Abstract:
Sealing system is disclosed for the roof frame of a motor vehicle having at least one moveable, frameless window. The sealing system has at least one sealing profile section with a profile strip which is reinforced by a reinforcement and is formed of at least one elastomer. The profile strip cooperates with the window in a sealing manner. The reinforcement is provided with the profile strip as a pre-fabricated synthetic material injection molded part in a forming tool at least on one part of its surface. The reinforcement has a substantially U-shaped cross section with a base and limbs extending from the base. The sealing system is formed in a three-dimensional manner and can be fixed to connection parts of the roof frame with attachment elements. The reinforcement and the profile strip are partitioned longitudinally in the region of the base.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a sealing system having at least one sealing profile section for the roof frame of an automobile having at least one movable, frameless window. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A known sealing system of this type (shown in German utility model DE 296 21 997 U1 of the applicant) does not yet offer sufficient freedom for the optimum design of the profile strip. 
     One carrier rail which is not divided longitudinally is known from German utility model DE 295 09 880 U1 of the applicant. One area of the carrier rail facing the roof connecting bar is provided with an elastomer layer. A sealing lip of a one-piece elastomer profile strip protrudes in each case from a limb of the carrier rail into a concave side of the sealing profile. 
     A U-shaped holding rail which is not divided longitudinally is known per se from published German Patent Application DE 195 31 600 A1, wherein a sealing section is attached fixedly adhering in each case to the limbs of the holding rail. Each sealing section comprises a sealing lip which extends as far as the window. 
     SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the invention is to achieve greater freedom for designing the profile strip. 
     This object is achieved by forming a sealing profile section having a profile strip which is reinforced by a reinforcement and consists of at least one elastomer. The profile strip cooperates in a sealing manner with the window. The reinforcement is formed as a pre-fabricated synthetic material injection molded part and is provided with the profile strip on at least a part of its surface in a forming tool. The reinforcement has a substantially U-shaped cross section, with a base and limbs extending from the base, almost over its total length. The sealing system is formed in a three dimensional manner and can be fixed to connection parts of the roof frame with attachment elements. The reinforcement and the profile strip are longitudinally partitioned in the region of the base in each case in to piece parts. Each reinforcement piece part is provided in the forming tool separately with the associated profile strip piece part. 
     Such sealing systems are used in particular with hardtops or coupés or with a folding roof cover for cabriolets. The longitudinal division provides the opportunity for each reinforcing piece part and the associated profile strip piece part to be designed and formed in an optimum manner. These two components are finally joined together and fixed by means of the attachment elements to the associated connection part. In an advantageous manner, after the components have been joined together, they are placed into a forming tool, in which an end cap is formed as one on at least one end face of each sealing profile section. Details relating to this latter feature are evident in the aforementioned German utility model DE 296 21 997 U1. Each of the components is formed in a three-dimensional manner without any internal stress in a dimensionally-stable and optimum manner from a reinforcing piece part and a profile strip piece part. The sealing system joining the two components also has these characteristics which are ideal as far as the dimensions are concerned and which guarantee that the sealing system is mounted on the motor vehicle with a precise fit, in a manner which can be reproduced and can be performed in a particularly rapid manner. The fact that the sealing system is provided in two parts means that it is possible for the two components to be adjusted relative to each other in the transverse direction and only then are they to be attached to the associated connection part of the roof frame using the attachment elements. In this manner, any peculiarities of the installation arrangement can be taken into consideration and the optimum relative position of the profile strip piece parts can be secured. 
     To simplify and improve the mounting process of each sealing profile section the reinforcement piece part can be mounted along a partition joint in contact with each other. 
     The handling of the sealing system is also made easier by fixing the reinforcement piece parts to each other, even for a possible attachment of end caps. 
     The piece parts are preferably fixed in the partition joint by means of adhesive. The adhesive can be applied over a surface-area or only in spots. 
     The piece parts may also be fixed by welding. The welding process is preferably performed in the form of a spot-welding process. This is quite sufficient because in any case it is only intended that the two components of the sealing system be fixed in position relative to each other and held in this position until the entire sealing system is fixed by means of the attachment elements to the associated connection part. 
     The components can be secured to one another through the use of spigots on one reinforcing piece part inserted and secured in an orifice in the other reinforcement piece part. Preferably there is a comparatively tight fit between the spigot and the orifice. 
     As an alternative, a form-locking fixing arrangement can also be achieved if a free end of each spigot is formed behind the other reinforcement piece part into a head, the cross section of the head being larger than the cross section of the associated orifice. 
     The two components of the sealing system may be joined together in a precise fit at the partition joint through the use of a profiling for centering the reinforment piece parts relative to each other. 
     Having a free longitudinal edge of one reinforcement piece part engaging a longitudinal groove of the other reinforcement piece part and locking the free longitudinal edge within the longitudinal groove by means of a latching connection in a form-locking manner ensures that the two components of the sealing system are joined together in a reliable and tight-fitting manner. 
     Allowing the reinforcement piece parts to be placed one above the other along the partition joint and to be fixed to each other and to the connection part by means of attachment elements makes it possible to adjust the two components of the sealing system in a transverse manner and in a relative manner with respect to each other, prior to the sealing system being attached by means of the attachment elements to the connection part of the roof frame. 
     To provide an excellent sealing arrangement between the sealing system and the connection part of the roof frame the reinforcement piece part facing the connection part is provided on a surface facing the connection part with a layer of the associated profile strip piece part. 
     This sealing effect is further improved if required by providing the layer with a sealing lip in the region of at least one of its longitudinal edges, the sealing lip cooperating with the connection part. 
     Each profile strip piece part comprises a sealing lip associated with a limb, and formed as one in the region of its free end. To avoid the unfavorable visual impression caused by a gap between the sealing lips when the window is disposed outside the sealing system the view into the interior space of the sealing system is blocked by allowing the free ends of the sealing system to overlap each other in a transverse manner with respect to a movement direction of the window. When the window is inserted into the sealing system the free ends lie, in each case, on a side of the window. 
     Biasing the free ends of the sealing lips against each other makes it impossible for dust and foreign bodies to penetrate into the inside of the sealing system when the window is disposed outside the sealing system. 
     Providing a stop bead on the reinforcing piece part disposed towards the outer side of the motor vehicle for engaging an outer side of the window inserted into the sealing system limits the extent to which the closed window can move towards the outside if a negative pressure is exerted on the outer side on the window when the vehicle is travelling at high speeds. 
     Positioning at least one stiffening rib within an interior space of the substantially U-shaped cross section of the sealing system provides additional stiffening to prevent bending and twisting of the reinforcement and thus additional stiffening for the entire sealing system. Whilst providing the same amount of strength, it is possible for the basic profile of the reinforcement to be of a thin-walled design and, as a consequence, the amount of material required is reduced. 
     Stiffening of the reinforcement may be accomplished by forming at least one stiffening rib as a longitudinal rib extending in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcement, or by forming stiffening ribs as transverse ribs extending in a transverse direction of the reinforcement in spaced disposition from each other in a longitudinal direction of the reinforcement. Preferably each transverse rib extends from one limb of the reinforcement as far as the base of the associated reinforcement piece. The longitudinal ribs are preferably formed as an integral part on the base of the reinforcement and the transverse ribs are located at a spaced disposition of, e.g., 5 to 30 mm. 
     These and other features and advantages of the invention are further explained hereinunder with reference to the exemplified embodiments illustrated in the drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective diagonal view from the top of a folding roof of a cabriolet, 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 of a hardtop, 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first component of a sealing profile section for the C-column of a motor vehicle, 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second component for the sealing profile section in accordance with FIG. 3, 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the components joined together in accordance with FIGS. 3 and 4, 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the lines VI—VI in FIG. 5 on an enlarged scale with additional parts of the motor vehicle shown, 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 6 of a different embodiment, 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 6 of a different embodiment, 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view through individual parts of a further different embodiment, 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged illustration of the sectional view taken along the lines X—X in FIG. 5 of the embodiment in accordance with FIG. 9, 
     FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view in accordance with FIG. 10 but with the window inserted into the sealing system and 
     FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 6 of a further different embodiment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a folding roof  1  of a cabriolet whose roof frame is provided on each side with a three-part sealing system  2 . Each sealing system comprises a front, upper sealing profile section  3 , a rear, upper sealing profile section  4  and a C-column section  5 . The sections  3  to  5  are attached in each case to connection parts on the associated cover bar. The section  3  comprises integral end caps  6  and  7 , section  4  comprises integral end caps  8  and  9  and section  5  comprises an integral end cap  10  on its upper end. 
     Identical parts bear the identical reference numbers in all the drawings. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a hardtop  11  whose roof frame is provided on each side with a two-part sealing system  12 . Each sealing system  12  comprises a front sealing profile section  13  and a C-column section  14 . 
     The C-column section  14  is in principle formed in the same manner as the C-column section  5  in FIG. 1 and, if necessary, the sealing profile sections  3  and  4  in FIG.  1 . In contrast, the sealing profile section  13  preferably consists of an extruded sealing profile which is in one piece and known per se. The sealing profile section  13  is provided at the front with an integral end cap  16  and is connected at the rear on a transition site  15  in a sealing manner to the C-column section  14 . 
     The subsequent figures explain the embodiments of the C-column section  5 ,  14 . Other sealing profile sections, such as the sealing profile sections  3 ,  4  in FIG. 1, can be formed in a similar manner. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a first component  17  of the C-column section  14 . This first component  17  consists of a first reinforcement piece part  18  made from synthetic material and a first profile strip piece part  19  formed as an integral part thereon from an elastomer. The first component  17  is manufactured in such a manner that initially the first reinforcement piece part  18  is manufactured as a synthetic material injection molded part with its final three-dimensional shape. The first reinforcement piece part  18  is then placed into a forming tool where it receives together with the profile strip piece part  19  also its final three-dimensional shape. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a second component  20  of the C-column section  14 . The second component is formed from a second reinforcement piece part  21  manufactured from a synthetic material and a second profile strip piece part  22  formed as an integral part thereon and manufactured in the same manner as the first component  17 . 
     FIG. 5 illustrates the components  17  and  20  in the joined together state, in which they form the C-column section  14 . 
     Referring to FIG. 5, the dot-dash lines indicate in each case transverse planes  23  and  24  of the C-column section  14 . The positioning elements which are to be described in detail later and which position the components  17 ,  20  in a relative manner with respect to each other are located in the transverse planes  23 . In contrast thereto, the attachment elements, which are to be described later and which fix the C-column section  14  to the associated connection part of the roof frame, are disposed in the transverse planes  24 . 
     FIG. 6 illustrates details of the C-column section  14  and its installed state. It is particularly evident that a reinforcement  25  is composed of the two reinforcement piece parts  18 ,  21 . The reinforcement  25  comprises on its at least almost entire length a cross-section which is substantially U-shaped with a base  26  and limbs  27  and  28  which extend from the base. In a similar manner, a profile strip  29  consists of the profile strip piece parts  19 ,  22  which are each allocated an independent function. The components  17 ,  20  are positioned and fixed in the case of FIG. 6 in a relative manner with respect to each other by virtue of the fact that spigots  30  and  31  of the second reinforcement piece part  21  sit with a relatively tight fit in the complementary orifices  32  and  33  in the base  26  of the first reinforcement piece part  18 . The reinforcement piece parts  18 ,  21  are mounted in this manner so as to be in contact with each other along a partition joint  34 . The partition joint  34  comprises a profiling  35  for centring the reinforcement piece parts  18 ,  21  in a relative manner with respect to each other. 
     The C-column section  14  is fixed in accordance with FIG. 6 in a manner to be described later to a connection part  36  which is formed from sheet metal and is part of the roof frame  37  of a motor vehicle. The reinforcement piece part  18  facing the connection part  36  is provided on a surface  38  facing the connection part  36  with a layer  39  of the associated first profile strip piece part  19 . The layer  39  comprises in the region of its longitudinal edges in each case a sealing lip  40  and  41  which cooperate with the connection part  36 . Both sealing lips  40 ,  41  are illustrated in FIG. 6 in their fully relaxed starting position. In the ready assembled position in accordance with FIG. 6, the sealing lips  40 ,  41  are formed naturally and lie against the opposite contour of the connection part  36  as the biassing is increased. 
     Each profile strip piece part  19 ,  22  comprises a sealing lip  42  and  43  which is formed as one in the region of a free end of the associated limb  27 ,  28 . In the case of the sealing system  12  assembled in accordance with FIG. 6, the free ends of the sealing lips  42 ,  43  overlap each other when the window  44  of the motor vehicle is disposed outside the sealing system  12 . The free ends of the sealing lips  42 ,  43  lie preferably in accordance with FIG. 6 in a biassed arrangement against each other. In this manner, on the one hand, a view into an interior space  45  of the sealing system  12  is prevented from becoming impaired and on the other hand, dust and foreign bodies and moisture are prevented from penetrating from the outside into the interior space  45  during this operating state. Sealing lips  42 ,  43  of this type cannot be achieved in accordance with the aforementioned German utility model DE 296 21 997 U1 as a one-piece design of the sealing system. 
     The reinforcement piece part  18  disposed towards an outer side  46  of the motor vehicle is provided with a stop bead  47  for an outer side  48  of the window  44 , which, however, only becomes functional when the window  44  is completely closed in accordance with FIG.  8 . 
     The embodiment in accordance with FIG. 7 corresponds to that of FIG. 6 with the sole difference that a free end of each spigot  30 ,  31  is formed behind the first reinforcement piece part  18  by virtue of the heat and pressure effect into a head  49  and  50 . The cross-section of the heads  49 ,  50  is greater than the cross-section of the associated orifices  32 ,  33 , so that a form-locking connection is formed between the reinforcement piece parts  18 ,  21  and thus the components  17 ,  20 . 
     In accordance with FIG. 8, the reinforcement piece parts  18 ,  21  are fixed to each other by means of adhesive  51  in the partition joint. As an alternative, this relative fixing arrangement can also be provided by means of weld spots  52  being provided at a spaced disposition with respect to each other. 
     The reinforcement  25  is provided in accordance with FIG. 8 in the interior space  45  with stiffening ribs  53 ,  54  and  55 . The stiffening rib  53  is formed as a longitudinal rib and formed as one with the second reinforcement piece part  21 . In contrast, the stiffening ribs  54  and  55  are formed in each case as transverse ribs which extend in the transverse direction of the reinforcement  25  and are disposed at a spaced disposition with respect to each other in a longitudinal direction of the reinforcement. Each transverse rib  54 ,  55  extends from the associated limb  28 ,  27  of the reinforcement  25  as far as up to the base  26  of the associated reinforcement piece part  21 ,  18 . A groove  56 , indicated by the broken line, for each stiffening rib  55  is formed in the base  26  of the reinforcement piece part  21 . 
     FIG. 8 also illustrates the window  44  in the dot-dash lines in its fully closed, uppermost position, in which the window  44  is inserted into the interior space  45 . If a negative pressure is exerted onto the outer side  46  of the motor vehicle as the vehicle is travelling, then the (closed) window  44  is drawn in, as shown in the right hand side of FIG. 8, and curved until its outer side  48  lies against the stop bead  47 . As a result, the extent of the actually undesired outwards movement of the window  44  is limited. 
     FIG. 10 represents substantially a cross-sectional view according to the line X—X in FIG.  5 . An attachment element  57  is disposed in the associated transverse plane  24  of the sealing system  12  and the individual parts of the attachment element are clearly evident in FIG. 9. A nut piece  58  is disposed on the connection part  36  and receives a pin  59  which first penetrates through a disc  60  and then through orifices  61  and  62  into the reinforcement piece parts  21  and  18  and then into the nut piece  58 . The final assembled end position is visible in FIGS. 10 and 11. 
     FIG. 9 indicates the directions of movement of the window  44  by means of a double arrow  63 . 
     FIG. 11 illustrates the window  44  in its uppermost, closed end position. It is also evident that in this end position the free ends of the sealing lips  42  and  43  are located in a sealing arrangement against a side  48  and  64  respectively. 
     In the case of the exemplified embodiment as shown in FIG. 12, a free longitudinal edge  65  of the second reinforcement piece part  21  engages into a longitudinal groove  66  of the first reinforcement piece part  18 . The free longitudinal edge  65  is thereby locked by means of a latching connection  67  in a form-locking manner in the longitudinal groove  66 . 
     Suitable elastomers for the profile strip  29 ,  19 ,  22  are, for example, the following materials: 
     Cellular rubber with a hardness of 10 to 30 Shore-A or dense rubber with a hardness of 30 to 70 Shore-A, both, for example, manufactured from EPDM, SBR, CR, ECO, blends (mixtures) of EPDM with SBR at an EPDM percentage weight of 20 to 90%, blends of EPDM with SBR and/or polyoctenamer, or NBR. 
     The following thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), for example, can also be used: 
     TPE on a basis of styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEB-S). 
     TPE on the basis of styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SBS) 
     TPE on the basis of styrene isoprene styrene (SIS) 
     TPE on the basis of elastomer alloys as TPO blends or TPO alloys, for example, cross-linked EPDM/propylene blend (EPDM/PP) or 
     ethylene vinyl acetate/vinylidene chloride (EVA/PVDC) or TPE on the basis of thermoplastic polyurethane 
     (TPU); TPO is the abbreviation for thermoplastic polyolefins (elastomers). 
     The profiled strip  29 ,  19 ,  22  can also be formed from several of the previously mentioned elastomers and subsequently vulcanised together along the boundary surfaces which are in contact with each other. A chemical bond of sufficient strength now exists in each case between the individual parts of the profile strip  17 . 
     In contrast, the reinforcement  25 ,  18 ,  21  consists preferably of a thermoplastic synthetic material. Suitable materials for this purpose, for example, are as follows: 
     PPE polyphenylene ether 
     PP polypropylene 
     PE (LDPE, low density PE) 
     PE (HDPE, high density PE) 
     PIB polyisobutylene 
     PS polystyrene 
     PA polyamide 
     PC polycarbonate 
     PETP polyethylene terephthalate 
     POM polyoxymethylene 
     Epoxy resins 
     Phenol formaldehyde resins 
     PES polyester 
     PPO polyphenyl ether 
     PVP polyvinylchloride or Modifications of these thermoplastic synthetic materials. 
     These synthetic materials can be used with or without reinforcement, for example, by means of carbon fibres or glass fibres or silicon fibres or polymer fibres or using minerals (talcum). 
     It is also possible to provide a layer of coupling material (not illustrated) between the profile strip  29 ,  19 ,  22  and the reinforcement  25 ,  18 ,  21 . The coupling material has the task of improving the chemical bond between the elastomer of the profile strip and the thermoplastic synthetic material of the reinforcement. The following materials, for example, are suitable as the coupling material: 
     EPDM mixed with PP, PE, PS, PIB, PES and other polymers from the aforementioned list of materials of the reinforcement  25 ,  18 ,  21  in percentage weights&lt;20%. 
     Blends EPDM-CR-SBR-polyoctenamer or EPDM compounds with quantities of resin added (e.g. epoxy resins) or other commercially available bonding agents. 
     If the reinforcement  25 ,  18 ,  21  consists of a TPE, then a polypropylene primer, for example, is suitable as a coupling material.