutions have disadvantages.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide an assembly for closing an opening in a motor vehicle and a method for manufacturing an assembly according to the invention, remedying the above drawbacks and improving upon prior art assemblies for closing an opening in a motor vehicle. In particular, the invention makes it possible to produce an assembly and a method for manufacturing an assembly that are simple, reliable, and inexpensive, and that allow for variations in the position of the windows during vehicle assembly.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to an assembly intended to close an opening in a motor vehicle, the assembly comprising: • a first window whose position is fixed relative to the opening, • a second window capable of pivoting around a given axis substantially parallel to a first edge of the first window, between on the one hand a first position in which the vehicle opening is at least partially open, and on the other hand a second position in which the opening is closed, and • a seal comprising • a first part fixed to the first pane of glass, and • a lip extending substantially along the given axis and having a curved section perpendicular to the given axis,

[0006] the assembly being configured so that, when the second pane of glass is in the second position, • The lip is positioned between the first and second panes of glass, the lip delimiting an inner hemispace containing the first pane of glass and an outer hemispace containing the second pane of glass, with a center of curvature of the lip located in the inner hemispace, and • a second edge of the second pane is resting on the lip.

[0007] A thickness of a hinge connecting the lip to the first part of the seal may be less than a first threshold, and a thickness of the first part of the seal may be greater than a second threshold, the second threshold being strictly greater than the first threshold, so that a support of the second edge of the second pane on the lip causes a deformation of the hinge without deforming the first part of the seal.

[0008] A deformation of the hinge can cause a rotation of the lip around a fixing point of the hinge on the first part of the joint.

[0009] The first part of the seal may comprise: • a housing intended to contain the first edge of the first window, • a masking strip intended to be placed outside the vehicle and capable of preventing a user located outside the motor vehicle from seeing a support area of ​​the second edge of the second window on the lip.

[0010] When the second window is in the first position, a first angle can be measured between, on the one hand, an inner face of the masking strip and, on the other hand, a first straight line passing through two ends of a curve formed by the lip of the seal, and when the second window is in the second position, a second angle can be measured between, on the one hand, the inner face of the masking strip and, on the other hand, a second straight line passing through the ends of the curve formed by the lip of the seal, the second angle being greater than the first angle.

[0011] When the second pane of glass is in the closed position, the height of the support area can be: - greater than or equal to a so-called minimum height of a so-called lower end of the masking tape, and - less than or equal to a so-called maximum hinge height, the minimum and maximum heights being measured along a vertical axis of a reference point attached to the motor vehicle.

[0012] The seal can be made of thermoplastic material.

[0013] The given axis can be located in a horizontal plane, and / or when the second pane is in the second position, the first pane and the second pane can be located substantially in the same plane, the second pane being placed under the first pane.

[0014] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising an assembly as defined above.

[0015] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an assembly as defined above, comprising a step of manufacturing the seal comprising a extrusion substep.

[0016] The attached drawing represents, by way of example, an embodiment of an antenna mounting support according to the invention.

[0017] Fig. 1 represents a simplified diagram of the elements of a motor vehicle equipping an assembly according to the invention.

[0018] Fig. 2 represents a direct orthonormal frame attached to a motor vehicle equipped with an assembly according to the invention.

[0019] Fig. 3 is a first perspective view of an assembly according to the invention.

[0020] Fig. 4 is a second perspective view of an assembly according to the invention.

[0021] Fig. 5 is a first cross-sectional view of an assembly according to the invention.

[0022] Fig. 6 is a second cross-sectional view of an assembly according to the invention.

[0023] Fig. 7 is a third cross-sectional view of an assembly according to the invention.

[0024] An example of a motor vehicle 100 equipped with an embodiment of an assembly 10 according to the invention is described below with reference to [Fig.1].

[0025] The motor vehicle 100 includes openings intended to be closed by windows.

[0026] In the described embodiment, the vehicle includes at least one opening 5 equipped with an assembly 10 according to the invention comprising a first and a second window 1, 2. The assembly 10 is intended to close the opening 5 of the motor vehicle 100.

[0027] Figure 2 represents a right-handed orthonormal frame of reference R attached to the vehicle. In the remainder of this document, the terms "above" and "below," "superior" and "inferior" refer to the vertical Z-axis of the vehicle. Furthermore, the term "transverse" refers to the direction of the Y-axis of the frame of reference attached to the vehicle.

[0028] Figures 3 to 7 illustrate one embodiment of an assembly 10 according to the invention.

[0029] In the embodiment more specifically described later in the document, the opening 5 is an opening of a window located on a side of the body, in particular on a side door located at the level of either a driver or a passenger of the motor vehicle 100.

[0030] Figures 3 and 4 are respectively a first and second perspective view of an opening 5 in a driver's or front passenger's window of the motor vehicle 100. In these figures, the second window 2 is in a first position PI in which the opening is at least partially open. The position PI as shown in Figures 1 and 2 is a transitional position, in which the second window 2 is in the process of moving from a fully open position to a closed position P2 or vice versa. A fully open position of the second window 2 could be, for example, a position in which the second window 2 is to so that the second pane of glass 2 is raised and fixed against the first pane of glass 1, from the outside, so that the second pane of glass 2 is positioned substantially overlapping the first pane of glass 1.

[0031] Figures 5 to 7 describe in more detail an embodiment of an assembly 10 according to the invention, in particular an embodiment of a joint 3 of an assembly 10 according to the invention. Figures 5 to 7 show cross-sectional views of the assembly 10.

[0032] Set 10 comprises: • the first pane of glass 1, whose position is fixed relative to the opening 5, • the second pane 2, which is capable of pivoting around a given axis 12 substantially parallel to a first edge 11 of the first pane 1, between on the one hand a first position PI in which the opening 5 is at least partially open, and on the other hand a second position P2 in which the opening 5 is closed, and • a joint 3 according to the invention.

[0033] In a non-limiting embodiment, the given axis 12 is located in a horizontal plane, and / or when the second window 2 is in the second position P2, the first and second windows 1, 2 are located substantially in the same plane, the second window 2 being placed under the first window.

[0034] Preferably, the given axis 12 is located less than 5 centimeters, or even less than 3 centimeters, or even less than 2 centimeters, from the first edge 11 of the first window 1 and / or the second edge 21 of the second window 2.

[0035] In the remainder of this document, the first pane 1 is also referred to as "fixed pane 1", and the second pane 2 is also referred to as "movable pane 2". Furthermore, the first position PI is referred to as "open position PI" and the second position P2 is referred to as "closed position P2".

[0036] The term "cross section" is used to designate a section along a plane perpendicular to the given axis 12. In a non-limiting embodiment, the given axis 12 may be substantially parallel to the X axis, and a cross section may be a section along a plane substantially parallel to the (Y, Z) plane.

[0037] The seal 3 according to the invention comprises • a first part 31 fixed to the fixed pane 1, and • a lip 32 which extends along the given axis 12 and whose cross-section is curved.

[0038] In the embodiment presented, the fixing of the first part 31 of the seal 3 to the glass 1 is achieved by an adhesive 4.

[0039] In the remainder of this document, the geometric descriptions of assembly 10 refer to geometric shapes and measurements described in a so-called transverse section of assembly 10, that is, a section along a plane perpendicular to the given axis 12. In particular, the angles A1, A2, A3 described later in this document are measured on cross-sections of assembly 10. Similarly, the expression "curve formed by lip 32" designates a curve formed by a cross-section of lip 32, extending between a first and a second end of lip 32.

[0040] Similarly, the terms "hinge thickness" and "thickness of the first part 31" refer to thicknesses measured over a cross-section of the assembly 10.

[0041] When the movable window 2 is in the closed position P2. • the lip 32 is disposed between the fixed pane 1 and the movable pane 2, the lip 32 delimiting an inner hemispace 321 containing the fixed pane 1 and an outer hemispace 322 containing the movable pane 2, a center of curvature of the lip 32 being located in the inner hemispace 321, and • a second edge 21 of the movable window 2 is in contact with the lip 32.

[0042] Thus, when it is in the closed position P2, the movable window 2 rests on the lip 32, which creates a tight seal of the opening 5. The orientation of the center of curvature of the lip 32 allows contact to be made on a single point of support between the movable window 2 and the lip 32.

[0043] Advantageously, the seal 3 includes a hinge 33 connecting the lip 32 to the first part 31 of the seal 3, and a thickness of the hinge 33 is less than a first threshold SL. Moreover, a thickness of the first part 31 of the seal 3 is greater than a second threshold S2, the second threshold being strictly greater than the first threshold SL. Thus, as illustrated by figures 5 to 7, a support of the second edge 21 of the movable window 2 on the lip 32 causes a deformation of the hinge 33 without deforming the first part 31 of the seal 3.

[0044] As a note, the thickness of the first part 31 is not uniform. The term "thickness of the first part 31" should be interpreted as the smallest thickness of the sub-parts of the first part 31.

[0045] In one embodiment, the first threshold S1 may be, for example, 1 millimeter, and the second threshold S2 may be 1.8 millimeters. In this embodiment, the lip thickness could be 1.5 millimeters.

[0046] The dimensions of the joint 3 are thus defined so that a deformation of the hinge 33 causes a rotation of the lip 32 around a fixing point 01 of the hinge 33 on the first part 31 of the joint 3.

[0047] In the embodiment of assembly 10 shown in Figures 5 to 7, the first part 31 of the joint 3 comprises • a housing 311, in particular of the groove type, intended to contain the first edge 11 of the fixed pane 1, and • a masking strip 312 intended to be placed on the outside of the vehicle and capable of preventing a user located outside the vehicle from seeing a so-called support area 211 of the second edge 21 of the second window 2 on the lip 32 when the movable window is in the closed position P2.

[0048] In one embodiment, the housing 311 and the masking strip 312 extend substantially along the given axis 12.

[0049] Figures 5 and 6 represent a first angle Al formed between - on the one hand, an inner face 3121 of the masking strip 312, that is to say a face 3121 of the masking strip 312 oriented towards the interior of the vehicle, and - on the other hand, a given face 3111 of the housing 311 located opposite the lip.

[0050] The dimensions of the seal 3 are defined so that the angle Al is constant regardless of the position PI, P2 of the movable window. Thus, the masking strip 312 maintains the same position and shape regardless of the position of the movable window 2.

[0051] On the other hand, as illustrated by Figures 5 and 6, the position of the lip 32 varies depending on the position of the window 2. Indeed, - when the second pane 2 is in the first position PI, a first angle A2 is measured between, (i) on the one hand, an inner face 3121 of the masking strip 312 and, on the other hand, (ii) a first straight line DI passing through two endpoints of a curve formed by the lip 32 of the joint 3, and - when the second pane 2 is in the second position P2, a second angle A3 is measured between, (i) on the one hand, the inner face 3121 of the masking strip 312 and, (ii) on the other hand, a second straight line D2 passing through the ends of the curve formed by the lip 32 of the joint 3, the second angle A3 being greater than the first oriented angle A2.

[0052] In other words, the masking strip 312 being thicker, and therefore more rigid, than the hinge 33, the support of the movable glass 2 on the lip 32 causes a deformation of the hinge 33 without causing a deformation of the masking strip 312.

[0053] When the window 2 is in the closed position P2, the height of the contact point 211 between the movable window 2 and the lip 32 can advantageously be between - a minimum height h_min, in particular the height h_min corresponding to the height of a so-called lower end 02 of the masking strip 32, and - a maximum height h_max, in particular the height h_max corresponding to the height of hinge 33, the heights h_min and h_max being measured along the vertical axis Z of the coordinate system R attached to the vehicle.

[0054] Thus, thanks to the characteristics of the seal 3 according to the invention, the position - in particular the height - of the contact point 211 between the movable window 2 and the lip 32 (corresponding to a window 2 in closed position P2) can vary from one vehicle to another without penalizing the sealing of the closure or the aesthetics of the vehicle.

[0055] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an assembly 10 according to the invention, comprising a manufacturing step of the seal 3.

[0056] Advantageously, the manufacturing step of the seal 3 comprises only an extrusion substep. In other words, manufacturing a seal 3 of an assembly 10 according to the invention does not require a molding or overmolding step of a portion of the seal.

[0057] Finally, a set 10 according to the invention presents multiple advantages.

[0058] First, the assembly 10 according to the invention, and more specifically the seal 3, makes it possible to achieve a watertight seal for an opening equipped with the invention, even on glazing that may exhibit assembly variations. In other words, the position of the glazing can vary significantly from one vehicle to another, and the shape of the seal 3 makes it possible to absorb these variations while achieving a watertight seal between the fixed and movable windows. These benefits are enhanced in particular by the orientation of the center of curvature of the lip 32 towards the fixed window and the presence of a hinge 33.

[0059] Furthermore, the seal 3 includes a masking strip whose shape remains identical regardless of the position of the movable window and regardless of vehicle assembly variations. Moreover, the masking strip conceals the area where the movable window rests on the lip, regardless of vehicle assembly variations. Thus, the deformation of the seal 3 occurs in an area located inside the seal and which is not visible from the outside.

[0060] Furthermore, the manufacturing process for the seal 3 is simple and inexpensive, as it comprises only one extrusion step. In addition, the process for fine-tuning the seal 3 is reduced, since the seal between the two panes is achieved at a single point of contact between the movable pane and the lip 32. Thus, fine-tuning the seal 3 is carried out solely on the shape, in particular the thickness, of the lip, the dimensions of the other parts of the seal remaining unchanged.

Claims

Demands

1. Assembly (10) intended to close an opening (5) of a motor vehicle (100), characterized in that it comprises: • a first pane of glass (1) whose position is fixed relative to the opening (5), • a second window (2) capable of pivoting about a given axis (12) substantially parallel to a first edge (11) of the first window (1), between on the one hand a first position (PI) in which the vehicle opening is at least partially open, and on the other hand a second position (P2) in which the opening (5) is closed, and • a seal (3) comprising • a first part (31) fixed to the first pane of glass (1), and • a lip (32) extending substantially along the given axis (12) and of which a section perpendicular to the given axis (12) is curved, and in that, when the second pane of glass is in the second position (P2), • the lip (32) is disposed between the first and second panes of glass, the lip (32) delimiting an inner hemispace (321) containing the first pane of glass (1) and an outer hemispace (322) containing the second pane of glass (2), a center of curvature of the lip (32) being located in the inner hemispace, and • a second edge (21) of the second window (2) is in contact with the lip (32).

2. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that • the thickness of a hinge (33) connecting the lip (32) to the first part (31) of the joint (3) is less than a first threshold (SI), and • the thickness of the first part (31) of the joint (3) is greater than a second threshold (S2), the second threshold being strictly greater than the first threshold (SI), so that a support of the second edge (21) of the second pane (2) on the lip (32) causes a deformation of the hinge (33) without deforming the first part (31) of the seal (3).

3. Assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a deformation of the hinge (33) causes a rotation of the lip (32) around a fixing point (01) of the hinge (33) on the first part (31) of the joint (3).

4. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first part (31) of the seal (3) comprises • a housing (311) for containing the first edge (11) of the first window (1), • a masking strip (312) for being disposed of outside the vehicle and suitable for preventing a user located outside the motor vehicle (100) from seeing a bearing area (211) of the second edge (21) of the second window (2) on the lip (32).

5. Assembly (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that • when the second window (2) is in the first position (PI), a first angle (A2) is measured between, on the one hand, an inner face (3121) of the masking strip (312) and, on the other hand, a first straight line (D1) passing through two ends of a curve formed by the lip (32) of the seal (3), and • when the second window (2) is in the second position (P2), a second angle (A3) is measured between, on the one hand, the inner face (3121) of the masking strip (312) and, on the other hand, a second straight line (D2) passing through the ends of the curve formed by the lip (32) of the seal (3), the second angle (A3) being greater than the first oriented angle (A2).

6. Assembly (10) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, when the second pane of glass (2) is in the closed position (P2), a height of the support area (211) is: - greater than or equal to a so-called minimum height (h_min) of a lower end (02) of the masking strip (32), and - less than or equal to a height called maximum (h_max) of the hinge (33), the minimum and maximum heights (h_min, h_max) being measured along a vertical axis (Z) of a reference frame (R) attached to the motor vehicle (100).

7. Assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal (3) is made of thermoplastic material.

8. Assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the given axis (12) is located in a horizontal plane, and / or in that when the second pane (2) is in the second position (P2), the first and second panes (1, 2) are located substantially in the same plane, the second pane (2) being placed under the first pane.

9. Motor vehicle (100) comprising an assembly (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims.

10. Method of manufacturing an assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a step of manufacturing the seal (3) comprising a substep of extrusion.

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