Opening trim weather strip

Abstract

To provide an opening trim weather strip made from resin which improves resistance to settling and prevents sealability from being decreased and NV performance from deteriorated and at the same time is capable of adjusting force generated when shutting a door.MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM: A hollow seal part 24 is formed from material with a lower hardness than a mounting base 20 and comprises a first root part 31 which is connected to an end part of side opposed to an opening part 28 of a vehicle outer side wall 23, a second root part 32 which is connected to the vehicle outer side wall 23 of a bottom wall 21 side rather than the first root part 31 and a hollow wall part 33 which is connected to the first root part 31 and the second root part 32. The first root part 31 is formed into abbreviated triangular shape in which wall thickness becomes thinner in a direction of the hollow wall part 33 and comprises a connection part 34 which is connected with the hollow wall part 33 in a vertex part of the abbreviated triangular shape. There is formed a coating layer 37 with a higher hardness than the hollow seal part 24 on an outer surface in neighborhood of the hollow wall part 33 side of the connection part 34 and in neighborhood of the hollow wall part 33 side of the second root part 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a resin opening trim weatherstrip that is disposed in an opening that is opened and closed by an automobile door or the like and is attached to a flange formed on the periphery of the opening. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, with the growing need for carbon neutrality, there has been a demand to switch from rubber to resin components for weatherstrips, including opening trim weatherstrips, in order to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions generated during the production of automotive rubber parts.

[0003] For example, Figure 5 shows an opening trim weatherstrip 100 having a mounting base 200 attached to the rear vertical side of a flange 500 provided on the periphery of a vehicle body opening, and a hollow sealing portion 240 that is integral with the mounting base 200 and abuts against the door to seal between the door and the periphery of the vehicle body opening (Patent Document 1).

[0004] The hollow seal portion 240 is composed of a first side seal wall 310, a second side seal wall 320 and a contact seal wall 330, the first side seal wall 310 and the second side seal wall 320 being formed integrally from a solid material and protruding outward from the mounting base 200, and the contact seal wall 330 being formed from a sponge material and protruding in an arc-shaped cross section so as to connect the tips of the first side seal wall 310 and the second side seal wall 320.

[0005] Furthermore, a hollow seal skin layer 340 made of a solid material is formed on the surface of the hollow seal portion 240 in areas where the occupant's torso (back, waist) and head are likely to come into contact with the hollow seal portion 240 when getting in and out of the vehicle. The thickness of the hollow seal skin layer 340 is 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm. The hollow seal skin layer 340 is also formed in areas other than the rear vertical side, and the thickness of the hollow seal skin layer 340 in those areas is smaller than the above numerical value. As a result, covering the surface of the hollow seal portion 240 with a smooth solid layer improves the appearance from the outside of the vehicle, and the hollow seal skin layer 340 improves wear resistance.

[0006] Furthermore, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 also describes that the hollow seal portion 240 is formed from a sponge material such as EPDM rubber or olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer.

[0007] FIG. 6 shows a back door opening trim 101 that comprises a main body portion 103 that is attached to a vehicle body panel 102 (flange), cantilever-shaped seal portions 105 and 107 that seal gaps in the vehicle body panel 102, and a hollow cylindrical seal portion 106, and the seal portions 105, 106, and 107 elastically contact the vehicle body panel 102 when attached to the vehicle body panel 102, and it is described that the seal portions 105, 106, and 107 are molded from a thermoplastic elastomer containing an olefin block copolymer (Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-149838 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-132097 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Although Patent Document 1 above describes that the hollow seal portion can be made of a sponge material such as EPDM rubber or an olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer, when changing from rubber to a thermoplastic elastomer, the latter tends to sag more easily than rubber, i.e., its recovery force tends to decrease when dynamic or static compression is applied for a certain period of time, and simple material substitution leads to sag in the hollow seal portion, resulting in a decrease in sealing performance and a deterioration in NV (Noise Vibration) performance. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 describes the material aspect, but the structure and shape also need to be considered. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention provides a resin opening trim weatherstrip that, when made from resin, improves resistance to settling, prevents a decrease in sealing performance and deterioration of NV (Noise Vibration) performance, and makes it possible to adjust the force required to close the door, by improving the structure and shape in particular.

[0011] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first aspect of the present invention is a resin opening trim weatherstrip that is attached to a flange of a vehicle body, and that includes: an exterior side wall, an interior side wall, and a bottom wall connecting the exterior side wall and the interior side wall; a mounting base that has a generally U-shaped cross section and an opening between an end thereof opposite the bottom wall; and an arc-shaped hollow seal portion that is integrated with the exterior side wall of the mounting base and protrudes convexly in a direction away from the exterior side wall, wherein the hollow seal portion is formed of a material that is lower in hardness than the mounting base, and includes: a first root portion that connects to the end of the exterior side wall opposite the opening; a second root portion that connects to the exterior side wall closer to the bottom wall than the first root portion; and a hollow wall portion that connects the first root portion and the second root portion,

[0012] In a first aspect of the present invention, the hollow seal portion is formed of a material having a lower hardness than the mounting base portion, and includes a first root portion connected to an end of the exterior side wall opposite the open portion, a second root portion connected to the exterior side wall closer to the bottom wall than the first root portion, and a hollow wall portion connecting the first root portion and the second root portion, the first root portion being formed so that its thickness decreases toward the hollow wall portion and including a connecting portion connecting to the hollow wall portion at an apex of the first root portion, so that when the hollow seal portion abuts against the door and deforms, the connecting portion becomes a bending point and deforms. Therefore, by forming the volume of the first root portion, i.e., by making the exterior side wall side thicker and having a height toward the hollow wall portion, it is possible to adjust the force required to close the door.

[0013] A second aspect of the present invention is the resin opening trim weatherstrip of the first aspect, wherein the hollow wall portion has a top portion with the greatest degree of curvature on the bottom wall side of the connecting portion, and a thick portion is formed between the connecting portion and the top portion.

[0014] In a second aspect of the present invention, the hollow wall portion has a top portion with the greatest degree of curvature closer to the bottom wall than the connecting portion, and a thick portion that can abut against the door is formed between the connecting portion and the top portion. Therefore, when the door is closed, the thick portion abuts against the door, preventing significant deformation of the abutting portion in the hollow wall portion. Furthermore, energy from the door that is received by the abutting portion can be propagated and dispersed toward the first root portion and the second root portion. As a result, the sag resistance of the hollow seal portion can be improved, preventing a decrease in sealing performance and a deterioration in NV performance.

[0015] A third aspect of the present invention is the resin opening trim weatherstrip of the second aspect, wherein the top of the hollow wall portion is located closer to the bottom wall than the second root portion and closer to the opening than the bottom wall.

[0016] In a third aspect of the present invention, the top of the hollow wall portion is located closer to the bottom wall than the second base portion and closer to the open portion than the bottom wall, so that when the hollow seal portion abuts against the door and deforms, it can be largely deformed toward the bottom wall. As a result, the hollow seal portion can abut against the door while reducing the reaction force, improving the settling resistance of the hollow seal portion and preventing a decrease in sealing performance and a deterioration in NV performance.

[0017] A fourth aspect of the present invention is the resin opening trim weatherstrip according to the first to third aspects, wherein a coating layer having a harder property than the hollow seal portion is formed on an outer surface between the vicinity of the hollow wall portion side of the connecting portion and the vicinity of the hollow wall portion side of the second root portion.

[0018] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a coating layer having a higher hardness than the hollow seal portion is formed on the outer surface between the vicinity of the hollow wall portion of the connecting portion and the vicinity of the hollow wall portion of the second root portion, thereby maintaining the wear resistance of the hollow seal portion and improving the settling resistance of the hollow seal portion, thereby preventing a decrease in sealing performance and a deterioration in NV performance.

[0019] Furthermore, if a coating layer with high hardness is formed on the first root portion side of the connecting portion and the outer side wall side of the second root portion, i.e., the portion where the hollow seal portion bends and deforms significantly when it comes into contact with the door, this is undesirable as it will reduce the resistance to settling of the bent portion.

[0020] A fifth aspect of the present invention is the opening trim weatherstrip according to the fourth aspect, wherein the hardness of the coating layer is higher than the hardness of the mounting base.

[0021] In the fifth aspect of the present invention, the hardness of the coating layer is higher than that of the mounting base, so that the abrasion resistance of the hollow seal portion can be maintained and the settling resistance of the hollow seal portion can be improved while maintaining the ease of assembly and retention of the mounting base to the flange. As a result, a resin opening trim weatherstrip can be produced that can prevent deterioration of sealing performance and NV performance. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] a resin opening trim weatherstrip that is attached to a flange of a vehicle body and that includes an exterior side wall, an interior side wall, and a bottom wall connecting the exterior side wall and the interior side wall, and that includes a mounting base with a generally U-shaped cross section and an opening between the end opposite the bottom wall, and an arc-shaped hollow seal portion that is integrated with the exterior side wall of the mounting base and protrudes convexly in a direction away from the exterior side wall, wherein the hollow seal portion is formed of a material that is lower in hardness than the mounting base, and that includes a first root portion that connects to the end of the exterior side wall opposite the opening, a second root portion that connects to the exterior side wall closer to the bottom wall than the first root portion, and a hollow wall portion that connects the first root portion and the second root portion, and the first root portion is formed in a shape that becomes thinner in thickness toward the hollow wall portion, and that includes a connecting portion that connects to the hollow wall portion at the apex of the first root portion, so that when the hollow seal portion abuts against the door and deforms, the connecting portion becomes a bending point and deforms. Therefore, the volume of the first root portion, that is, the side wall on the vehicle exterior side is formed thicker and has a height in the direction of the hollow wall portion, so that the force when closing the door can be adjusted.

[0023] Furthermore, the hollow wall portion has a top portion with the greatest degree of curvature closer to the bottom wall than the connecting portion, and a thick portion that can abut against the door is formed between the connecting portion and the top portion. Therefore, when the door is closed, the door abuts against the thick portion, preventing significant deformation of the abutting portion in the hollow wall portion. Furthermore, the energy from the door that the abutting portion receives can be propagated and dispersed toward the first root portion and the second root portion. As a result, the settling resistance of the hollow seal portion is improved, preventing a decrease in sealing performance and a deterioration in NV performance.

[0024] Furthermore, a coating layer with a higher hardness than the hollow seal portion is formed on the outer surface of the connecting portion near the hollow wall portion side and the second root portion near the hollow wall portion side, which maintains the wear resistance of the hollow seal portion and improves the wear resistance of the hollow seal portion, thereby preventing a decrease in sealing performance and a deterioration in NV performance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle as seen from the rear with the door open. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a front view of an opening trim weatherstrip according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an opening trim weatherstrip according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating deformation of the hollow seal portion when the door is closed in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional opening trim weatherstrip (Patent Document 1). [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional back door opening trim weather strip (Patent Document 2). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] An opening trim weatherstrip according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an automobile door as seen from behind, with the body 2 of the automobile 1 having a door opening that is opened and closed by a door 3. The periphery of the door opening forms a body opening periphery 4, which is provided with flanges 5 (Figure 3) of an outer panel 6, an inner panel 7, etc. that constitute the body 2. An opening trim weatherstrip 10 is attached to the flange 5.

[0027] 2 is a front view of an opening trim weatherstrip according to an embodiment of the present invention. The opening trim weatherstrip 10 is formed into a linear shape by extrusion molding, and after being cut to a predetermined length, is attached to the flange 5 while forming a linear portion 11 and corner portions 12 so as to form a ring that follows the shape of the periphery 4 of the vehicle opening. After attachment, both ends are connected by a connecting portion 13.

[0028] 3 is a cross-sectional view of an opening trim weatherstrip according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the opening trim weatherstrip 10 includes an exterior sidewall 23, an interior sidewall 22, and a bottom wall 21 connecting the exterior sidewall 23 and the interior sidewall 22. The opening trim weatherstrip 10 also includes a mounting base 20 having a generally U-shaped cross section and an open portion 28 between the end opposite the bottom wall 21, a hollow seal portion 24 integrated with the exterior sidewall 23 of the mounting base 20, and a lip portion 27 extending obliquely from the exterior surface of the interior sidewall 22 toward the exterior sidewall 23 and toward the bottom wall 21. An insert member 25 is embedded inside the mounting base 20 to increase the gripping strength of the flange 5. Ribs 26 are formed at three locations on the exterior sidewall 23 facing the interior sidewall 22. When the mounting base 20 of the opening trim weatherstrip 10 is attached to the flange 5 including the outer panel 6 and the inner panel 7, the rib 26 comes into elastic contact with the outer panel 6 and the lip portion 27 comes into elastic contact with the inner panel 7.

[0029] The hollow seal portion 24 is integrated with the vehicle-exterior side wall 23 of the mounting base 20, and is formed in an arc shape that protrudes convexly in a direction away from the vehicle-exterior side wall 23. The hollow seal portion 24 also includes a first root portion 31 that connects to the end of the vehicle-exterior side wall 23 opposite the open portion 28, a second root portion 32 that connects to the vehicle-exterior side wall 23 closer to the bottom wall 21 than the first root portion 31, and a hollow wall portion 33 that connects the first root portion 31 and the second root portion 32.

[0030] The first root portion 31 is formed in a substantially triangular shape whose thickness decreases toward the hollow wall portion 33, and includes a connecting portion 34 that connects to the hollow wall portion 33 at the apex of the substantially triangular shape.

[0031] The apex 35 of the curved portion where the degree of curvature of the hollow wall portion 33 is greatest is located closer to the bottom wall 21 than the second base portion 32. In addition, the apex 35 is located closer to the open portion 28 than the bottom wall 21 (dashed line A).

[0032] In addition, a thick portion 36 is formed in the hollow wall portion 33 between the connecting portion 34 and the apex 35. The thickness of the thick portion 36 gradually increases from both sides of the connecting portion 34 and the apex 35, and in FIG. 3 , the thickness is greatest at approximately the center between the connecting portion 34 and the apex 35.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the thick portion 36 is formed so that the area between the connecting portion 34 and the apex 35 is deformed to form a nearly straight line, and therefore the thickest portion does not necessarily have to be at the center between the connecting portion 34 and the apex 35.

[0034] A coating layer 37 is formed on the outer surface between the hollow wall 33 side vicinity (B) of the connecting portion 34 and the hollow wall 33 side vicinity (C) of the second root portion 32. As shown in Fig. 4, the coating layer 37 is formed from the portion where the first root portion 31 and the second root portion 32 bend significantly toward the hollow wall 33 side. In this embodiment, the thickness of the coating layer 37 is 0.5 mm.

[0035] In this embodiment, the mounting base 20 and lip 30 of the opening trim weatherstrip 10 use a resin that is a TPV (dynamic crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer) with an IRHD (International Rubber Hardness) of 80±10. The hollow seal portion 24 and rib 26 use a soft TPV with an IRHD of 40±10. The coating layer 37 uses a TPV with an IRHD of 90±10, which is harder than the mounting base 20. The hardness of the coating layer 37 may be the same as that of the mounting base 20.

[0036] 3 when the door is closed, and is a diagram illustrating in particular the deformation of hollow seal portion 24. As shown in Fig. 4, hollow seal portion 24 is bent at connecting portion 34, and in hollow wall portion 33, apex 35 of the curved portion where the degree of curvature is greatest moves significantly toward bottom wall 21, causing deformation.

[0037] Additionally, the hollow wall portion 33 is deformed so that the section between the connecting portion 34 and the top portion 35 becomes nearly straight. Also, about half of the thick portion 36 abuts against the door 3. By abutting the door 3 in this state, the hollow wall portion 33 other than the thick portion 36 is prevented from deforming significantly at the boundary with the thick portion 36, and the section between the connecting portion 34 and the top portion 35 can be deformed so that the section becomes nearly straight.

[0038] As described above in detail, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) In the above embodiment, the hollow seal portion 24 is formed of a material having a lower hardness than the mounting base 20, and includes a first root portion 31 connected to the end of the exterior side wall 23 opposite the open portion 28, a second root portion 32 connected to the exterior side wall 23 closer to the bottom wall 21 than the first root portion 31, and a hollow wall portion 33 connecting the first root portion 31 and the second root portion 32. The first root portion 31 is formed in a generally triangular shape whose thickness decreases toward the hollow wall portion 33, and includes a connecting portion 34 that connects to the hollow wall portion 33 at the apex of the generally triangular shape. Therefore, when the hollow seal portion 24 abuts against the door 3 and deforms, the connecting portion 34 becomes a bending point and deforms. Therefore, the force exerted when the door 3 is closed can be adjusted by changing the volume of the generally triangular first root portion 31, i.e., the width on the exterior side wall 23 side and the height from the exterior side wall 23 to the connecting portion 34.

[0039] (2) In the above embodiment, the apex 35 of the curved portion, where the degree of curvature is greatest, is located closer to the bottom wall 21 than the second base portion 32 and closer to the open portion 28 than the bottom wall 21 (dashed line A). Therefore, when the hollow seal portion 24 abuts against the door 3 and deforms, the hollow seal portion 24 can be significantly deformed toward the bottom wall 21. As a result, the hollow seal portion 24 can abut against the door 3 while reducing the reaction force thereto, which improves the settling resistance of the hollow seal portion 24 and prevents a decrease in sealing performance and a deterioration in NV performance.

[0040] (3) In the above embodiment, the thickened portion 36 is formed between the connecting portion 34 and the apex 35 of the hollow wall portion 33, and about half of the thickened portion 36 abuts against the door 3. This causes the portion between the connecting portion 34 and the apex 35 to deform into a nearly straight line, preventing deformation from concentrating at the abutting portion with the door 3. Furthermore, the energy from the door at the abutting portion with the door 3 can be dispersed to the first root portion 31 and the second root portion 32 in the hollow seal portion 24. As a result, the sag resistance of the hollow seal portion 24 can be improved, preventing a decrease in sealing performance and a deterioration in NV performance.

[0041] (4) Furthermore, a coating layer 37 having a harderness than the hollow seal portion 24 (hollow wall portion 33) is formed on the outer surface between the connecting portion 34 near the hollow wall portion 33 side and the second root portion 32 near the hollow wall portion 33 side, thereby maintaining the abrasion resistance of the hollow seal portion 24 and improving the settling resistance of the hollow seal portion 24, thereby preventing a decrease in sealing performance and a deterioration in NV performance. Furthermore, since the hardness of the coating layer 37 is higher than that of the mounting base 20, the abrasion resistance of the hollow seal portion 24 can be maintained and the settling resistance of the hollow seal portion 24 can be improved while maintaining the assemblability and retention of the mounting base 20 to the flange 5, thereby preventing a decrease in sealing performance and a deterioration in NV performance.

[0042] The present invention further includes the following in claim 4 of the claims: 4. The resin opening trim weatherstrip according to claim 3, wherein a coating layer having a higher hardness than the hollow seal portion is formed on the outer surface between the connecting portion near the hollow wall portion side and the second root portion near the hollow wall portion side.

[0043] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the object of the present invention.

[0044] In the above embodiment, TPV (dynamic crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer) was used as the resin material constituting the opening trim weatherstrip 10, but other TPEs (thermoplastic elastomers) such as TPS (styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer) and TPO (olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer) may also be used. Note that TPV is desirable from the viewpoint of good resistance to sag (compression set) and compatibility with a wide range of hardness.

[0045] Thermoplastic elastomers have the properties of both resin and rubber, and are suitable for producing weatherstrips, including opening trim weatherstrips, from the standpoints of weather resistance, recyclability, cost, etc. Other resins, such as PE (polyethylene) and PP (polypropylene), can also be used in part. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 3-door 5 flange 10 Opening trim weatherstrip 20 Mounting base 21 Bottom wall 22 Inner side wall 23 Outside side wall 24 Hollow seal part 31 First base part 32 Second base 33 Hollow wall 34 Connecting part 35 Top 36 Thick part 37 Coating layer

Claims

1. a mounting base having a generally U-shaped cross section and an opening portion that is open between an end of the mounting base opposite to the bottom wall; and an arc-shaped hollow seal portion that is integrated with the exterior side wall of the mounting base and protrudes in a convex shape in a direction away from the exterior side wall, the opening trim weatherstrip being made of resin and attached to a flange of a vehicle body, the opening trim weatherstrip comprising: an exterior side wall; an interior side wall; and a bottom wall connecting the exterior side wall and the interior side wall, the mounting base having a generally U-shaped cross section and an opening portion that is open between an end of the mounting base opposite to the bottom wall; and an arc-shaped hollow seal portion that is integrated with the exterior side wall of the mounting base and protrudes in a convex shape in a direction away from the exterior side wall, the hollow seal portion is formed of a material having a lower hardness than the mounting base portion, a first root portion connected to an end of the vehicle-exterior side wall opposite the open portion; a second root portion connected to the vehicle-exterior side wall closer to the bottom wall than the first root portion; and a hollow wall portion connected to the first root portion and the second root portion, The first root portion is formed in a shape in which the thickness decreases toward the hollow wall portion, and is characterized by having a connecting portion that connects to the hollow wall portion at the apex of the first root portion.

2. 2. The resin opening trim weatherstrip according to claim 1, wherein the hollow wall portion has a top portion with the greatest degree of curvature on the bottom wall side of the connecting portion, and a thick portion capable of contacting the door is formed between the connecting portion and the top portion.

3. The resin opening trim weatherstrip according to claim 2 , wherein the top of the hollow wall portion is located closer to the bottom wall than the second root portion and closer to the open portion than the bottom wall.

4. 3. The resin opening trim weatherstrip according to claim 1, wherein a coating layer having a harder layer than the hollow seal portion is formed on an outer surface between the connecting portion near the hollow wall portion side and the second root portion near the hollow wall portion side.

5. 5. The resin opening trim weatherstrip according to claim 4, wherein the hardness of the coating layer is higher than the hardness of the mounting base.

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