Profiled strip, system and method for producing a profiled strip

A profiled strip includes a first connecting area configured to connect to an edge area of a windshield of a motor vehicle, and a second connecting area configured to connect to a component to be adjoined to the windshield. The second connecting area has an open profile along at least one first partial section of a lengthwise extension of the profiled strip, which allows a connecting element of the adjoining component to be inserted into a receiving area delimited by the open profile. The second connecting area has a closed profile along at least one second partial section of the lengthwise extension of the profiled strip, which prevents the insertion of the connecting element into the closed profile.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Stage Application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2016/060281 filed on May 9, 2016, and claims benefit to European Patent Application No. EP 15171258.5 filed on Jun. 9, 2015. The International Application was published in German on Dec. 15, 2016 as WO 2016/198217 A1 under PCT Article 21 (2).

FIELD

The invention relates to a profiled strip, having a first connecting area for connecting an edge area of the windshield of a motor vehicle, and having a second connecting area for connecting a component adjoining the windshield.

BACKGROUND

For example, a profiled strip disclosed in German utility model DE 200 08 555 U1 is first connected to a vehicle window pane before the vehicle window pane with the connected profiled strip is mounted on a vehicle. Subsequently, an adjoining component in the form of a cover part is mounted which can be, for example, a water trough cover that is latched to the profiled strip. A water trough cover serves to cover a water trough that collects water running off the vehicle window pane and to drain it in a controlled manner into the engine compartment and underneath the vehicle. The water trough can be part of the car body.

The profile variants known from German utility models DE 20 2008 006 986 U1 and DE 20 2008 016 217 U1 account for a marked reduction in the installation forces required to mount the cover part, as a result of which it is possible to dispense with a support on the car body below the profiled strip.

The water trough cover is normally latched to the profiled strip over the entire profile length, that is to say, essentially over the entire width of the vehicle window pane. The edge design of modern vehicle window panes over the width of the vehicle is characterized by several radii that make a transition from one to the other, whereby, in some cases, the pane is not symmetrical relative to the vertical center plane of the vehicle. For this reason, the profiled strips are usually adapted precisely to the pane contour by means of prebending before they are installed on the edge of the pane. In order to precisely mount the water trough cover on the profiled strip so that it is as free of gaps as possible along the entire width of the pane, the water trough cover has to be aligned quite precisely relative to the profiled strip during the mounting. For this purpose, optical center markings are often placed on the profiled strip as well as on the cover, but although these markings do permit a certain orientation, they do not prevent a misalignment during the mounting.

However, in order for a profiled strip to be mounted simply and reliably, the second connecting area, which has a latching area to accommodate a latching member of the cover part, has to adhere to relatively narrow tolerances. In order to observe these narrow tolerances, even after the profile has been prebent and after the storage and transportation of the panes, which are normally done with the pane standing upright on the profiled strip, International patent application WO 2006/002891 A1 and European patent application EP 2 253 556 A1 propose inserting a transport protection profile (also often referred to as a “keder rail”) into the latching area. Such transport protection profiles are provided as separate parts and they have to be removed from the latching area of the profiled strip before the cover part is mounted and then they have to be disposed of.

In order to avoid the work involved in removing and disposing of the keder rail, German patent specification DE 10 2011 056 955 B4 puts forward a profiled strip that comprises a functional element that can be moved between different functional positions. In a first functional position, the functional element closes off a latching recess and protects it against deformation and contamination; in a second functional position, the functional element opens up the latching recess so that a latching element of the water trough cover can be latched to the latching recess.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a profiled strip including a first connecting area configured to connect to an edge area of a windshield of a motor vehicle, and a second connecting area configured to connect to a component to be adjoined to the windshield. The second connecting area has an open profile along at least one first partial section of a lengthwise extension of the profiled strip, which allows a connecting element of the adjoining component to be inserted into a receiving area delimited by the open profile. The second connecting area has a closed profile along at least one second partial section of the lengthwise extension of the profiled strip, which prevents the insertion of the connecting element into the closed profile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a profiled strip that is not prone to transport damage and that permits the simplest possible mounting of the adjoining component to the profiled strip.

According to an embodiment, a profiled strip of the above-mentioned type is provided in the second connecting area with an open profile along at least one first partial section of the length of the profiled strip, said open profile allowing a connecting element of the adjoining component to be inserted into a receiving area delimited by the open profile, and also provided in the second connecting area with a closed profile along at least one second partial section of the length of the profiled strip, said closed profile preventing the insertion of the connecting element into the closed profile.

According to an embodiment the invention, the second connecting area of the profiled strip has various partial sections. At least one first partial section allows a connecting element of the adjoining component, for example, a latching element of a water trough cover, to be inserted into a receiving area that is delimited by an open profile. Unlike the first partial section, at least one second partial section of the length of the profiled strip has a closed profile so that a connecting element of the adjoining component cannot be inserted into the closed profile of the second partial section.

The closed profile of the second partial section can be a solid profile. In order to save on material, however, it is preferred for the closed profile of the second partial section to surround a hollow space.

The closed profile of the second partial section has the advantage that the profiled strip is stabilized, at least at the height of in the area of the second partial section. In this manner, deformation of and/or damage to the profiled strip can be prevented, especially during transportation.

The closed profile of the second partial section makes it possible to dispense with the arrangement of a keder rail as is known from the state of the art, which has a transport protection function and which has to be removed in order to prepare the mounting of the profiled strip and the adjoining component. According to the invention, the function of such a keder rail is replaced by the closed profile of the at least one second partial section of the profiled strip. The closed profile of the second partial section is an integral part of the profiled strip, in other words, it is not provided in the form of an additional component. In the transition area between a first partial section and a second partial section, a rim of the second partial section makes it possible to form a stop that acts in the lengthwise direction of the profiled strip so as to position a connecting element of the adjoining component. This reduces the number of degrees of freedom with which the adjoining component and the profiled strip can be joined to each other. Consequently, the precisely positioned mounting of the adjoining component can be simplified.

It is especially preferred for the partial sections to be configured in one piece with each other. In this manner, a stable and simple material bond can be created along the entire profiled strip.

If the closed profile is not a solid profile, then it is preferred for the second partial section to be formed by a groove-shaped section and by a section that closes off the groove-shaped section. Here, the section that closes off the groove-shaped section forms a crosswise web that bridges the groove-shaped section.

Preferably, the above-mentioned sections are immovable relative to each other. Thus, these sections together form a dimensionally stable bond that, within the scope of the deformability of the material used for the sections, is slightly deformable, especially elastically, but that cannot—as is known from German patent application DE 10 2011 056 955 A1—be moved into different functional positions by a relative movement of the sections. In other words, the closed profile of the second partial section cannot be opened without removing material of the second partial section in this process.

An especially preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the open profile of the first partial section has a groove-shaped section whose cross section is preferably identical to a or the groove-shaped section of the second partial section. In this manner, it is possible to match the cross sections of the first and second partial sections to each other, especially to configure them identically in terms of their groove-shaped section. This simplifies the production of the profiled strip according to the invention.

In order to avoid a local overload of the profiled strip during transportation, it is proposed for a length of a second partial section, as measured along the extension of the profiled strip, to amount to at least 0.5 cm, preferably at least 2 cm. In particular, the length of a second partial section is at least 4 cm.

In order to further improve the stability of the profiled strip, it is proposed for the second connecting area to comprise at least two second partial sections that adjoin a first partial section at opposite ends thereof. In this manner, two lateral stops can be provided for positioning a connecting element or several connecting elements of the adjoining component.

Preferably, at least one second partial section is arranged in the area of an end of the profiled strip, as seen in the lengthwise direction of the profiled strip. In this manner, an area of the profiled strip that is markedly exposed during transportation can be stabilized. After the profiled strip is mounted onto the windshield of a motor vehicle, the two ends of the profiled strip are positioned in the area of the two lower corners of the windshield.

Furthermore, it is preferred if at least one second partial section is arranged in the area of a central profile plane, as seen in the lengthwise direction of the profiled strip. In this manner, especially if a vehicle window pane to which a profiled strip is fastened is transported upright, this profiled strip can be reinforced in a main contact area.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the partial sections are configured symmetrically and/or arranged symmetrically relative to a central profile plane, as seen in the lengthwise direction of the profiled strip. This permits the use of a vertical vehicle center plane as the reference plane for the mounting of the adjoining component onto the profiled strip.

In order to further simplify the mounting of the adjoining component, it is proposed for the second connecting area to have a funnel-shaped insertion section so that the adjoining component can be joined to the profiled strip at different slants. In order to further simplify the mounting, it is possible for the funnel-shaped insertion section to have material sections that are deformable in and of themselves and/or that are deformable relative to each other.

Moreover, it is possible for the first partial section to have an entrance leading to the receiving area and extending along the first partial section, whereby a width of the entrance, as measured crosswise to the extension of the profiled strip, varies along the first partial section. In this manner, it is possible to increase connecting forces, especially latching forces, that act between the profiled strip and the adjoining component by means of a local constriction of the entrance. In this context, it is preferred if the entire width of the entrance varies along the first partial section by at least 0.2 mm, preferably by at least 0.4 mm, especially preferably by 0.6 mm.

In order to further simplify the mounting, it is preferred for the second connecting area to have support elements that, when the profiled strip is in its position of use, are arranged at the bottom of the profiled strip, and that can also be referred to as buffers and that are preferably made of a soft material. The support elements can extend along the profiled strip only in sections, especially in a manner coordinated with the arrangement and positioning of car body parts, or else they can also extend along the entire profiled strip.

Moreover, it is possible for the material sections of the second connecting area, as seen in the extension direction of the profiled strip, to have varying wall thicknesses. For example, it can be advantageous to reduce wall thicknesses in the area of add-on parts such as, for instance, wiper axle bushings.

Another possibility is to vary wall thicknesses in the area of the first partial section, especially in the area of the groove-shaped section, as seen in the extension direction of the profiled strip, whereby smaller wall thicknesses account for lower connecting forces to the adjoining component and greater wall thicknesses account for an increase in the connecting forces.

If the profiled strip has a sealing area acting between the adjoining component and the edge of the vehicle window pane, it can be preferred to vary the height of this sealing area, as seen in the extension direction of the profiled strip, whereby this height is measured perpendicular to the outer shell of the vehicle. In this manner, it is possible to compensate for locally different installation heights of the profiled strip. Such varying installation heights can be found, for example, in the area of cable bushings, especially for a vehicle window pane heater.

As an alternative or in addition to this, the wall thicknesses of the first connecting area, as seen along the extension of the profiled strip, can be varied, for instance, in order to create a locally limited installation space for cable bushings.

According to another embodiment, a system is provided with a profiled strip as described above and with an adjoining component that permits the simplest possible mounting of the adjoining component onto the profiled strip.

In the system according to an embodiment of the invention, it is provided that an insertion length of a connecting element or of a group of connecting elements of the adjoining component, as measured along the extension of the profiled strip, is smaller than or equal to a receiving length of the receiving area of a first partial section, as measured along the extension of the profiled strip.

The system according to an embodiment of the invention makes it possible for the connecting element of an adjoining component to be inserted into the receiving area of a first partial section of the profiled strip and to be positioned, as seen in the extension direction of the profiled strip. Here, a side rim of the connecting element is in contact with a delimitation of the second partial section of the profiled strip. This delimitation faces in the direction of the first partial section in which the connecting element is accommodated.

If the insertion length of a connecting element or of a group of connecting elements is equal to the receiving length of the receiving area, it is possible to provide not only a stop that acts in one direction, but also a centering means that acts mutually and that permits a compulsory positioning of the adjoining component on the profiled strip, as seen in the extension direction of the profiled strip.

A preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention provides for the adjoining component to have at least two connecting elements that are separate from each other and that can be or are inserted into receiving areas of different first partial sections of the second connecting area. This permits a uniform and secure fastening of the adjoining component to the profiled strip over the extension of the profiled strip.

According to further embodiments, the present invention provides methods for the production of a profiled strip as described above.

According to a first method according to an embodiment of the invention, the profiled strip is extruded, whereby an extrusion die is used whose cross section is varied for purposes of the immediately consecutive production in one piece of the different partial sections of the second connecting area of the profiled strip.

The extrusion of the profiled strip makes it possible to produce consecutive different partial sections of the second connecting area in a continuous process. Here, the cross section of the extrusion die varies in such a way that first partial sections with an open profile and second partial sections with a closed profile are produced consecutively without an interruption of the material flow.

The extrusion process is also advantageous in terms of a local variation of the dimensions of different sections of the profiled strip, as seen along the extension of the profiled strip, as described above regarding the profiled strip according to the invention.

In another method according to an embodiment of the invention, first of all, a profile extrudate is produced whose second connecting area has a closed profile along its entire length, whereby material of the closed profile is subsequently removed, along at least one first part of the length of the profile extrudate, so that, in this first part of the length of the profile extrudate, an open profile is formed that allows a connecting element of an adjoining component to be inserted into a receiving area delimited by the open profile, and so that, in at least one second part of the length of the profile extrudate, a closed profile remains, which prevents the insertion of the connecting element into the closed profile.

The above-mentioned method has the advantage that it is not necessary to vary the cross section of the extrusion die. Within the scope of the above-mentioned method, first of all, a profile extrudate is produced whose second connecting area has a closed profile along its entire length. Starting with such a profile extrudate, material is removed along a part of the length of the profile extrudate, so that the closed profile is opened in this area and an area in the form of a first partial section as described above is formed that allows a connecting element of an adjoining component to be inserted into a receiving area delimited by the open profile.

Since only a part of the length of the profile extrudate is processed, a closed profile remains in at least one second part of the length of the profile extrudate, which corresponds to a second partial section as described above, namely, a closed profile, which prevents the insertion of the connecting element into the closed profile.

An embodiment of a module is shown inFIG. 1and designated in its entirety by the reference numeral10. The module10comprises a windshield12of a motor vehicle and a system14as described below.

The system14comprises a profiled strip16as well as an adjoining component18adjoining the windshield, whereby said adjoining component18can especially be a water trough cover.

The profiled strip16is connected to an edge area20of the windshield12that is at the bottom when it is in its position of use. For this purpose, the profiled strip16has a first connecting area22(seeFIG. 2). For purposes of connection to the adjoining component18, the profiled strip16has a second connecting area24(seeFIGS. 2 and 5).

The connecting areas22and24are connected to each other via an intermediate area26. The intermediate area26has a sealing lip28that extends along the profiled strip16and that is in contact at one end with a lower edge30of the windshield12so as to create a seal (seeFIGS. 2 and 3), and it is in contact at the other end with a counter-surface32of the adjoining component so as to create a seal (seeFIG. 5).

The areas22,24and26of the profiled strip16are configured in one piece with each other and produced especially by means of extrusion. The sealing lip28is preferably made of a softer material than the areas22,24and26, for example, of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). In particular, the sealing lip is produced by means of co-extrusion, together with the areas22,24and26.

Preferably, the areas22,24and26are made of a plastic material such as, for example, poly(vinylchloride) (PVC), of a blend of poly(vinylchloride) and poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) (PVC/ABS) or of poly(propylene) (PP).

In order to further increase the stability of the profiled strip16, it is preferred for reinforcement elements, especially made of metal, to be provided, which are embedded into at least one of the areas22,24and26. For example, a first reinforcement element34is provided which, starting from the first connecting area22, extends over the intermediate area26all the way to the second connecting area24. Moreover, for example, a second reinforcement element36is provided which exclusively reinforces the intermediate section26.

The first connecting area22comprises a web-shaped section38that extends parallel to the bottom40of the windshield12. An adhesive layer42is provided to join the section38to the windshield12.

The second connecting area24has different partial sections, as seen along the length of the profiled strip16. Here, first partial sections are designated by the reference numerals44aand44binFIG. 1; second partial sections that differ from these are designated by the reference numerals46a,46b,46c.

The first partial sections44a,44bdiffer from the second partial sections46a,46b,46cin that the second connecting area24has different cross sections in the area of the different partial sections. In the area of the first partial sections44a,44b, the profiled strip16has a cross section as shown inFIG. 2; in the area of the second partial sections46a,46b,46c, the profiled strip16has a cross section as shown inFIG. 3.

All of the cited partial sections44ato46care symmetrical relative to a central profile plane48. This means that the first partial sections44aand44bas well as the partial sections46aand46care each of identical length and are each at the same distance from the central profile plane48.

In the area of a first partial section44a,44b, the second partial section24has an open profile50(seeFIG. 2). The open profile50is formed by a groove-shaped section52that has a U-shaped cross section or that is shaped approximately like the letters “U” or “V”. The groove-shaped section52delimits a receiving area54into which a connecting element56, especially in the form of a latching element58, can be inserted (seeFIG. 5).

For purposes of latching with a latching element58, the second connecting area24has at least one, preferably two latching lips60,62that are arranged opposite from each other. It is possible for the at least one latching lip60,62to be made of a softer material than the areas22,24,26of the profiled strip16. The at least one latching lip60is preferably produced as an integral part of the profiled strip16by means of co-extrusion.

In the area of a second partial section46a,46b,46c, in contrast to the open profile50of the first partial sections44a,44b, the second connecting area24has a closed profile64(seeFIG. 3).

Diverging from the illustrative drawing, the closed profile64can be configured to be completely solid. Preferably, however, the closed profile64is a hollow profile that surrounds a hollow space68. The hollow space68is formed by the groove-shaped section66and by a section70that closes off the groove-shaped section66. The section70forms a crosswise web that, in contrast to an open entrance72(seeFIG. 2), prevents the insertion of a connecting element56of the adjoining component into the closed profile64.

Preferably, the adjoining component18has a plurality of connecting elements56, for example, two connecting elements56a,56b(seeFIG. 1). The connecting elements56a,56bextend parallel to the profiled strip16. The connecting elements56a,56bhave a length that will be referred to below as the insertion length74. The insertion length74is smaller than or equal to a receiving length76of a first partial section44a,44b.

The receiving length76of a first partial section44a,44bcan be equal to the length of a first partial section44a,44bor smaller than the length of a first partial section44a,44b. The latter can be achieved, for instance, in that, only in the area of the receiving length76, the entrance72is wide enough to permit the passage of a connecting element56. If the cross section between a first partial section44aand an adjoining second partial section46a,46bis changed practically without a transition, then the receiving length76is equal to the length of the first partial section44a.

The delimitations78of a second partial section46a,46b,46cadjoining a first partial section44a,44b, said delimitations78facing a first partial section44a,44b, can be used as a contact site for a lateral delimitation surface80of a connecting element56(seeFIGS. 4aand 4b). This facilitates the positioning of the adjoining component18in the lengthwise direction of the profiled strip16.

In order to facilitate the insertion of the connecting elements56of the adjoining component18into the receiving area54, it is preferred if the profiled strip16has a funnel-shaped insertion area82. The section82is formed by a surface of the intermediate area26facing the outside of the vehicle as well as by a free end area84of the groove-shaped section52(seeFIG. 2). Thanks to the funnel-shaped section82, the adjoining component18can be oriented at different slants during the mounting onto the profiled strip16, for example, at an angle that is excessively steep (seeFIG. 5, middle) or at an angle that is excessively flat (seeFIG. 5, left). Thus, the cover part does not have to be precisely aligned already during the mounting (seeFIG. 5, upper right).

Further advantageous embodiments are described below with reference toFIGS. 6 to 12.

It is possible for the width of the entrance72of the open profile50of a first partial section44ato vary along the course of a first partial section44a,44b. For example, the width86aof an entrance72in the area of an end area of first partial section44a,44bcan be larger (seeFIG. 7) than in a center area whose entrance72has a width86bthat is smaller (seeFIG. 8). The latching force with which a latching element58is connected to the second connecting area54can be locally varied by varying the width86a,86bof an entrance72. In addition or as an alternative to this, the variation of the width86a,86bcan also be used to influence the receiving length76of a first partial section44a,44b.

Below, additional possibilities will be described for varying the cross section geometry of a profiled strip16as seen along its length:

For example, on the bottom of the groove-shaped section52of the second connecting area24, a buffer section88can be provided that serves to be able to support the second connecting area on a car body part90.

Moreover, the wall thickness of a groove-shaped section52of the second connecting area24can be varied. For example, it can be advantageous to locally thin out a side wall of the groove-shaped section52, as is shown by the outer contours91a,91binFIG. 10. This thinning out serves to create installation space for the bushing92of a wiper axle94provided on the adjoining component18(seeFIGS. 6 and 10).

Correspondingly, a bottom section of the groove-shaped section52, as seen along the length of the profiled strip16, can be provided with different wall thicknesses, as is indicated inFIG. 11by the reference numerals96aand96b.

It is also possible to vary the installation height of the sealing lip28, for example, by a dimension98that corresponds to the height dimension of a cable100(seeFIG. 12). Correspondingly, the wall thickness of the web-shaped section38of the1connecting area22can be varied.