Vehicle sealing components

Abstract

To provide a vehicle sealing member that can be easily and securely attached to and held in place of an opening. [Solution] The vehicle sealing member 6 closes the opening 5 between the pillar 2 and the fender 4. The vehicle sealing member 6 comprises a main body portion 10 positioned opposite the opening 5, a locking claw 17 projecting from the side of the main body portion 10 facing the opening 5 with its tip pointing toward one side of the main body portion 10, and holding one side edge of the opening 5, and a sealing portion 22 positioned on the main body portion 10 that interferes with the other side edge of the opening 5 from the opposite side to the direction in which the locking claw 17 holds the other side edge.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seal member that closes an opening between a vehicle body member and a fender.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a structure is known in which the gap between a fender that covers the front wheel tire of a vehicle such as an automobile and a front pillar facing the fender is covered with a flat resin member called a fender seal, so as to prevent wind noise, engine noise, and the like from entering the vehicle interior through this gap. The fender seal is formed in an elongated flat plate shape in the vertical direction corresponding to the range of the gap, and is provided with a hole portion into which a clip for attaching to the vehicle body is inserted (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, when the gap is narrow, there may be no surplus portion at the edge of the gap where a clip can be engaged, and when the fender is narrow corresponding to the width of the gap, there may be cases where the fender seal itself cannot be provided with a hole portion allowing the clip to be inserted with sufficient margin. In those cases, the fender does not have an engaging structure and only covers the gap, and for example, at a position far from a location where a clip can be arranged, the edge of the fender will lift up, and not only wind noise, engine noise and the like will flow into the vehicle interior from this lifted portion, but also various problems are assumed, such as the appearance quality being impaired because the gap is visible when an occupant opens the door.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of these points, and aims to provide a vehicle sealing member that can be easily and reliably attached to and held in place of an opening. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vehicle sealing member according to an aspect of the present invention is a vehicle sealing member that closes an opening between a vehicle body member and a fender, comprising: a main body portion disposed opposite to the opening; a locking claw projecting from the side of the main body portion opposite to the opening, with its tip pointing toward one side of the main body portion, and holding one side edge of the opening; and a sealing portion disposed on the main body portion that interferes with the other side edge of the opening from the opposite side to the direction in which the locking claw holds the one side edge. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to easily and securely attach and hold the product in an opening. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is an end view schematicly showing the procedure for attaching the vehicle sealing member of the first embodiment of the present invention to an opening, in the order of (a) to (c). [Figure 2] This is a front view of the vehicle sealing member shown above. [Figure 3] This is a magnified perspective view showing a portion of the sealing member for the vehicle shown above. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing an example of a part of a vehicle body to which the above-mentioned vehicle sealing member is attached. [Figure 5] This is an end view schematicly showing the procedure for attaching a vehicle sealing member according to a second embodiment of the present invention to an opening, in the order of (a) to (c). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] In Figure 4, 1 represents the body of a vehicle such as an automobile. The body 1 comprises a pillar 2, which is a body component, and a fender 4, which is a body panel that covers at least a portion of the area above the tire 3. A vehicle sealing member 6 (hereinafter simply referred to as sealing member 6) is attached to the gap, or opening 5, between the pillar 2 and the fender 4. To make the explanation clearer, the forward, backward, left, right, and up and down directions will be described using the direction as seen from the perspective of an occupant riding in the body 1 as a reference. In the figure, the FR arrow direction is forward, the RR arrow direction is backward, the L arrow direction is left, the R arrow direction is right, the U arrow direction is up, and the D arrow direction is down.

[0011] As an example of pillar 2, we will refer to the frontmost pillar, also known as the A-pillar, i.e., the front pillar. Regarding tire 3, we will illustrate an example of the front wheel, specifically the front wheel on the right side of the vehicle. Note that the left side of the vehicle body 1 has a structure that is basically symmetrical or nearly symmetrical to the right side, so we will omit explanation and illustrations of that side.

[0012] The fender 4, also called a fender panel, is an outer panel that forms part of the side of the vehicle body 1. The fender 4 forms the side of the wheel well 7 in which the tire 3 is housed within the vehicle body 1. The fender 4 is usually a metal plate and is located at a distance from the lower part of the pillar 2 in the vehicle width direction via an opening 5.

[0013] The opening 5 is located at the rear of the wheelhouse 7 and opens in the front-to-back direction. The opening 5 is elongated in the vertical direction and, in this embodiment, is narrow in the left-to-right direction, giving it an elongated shape. The opening 5 connects the wheelhouse 7 to the passenger compartment.

[0014] The sealing member 6 is an exterior vehicle component also known as a fender seal. The sealing member 6 is integrally formed from, for example, synthetic resin. By closing the opening 5, the sealing member 6 blocks the front of the passenger compartment from the wheel well 7, i.e., the outside air, preventing wind noise, engine noise, and other noises from entering the cabin. In this embodiment, an example of attaching the sealing member 6 to the opening 5 from the rear is shown, but it is not limited to this, and it may be attached from the front, i.e., on the wheel well 7 side, if there is enough workspace available.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the sealing member 6 comprises a main body portion 10. The main body portion 10 is shaped to match the shape of the opening 5, is positioned opposite the opening 5, and substantially covers most of the opening 5. The main body portion 10 is formed in a longitudinal shape, and in this embodiment, it is an elongated shape that is narrow in the width direction. The main body portion 10 is roughly plate-shaped. In this embodiment, the main body portion 10 is formed of a first main body portion 12 which is relatively wide in width and a second main body portion 13 which is relatively narrow in width.

[0016] The first main body portion 12 constitutes the majority of the main body portion 10. The first main body portion 12 is formed in a longitudinal shape in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the first main body portion 12 is basically flat, and a partially uneven shape in the thickness direction is formed as needed. In the illustrated example, the first main body portion 12 is substantially flat from the upper end to near the lower end, and a bent portion 15 is formed at the lower end, which is bent in the thickness direction.

[0017] The second body portion 13 constitutes the remaining part of the body portion 10. The second body portion 13 is shorter in the vertical direction and narrower in width than the first body portion 12, and is formed continuously with one end portion of the first body portion 12. In the present embodiment, the second body portion 13 is continuous with the upper end portion of the first body portion 12, and the range extending from the upper end portion of the first body portion 12 to the lower end portion of the second body portion 13 is curved in the plate thickness direction. Further, the second body portion 13 is offset toward the edge side on the vehicle width direction inner side of the first body portion 12 in the width direction (lateral direction) of the body portion 10, and is curved in the vehicle width direction from the edge on the vehicle width direction outer side of the first body portion 12 to the edge on the vehicle width direction outer side of the second body portion 13.

[0018] Further, the seal member 6 is provided with a locking claw 17 on the body portion 10. The locking claw 17 is for locking and holding the seal member 6 with respect to the opening 5. The locking claw 17 is formed in an elongated shape along the edge portion on one side in the width direction of the body portion 10. In the present embodiment, the locking claw 17 is formed on the side facing the opening 5 in a state where the seal member 6 is attached to the opening 5, that is, on the front surface of the body portion 10. The locking claw 17 is formed such that its tip portion faces one side, for example, the vehicle width direction outer side, from the base end portion side continuous with the body portion 10. For example, the locking claw 17 is inclined so as to gradually separate from the front surface of the body portion 10 toward the tip portion. The tip portion of the locking claw 17 has a length that does not protrude outward from the one side edge portion of the body portion 10, and the entire locking claw 17 is positioned apart from the one side edge portion of the body portion 10. In the illustrated example, the locking claws 17 are respectively arranged at a position near the upper end portion of the first body portion 12 and on the second body portion 13 in the body portion 10. That is, the locking claws 17 are arranged in a relatively narrow range in the seal member 6.

[0019] Then, the locking claw 17 is configured to sandwich and hold one side edge portion of the opening 5, which is the vehicle width direction outer side edge portion of the opening 5 in the present embodiment, between itself and the body portion 10. In the illustrated example, the locking claw 17 is configured to be locked to the front side of the vehicle width direction inner end portion of a plate-shaped locking portion 18 extending in the vehicle width direction at the rear end portion of the fender 4.

[0020] Preferably, the locking claw 17 is formed with a protruding ridge portion 17a that makes line contact with the locking portion 18. The protruding ridge portion 17a is formed at a position on the main surface side of the main body portion 10 of the locking claw 17. The protruding ridge portion 17a has a rib shape, and is configured to improve interference force through line contact with one side edge portion of the opening 5. The protruding ridge portion 17a is formed along the locking claw 17 from the base end portion to the tip end portion of the locking claw 17, and is also continuous with the main body portion 10. In the present embodiment, a plurality of, for example two, protruding ridge portions 17a are provided for each locking claw 17. For example, the plurality of protruding ridge portions 17a are intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction of the locking claw 17. The present invention is not limited to this, and they may be formed continuously in the longitudinal direction of the locking claw 17.

[0021] Further, the seal member 6 includes a flange portion 20 on the main body portion 10. The flange portion 20 is formed along the edge portion on the other side of the main body portion 10, which is the direction opposite to the one side toward which the tip end portion of the locking claw 17 faces. The flange portion 20 has a plate shape, and in the present embodiment, a flat plate shape. The flange portion 20 is bent in the plate thickness direction relative to the main body portion 10. The flange portion 20 protrudes in the direction opposite to the front surface side, which is the surface on which the locking claw 17 is formed in the main body portion 10, that is, in the rear direction. It is formed by being gradually bent from the edge portion of the main body portion 10 to the flange portion 20. The flange portion 20 may be continuous in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 10, or may be formed intermittently. In the present embodiment, the flange portion 20 is formed on each of the first main body portion 12 and the second main body portion 13, and in the illustrated example, the flange portions 20 are positioned apart from each other in the vertical direction at a position between the first main body portion 12 and the second main body portion 13.

[0022] A sealing portion 22 is positioned on the flange portion 20. The sealing portion 22 is attached to the flange portion 20 and extends so as to protrude laterally from the main body portion 10, with the flange portion 20 acting as a seat. The sealing portion 22 is located in a position corresponding to the area in which the locking claw 17 is formed. For example, the sealing portion 22 is in a range that includes at least the range A obtained by projecting the locking claw 17 in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the tip of the locking claw 17 protrudes or the direction in which the side edge of the main body portion 10 along which the locking claw 17 extends. In this embodiment, the sealing portion 22 is positioned over the entire flange portion 20. The sealing portion 22 interferes (strongly interferes), i.e., presses against, the other side edge of the opening 5, which in this embodiment is the inner edge of the opening 5 in the vehicle width direction, i.e., the outer side surface 2a in the vehicle width direction of the pillar 2. In this embodiment, the side surface 2a is formed to curve smoothly so as to bulge outwards in a convex shape from the opening 5. The sealing portion 22 preferably uses a material that generates a reaction force against compression, i.e., an elastic material. For example, in this embodiment, a sponge-like urethane sealing material is used as the sealing portion 22.

[0023] In addition, the sealing member 6 has an opposing sealing portion 25 positioned on one side edge of the main body portion 10, that is, the edge opposite to the flange portion 20. The opposing sealing portion 25 is the part that is pressed against the locking portion 18 of the fender 4, which forms one side edge of the opening 5, from the opposite side of the locking claw 17, in this embodiment, from the rear side, to close the gap. In this embodiment, the opposing sealing portion 25 is positioned on the edge of the first main body portion 12 opposite to the flange portion 20.

[0024] Furthermore, the sealing member 6 has a hole 26 formed in the main body portion 10. A clip, which is a fixing member for fixing the sealing member 6 to the vehicle body 1 (shown in Figure 4), is inserted into the hole 26. The clip is for fixing the sealing member 6 to a clip mounting portion formed on the side edge of the opening 5. For example, the clip mounting portion is a protruding piece that protrudes inward from one side edge on the fender 4 side or the other side edge on the pillar 2 side of the opening 5, and has a locking hole into which the clip is inserted and locked. Multiple holes 26 are formed intermittently in the vertical direction in the main body portion 10, or in this embodiment, the first main body portion 12. That is, the holes 26 are formed in the sealing member 6 at a relatively wider position below the locking claw 17. For example, the holes 26 are elongated in the vertical direction towards the lower end, i.e., the position further away from the locking claw 17, so as to absorb dimensional variations when fixing the sealing member 6 from the top to the bottom with the clip.

[0025] Then, when attaching the sealing member 6 to the opening 5, first, as shown in Figure 1(a), the sealing member 6 is positioned with the locking claw 17 facing the opening 5, and with one edge of the main body portion 10 in contact with one side edge of the opening 5, the sealing portion 22 is pressed against the side surface 2a of the pillar 2 and pushed forward into the opening 5. As shown in Figure 1(b), the sealing member 6 receives a reaction force from the pillar 2 due to the elasticity of the sealing portion 22 toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, and the locking claw 17 is inserted into the opening 5 while rotating along the curved shape of the side surface 2a with one side edge of the main body portion 10 as the pivot point. As the position between the locking claw 17 and the main body 10 rotates to the position of the locking portion 18 of the fender 4 which forms one side edge of the opening 5, the sealing member 6 slides away from the side surface 2a of the pillar 2 in the vehicle width direction due to the reaction force from the pillar 2 caused by the elasticity of the sealing portion 22, as shown in Figure 1(c). The locking portion 18 fits between the locking claw 17 and the main body 10, and with the protruding portion 17a in line contact with the locking portion 18, the locking by the locking claw 17 is strengthened by the reaction force from the pillar 2 caused by the elasticity of the sealing portion 22, and the locked state with respect to the opening 5 is maintained.

[0026] As described above, according to the first embodiment, a locking claw 17 is provided on the side of the main body 10 facing the opening 5, with its tip pointing toward one side of the main body 10. The sealing portion 22 positioned on the main body 10 strongly interferes with the other side edge of the opening 5 in the opposite direction to the holding direction of the locking claw 17 with respect to one side edge, i.e., from rear to front, so that the locking claw 17 can be locked to the locking portion 18 simply by pushing the sealing member 6 into the opening 5, and the sealing member 6 can be easily and reliably attached and held in place of the opening 5.

[0027] In other words, the sealing member 6 is not installed by clamping one side edge of the opening 5 with the locking claw 17, but rather by being pushed towards the opening 5, the locking claw 17 is pushed in and guided by the sealing portion 22 so that it grips one side edge of the opening 5. Therefore, the installation work to the opening 5 is easy, and the strong interference of the sealing portion 22 maintains the retention by the locking claw 17, resulting in a firm installation.

[0028] In particular, in this embodiment, the sealing member 6 is firmly held in the wider part of the main body 10, i.e., the lower part of the first main body 12 that covers the wider part of the opening 5, because there is space to form a clip attachment part in the opening 5, the clip inserted into the hole 26 is firmly held by locking it into the clip attachment part. In the narrower part of the main body 10, i.e., the upper part of the first main body 12 and the second main body 13 that cover the narrower part of the opening 5, because there is no space to form a clip attachment part in the opening 5, the sealing member 6 is firmly held by locking with the locking claw 17 and sealing with the sealing part 22. As a result, the sealing member 6 can be firmly held in the opening 5 over its entire length.

[0029] Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sealing member 6 from lifting up from the opening 5, ensure the shielding of the opening 5, prevent wind noise, engine noise, etc. from entering the vehicle interior due to the lifting of the sealing member 6 from the opening 5, and also improve the appearance as the gap in the opening 5 becomes invisible when the occupant opens the door, etc.

[0030] Furthermore, because the sealing portion 22 is elastic and biases the main body portion 10 in the opposite direction to the direction toward which the tip of the locking claw 17 is pointing, the sealing portion 22 presses the locking claw 17 against one side edge of the opening 5, thereby firmly holding the locking claw 17 in contact with the locking portion 18. Additionally, by appropriately selecting the material and thickness of the sealing portion 22, the strength of the locking by the locking claw 17 can be easily adjusted.

[0031] Furthermore, since the locking claw 17 has a protruding ridge 17a that makes line contact with one side edge of the opening 5, the interference force with one side edge of the opening 5 is improved, and the sealing member 6 can be held more firmly against the opening 5.

[0032] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 5. Note that components and operations similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0033] In this embodiment, the sealing portion 22 is an elastic portion that is connected to the flange portion 20 and integrally formed with the main body portion 10.

[0034] The sealing portion 22 is curved, for example, by being folded back from the tip of the flange portion 20, and the sealing portion 22 and the flange portion 20 form a roughly U-shaped cross-section. The sealing portion 22 is folded back from the tip of the flange portion 20 and is inclined to gradually move away from the flange portion 20 toward the tip, and is formed to strongly interfere with the other side edge of the opening 5, which in this embodiment is the inner edge of the opening 5 in the vehicle width direction, and the outer side surface 2a of the pillar 2 in the vehicle width direction.

[0035] Then, when attaching the sealing member 6 to the opening 5, first, as shown in Figure 5(a), the sealing member 6 is positioned with the locking claw 17 facing the opening 5, and with one edge of the main body portion 10 in contact with one side edge of the opening 5, the sealing portion 22 is pressed against the side surface 2a of the pillar 2 and pushed forward into the opening 5. As shown in Figure 5(b), the sealing member 6 receives a reaction force from the side surface 2a of the pillar 2 due to the elastic deformation of the sealing portion 22, directed outward in the vehicle width direction, and rotates along the curved shape of the side surface 2a with one edge of the main body portion 10 as the pivot point, while the locking claw 17 is inserted into the opening 5. Then, when the position between the locking claw 17 and the main body 10 rotates to the position of the locking portion 18 of the fender 4 which forms one side edge of the opening 5, the sealing member 6 slides away from the side surface 2a of the pillar 2 in the vehicle width direction due to the reaction force from the pillar 2 caused by the elastic deformation of the sealing portion 22, as shown in Figure 5(c). The locking portion 18 engages between the locking claw 17 and the main body 10, and the locking by the locking claw 17 is strengthened by the reaction force from the pillar 2 caused by the elastic deformation of the sealing portion 22, thus maintaining the locked state with respect to the opening 5.

[0036] Thus, according to the second embodiment, by having a configuration similar to the first embodiment, such as providing a locking claw 17 on the side of the main body 10 facing the opening 5 and arranging a sealing portion 22 on the main body 10, it is possible to reliably attach and hold the sealing member 6 to the opening 5, and thus achieve the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0037] Furthermore, by making the sealing portion 22 a folded structure integrated with the main body portion 10, the locking claw 17 by the sealing portion 22 can be easily set according to the folded shape of the sealing portion 22.

[0038] In each embodiment, the front pillar is used as an example for pillar 2, and the front wheel, particularly the front wheel on the right side of the vehicle, is shown as an example for tire 3. However, the design is not limited to these examples, and the design can also be applied by using the rear pillar for pillar 2 and the rear wheel for tire 3, with only the front-to-rear direction being reversed.

[0039] Furthermore, although the locking claw 17 is configured to lock onto the outer edge of the opening 5 in the vehicle width direction, i.e., the fender 4 side, it is not limited to this configuration, and depending on the shape of the pillar 2 and the fender 4, it may also be configured to lock onto the inner edge of the opening 5 in the vehicle width direction, i.e., the pillar 2 side. In that case, the locking portion 18 may be formed on the pillar 2. [Industrial applicability]

[0040] The present invention can be suitably used, for example, as a fender seal to cover the opening between the front pillar and the front fender. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 2. Pillars, which are body components of the vehicle 4 Fender 5 Openings 6. Vehicle sealing components 10 Main body 17 Locking claws 17a Convex part 22 Seal part

Claims

1. A vehicle sealing member that closes the opening between a vehicle body member and a fender, A main body portion positioned opposite the aforementioned opening, On the main body portion, a locking claw is provided on the side facing the opening, with its tip pointing toward one side of the main body portion, and which holds one side edge of the opening. A sealing portion is provided on the main body, which interferes with the other side edge of the opening from the opposite side to the direction in which the locking claw is held relative to the other side edge, A vehicle sealing member characterized by having the following features.

2. The sealing portion is elastic and biases the main body in the opposite direction to the direction in which the tip of the locking claw is pointing. The vehicle sealing member according to claim 1, characterized by its features.

3. It has a locking claw and a protruding ridge that makes linear contact with one side edge of the opening. A vehicle sealing member according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is a vehicle sealing member.

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