Shaped seal for sealing a power-operated closing device

The invention relates to a shaped seal for sealing a power-operated closing device comprising a jam-protection zone, which has at least two electrically conductive areas, situated at a distance from each other. According to the invention, to save space and reduce weight and cost, the carrier is used as a metallic conductor for the conductive area so as to reduce volume resistance. Alternatively or in addition thereto, a frame can be used to which the shaped seal can be fixed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a shaped seal or sealing profile for weathersealing a powered closing device, including an anti-trap guard comprising at least two electrically conductive portions spaced away from each other, whose contact triggers a switching action for activating the drive assembly of the closing device in which at least one of these portions is electrically conductive connected to a metallic conductor to reduce the volume resistivity.

2. Description of Related Art

A generic sealing profile is known from DE 197 20 713 C1 originated to the same Applicant. This known sealing profile comprises two electrically conductive portions spaced away from each other, in each of which a metallic conductor is embedded to reduce the volume resistivity. The disadvantage in making use of these two metallic conductors is that they take up a lot of room, relatively, and add to the price and weight of the sealing profile whilst complicating production since both metallic conductors need to be coextruded.

Furthermore, FR 1.549.640 A discloses an anti-trap guard for a powered window wherein a sealing profile is incorporated in a frame. This sealing profile comprises an electrically conductive insert, which contacts the frame configured as an electrical conductor in a trapped situation so as to trigger a switching action. In the trapped situation the insert, together with the sealing profile, is shifted relative  to the frame, wherein flexible tongues on the sealing profile ensure that the sealing profile returns to its original position. Actual practice has shown such a configuration to be unsatisfactory.

It is thus the objective of the present invention to sophisticate a generic sealing profile to achieve cost-effective production for a low price, weight and space requirement.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The sealing profile in accordance with the invention now makes it possible to totally eliminate a metallic conductor as needed hitherto. Instead of this, recourse is made to the carrier of the sealing profile existing in many cases. This carrier is, as a rule, made of a light metal and is thus electrically conductive. As an alternative, or in addition thereto, a flange or frame may be used to which the sealing profile is securable. This flange or frame is already available, especially in automotive applications, and is made of an electrically conductive metal. Due to totally eliminating one of the metallic conductors as needed hitherto, the production of the sealing profile in accordance with the invention is substantially simplified, with a further reduction in price and weight, as well as reducing the space requirement.

Advantageous aspects and further embodiments read from the dependent claims.

In a first advantageous aspect the carrier contacts the electrically conductive portion. In this case the electrically conductive portion is arranged only on one side of the carrier in thus simplifying production.

In a second advantageous aspect the carrier is partly or totally surrounded by the electrically conductive portion in thus enlarging the contact surface area between the electrically conductive portion and the carrier so that the volume resistivity can be further reduced.

In accordance with one further embodiment the carrier is provided with recesses. These recesses reduce the weight of the carrier and permit flexing of  the sealing profile. In addition, the recesses permit, for a carrier surrounded partly or fully by the electrically conductive portion, a direct electrically conductive connection from one side of the carrier to the other.

This is of advantage when a carrier of an electrically non-conductive material, or a carrier insulated from the electrically conductive portion, is used. The recesses also make it possible in these cases to produce an electrically conductive connection from one side of the carrier to the other.

Advantageously the electrically conductive portion extends up to the outer side of the sealing profile to thus produce an electrical contact with the flange or frame to which the sealing profile can be secured without an additional electrical conductor needing to be provided, i.e. the sealing profile merely requiring to be secured, as usual, to the flange or frame.

In another advantageous aspect, the electrically conductive portion comprises lips or tabs for securing the sealing profile to the flange or frame. These lips or tabs are pressed into contact with the flange or frame to produce a good electrical contact so that the volume resistivity of the sealing profile can be reliably diminished.

In another advantageous further embodiment the anti-trap guard portion comprises a hollow chamber in which at least one of the electrically conductive portions is arranged. Advantageously, one of the electrically conductive portions is arranged at the inner side of the hollow chamber whilst the other protrudes into the hollow chamber to thus achieve a reliable contact between the electrically conductive portions, irrespective of the anti-trap guard.

In yet another advantageous aspect the hollow chamber serves to weatherseal the powered closing device. The anti-trap guard portion of the sealing profile in accordance with the invention then satisfies a dual function whilst eliminating the need for additional elements for weather-sealing the closing device in thus further reducing the space requirement and weight as well as the price of the sealing profile in accordance with the invention.

Advantageously the electrically conductive portion, provided separate from the carrier, flange or frame, comprises a metallic conductor, as a result of which the volume resistivity in this portion too is considerably reduced.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now toFIG. 1there is illustrated a first embodiment of a sealing profile10in accordance with the invention. The sealing profile10comprises a clamping portion11as well as a sealing portion12. Further provided is a cover13with which components (not shown) are covered after the sealing profile10has been secured in place. For securing it in place, the clamping portion11comprises a recess14into which several lips15and protuberances16protrude. The recess14is clasped by a carrier17having a U-shaped cross-section. For securing it in place, the recess14of the clamping portion11is mounted on a flange as evident fromFIG. 5. In this arrangement the lips15and protuberances16are firmly pressed against the flange in preventing release of the sealing profile10.

The sealing portion12comprises a hollow chamber18which at its side facing a window pane25is provided with a friction-reducing coating23, more particularly a flake coating. The windowpane25is movable in the direction of the arrows24. When the windowpane25is closed the hollow chamber18is deformed so that the desired weatherseal is furnished.

The sealing profile10comprises further an anti-trap guard portion32. The anti-trap guard portion32includes two electrically conductive portions19,20spaced away from each other by an interspace21. As soon as an object is trapped on closing of the windowpane25, the portion19is moved in the direction of the portion20. Contact of the two portions19,20triggers a switching action for activating the drive assembly of the windowpane25. This switching action can either halt or reverse the movement of the windowpane25.

The portions19,20are made to advantage by adding an electrically conductive material to the base material of the sealing profile10by means of coextrusion. To reduce the volume resistivity the portions19comprises a metallic conductor22. The portion20partly surrounds the carrier17configured as a metallic conductor, as a result of which the volume resistivity of the electrically conductive portion20is likewise diminished. No additional metallic conductor is needed for the portion20.

In the embodiment as shown inFIG. 1all electrically conductive components17,22and portions19,20are surrounded by the electrically non-conductive material of the sealing profile10. The sealing profile10is thus electrically neutral as regards its surroundings.

Three further embodiments of a sealing profile30,40,50in accordance with the invention are shown inFIGS. 2 to 4, whereby like or functionally identical components are identified by the same reference numerals as inFIG. 1, for the description of which, reference is made to the above comments to avoid tedious repetition.

Referring now toFIG. 2there is illustrated how the sealing profile30comprises a carrier27, which is totally surrounded by the electrically conductive  portion20. The carrier27is provided with recesses28through which the material of the electrically conductive portion20penetrates. The contact surface area between the electrically conductive portion20and the carrier27is substantially increased by the recesses28. Furthermore, any potential difference can be conducted from one side of the carrier27through the recesses28to the other side of the carrier27solely through the portion20. Even when not using a non-conductive carrier27the inner side and outer side of the carrier27are electrically interconnected by the recesses28.

The electrically conductive portion20extends up to the outer side of the sealing profile30. As soon as the sealing profile30is secured to a flange or frame, the lips15and protuberances16of the clamping portion11come into electrically conductive contact with the flange or frame to thus substantially reduce the volume resistivity of the electrically conductive portion20, this further making it possible to use a carrier27of a non-conductive material, such as plastics, for example.

Referring now toFIG. 3there is illustrated how the sealing profile40comprises a hollow chamber18in the anti-trap guard portion32. Arranged in the hollow chamber18are the electrically conductive portions19,20, the portion20contacting the carrier17. Deformation of the hollow chamber18brings the portions19,20into contact with each other in triggering the switching action as described above.

At the same time the hollow chamber18of the anti-trap guard portion32serves to seal off a powered closing device (not shown inFIG. 3). More particularly the sealing profile40as shown inFIG. 3can be put to use to weatherseal an automotive sunroof.

Referring now toFIG. 4there is illustrated a sealing profile50in accordance with the invention, which is inserted into a substantially U-shaped frame51made of an electrically conductive material. The sealing profile50comprises a series of lips52having a friction-reducing coating23for sealing contact with the windowpane25. Tabs53,54serve to secure the sealing profile50. The  electrically conductive portion20of the anti-trap guard portion32clasps the frame51in part and extends up to the outer side of the sealing profile50.

The sealing profiles10,30,50as shown inFIGS. 1,2and4are particularly suitable for weathersealing automotive side windows. Referring now toFIG. 5there is illustrated a system diagram of the sealing profile30in the fitted condition. The sealing profile30is mounted on a flange26by its clamping portion11. The flange26is thus in electrically conductive contact with the electrically conductive portion20via the lips15and protuberances16. As is usual in automotive applications, the flange26is grounded, whilst the electrically conductive portions19of the sealing profile30is connected to the anode of a voltage source (not shown). As soon as the windowpane25is lifted and the anti-trap guard portion32deformed, the two portions19,20come into contact with each other, resulting in a switching action, which is signaled to a controller31. The controller31correspondingly controls a motor29to move the windowpane25, which halts or reverses the movement of the windowpane25.

The sealing profile10,30,40,50in accordance with the invention permits total elimination of one of the metallic conductors hitherto required, without having a detrimental effect on the anti-trap guard and sealing function. Instead, the space requirement, weight, costs and complications in production are all substantially reduced, as compared to known sealing profiles.