Patent ID: 8607505
Filing Date: 2013-12-17
Classification: B60J

Abstract:
1. A sealing assembly for a vehicle having first and second doors that are hinged to a vehicle body with opposing hinges so that both of the doors substantially cover a door opening formed by the vehicle body and form a cutline therebetween when closed, the sealing assembly comprising: a first seal mounted to the vehicle body to substantially surround the door opening and having a first membrane portion that extends over a first portion of the cutline; wherein the first and second doors are independently openable and closable; a second seal mounted to a surface of the first door that faces the first membrane portion when the first door is closed; a third seal mounted to a surface of the second door that faces the first membrane portion when the second door is closed; and wherein the first membrane portion is configured to be movable toward the closed first and second doors and into contact with the second and third seals so that the first membrane portion and the second and third seals seal the first portion of the cutline; wherein the third seal is on a surface of a door panel of the second door; wherein the surface of the door panel of the second door faces inward on the vehicle when the second door is closed; wherein the second door includes a trim panel positioned inward of the door panel when the second door is closed; wherein an opening is defined by the trim panel and the door panel between the door panel and the trim panel; and further comprising: an electric motor; a worm gear operatively connected to the electric motor and configured to rotate when the electric motor is energized; a rack meshing with the worm gear and moved by the worm gear when the worm gear rotates; a member having a sealing surface; and linkage members operatively connected to the rack and configured to move the member having the sealing surface into contact with the first membrane portion to move the first membrane portion when the motor is energized.