Door inner weather strip

A weather strip capable of preventing the reversing of seal lips caused by the raising and lowering of a door glass, and restraining the increment of the raising/lowering load of the door glass to enable the smooth raising and lowering of the door glass. The door inner weather strip includes a trim section and a seal section. The seal section includes a first seal section and a second seal section, and the first seal section and the second seal section are respectively provided with a first attaching leg and a second attaching leg along with a first seal lip and a second seal lip for contacting the door glass. The first seal lip and the second seal lip are formed such that tips thereof face each other, and the first seal lip is formed such that when the first seal lip and the second seal lip contact the door glass, the tip of the second seal lip is overlapped with the tip of the first seal lip so as to press the same.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to and claims priority from Japanese patent Application No. 2014-054479 incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a door inner weather strip for attachment to an automobile door provided with a door glass that is raised and lowered.

2. Description of Related Art

As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, a door inner weather strip10is attached to an automobile door12around a belt line thereof, that is along a flange in an upper edge of a door panel, to cover a space between an interior side surface of a door glass14capable of being raised and lowered, and an upper edge of an inner panel16of the automobile door12, thereby decorating and sealing the same.

The door inner weather strip10is attached to the inner panel16of the automobile door12to seal the interior side surface of the door glass14.

As shown inFIG. 2, conventionally, the door inner weather strip10includes a trim section18for attachment to a flange part20provided along an upper edge of the inner panel16of the automobile door12, and a seal section22of which a tip contacts the interior side surface of the door glass14. The seal section22includes a first seal lip24on an upper side thereof and a second seal lip26on a lower side thereof.

An outer weather strip28is also attached to an upper edge of an outer panel30on an exterior side of the automobile door12to seal an exterior side surface of the door glass14.

In another conventional case shown inFIG. 3, a first seal lip32and a second seal lip34are provided in a door inner weather strip38so as to extend upwardly from a trim section36thereof into a lip-like configuration (See Japanese translation of PCT International Application Publication No. JP-T-2010-521349, for example). And in order to improve the sealing properties, a bending part40is provided in a tip of the first seal lip32such that upon contacting the door glass14, the bending part40contacts a sub lip42to define a closed space with the first seal lip32and the sub lip42.

In addition, in still another conventional case shown inFIG. 4, a first seal lip44and a second seal lip46are provided in a door outer weather strip48so as to extend upwardly from a trim section50thereof into a lip-like configuration (See Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-171559, for example). And in order to improve the sealing properties, a sub lip52is provided in a reverse surface of the second seal lip46such that upon contacting the door glass14, the sub lip52contacts the trim section50to increase a pressing force of the second seal lip46against the door glass14with a reaction force of the sub lip52.

The above-described conventional cases exhibit such a problem that when the door glass14is raised and lowered, the seal lips may be reversed with the door glass14.

In order to solve this problem, as shown inFIG. 5, a first seal lip54and a second seal lip56are provided in a door inner weather strip58so as to extend from a trim section60, and support parts62and64are respectively provided in the first seal lip54and the second seal lip56to prevent the reversing thereof. (See Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-107608, for example).

But, since the first seal lip54and the second seal lip56are supported with the support parts62and64, the deflection loads of the first seal lip54and the second seal lip56increase to cause the increment of the raising/lowering load of the door glass14. As a result, noises may occur around the door glass14. In addition, the first seal lip54and the support part62define a tubular part, and the second seal lip56and the support part64define another tubular part so that favorable extrusion moldability has not been obtained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a weather strip capable of preventing the reversing of seal lips caused by the raising and lowering of a door glass, and restraining the increment of the raising/lowering load of the door glass to enable smooth raising and lowering of the door glass.

In order to achieve the above-described object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, in a door inner weather strip for an automobile door provided with a door glass that is raised and lowered,

the door inner weather strip is attached to the automobile door around a belt line thereof, and includes a trim section provided on an interior side of the automobile door for covering a flange around the belt line thereof, and a seal section extending from the trim section to an exterior side of the automobile door, and having tips for contacting and sealing an interior side surface of the door glass,

the seal section includes a first seal section and a second seal section,

the first seal section and the second seal section are respectively provided with a first attaching leg and a second attaching leg extending from the trim section along with a first seal lip and a second seal lip for contacting the door glass,

the first seal lip and the second seal lip are formed such that tips thereof face each other, the first seal lip curves convexly on the side of the door glass, and the tip of the second seal lip is overlapped with the tip of the first seal lip so as to press the tip of the first seal lip when the first seal lip and the second seal lip contact the door glass.

With the arrangement of the first aspect of the present invention, in a door inner weather strip for an automobile door provided with a door glass that is raised and lowered, the door inner weather strip is attached to the automobile door around a belt line thereof, and includes a trim section provided on an interior side of the automobile door for covering a flange around the belt line thereof, and a seal section extending from the trim section to an exterior side of the automobile door, and having tips for contacting and sealing an interior side surface of the door glass. Therefore, the seal section ensures the sealing between the interior side surface of the door glass and the automobile door, whereas the trim section covers the flange around the belt line to improve the appearance therearound.

Since the seal section includes a first seal section and a second seal section, the interior side surface of the door glass can be doubly sealed, whereby the sealing properties can be improved.

The first seal section and the second seal section are respectively provided with a first attaching leg and a second attaching leg, each extending from the trim section, along with a first seal lip and a second seal lip for contacting the door glass. With this arrangement, the first seal lip and the second seal lip are respectively retained with the first attaching leg and the second attaching leg, whereby the first seal lip and the second seal lip can securely contact the door glass.

The first seal lip and the second seal lip are formed such that tips thereof face each other, the first seal lip curves convexly on the side of the door glass, and the tip of the second seal lip is overlapped with the tip of the first seal lip to press the tip of the first seal lip when the first seal lip and the second seal lip contact the door glass.

With this arrangement, by pressing the tip of the first seal lip with the tip of the second seal lip, the second seal lip can prevent the reversing of the first seal lip when the door glass is raised and lowered. Furthermore, since the first seal lip and the second seal lip are respectively formed into a lip-like configuration, the deflection load decreases when they contact the door glass, whereby the raising/lowering load of the door glass decreases to make the raising and lowering thereof smooth and prevent occurrence of noises.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a neighborhood of a joint between the first attaching leg and the first seal lip inclines in an identical direction to that of the second seal lip.

With the arrangement of the second aspect of the present invention, since the neighborhood of the joint between the first attaching leg and the first seal lip inclines in an identical direction to that of the second seal lip, the first seal lip readily deforms in the inclination direction when the first seal lip contacts the door glass, whereby the deflection load thereof decreases to reduce the raising/lowering load of the door glass, thereby ensuring smooth raising and lowering thereof.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the second attaching leg or the trim section has an engaging part adapted to be engaged with the tip of the first seal lip when the first seal lip contacts the door glass.

With the arrangement of the third aspect of the present invention, an engaging part adapted to be engaged with the tip of the first seal lip when the first seal lip contacts the door glass is formed in the second attaching leg or the trim section. Therefore, when the first seal lip contacts the door glass, the engaging part stops the sliding of the first seal lip to prevent abnormal deformations of the first seal lip, whereby a curving surface of the first seal lip can securely contact a side surface of the door glass.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a sub-seal lip is formed in the second seal lip such that when the second seal lip contacts the door glass, a tip of the sub-seal lip presses the tip of the first seal lip.

With the arrangement of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the sub-seal lip is formed in the second seal lip, and when the second seal lip contacts the door glass, the tip of the sub-seal lip presses the tip of the first seal lip. Therefore, when the tip of the second seal lip contacts the side surface of the door glass, a reaction force is generated so that the sub-seal lip securely presses the tip of the first seal lip to prevent the reversing of the first seal lip.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the first attaching leg includes a first attaching leg base part extending from the trim section and a first attaching leg inclination part obliquely extending from the first attaching leg base part and connected to the first seal lip.

With the arrangement of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the first attaching leg includes a first attaching leg base part extending from the trim section and a first attaching leg inclination part obliquely extending from the first attaching leg base part and connected to the first seal lip. Therefore, even where the width of the first seal lip is great, the first attaching leg inclination part is extended from the first attaching leg base part, thereby retaining side edges of the first seal lip with the first attaching leg inclination part. Since the first attaching leg base part and the first attaching leg inclination part are formed while bending, resultant bending parts can flex according to the pressing force received with the first seal lip, whereby the sealing properties and the sliding properties can be ensured.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a first attaching leg base bending part having a thickness less than those of remaining parts is formed in a joint between the first attaching leg base part and the first attaching leg inclination part.

With the arrangement of the sixth aspect of the present invention, a first attaching leg base bending part having a thickness less than those of remaining parts is formed in a joint between the first attaching leg base part and the first attaching leg inclination part. Therefore, the first attaching leg readily flexes in the first attaching leg base bending part, and can flex according to the pressing force received with the first seal lip, whereby the sealing properties and the sliding properties can be effected.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a first attaching leg inclination bending part having a thickness less than those of remaining parts is formed in a joint between the first attaching leg inclination part and the first seal lip.

With the arrangement of the seventh aspect of the present invention, the first attaching leg inclination bending part having a thickness less than those of remaining parts is formed in the joint between the first attaching leg inclination part and the first seal lip. Therefore, the first attaching leg readily flexes in the first attaching leg inclination bending part, and can flex according to the pressing force received with the first seal lip, whereby the sealing properties and the sliding properties can be ensured.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the second attaching leg includes a second attaching leg base part extending from the trim section and a second attaching leg retention part extending from the second attaching leg base part while bending in a generally perpendicular direction thereto, and connected to the second seal lip.

With the arrangement of the eighth aspect of the present invention, the second attaching leg includes a second attaching leg base part extending from the trim section and a second attaching leg retention part extending from the second attaching leg base part while bending in a generally perpendicular direction thereto, and connected to the second seal lip. Therefore, even where the width of the second seal lip is great, by virtue of the second attaching leg base part, the second attaching leg retention part can be extended to side edges of the second seal lip, the tip of the second seal lip can be overlapped with the tip of the first seal lip, and the side edges of the second seal lip can be retained with the second attaching leg retention part. Since the second attaching leg base part and the second attaching leg retention part are formed while bending, a resultant bending part can flex according to the pressing force received with the second seal lip, whereby the sealing properties and the sliding properties can be ensured.

The first seal lip and the second seal lip are formed such that tips thereof face each other, the first seal lip is formed to curve convexly on the side of the door glass, and the tip of the first seal lip is formed so as to be overlapped and pressed with the tip of the second seal lip when the first seal lip and the second seal lip contact the door glass. With this arrangement, by pressing the tip of the first seal lip with the tip of the second seal lip, the reversing of the first seal lip and the second seal lip can be prevented when the door glass is raised and lowered.

Other objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent upon the consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference toFIG. 1,FIG. 6andFIG. 7.

FIG. 1is a side view of an automobile. As shown inFIG. 1, a door inner weather strip66and a door outer weather strip (not shown) are attached to a front door12around a belt line thereof to seal interior and exterior side surfaces of the door glass14and enable the raising and lowering of the door glass14within the front door12.

The present invention relates to the door inner weather strip66adapted to seal the interior side surface of the door glass14.

First, a first embodiment of a door inner weather strip in accordance with the present invention will be explained with reference toFIG. 6, and next a second embodiment of a door inner weather strip in accordance with the present invention will be explained.

As shown inFIG. 6, the door inner weather strip66includes a trim section68having a generally inverted U-shaped cross-section and a seal section70for sealing an interior side surface of the door glass14. The trim section68includes an exterior side wall72, an interior side wall74and an upper wall76, and the seal section70includes a first seal section78and a second seal section80.

The exterior side wall72has two exterior retention lips82in an inner surface thereof on an upper side and a lower side thereof, and the interior side wall68has two interior retention lips84in an inner surface thereof on an upper side and a lower side thereof, similarly to the exterior side wall72. The exterior retention lips82and the interior retention lips84hold a flange20obtained by joining tips of an inner panel16and a reinforce panel17to each other, thereby retaining the door inner weather strip66on the flange20.

The exterior side wall72, the interior side wall74and the upper wall76can be formed of a solid synthetic resin. In addition, where an insert is embedded therewithin, a solid material of a synthetic rubber such as EPDM, etc. and a thermoplastic elastomer can be used. Therefore, the door inner weather strip66can be securely mounted on the flange20.

An upper wall seal lip86can be formed to extend from the upper wall76in the direction of a door trim88. The upper wall seal lip86can provide a seal between the trim section68and the door trim88. The upper wall seal lip86can be formed of a foamed material or a soft material of a synthetic rubber such as EPDM, etc. and a thermoplastic elastomer.

The seal section70projects from the trim section68outwardly, and contacts the door glass14to seal the interior side surface of the door glass14. With this arrangement, the sealing between the interior side surface of the door glass14and the vehicle door12is ensured, and the trim section68covers the flange20around the belt line to improve the appearance thereof.

As described above, the seal section70includes the first seal section78and the second seal section80. The interior side surface of the door glass14can be doubly sealed with the first seal section78and the second seal section80, whereby the sealing properties can be improved.

The first seal section78includes a first seal lip90adapted to contact and seal the door glass14, a first attaching leg base part92integrally extending from the exterior side wall72of the trim section68in an approximately perpendicular direction thereto, and a first attaching leg inclination part94obliquely extending from the first attaching leg base part92, and connected to the first seal lip90. The first attaching leg base part92and the first attaching leg inclination part94define a first attaching leg96. The first attaching leg base part92can be formed of a solid material, similarly to the trim section68. The first attaching leg inclination part94can be formed of a foamed material or a soft material, similarly to the first seal lip90.

The first seal lip90is formed to curve in a convex arc-shaped configuration on the exterior side of the vehicle body. A curving central part of the first seal lip90contacts the interior side surface of the door glass14to seal the same.

The first seal lip90is formed to curve into a lip-like and arc-shaped configuration, and one tip of the first seal lip90is connected to the obliquely extending first attaching leg inclination part94. Therefore, when the first seal lip90contacts the door glass14, the first seal lip90readily deforms because it is in a cantilevered condition, and readily inclines because it is connected to the first attaching leg inclination part9, whereby it readily slides to decrease the deflection load, the raising/lowering load of the door glass14is reduced to ensure smooth raising and lowering of the door glass14, and the occurrence of noises can be prevented.

A first attaching leg base bending part97having a thickness less than those of remaining parts is formed in a joint between the first attaching leg base part92and the first attaching leg inclination part94. With this arrangement, the first attaching leg96readily flexes in the first attaching leg base bending part97so that when the first seal lip90contacts the door glass14, the first attaching leg base bending part97can flex according to the pressing force received with the first seal lip90, whereby the sealing properties and the sliding properties can be ensured.

In addition, a first attaching leg inclination bending part98having a thickness less than those of remaining parts is formed in a joint between the first attaching leg inclination part94and the first seal lip90. Since the first attaching leg inclination part94is provided, a tip of the first seal lip90having a great width can be retained with the first attaching leg inclination part94, whereby the first seal lip90can be brought into contact with the door glass14. The first attaching leg inclination bending part98can flex according to the pressing force received with the first seal lip90, similarly to the first attaching leg base bending part97, whereby the sealing properties and the sliding properties can be ensured.

The second seal section80includes a second seal lip100adapted to contact and seal the door glass14, a second attaching leg base part102extending from the exterior side wall72of the trim section68in an approximately perpendicular direction thereto, and a second attaching leg retention part104extending from the second attaching leg base part102while bending in an approximately perpendicular direction thereto, and connected to the second seal lip100. The second attaching leg base part102and the second attaching leg retention part104define a second attaching leg106. The second attaching leg base part102and the second attaching leg retention part104can be formed of a solid material.

The second seal lip100is formed into a curving configuration, and contacts the door glass14to seal the same. The second seal lip100can be formed of a foamed material or a soft material.

As shown inFIG. 6, the first seal lip90and the second seal lip100are formed so as to face each other. In addition, they are formed such that when the first seal lip90and the second seal lip100contact the door glass14, tips of the first seal lip90and the second seal lip100are overlapped with each other so as to press the tip of the first seal lip90with the tip of the second seal lip100.

With this arrangement, by pressing the tip of the first seal lip90with the tip of the second seal lip100, the reversing of the first seal lip90and the second seal lip100can be prevented when the door glass14is raised and lowered to pull the first seal lip90and the second seal lip100. In particular, the reversing of the first seal lip90having a great width can be prevented. In addition, the second seal lip100is formed into a lip-like configuration, similarly to the first seal lip90so that when the second seal lip100contacts the door glass14, the deflection load of the second seal lip100decreases to reduce the raising/lowering load of the door glass14, thereby ensuring smooth raising and lowering of the door glass14, and preventing the occurrence of noises.

In the first embodiment, a sub-seal lip108is provided in the second seal lip100. When the second seal lip100contacts the door glass14, the tip of the second seal lip100contacts the interior side surface of the door glass14to generate a reaction force. Consequently, the sub-seal lip108securely presses the tip of the first seal lip90, whereby the reversing of the first seal lip90can be prevented.

A bending part between the second attaching leg base part102and the second attaching leg retention part104, which bends in an approximately perpendicular direction thereto, defines an attaching bending part110, and a joint between the second attaching leg retention part104and the second seal lip100defines a retention bending part112having a thickness less than those of remaining parts. With this arrangement, a tip of the second seal lip100can be retained with the second attaching leg retention part104so that the second seal lip100can be brought into contact with the door glass14. The retention bending part112can flex according to the pressing force received with the second seal lip100so that the sealing properties and the sliding properties can be ensured.

In addition, in the first embodiment, it is preferable that the second attaching leg retention part104is provided with a projection-shaped attaching leg engaging part114for engaging with the tip of the first seal lip90when the first seal lip90contacts the door glass14. In this case, when the first seal lip90contacts the door glass14, the sliding of the tip of the first seal lip90is stopped to prevent abnormal deformations of the first seal lip90, whereby a curving surface of the first seal lip90can be securely brought into contact with the interior side surface of the door glass14.

Next, a second embodiment of a door inner weather strip in accordance with the present invention will be explained with reference toFIG. 7.

As shown inFIG. 7, a door inner weather strip116of the second embodiment includes a trim section118and a seal section120, similarly to the door inner weather strip66of the first embodiment. The trim section118includes an exterior side wall122, an interior side wall124and an upper wall126, and the seal section120includes a first seal section128and a second seal section130.

The exterior side wall122has two exterior retention lips132in an inner surface thereof on an upper side and a lower side thereof, and a clip134is engaged with the interior side wall124and an inner space of the trim section118to hold the flange20provided by joining tips of the inner panel16and the reinforce panel17, thereby retaining the door inner weather strip116.

An upper wall seal lip136can be formed in the upper wall126to extend in the direction of the door trim88. The upper wall seal lip136can provide a seal between the trim section118and the door trim88. The upper wall seal lip136can be formed of a foamed material or a soft material, similarly to the first embodiment.

The seal section120projects from the trim section118outwardly, and a tip thereof contacts the door glass14to seal an interior side surface of the door glass14. With this arrangement, the sealing between the interior side surface of the door glass14and the automobile door12can be ensured, and the trim section118covers the flange20around the belt line to improve the appearance thereof.

The seal section120includes the first seal section128and the second seal section130. The interior side surface of the door glass14can be doubly sealed with the first seal section128and the second seal section130, whereby the sealing properties can be improved.

The first seal section128includes a first seal lip138adapted to contact and seal the door glass14, a first attaching leg140extending obliquely from the exterior side wall122of the trim section118. The first seal lip138is formed to curve in a convex arc-shaped configuration on the side of the door glass14. A central part of the curving first seal lip138contacts the interior side surface of the door glass14to seal the same. With this arrangement, side edges of the first seal lip138having a great width can be retained with the first attaching leg140, whereby the first seal lip138can be brought into contact with the door glass14. The first seal lip138extends from a tip of the first attaching leg140towards a later-described second seal lip142so as to face each other.

The first seal lip138is formed to curve into a lip-like and arc-shaped configuration so that when the first seal lip138contacts the door glass14, the deflection load of the first seal lip138decreases to reduce the raising/lowering load of the door glass14, thereby ensuring smooth raising and lowering of the door glass14, and preventing occurrence of noises. A low friction sliding member such as a flocking, a urethane coat, a silicone coat, etc. can be provided on a surface of the first seal lip138and the second seal lip142.

A first attaching leg base bending part144having a thickness less than those of remaining parts is formed in a joint between the first attaching leg140and the exterior side wall122of the trim section116. With this arrangement, the first attaching leg140readily flexes in the first attaching leg base bending part144so that when the first seal lip138contacts the door glass14, the first attaching leg base bending part144can flex according to a pressing force received with the first seal lip138, whereby the sealing properties and the sliding properties can be ensured.

In addition, a first attaching leg inclination bending part146having a thickness less than those of remaining parts is formed in a joint between the first attaching leg140and the first seal lip138. The first attaching leg inclination bending part146can flex according to a pressing force received with the first seal lip138, similarly to the first attaching leg base bending part144, whereby the sealing properties and the sliding properties can be ensured.

The second seal section130includes the second seal lip142adapted to contact and seal the door glass14, a second attaching leg base part148extending from the exterior side wall122of the trim section116in an extension direction thereof, and a second attaching leg retention part150extending from the second attaching leg base part148while bending in an approximately perpendicular direction thereto, and connected to the second seal lip142. The second attaching leg base part148and the second attaching leg retention part150define a second attaching leg152.

The second seal lip142is formed to curve, and contacts the door glass14to seal the same.

As shown inFIG. 7, the first seal lip138and the second seal lip142are formed so as to face each other. In addition, they are formed such that when the first seal lip138and the second seal lip142contact the door glass14, tips of the first seal lip138and the second seal lip142are overlapped with each other so as to press the tip of the first seal lip138with the tip of the second seal lip142.

With this arrangement, by pressing the tip of the first seal lip138with the tip of the second seal lip142, the reversing of the first seal lip138and the second seal lip142can be prevented when the door glass14is raised and lowered to pull the first seal lip138and the second seal lip142with the interior side surface of the door glass14. In addition, the second seal lip142is formed into a lip-like configuration, similarly to the first seal lip138so that when the second seal lip142contacts the door glass14, the deflection load of the second seal lip142decreases to reduce the raising/lowering load of the door glass14, thereby ensuring smooth raising and lowering of the door glass14, and preventing occurrence of noises.

In addition, in the second embodiment, it is preferable that a projection-shaped second attaching leg engaging part154for engaging with the tip of the first seal lip138when the first seal lip138contacts the door glass14is formed in the second attaching leg base part148. Where the first attaching leg140is attached to around a center of the exterior side wall122, the second attaching leg engaging part154can be formed in the exterior side wall122. In this case, when the first seal lip138contacts the door glass14, the sliding of the tip of the first seal lip138is stopped to prevent abnormal deformations of the first seal lip138, whereby a curving surface of the first seal lip138can be securely brought into contact with the interior side surface of the door glass14.