Foldable Automobile Seal and Manufacturing Method Thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a seal for a motor vehicle. This seal includes a longitudinal profile (2) made of a rigid thermoplastic material and at least one element (3) made of an elastomeric material. The longitudinal profile (2) includes a bottom (20) and two longitudinal side branches (21), and the longitudinal profile (2) includes at least one foldable portion (25) having a corrugated structure over at least a part of its length. The portion (25) having the corrugated structure extends along at least one of two longitudinal connection regions (200) each extending between the bottom (20) and one of the two side branches (21). The portion (25) having the corrugated structure has continuous uneven portions without interruption of the material, and the parallel planes of the parallel grooves of the plurality of uneven portions are oriented perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X-X') of the longitudinal profile (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates in particular to the field of automotive equipment such as automobiles, trucks, tractors, etc.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a foldable automotive seal intended to be arranged, for example, at the openings of the vehicle body of an automobile or at the door leaves (doors, bonnets and trunks), and more specifically at the rebates formed in these openings and door leaves.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a seal.

Background Art

[0004] As such a seal, a seal in which a material such as EPDM is co-extruded around a central metal frame is known from the prior art. Such a metal frame has a "fishbone" type of embossed structure in which a solid structure and an open structure are continuous.

[0005] However, due to new economic and environmental issues related to the weight reduction of automobiles and the recyclability of parts, there is a need to develop a seal that is lightweight and easy to recycle, especially by eliminating the initial metal frame.

[0006] In addition, such a seal should have sufficient flexibility to be bent and attached (radius grip) to the rounded rebate of the vehicle body, and should be held in the rebate and not peeled off therefrom over a wide operating temperature range of the vehicle.

[0007] An automotive seal is also known from European Patent Application Publication No. 3409522. However, this seal is made of a rigid thermoplastic material and does not have a longitudinal profile with an open cross-section including concavo-convex portions with the concave surface facing inward.

[0008] That is, with this seal, it is not possible to simultaneously ensure good flexibility for conforming to the shape of the support and good clamping property for being correctly held on the support.

Summary of the Invention

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to propose an automotive seal that is lighter and easier to recycle than the prior art, can be applied to a rebate including those with a small radius of curvature, and can grip and hold the rebate over the normal operating range of a vehicle (i.e., generally -30°C to 85°C).

[0010] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a foldable automotive seal including a longitudinal profile configured to be disposed on a support of an automobile such as a rebate, and at least one element made of an elastomer material selected from a longitudinal seal lip and a support pad. The longitudinal profile has an open cross-section and includes a bottom and two longitudinal side branches extending from the bottom to both sides thereof, and the bottom and the two branches together form a clamp defining a longitudinal cavity opening to the opposite side of the bottom. The element made of an elastomer material projects from the longitudinal profile toward the inside of the longitudinal cavity.

[0011] According to the present invention, the longitudinal profile is composed of a rigid thermoplastic material and includes at least one foldable portion having a corrugated structure over at least a part of its length. The portion having the corrugated structure has continuous concavities and convexities without interruption of the material, and the concavities and convexities consist of a continuous alternating arrangement of bridge portions and joint portions. Each bridge portion has a back extending between two leg portions, the concave surface of the bridge portion faces inward of the longitudinal profile, and each joint portion joins the inner end of the leg portion of one bridge portion to the inner end of the leg portion of an adjacent bridge portion. This portion having the corrugated structure extends along at least one of two longitudinal connection regions respectively extending between the bottom of the longitudinal profile and one of the two lateral branches, and between the bottom of the longitudinal profile and the other of the two lateral branches. The parallel planes of the parallel grooves of the plurality of concavities and convexities are oriented perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal profile.

[0012] Due to these features of the present invention, there is a synergistic effect between the two branches of the profile and the concavities and convexities of the corrugated structure portion, which contributes to strengthening the clamping effect of the profile and the overall holding force of the seal when the seal is arranged on a support of an automobile such as a rebate.

[0013] Furthermore, due to the corrugated structure, it becomes possible to bend the seal along the longitudinal axis of the profile or bend it laterally on both sides, whereby, for example, it can be adapted to the curved or wavy shape of the support of the automobile on which the seal is arranged.

[0014] Also, by the selection of the material, a seal can be made that is lighter in weight and easier to recycle than those including a metal frame.

[0015] Finally, the holding force of the seal when arranged on the rebate can be further strengthened by an elastomeric material element protruding into the longitudinal cavity of the seal.

[0016] According to other advantageous and non-limiting features of the present invention, the following features are used alone or in combination.

[0017] The longitudinal profile includes at least one portion called a smooth portion that does not have a wavy structure.

[0018] The seal has a wavy structure portion with an open cross-section and a smooth portion with an open cross-section alternately arranged over at least a part of the length of the longitudinal profile.

[0019] The seal includes a smooth portion extending over at least a part of the width of the bottom and a wavy structure portion extending over two side branches of the longitudinal profile over at least a part of the length of the longitudinal profile.

[0020] The seal includes a smooth portion extending over at least a part of the height of at least one of the two side branches and a wavy structure portion extending over the width of the bottom over at least a part of the length of the longitudinal profile.

[0021] At least one element made of an elastomeric material is co-extruded onto the longitudinal profile.

[0022] The longitudinal profile includes at least one longitudinal damping tube made of an elastomeric material protruding outward from the bottom or from one of the two side branches, and the longitudinal damping tube is co-extruded onto the longitudinal profile.

[0023] The longitudinal profile is covered with a coating sleeve co-extruded onto the longitudinal profile, and the longitudinal seal lip and / or support pad are formed integrally with the coating sleeve.

[0024] The coating sleeve further includes at least one longitudinal damping tube protruding outward from the coating sleeve.

[0025] The depth of the uneven portion at the free end of one or both of the two branches is greater than or equal to the depth of the same uneven portion at the bottom of the longitudinal profile.

[0026] The thickness of the thermoplastic material forming the longitudinal profile is smaller at the two lateral branches than at the bottom and decreases towards the free ends of the branches.

[0027] The portion having the corrugated structure extends throughout the longitudinal profile, and the longitudinal profile comprises longitudinal ribs protruding outward.

[0028] The outer surface of the back of the uneven portion and / or the inner surface of the joint portion is flat.

[0029] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the above-described seal.

[0030] According to the present invention, the method comprises extruding a hollow initial longitudinal profile having a closed cross-section made of a rigid thermoplastic material, forming at least one foldable portion having a corrugated structure in at least a part of the initial profile to obtain a corrugated profile, axially cutting the corrugated profile to obtain two longitudinal profiles having an open cross-section, co-extruding at least one element made of an elastomeric material, such as a longitudinal seal lip or a support pad, to obtain a foldable seal.

[0031] According to other advantageous and non-limiting features of the present invention, the following features are used alone or in combination.

[0032] The co-extrusion of at least one element made of an elastomeric material is carried out simultaneously with the extrusion of the initial longitudinal profile.

[0033] The co-extrusion of at least one element made of an elastomeric material is carried out on the longitudinal profile having an open cross-section after the cutting step.

[0034] Other features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, which is purely illustrative and non-limiting, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0035]

Figure 1

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0036] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the seal for an automobile according to the present invention will be described.

[0037] In the figure, the foldable seal 1 includes a longitudinal profile 2 made of a rigid thermoplastic material and an element 3 made of an elastomer material such as a longitudinal seal lip 30.

[0038] The longitudinal profile 2 extends along the longitudinal central axis X-X'. The longitudinal lip 30 extends along the coaxial X-X' and protrudes along this profile.

[0039] The longitudinal profile 2 has an open cross-section and includes a bottom 20 and two longitudinal side branches 21 extending from the bottom 20 to both sides thereof. These two branches 21 and the bottom 20 together form a clamp and define an open longitudinal cavity 22.

[0040] When the longitudinal profile 2 is disposed on a support such as a rebate of an automobile, the support (rebate or the like) is accommodated in the open longitudinal cavity 22.

[0041] Profile 2 has two longitudinal connection regions 200 that extend respectively between the bottom 20 and one of the two branch portions 21, and between the bottom 20 and the other of the two branch portions 21.

[0042] By "profile of an open cross-section" is meant that the opening cavity 22 opens to the outside through an opening 23 formed between the two free ends 24 of the branch portion 21. That is, the opening 23 is located on the side opposite to the bottom 20.

[0043] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the longitudinal lip 30 projects from one of the two branch portions 21, for example from its free end 24, towards the inside of the longitudinal cavity 22.

[0044] Although not shown in the figure, it is also possible to provide a second longitudinal lip 30 that extends from the other of the two branch portions 21 towards the inside of the longitudinal cavity 22.

[0045] Furthermore, it is also possible to provide other longitudinal lips 30 that extend from the bottom 20 towards the cavity 22, or from any point on the bottom 20 or the branch portion 21 towards the outside of the profile 2.

[0046] When the seal 1 is in a predetermined position of the rebate of an automobile, these (multiple) lips contribute to ensuring airtightness. Also, the lip 30 that extends towards the inside of the cavity 22 contributes to holding the seal 1 on the rebate.

[0047] Furthermore, profile 2 includes at least one portion 25 having a corrugated structure that extends along one of at least two longitudinal connection regions 200 and, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, extends throughout profile 2.

[0048] As can be seen from the detailed views of FIGS. 2 and 3 showing the longitudinal section of profile 2, the corrugated structure portion 25 is composed of continuous uneven portions 26 without interruption of the material, that is, without openings or holes penetrating profile 2.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 2, a series of uneven portions 26 are composed of a continuous alternating arrangement of bridge portions 260 and joint portions 261. Each bridge portion 260 has a back portion 262 extended by two side leg portions 263, and the concave surface of the bridge portion faces the inside of the longitudinal profile 2, that is, the direction of the cavity 22. Each joint portion 261 connects the inner end of the leg portion 263 of one bridge portion 260 to the inner end of the leg portion 263 of the adjacent bridge portion 260.

[0050] In the figure, each bridge portion 260 has a U-shaped cross-section with two parallel leg portions 263, but other shapes are also possible, such as flaring or curved leg portions.

[0051] Advantageously, as shown in Fig. 2, the outer surface 264 of the back portion 262 is flat. This facilitates the attachment of the coating co-extruded with the profile 2, as will be described later.

[0052] The inner surface 265 of the joint portion 261 (i.e., the surface facing the cavity 22 of the profile) may be curved. However, advantageously, although not shown, it is flat.

[0053] Preferably, the parallel planes P4 of the different parallel grooves 266 of the uneven portion 26 are oriented perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X-X' of the profile 2. "Substantially perpendicular" means that the plane P4 forms an angle of less than 10° with the axis X-X'.

[0054] The depth H (or height) of the uneven portion 26, more precisely each bridge portion 260, measured between the outer surface 264 and the outer surface 267 of the joint portion 261 may be constant throughout the wavy structure portion 25 of the profile 2.

[0055] However, according to an advantageous variant embodiment, the value H1 of the depth of the uneven portion 26 measured at the free end 24 of one or both of the two branch portions 21 (see Fig. 2) is greater than the value H2 of the depth of the same uneven portion 26 measured at the bottom 20 of the longitudinal profile 2 (see Fig. 3). That is, H1 is greater than H2.

[0056] Further, since there is no discontinuity in the material and the uneven portion 25 exists in the branch portion 21, the two branch portions 21 are prevented from separating from each other, and the holding of the seal 1 to the rebate F of the automobile is promoted. As described above, when the depth H1 is greater than the depth H2, this effect is further enhanced. In fact, when the leg portion 263 becomes longer, the secondary moment of the bridge portion 260 becomes larger.

[0057] However, in other embodiments, H2 can be greater than H1. Also, the value of H1 may be different in the two branch portions 21.

[0058] Preferably, the pitch P (see FIG. 2) between adjacent grooves 266 is constant. Also preferably, this pitch P is equal to or approximately equal to the depth H (or height) of the uneven portion 26.

[0059] Preferably, the pitch P is about 2 mm to 6 mm. Preferably, the depth H of the uneven portion 26 is about 2 mm to 5 mm.

[0060] Advantageously, the ratio h / H of the height h (see FIG. 9) of the lateral branch portion 21 to the uneven portion 26, more precisely the height H of each bridge portion 260, is 2 to 20, more preferably 3 to 8, and even more preferably 5 to 6.

[0061] Preferably, the height h of the lateral branch portion 21 of the profile 2 is about 10 mm to 40 mm.

[0062] Furthermore, preferably, the width L (see FIG. 9) of the bottom portion 20 is about 5 mm to 25 mm.

[0063] In the exemplary embodiment described in connection with FIG. 1, it can be seen that the two branch portions 21 are linear and flared (i.e., tend to separate from each other from the bottom portion 20 towards the free end 24).

[0064] However, other shapes of Profile 2 are also conceivable. As a purely illustrative example, in FIG. 6, an embodiment in which two branch portions 21 are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the bottom portion 20, in FIG. 5, an embodiment in which two branch portions 21 are linear and tapered, and in FIG. 4, a left branch portion 21 is linear and perpendicular to the bottom portion 20 while a right branch portion 21 is curved can be seen. In the latter case, the longitudinal profile 2 has an R-shaped cross section. Such a shape contributes to further strengthening the clamping effect of the two branch portions 21.

[0065] Furthermore, FIG. 7 shows an embodiment in which the longitudinal profile 2 has an open O-shaped cross section. In this case, the bottom portion 20 and the branch portion 21 are curved.

[0066] It is easily understood that many other cross-sectional shapes are conceivable as long as the longitudinal profile 2 has an open cross section as described above without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0067] These different embodiments in which Profile 2 is completely wavy are particularly useful when Profile 2 needs to be bent in any plane.

[0068] According to another modification of the present invention described below, the longitudinal profile 2 includes both at least one portion 25 having a wavy structure and at least one portion 27 called "smooth".

[0069] The "smooth portion" means that this portion does not have the above-described wavy structure. That is, this portion 27 only exhibits the thickness of the rigid thermoplastic material constituting the longitudinal profile 2 having an open cross section and does not constitute the uneven portion 26.

[0070] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8, the longitudinal profile 2 includes a smooth portion 27 extending over at least a part of the width L of the bottom portion 20 and a wavy structure portion 25 extending over the two side branch portions 21.

[0071] Such a profile is used, for example, when the neutral axis of the profile is only required on the back (bends in plane P3), such as for a specific trunk seal that may further include a damping tube above the bottom 20. Plane P3 corresponds to the longitudinal central plane of profile 2 that cuts through the center of bottom 20.

[0072] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9, the longitudinal profile 2 includes a smooth portion 27 that extends over at least a part of the height h of at least one of the two lateral branch portions 21, here extending over the entire height h of the two lateral branch portions 21 but not extending over the connection region 200, and a wavy structure portion 25 that extends over at least a part of the width L of the bottom 20, here extending over the entire width L of the bottom 20 and extending over the region 200.

[0073] Such a profile is used, for example, when a radius grip is only required in plane P2 or a plane parallel to P2, in which case the neutral axis of profile 2 is in one of the two branch portions (e.g., a hood seal). Plane P2 is located at the free end 24 of the branch portion 21.

[0074] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10, the longitudinal profile 2 has portions 25 with a wavy structure and smooth portions 27 arranged alternately. In this case, each portion 25 with a wavy structure extends across the entire cross-section of the profile, i.e., across the branch portion 21 and the bottom 20, and each smooth portion 27 also extends across the entire cross-section of the profile, i.e., across the branch portion 21 and the bottom 20. The alternating arrangement of the different portions is carried out over the length of the profile.

[0075] With this arrangement, it is possible to provide the wavy structure portion 25 in the portion of the seal 1 intended to follow the radius of curvature of the rebate (e.g., at the corner of a door), and to provide the smooth portion 27 in the portion of the seal 1 intended to face the straight portion of the rebate (e.g., in the middle of a vehicle door).

[0076] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 11, the longitudinal profile 2 includes a corrugated structure portion 25 at the bottom 20 and the branch portion 21. This profile 2 further includes longitudinal ribs 4 projecting towards the outside of the profile 2.

[0077] These longitudinal ribs 4 extend along the longitudinal axis X-X' of the profile 2. In the illustrated example, the longitudinal rib 4 is disposed on one of the two branch portions 21. It can also be arranged along the bottom 20.

[0078] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the profile 2 can also be provided with a longitudinally extending damping tube 5 projecting outwards. The tube 5 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X' of the profile 2.

[0079] The tube 5 may be arranged along the lateral branch portion 21 or along the bottom 20.

[0080] Such a seal 1 is intended to be arranged on a rebate located at an opening of the vehicle body facing the door leaf so that the tube 5 is directed towards the door leaf of the vehicle, such as a door, a bonnet, a trunk, etc. Thus, when the door leaf is closed, the tube 5 deforms and flattens, serving as a damping function.

[0081] Such a tube 5 can have a cross-section of any shape. In the illustrated example, this cross-section is substantially triangular.

[0082] Advantageously, the tube 5 is co-extruded onto the profile 2, for example simultaneously with the co-extrusion of the seal lip 3.

[0083] It is also possible to co-extrude one or more other elements made of an elastomeric material onto the profile 2. In this case, these elements take the form of support pads 51 projecting towards the cavity 22. These pads 51 strengthen the retention of the seal 1 on the support (rebate).

[0084] In the above-described embodiment, the corrugated structure portion 25 of the profile 2 is substantially visible (except for the portion covered by the lip 3 or the tube 5 or the pad 51).

[0085] However, it is also possible to cover the longitudinal profile 2 partially (as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 12 or FIG. 14) or completely (as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 13) with the coating 6. Such a coating 6 can be used, for example, to modify the aesthetic appearance of the longitudinal profile 2 by hiding the longitudinal profile 2. The coating 6 is co-extruded onto the profile 2.

[0086] According to another modification of the present invention shown in FIG. 15, the seal 1 may be such that the longitudinal profile 2 is covered with a covering sleeve 7. More specifically, the covering sleeve 7 is co-extruded onto the profile 2. In this case, the longitudinal seal lip is integral with the sleeve 7 (one-piece molding) and is provided with a reference 70. This extends parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X' of the profile 2 and can project towards the inside or outside at any position of the covering sleeve 7. If there are support pads, they are also integral with the sleeve 7 (one-piece molding).

[0087] Such a sleeve 7 can also be provided with a longitudinal damping tube.

[0088] When using such a covering sleeve 7, the profile 2 is preferably configured such that the outer surface 264 of each back surface 262 of the uneven portion 26 is flat, and optionally the inner surface 265 of the joint portion 261 of the uneven portion 26 is also flat. Thereby, the sleeve can adhere better to these flat surfaces.

[0089] On the one hand, by using such a tubular sleeve 7, it is possible to prevent the presence of material in the gap between the two bridge portions 260 of the uneven portion 26. As a result, the consumption of the material used for manufacturing this sleeve 7 can be reduced, and a smoother appearance can be given to the finished product (seal 1) compared to the case where a coating 6 with material present in the gap is used. Finally, flexibility superior to that of the coating 6 can be obtained.

[0090] Of course, depending on the intended use and positioning for the seal 1, several different embodiments described in relation to FIGS. 1 and 8 - 15 can be combined as desired from end to end over the entire length of the profile 2. In any case, the foldable portion 25 having a wavy structure extends over one or both of at least two longitudinal connection regions 200.

[0091] Furthermore, advantageously, as shown in FIG. 16 representing the cross-section of the longitudinal profile 2, the thickness of the thermoplastic material constituting the profile 2 may be changed. For example, this thickness may be smaller at the two side branch portions 21 than at the bottom 20 (the thickness e2 of the branch portion 21 is smaller than the thickness e1 of the bottom 20), and this thickness may also decrease towards the free ends of the branch portions 21 (the thickness e3 measured at the free ends of the branch portions is smaller than the thickness e2 measured at the middle portions of the branch portions).

[0092] This thickness variation may or may not be symmetric at the two branch portions.

[0093] By this variation, the position of the neutral axis of the seal 1 can be changed.

[0094] (Material) Profile 2 is made of a rigid thermoplastic material. "Rigid" means a structural material having a Young's modulus exceeding 1500 MPa. For example, this material may be polypropylene (polyolefin polymers) filled with talc, glass fibers, etc., or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene of styrene-based polymers).

[0095] The other elements (lips 30, 70, damping tube 5, support pad 51, longitudinal rib 4, outer coating 6, sleeve 7) constituting the seal 1 are made of a flexible elastomer material, preferably a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), such as a vulcanized thermoplastic elastomer ((VTP), thermoplastic styrene (TPS) or thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO). By using a chemical blowing agent or a physical blowing agent (gas microcapsules), it is also possible to make these elements porous. These flexible elements can be locally coated by co-extrusion of a second lubricious thermoplastic elastomer TPE in order to reduce the friction coefficient with the surrounding components.

[0096] Furthermore, the above elements other than profile 2 can be made from an EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) - based elastomer. In this case, the seal 1 becomes less recyclable, but the weight reduction and the economic advantages due to not using metal are maintained.

[0097] (Positioning of the profile) In FIG. 17, the seal 1 is disposed on the rebate F of a vehicle having a concave shape with a radius of curvature R. Although not shown in the figure, the rebate F may be convex. Due to the wavy structure portion 25 of the profile 2, the seal 1 can be easily bent along the radius of curvature R. Since the bending ability of the seal according to the present invention is excellent, the radius of curvature R may be very small.

[0098] (Profile opening resistance test) By comparing different types of profiles, a comparative test of the resistance of profile 2 to opening was carried out.

[0099] As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, each profile A to be tested was arranged so as to straddle the support S, and two parts were separated left and right so as to move from the initial position X0 where no stress was applied to the profile to the final position X1 where stress was applied to the profile and the two branched portions thereof were separated from each other.

[0100] The test results are shown in the graph of FIG. 20. This graph shows the separation resistance F(X) at the above-mentioned two positions for a simple solid U-shaped profile (result of solid line), a fishbone-shaped profile according to the prior art (result of dotted line), and a profile having a wavy structure according to the present invention (result of thick dotted line), and all three were studied with the same rigid thermoplastic material.

[0101] It was observed that the resistance force when the two branched portions of the profile open is about twice as high in the fishbone-shaped profile as compared with the simple U-shaped profile, and about six times as high in the profile according to the present invention.

[0102] These results demonstrate the synergistic effect existing between the clamp shape and the wavy structure of the profile according to the present invention, and indicate that this type of profile is particularly suitable for being held on a support (for example, a rebate) of an automobile as compared with other profiles of the prior art made of the same material.

[0103] (Manufacturing method) Next, with reference to FIG. 21, an example of a possible embodiment of the present manufacturing method will be described. This is implemented in the facility 9.

[0104] First, an initial longitudinal profile 8 made of a rigid thermoplastic material is extruded using an extruder 91. The formed profile is hollow and has a closed cross-section. The extruder is supplied with the rigid thermoplastic material from a storage section 92.

[0105] In parallel, an extruder 91 can be used to supply an elastomeric material from a reservoir 93 and co-extrude at least one other element. Such other elements are, for example, the seal lip 30 and the support pad 51. These elements can be added inside the initial profile 8. Similarly, during this step, a coating 6 made of a flexible thermoplastic material can also be added inside and / or outside the profile 8.

[0106] The facility 9 further comprises a machine 94 for forming the corrugated structure portion 25. Pass the initial profile 8 through this machine to form a corrugated structure portion 25 on at least a part of the profile. Thereby, over a predetermined profile length, according to the above-described embodiment, either a portion 25 having a corrugated structure throughout or a series of portions having a corrugated structure portion 25 and a smooth portion 27 can be formed, and for mass production, these different patterns can be repeated.

[0107] Thereby, a corrugated profile 8’ is obtained, and this corrugated profile 8’ is passed through a cutting machine 95. Such a machine can axially cut a profile having a closed cross-section as described above to obtain two longitudinal profiles 2 having an open cross-section.

[0108] Furthermore, each of these profiles 2 can be sent to a second mold 96 where an elastomeric material is supplied from one or more reservoirs 97, 97’, 98, 98’ for co-extruding other elements necessary for the use of the seal 1 on the vehicle, such as an outer lip, a damping tube 5, a coating 6, ribs 4, or a sleeve 7.

[0109] If all elements made of the elastomeric material have already been formed in the first mold 91, there is no need to perform a second co-extrusion process in the second mold 96. On the other hand, it is also possible to form all elements made of the elastomeric material after the cutting process without performing the first co-extrusion process.

[0110] The advancing direction in the facility 9 is represented by the arrow F.

Claims

1. A bendable automotive seal (1), The invention comprises a longitudinal profile (2) adapted to be placed on a support of a motor vehicle, such as a rebate, and at least one element (3) made of an elastomeric material selected from a longitudinal sealing lip (30, 70) and a support pad (51), The longitudinal profile (2) has an open cross section and comprises a base (20) and two longitudinal lateral branches (21) extending from the base (20) on either side thereof, the base (20) and the two branches (21) together forming a clamp and defining a longitudinal cavity (22) opening on the opposite side of the base (20); said element (3) made of elastomeric material protruding from said longitudinal profile (2) towards the inside of said longitudinal cavity (22); said longitudinal profile (2) is made of a rigid thermoplastic material and comprises, over at least a part of its length, at least one foldable portion (25) having a wave-like structure; The portion (25) having the wavy structure has a continuous uneven portion (26) without any break in material, the uneven portion (26) consisting of a continuous alternating arrangement of bridge portions (260) and joint portions (261), each bridge portion (260) having a back portion (262) extending between two leg portions (263), the concave surfaces of the bridge portions facing inward of the longitudinal profile (2), and each joint portion (261) joining the inner end of the leg portion (263) of one bridge portion (260) to the inner end of the leg portion (263) of an adjacent bridge portion (260); the portion (25) with a wavy structure extends along at least one of two longitudinal connection regions (200) extending between the bottom (20) of the longitudinal profile (2) and one of the two side branches (21) and between the bottom (20) of the longitudinal profile (2) and the other of the two side branches (21), The plurality of said irregularities (26) include parallel grooves (266) oriented in parallel planes (P4).

2. 2. The automotive seal according to claim 1, wherein the parallel surfaces (P4) of the parallel grooves (266) of the plurality of irregularities (26) are oriented perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X-X') of the longitudinal profile (2).

3. 3. A seal for a motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the longitudinal profile (2) comprises at least one portion (27) called smooth portion, which does not have a wavy structure.

4. 4. The automotive seal according to claim 3, wherein over at least a portion of the length of the longitudinal profile (2), wavy portions (25) with an open cross section and smooth portions (27) with an open cross section are alternately arranged.

5. 4. The automotive seal according to claim 3, comprising a smooth portion (27) extending over at least a portion of the length of the longitudinal profile (2) and over at least a portion of the width (L) of the bottom portion (20), and a wavy portion (25) extending over two lateral branches (27) of the longitudinal profile (2).

6. 4. The automotive seal according to claim 3, comprising a smooth portion (27) extending over at least a portion of the length of the longitudinal profile (2) and over at least a portion of the height (h) of at least one of the two side branches (21), and a wavy portion (25) extending over the width (L) of the bottom portion (2).

7. 3. A seal for a motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said at least one element (3) of elastomeric material is co-extruded onto said longitudinal profile (2).

8. 3. The automotive seal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the longitudinal profile (2) comprises at least one longitudinal damping tube (5) made of an elastomeric material protruding outward from the bottom (20) or from one of the two side branches (21), the longitudinal damping tube (5) being co-extruded onto the longitudinal profile (2).

9. 3. A seal for an automotive vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the longitudinal profile (2) is covered with a covering sleeve (7) co-extruded onto the longitudinal profile (2), and the longitudinal sealing lip (70) and / or the support pad are formed integrally with the covering sleeve (7).

10. 10. The automotive seal of claim 9, wherein the covering sleeve (7) further comprises at least one longitudinal damping tube projecting outwardly from the covering sleeve (7).

11. 3. The automotive seal according to claim 1, wherein the depth (H1) of the uneven portion (26) at the free end (24) of one or both of the two branches (21) is equal to or greater than the depth (H2) of the same uneven portion (26) at the bottom (20) of the longitudinal profile (2).

12. 3. A seal for an automotive vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the thickness of the thermoplastic material constituting the longitudinal profile (2) is smaller at the two side branches (21) than at the bottom (20) and decreases towards the free ends (24) of the branches (27).

13. 3. The automotive seal according to claim 1, wherein the portion (25) having a wavy structure extends over the entire longitudinal profile (2), the longitudinal profile (2) being provided with outwardly projecting longitudinal ribs (4).

14. 3. The automotive seal according to claim 1, wherein an outer surface (264) of the back portion (262) of the uneven portion (26) and / or an inner surface (265) of the joining portion (261) are flat.

15. A method for manufacturing a foldable seal (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising the steps of: - extruding a hollow initial longitudinal profile (8) of closed cross section made of a rigid thermoplastic material; forming at least one foldable portion having a wave-like structure (25) on at least a portion of said initial profile (8) to obtain a wave-like profile (8'); cutting said wavy profile (8') axially to obtain two longitudinal profiles (2) with open cross-sections; and co-extruding at least one element (3) made of elastomeric material, such as a longitudinal sealing lip (30, 70) or a support pad (51), to obtain said bendable seal (1).

16. 16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the co-extrusion of the at least one element of elastomeric material is carried out simultaneously with the extrusion of the initial longitudinal profile (8).

17. 16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the co-extrusion of at least one element of elastomeric material is carried out on the longitudinal profile (2) with an open cross section after the cutting step.

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