Windshield with molding and connective structure for cowl louver and windshield with molding

A molding includes a first molding portion having an upper surface bonded to an inner side surface of a windshield, a second molding portion, and a third molding portion extending from the second molding portion so as to extend along an imaginary extension of an outer side surface of the windshield. The third molding portion is formed in a rectangular shape in longitudinal section and has an upper surface disposed at a lower position than the imaginary extension of the outer side surface of the windshield.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a windscreen with a molding and a connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding.

BACKGROUND ART

Patent Document 1 discloses a cowl louver which clamps a lower edge portion of an automobile windscreen (windshield). The cowl louver has a clamping portion formed in a substantially U-shape in section in a windshield-side edge portion (rear end portion) thereof, the clamping portion including a clamping edge portion and clamping members. The cowl louver also includes a main body inner layer which is made of a hard synthetic resin.

Explanation will be made about a connection work for connecting the cowl louver of Patent Document 1 to a windshield. The windshield is mounted to a window frame of a vehicle body prior to the connection work for the cowl louver. The clamping portion of the cowl louver is brought closer to the lower edge portion of the windshield. Then, the clamping members of the cowl louver have top surfaces brought into contact with a lower edge of the windshield, and the cowl louver is moved upward so as to clamp the windshield between the clamping edge portion and the clamping members. This connection work causes the clamping members to be elastically deformed with respect to the clamping edge portion, with the result that the windshield is clamped between the clamping edge portion and a supporting portion. Thus, the cowl louver is connected to the windshield.

In Description, the wordings “upward” and “downward” mean an upward direction and a downward direction of an vehicle body, and the wordings “forward” and “backward” mean a forward direction and a backward direction of the vehicle body. An assemblage wherein a molding is assembled to a lower edge portion of a windshield is called a windshield with a molding, and a structure wherein a cowl louver is connected to a windshield via the molding is called a connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding. The windshield is made of laminated glass wherein at least two glass plates are bonded via an interlayer made of PVB (Polyvinyl butyral), EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) or the like.

Patent Document 2 discloses a connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding, wherein a windscreen (windshield) has a lower edge portion connected to a water draining chamber (cowl louver) via a contoured structure (molding). In the connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding according to Patent Document 2, the cowl louver has an upper surface formed so as to be flush with an outer side surface of the windshield.

The water draining chamber according to Patent Document 2 includes a first segment and a second segment. The first segment has a surface for affixation to a windshield, and the fixing surface is bonded to an inner side surface of the windshield via a double sided tape. The second segment has a snap-in recess which is engageable with or disengageable from the cowl louver.

The cowl louver according to Patent Document 2 has a rib formed on a lower surface, and the rib is engaged with or fitted into the snap-in recess of the water draining chamber. The snap-in recess of the water draining chamber is bounded by a substantially L-shaped, U-shaped or hook-like resilient leg and by a bearing rib subtended by the first segment and the second segment. The free end of the resilient leg and the bearing rib subtend an engagement aperture for engagement with the rib of the cowl louver. The cross-section of the bearing rib of the cowl louver is wedge-shaped and/or T-shaped.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

The windshield with a molding, and the connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 cause the following problems.

[Problems of Abnormal Noise and Glass Breakage]

The structure of Patent Document 1 includes no molding. When a foreign matter (granular foreign matter, such as sand) enters in between the hard clamping portion of the cowl louver and the lower edge portion of the windshield, there has been caused a problem that abnormal noise (rubbing noise caused between the windshield and the foreign matter) is generated during vehicle running. When a foreign matter enters in between the clamping portion of the cowl louver and the lower edge portion of the windshield, vibrations or the like generated during vehicle running could cause the foreign matter to be rubbed with the windshield to scratch a surface of the windshield. When a surface of the windshield is scratched, the windshield could be broken, starting with the scratch.

[Problem of Workability in Connection]

The structure according to Patent Document 2 has a problem that it is uneasy to connect a cowl louver to a windshield.

Specifically, the connection work for connecting a cowl louver to a windshield is normally carried out in such a state that the windshield is mounted to a window frame of a vehicle body prior to the connection work as described in Patent Document 1. In the structure according to Patent Document 2, it is necessary to carry out a work for successively engaging the rib of the cowl louver with the snap-in recess of the molding while a worker moves along a lower edge portion of the windshield. This creates a problem that the presence of the vehicle body disturbs the movement of the worker to provide poor workability in the connection.

[Problem of Stop Position of Wiper]

It has been recently desired that even when a pedestrian or the like collides with an automobile and hits his or her head or the like against a portion of a windshield close to its lower edge portion, the stop position of a wiper is set at a position closer to a lower edge portion of the windshield than before to reduce the possibility that the pedestrian could hit his or her head or the like against the wiper. The structure according to Patent Document 1 has a problem that it is impossible to set the stop position of a wiper at a position closer to a lower edge portion of the windshield than before because the connection portion between the lower edge portion of a windshield and the rear end portion of a cowl louver protrudes toward a vehicle exterior direction from an outer side surface of the windshield.

[Problems of Production Accuracy for Each of Molding and Cowl Louver]

In the structure according to Patent Document 2, the rib of the cowl louver and the snap-in recess of the molding are formed in an extremely complicated shape, and the cowl louver and the molding are produced by resin molding, which is difficult to achieve good dimensional accuracy. Since the cowl louver and the molding according to Patent Document 2, which are formed in an extremely complicated shape, are difficult to be produced with good accuracy, the structure according to Patent Document 2 has a problem that it is difficult to connect the cowl louver to the molding with good accuracy.

As described above, it has been desired to provide a novel windshield with a molding, which is capable of simultaneously solving the problems of abnormal noise and glass breakage caused by a foreign matter, and the problem of workability in connection of a cowl louver to a windshield.

It has been also desired to provide a novel connecting structure for connecting a cowl louver to a windshield with a molding, which is capable of simultaneously solving the problem of the stop position of a wiper and the problem of production accuracy for each of a molding and a cowl louver, in addition to the just above-mentioned problems.

The present invention is provided, taking the above-mentioned circumstances into consideration. It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel windshield with a molding, which is capable of simultaneously solving the problems of abnormal noise and glass breakage caused by a foreign matter, and the problem of workability in connection of a cowl louver to a windshield, and a novel connecting structure for connecting a cowl louver to a windshield with a molding, which is capable of simultaneously solving the problem of the stop position of a wiper and the problem of production accuracy for each of a molding and a cowl louver.

Solution to Problem

The windshield with a molding according to the present invention is a windshield with a molding, which includes laminated glass having a first glass plate to be disposed on an outer side of a vehicle body, a second glass plate to be disposed on an inner side of the vehicle body and an interlayer bonding the first glass plate and the second glass plate; and a molding disposed on a lower edge portion of the laminated glass, wherein the molding includes a first molding portion having an upper surface bonded to an inner side surface of the second glass plate, a second molding portion extending from the first molding toward an upward direction and along an end surface of the lower edge portion of the laminated glass, and a third molding portion extending from the second molding portion in a forward direction of the vehicle body, and wherein the third molding portion has an upper surface disposed at a lower position than an imaginary extension of an outer side surface of the first glass plate.

In a one mode of the present invention, it is preferred that the third molding portion be disposed along the end surface of the lower edge portion of the laminated glass and include a first spacer softer than the molding, the first spacer having an upper surface formed so as to be flush with the outer side surface of the first glass plate.

In another mode of the present invention, it is preferred that the third molding portion have a lower inner side end surface formed in a curved shape in section.

In another mode of the present invention, it is preferred that the first molding portion have a second spacer formed on a lower surface thereof so as to be brought into contact with the vehicle body, the second spacer being softer than the molding.

In another mode of the present invention, it is preferred that the third molding portion have an engaging portion formed on an upper surface or a lower surface.

The connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding according to the present invention includes the windshield with a molding according to the present invention, and a cowl louver having a rear end portion engageable with the third molding portion of the molding of the windshield with a molding, the rear end portion being formed in a U-shape in longitudinal section, wherein the rear end portion of the cowl louver has an upper surface formed so as to be flush with an imaginary extension of an outer side surface of the first glass plate of the laminated glass.

The connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding according to the present invention includes the windshield with a molding according to the present invention, and a cowl louver having a rear end portion engageable with the third molding portion of the molding of the windshield with a molding, the rear end portion being formed in a U-shape in longitudinal section, wherein the rear end portion of the cowl louver has an upper surface formed so as to be flush with an imaginary extension of the outer side surface of the first glass plate of the laminated glass, and wherein the first spacer is interposed between the rear end portion of the cowl louver and the laminated glass.

The connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding according to the present invention may include the windshield with a molding according to the present invention, and a cowl louver having a rear end portion engageable with the third molding portion of the molding of the windshield with a molding, the rear end portion being formed in a U-shape in longitudinal section, wherein the rear end portion of the cowl louver has an upper surface formed so as to be flush with an imaginary extension of the outer side surface of the first glass plate of the laminated glass, and wherein the rear end portion of the cowl louver has an engaging portion formed thereon, the engaging portion being to be engaged with an engaged portion of the third molding of the molding.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to provide, it is possible to provide a novel windshield with a molding, which is capable of simultaneously solving the problems of abnormal noise and glass breakage caused by a foreign matter, and the problem of workability in connection of a cowl louver to a windshield. In accordance with the connecting structure for connecting a cowl louver to a windshield with a molding of the present invention, it is possible to simultaneously solve the problems of abnormal noise and glass breakage caused by a foreign matter, the problem of workability in connection of a cowl louver to a windshield, the problem of the stop position of a wiper and the problem of production accuracy for each of a molding and a cowl louver.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Now, explanation will be made about preferred embodiments of a windshield with a molding and the connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding, to which the present invention is applied. In the drawings, identical or similar members or parts are denoted by like reference numerals, and redundant explanation may be omitted about such identical or similar members or parts.

FIG. 1(A)is a schematic perspective view illustrating a windshield12and a molding14prior to assembly of the molding14to the windshield12.FIG. 1(B)is a schematic perspective view illustrating a windshield with a molding10in a state where the molding14is assembled to the windshield12.

FIG. 2(A)is a schematic perspective view illustrating the windshield with a molding10and a cowl louver18prior to connection of the cowl louver18to the windshield with a molding10.FIG. 2(B)is a schematic perspective view illustrating a connecting structure for a windshield with a molding and a cowl louver20in a state where the cowl louver18is connected to the windshield with a molding10.

FIG. 3is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding20, taken along line3-3shown inFIG. 2(B).

InFIG. 1(A)toFIG. 11, arrow U (upward) indicates an upward direction of a vehicle body (shown only inFIG. 7), arrow D (down) indicates a downward direction of the vehicle body, arrow F (forward) indicates a forward direction of the vehicle body, and arrow B (backward) indicates a backward direction of the vehicle body. With regard to the surfaces of the windshield12, a surface called “outer side surface” indicates a surface of the vehicle body facing an outer side, and a surface called “inner side surface” indicates a surface of the vehicle body facing an inner side. With regard to the surfaces of the molding14and the cowl louver18, a surface called “upper surface” indicates a surface of them facing an upward direction, and a surface called “lower surface” indicates a surface of them facing a downward direction.

As shown inFIG. 1(A)toFIG. 3, the windshield with a molding10includes the windshield12and the molding14. The molding14is assembled to an inner side surface of a lower edge portion12A of the windshield12via a double sided tape16. In this way, the windshield with a molding10is configured as shown inFIG. 1(B). The molding14and the windshield12may be bonded together by a known adhesive, such as an acrylic resin-based adhesive, a urethane resin-based adhesive or an epoxy resin-based adhesive.

The connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding20includes the windshield with a molding10and the cowl louver18. The cowl louver18is connected to the molding14of the windshield with a molding10. In this way, the connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding20is configured as shown inFIG. 2(B).

The windshield12is a windscreen, which is to be mounted to a front-side window frame of the vehicle body (not shown) and is made of laminated glass. Specifically, the windshield12is configured by bonding two glass plates (first glass plate and second glass plate)22and24via an Interlayer26made of PVB, EVA or the like as shown inFIG. 3.

As shown inFIG. 2(A)toFIG. 3, the molding14serves as a connecting member for connecting a rear end portion18A of the cowl louver18to the lower edge portion12A of the windshield12. The molding14is made of a resin and has a longitudinal axis extending along the lower edge portion12A of the windshield12. The molding14may be produced by extrusion molding so long as the molding has a constant shape along the longitudinal axis direction of the molding14. The production method is not limited to extrusion molding. The molding may be produced by injection molding. The molding14may be, for example, made of a lightweight and weather-resistant thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The molding14is rigid and the molding14has a hardness of preferably at least 90° and at most 100° for example in terms of (Durometer Type A hardness according to JIS K6253 (hereinbelow, referred to as “hardness”)). When the molding14has a hardness of at most 90°, the molding14per se can have a sufficient rigidity.

As shown inFIG. 3, the molding14includes a first molding portion30, a second molding portion32and a third molding portion34and is formed in a crank shape in longitudinal section. The molding14may be formed in a shape other than a crank shape in longitudinal section. The molding14has a metal core15embedded therein. The metal core15is formed in a plate shape and is formed in a crank shape in longitudinal section in conformity with the molding14. The metal core15is helpful not only to reinforce the molding14but also to keep the shape of the molding14.

The first molding portion30has an upper surface30A bonded to an inner side surface24A of the glass plate24by the double sided tape16at the lower edge portion12A of the windshield12. Although the first molding portion30is shown to be formed in a rectangular shape in longitudinal section, the first molding portion30may be formed in a shape other than a rectangular shape. The upper surface30A of the first molding portion30may be bonded to the inner side surface24A of the glass plate24by a known adhesive, such as an acrylic resin-based adhesive, a urethane resin-based adhesive or an epoxy resin-based adhesive.

The second molding portion32is configured to extend upward from the first molding portion30along an end surface12B of the lower edge portion12A of the windshield. The end surface12B means lower end surfaces of the glass plates22,24and the interlayer26. The second molding portion32is preferred to be apart from the end surface12B by a gap (which means that the second molding portion32is not brought into contact with the end surface12B). In a case where the second molding portion32is brought into contact with the end surface12B, when there are variations in the external dimensions of the glass plates22,24, the assembling position of the molding14to the windshield varies. When the assembling position of the molding14to the windshield varies, the connection between the molding14and the cowl louver18could not be made at a desired position. To the contrary, in a case where there is a gap between the second molding portion32and the end surface12B, even when there are variations in the external dimensions of the glass plates22,24, the presence of the gap between the second molding portion32and the end surface12B can absorb variations in the external dimensions of the glass plates22,24. When the gap between the second molding portion32and the end surface12B is at least 1.0 mm and at most 3.0 mm, it is possible to absorb variations in the external dimensions of the glass plates22,24.

The third molding portion34has an upper surface34A configured to extend from the second molding portion32in substantially parallel with an imaginary extension22B of an outer side surface22A of the glass plate22, in other words, extend toward a front direction of the vehicle body, the imaginary extension being indicated by a double-dashed line. The third molding portion34is formed in a rectangular shape in longitudinal section so as to be engageable with the rear end portion18A of the cowl louver18, which is formed in a U-shape in section. Further, the upper surface34A of the third molding portion34is disposed at a lower position than the imaginary extension22B of the outer side surface22A of the glass plate22.

The cowl louver18shown inFIG. 1(A)toFIG. 3is a plate-shaped member, which may be an injection-molded product made of polypropylene for example. As shown inFIG. 3, the rear end portion18A of the cowl louver18includes a clamping edge portion36and a clamping member38and is formed in a U-shape in longitudinal section. The third molding portion34is mounted to the gap between the clamping edge portion36and the clamping members38to connect the rear end portion18A of the cowl louver18to the third molding portion34. When the rear end portion18A of the cowl louver18is connected to the third molding portion34, the clamping edge portion36has an upper surface36A disposed so as to be substantially flush with the outer side surface22A of the glass plate22.

Now, explanation will be made about advantages of the windshield with a molding10and the connecting structure for the cowl louver18and the windshield with a molding10configured according to the first embodiment as described above.

[With Regard to Abnormal Noise and Glass Breakage]

In the connecting structure according to the first embodiment, the rear end portion18A of the cowl louver18is connected to the lower edge portion12A of the windshield12via the molding14. In other words, the rear end portion18A of the cowl louver18is connected to the third molding portion34having a soft property without being directly connected to the lower edge portion12A of the windshield12.

By this arrangement, even when a foreign matter enters in between the third molding portion34and the rear end portion18A of the cowl louver18, the third molding portion34serves as a buffering material, being elastically deformed so as to envelope the foreign matter. Thus, the connecting structure according to the first embodiment can reduce the generation of abnormal noise caused by the entry of a foreign matter during vehicle running to solve the problem of abnormal noise involved in the connecting structure disclosed by Patent Document 1. Further, even when a foreign matter enters, the foreign matter is prevented from interposing between the rear end portion18A of the cowl louver18and laminated glass. Thus, a glass surface can be prevented from being scratched by a foreign matter to solve the problem of glass breakage.

[With Regard to Workability in Connection]

The connecting work for connecting the cowl louver18to the windshield with a molding10is carried out such that the rear end portion18A of the cowl louver18is brought closer to the third molding portion34of the molding14as shown inFIG. 2(A), followed by pushing the cowl louver18in an upper direction (U direction) so as to clamp the third molding portion34between the clamping edge portion36and the clamping members38of the cowl louver18. Thus, the third molding portion34is fitted into the gap between the clamping edge portion36and the clamping member38, with the result that the cowl louver18is connected to the windshield with a molding10as shown inFIG. 3.

In other words, the connecting structure according to the first embodiment can connect the cowl louver18to the windshield with a molding10by merely pushing the cowl louver18in the upward direction with respect to the windshield with a molding10. Thus, it is possible to solve the problem of workability in connection involved in the connecting structure disclosed by Patent Document 2.

[Problem of Stop Position of Wiper]

In the connecting structure20for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding, the upper surface36A of the clamping edge portion36as the upper surface of the cowl louver18is flush with the outer side surface22A of the glass plate22of the windshield12. This arrangement allows the stop position of a wiper to be set closer to the lower end edge portion of the windshield12than before. Thus, the connecting structure20according to the first embodiment can solve the problem of the stop position of a wiper involved in the connecting structure disclosed by Patent Document 1.

[Problem of Production Accuracy for Each of Molding and Cowl Louver]

The third molding portion34, into which the rear end portion18A of the cowl louver18is fitted, is formed in a rectangular shape in longitudinal section, and the rear end portion18A of the cowl louver18is formed in a U-shape in longitudinal section. In other words, the third molding portion34and the rear end portion18A are formed in a simpler shape than those of the connecting structure disclosed in Patent Document 2.

In the connecting structure disclosed in Patent Document 2, it is difficult to produce the rib of the cowl louver and the snap-in recess of the molding with good accuracy since the rib and snap-in recess are formed in an extremely complicated shape. This makes it difficult in many cases to connect the cowl louver to the molding with good accuracy with respect to the connecting structure disclosed by Patent Document 2, being affected by the production accuracy of the rib and the snap-in recess.

In contrast, in the connecting structure according to the first embodiment, fine adjustment can be easily made to the connection position of the cowl louver18to the molding14since the connection can be carried out by merely fitting the third molding portion34in a rectangular shape in longitudinal section into the rear end portion18A in a U-shape in longitudinal section. By this arrangement, it is possible to connect the cowl louver18to the molding14with good accuracy without being affected by the production accuracy for each of the third molding portion34and the rear end portion18A. Thus, the connecting structure20for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding according to the first embodiment, it is possible to solve the problem of the production accuracy for each of the molding and the cowl louver, which is involved in the connecting structure according to Patent Document 2.

As described above, In accordance with the windshield with a molding10of the first embodiment, it is possible to simultaneously solve the problems of abnormal noise and glass breakage caused by a foreign matter, and the problem of workability in connection of a cowl louver18to the windshield12.

Further, in accordance with the connecting structure of the first embodiment, it is possible to simultaneously solve the problem of the stop position of a wiper and the problem of production accuracy for each of the molding14and the cowl louver18, in addition to the just above-mentioned problems.

With regard to explanation about the connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding40according to a second embodiment shown inFIG. 4, members or parts identical or similar to those shown inFIG. 2(A)toFIG. 3are denoted by like reference numerals, and explanation about such identical or similar members or parts will be omitted.

The connecting structure40shown inFIG. 4is different from the connecting structure20shown inFIG. 2(A)toFIG. 3in terms of the structure of a rear end portion18A of a cowl louver18and is the same as the latter in terms of the remaining members and parts.

The rear end portion18A of the cowl louver18shown inFIG. 4includes a clamping edge portion36and a plurality of clamping members42formed in an L-shape on a lower surface18B of the cowl louver18. The clamping members42are disposed at regular intervals along the rear end portion18A of the cowl louver18. Thus, the rear end portion18A with the respective clamping members42is configured in a U-shape in longitudinal section by the respective clamping members42and the clamping edge portion36.

Even in a case of the cowl louver18with such clamping members42, as in the cowl louver18shown inFIG. 2(A)toFIG. 3, it is possible to connect the cowl louver18to a windshield with a molding10by merely pushing upward the cowl louver18with respect to the windshield with a molding10. Thus, in accordance with the connecting structure proposed as the connecting structure40for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding of the second embodiment, it is possible to solve the problem in workability in connection involved in the connection structure disclosed by Patent Document 2.

With regard to explanation about the connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding50according to a third embodiment shown inFIG. 5, members or parts identical or similar to those shown inFIG. 2(A)toFIG. 4are denoted by like reference numerals, and explanation about such identical or similar members or parts will be omitted.

The connecting structure50shown inFIG. 5is different from the connecting structures20,40shown inFIG. 2(A)toFIG. 4in terms of the structure of a third molding portion34of a molding14and is the same as the latter in terms of the remaining members or parts.

The third molding portion34of the connecting structure50includes a first spacer52. The first spacer52is a convex spacer, which is disposed on an upper surface34A of the third molding portion34along an end surface12B of a lower edge portion12A of a windshield12and protrudes toward the outer side. The first spacer52is interposed between an end surface18C of a rear end portion18A of a cowl louver18and the end surface12B of the lower edge portion12A of the windshield12. The first spacer52is made of a softer material than a molding14and has an upper surface52A formed so as to be flush with an outer side surface22A of a glass plate22. The first spacer52may be produced integrally with the third molding portion34by two-color molding and may be produced by another known method. Furthermore, the first spacer52may be bonded to the upper surface34A of the third molding portion34by an adhesive or the like. The first spacer52may be, for example, made of a soft material of TPE having a hardness of at least 60° and at most 70°.

The first spacer52having a soft property can be disposed on the third molding portion34to seal the gap between the end surface12B of the windshield12and the end surface18C of the cowl louver18by the first spacer52. Thus, an interlayer26can be protected from a liquid, such as rain since such a liquid is prevented from adhering to the end surface12B of the windshield12.

FIG. 6illustrates a fourth embodiment, which is shown in a state just before connection of cowl louver18to a molding14. With regard to explanation about the connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding60shown inFIG. 6, members or parts identical or similar to those of the connecting structure50shown inFIG. 5are denoted by like reference numerals, and explanation about such identical or similar members or parts will be omitted.

The connecting structure50shown inFIG. 6is different from the connecting structure50shown inFIG. 5in terms of the shape of a lower end surface of a third molding portion34and is the same as the latter in terms of the remaining members or parts. Specifically, the third molding portion34has a lower end surface34B on an inner side surface formed in a curved shape in longitudinal section ofFIG. 6.

When the cowl louver18is connected to the third molding portion34, upper surfaces38A,42A of clamping members38,42are brought into contact with the end surface34B of the third molding portion34. When the cowl louver18is pushed upward in that state, the cowl louver18is smoothly pushed upward, being guided by the end surface34B formed in a curved shape. Thus, in accordance with the connecting structure proposed as the connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding60of the fourth embodiment, it is possible to smoothly connect the cowl louver18to the molding14. Although it is shown inFIG. 6that the lower end surface34B of the inner side surface of the third molding portion34is formed in a curved shape, the present invention is not limited to such a mode. The entire lower end surface of the third molding portion34may be formed in a curved shape.

With regard to explanation about the connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding70according to a fifth embodiment shown inFIG. 7, members or parts identical or similar to those of the connecting structure60shown inFIG. 6are denoted by like reference numerals, and explanation about such identical or similar members or parts will be omitted.

The connecting structure70shown inFIG. 7is different from the connecting structure60shown inFIG. 6in terms of the structure of a first molding portion30of a molding14and is the same as the latter in terms of the remaining members or parts.

The first molding portion30of the connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding70includes a second spacer72. The second spacer72is disposed on a lower surface30B of the first molding portion30, being directed downward. The second spacer is brought into contact with a vehicle body74, serving for holding the gap between the vehicle body74and the connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding70.

The second spacer72is made of a softer material than the molding14. The second spacer may be produced integrally with the first molding portion30by two-color molding or by another known method. The second spacer72may be bonded to the lower surface30B of the first molding portion30by an adhesive or the like. The second spacer72may be, for example, made of a soft material of TPE having a hardness of at least 60° and at most 70°. By this arrangement, the connecting structure70according to the fourth embodiment is supported by the vehicle body74via the second spacer72having a proper flexibility, with the result that vibrations from the vehicle body74to the connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding70can be properly absorbed by the second spacer72.

With regard to explanation about the connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding80according to a sixth embodiment shown inFIG. 8, members or parts identical or similar to those of the connecting structure70shown inFIG. 7are denoted by like reference numerals, and explanation about such identical or similar members or parts will be omitted.

The connecting structure80shown inFIG. 8is different from the connecting structure70shown inFIG. 7in terms of the structure of a third molding portion34of a molding14and the structure of a rear end portion18A of a cowl louver18and is the same as the latter in terms of the remaining members or parts.

The third molding portion34of the connecting structure80has recessed portions82,84formed as engaged portions on an upper surface34A and a lower surface34C. On the rear end portion18A of the cowl louver18, a convex portion86is formed on a clamping edge portion36so as to serve as an engageable portion to be engaged with the recessed portion82while a convex portion88is formed on each of clamping members38,426so as to serve as an engageable portion to be engaged with the recessed portion84. Thus, it is possible to increase the engaging force of the cowl louver18to the molding14.

Although the two recessed portions82,84are formed on the third molding portion34in the embodiment shown inFIG. 8, it is sufficient that either the recessed portion82or the recessed portion84is formed. Likewise, with respect to the convex portions86,88formed on the rear end portion18A, it is sufficient that either the convex portion86or the convex portion88are formed.

The connecting structure according to this embodiment is preferred to include a structure for keeping the positional relationship between the third molding portion34and the rear end portion18A of the cowl louver18constant so as to avoid a right and left difference in the windshield12in terms of insertion of the rear end portion18A of the cowl louver18into the third molding portion34.

The connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding90according to a seventh embodiment shown inFIG. 9is different from the connecting structure50shown inFIG. 5in that a third molding portion34has a claw34D extending so as to be engageable with front end surfaces38B of clamping members38of a cowl louver18. The claw34D may be formed on the entire third molding portion34in a longitudinal direction or be intermittently formed thereon. The claw34D can be engaged with the front end surfaces38B of the clamping members38to keep the positional relationship between the third molding portion34and the rear end portion18A of the cowl louver18more constant.

As in the connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding100according to an eight embodiment and shown inFIG. 10, the connecting structure for making the positional relationship constant may be configured such that a third molding portion34has an extended portion34E formed so as to cover a lower surface38C of each of clamping members38, the extended portion34E has through holes34F formed therein, and the lower surface38C of each of clamping members has a convex portion38D formed thereon so as to be engageable with its corresponding through hole34F. It is possible to make the positional relationship between the third molding portion34and the rear end portion18A of the cowl louver more constant by engaging the convex portions38D with the through holes34F.

As in the connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding110according to a ninth embodiment and shown inFIG. 11, the connecting structure may be configured such that a third molding portion34has a claw34G formed thereon, and each of clamping members38has a through hole38F formed in a base portion38E so as to receive its corresponding claw portion G. The claws34G can pass through the through holes38F to be engaged with front end surfaces38B of the clamping members38to make the positional relationship between the third molding portion34and the rear end portion18A of the cowl louver18. The claw portions34G are formed on at least both sides of the third molding portion34in a longitudinal direction, and likewise, the through holes38F are formed on at least both sides of the cowl louver18in a longitudinal direction

REFERENCE SYMBOLS

10: windshield with a molding,12: windshield,12A: lower edge portion,14: molding,15: metal core,16: double sided tape,18: cowl louver,18A: rear end portion,20: connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding according to a first embodiment,22: glass plate,24: glass plate,26: interlayer,30: first molding portion,32: second molding portion,34: third molding portion,34A: upper surface,34B: lower edge portion,34C: lower surface,34D: claw,34E: extended portion,34F: through hole,34G: claw,36: clamping edge portion,38: clamping member,38A: upper surface,38B: front end surface,38C: lower surface,38E: base portion,38F: through hole,40: connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding according to a second embodiment,42: clamping member,42A: upper surface,50: connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding according to a third embodiment,52: first spacer,60: connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding according to a fourth embodiment,70: connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding according to a fifth embodiment,72: second spacer,74: vehicle body,80: connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding according to a sixth embodiment,82: recessed portion,84: recessed portion,86: convex portion,88: convex portion,90: connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding according to a seventh embodiment,100: connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding according to an eighth embodiment,110: connecting structure for a cowl louver and a windshield with a molding according to a ninth embodiment.