Motor vehicle side door and method for mounting the same

A motor vehicle side door includes a glass panel, a frame, and an elastomer run seal. The elastomer run seal includes at least one protruding rib that is located and dimensioned so as to be able to come into abutment against a free end of an inner wall of the frame when the at least one ascending strand is in a preliminary mounting position on the frame, and to be able to come into abutment against an inner wall of the frame when the at least one ascending strand is in a final mounting position on the frame, a gap between both inner and outer walls having a size which is higher when the run seal is in the preliminary mounting position than when it is in the final mounting position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate at least to a motor vehicle side door and a method for mounting the same.

BACKGROUND

A vehicle side door includes a moveable glass panel that may slide and be moved from an upright position to a downright position and from the downright position to the upright position. The door comprises a lower body and an upper frame. In its downright position, the glass panel is located at least in part inside the door body and, in its upright position, the glass panel is surrounded by the frame which extends along the peripheral edges of the glass panel.

Sealing between the glass panel and the door frame is ensured by an elastomer run seal called glass run channel (GRC) which is secured onto the frame and extends along this frame. The run seal defines a channel in which the glass panel is able to slide when moving. The run seal may further include sealing lips abutting against outer and inner faces of the glass panel. Typically, the run seal is U-shaped and comprises two vertical or ascending strands which are connected therebetween at their upper ends by means of a horizontal or top strand. The strands of the run seal are each produced by extrusion and are then bonded to each other by overmolding bonding corners between the upper ends of the ascending strands and the longitudinal ends of the horizontal strand.

The exterior appearance of a vehicle door is very important for the customer, i.e., the user of the vehicle. A solution for enhancing the appearance of a vehicle door is to lying flush the outside of its glass panel with the outside of the structure surrounding this panel. One of the vertical edge elements of the frame may for instance be adjacent to the glass panel and have an outer face laterally flush with the outer face of the glass panel.

FIGS.1to3illustrate the prior art and show elements similar to the ones disclosed in documents EP-B1-3 102 448 and EP-A1-3 558 728, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIGS.1and2show an elastomer run seal10and a glass panel12of a motor vehicle side door.FIG.3is a cross sectional view of the side door16and further shows the frame18extending along the edges of the glass panel12.

The run seal10is U-shaped and comprises two ascendant strands10bwhich are connected therebetween at their upper ends by means of a top strands10a.

One or each ascending strand10bhas a transversal section substantially in the shape of a U that comprises an inner branch20and an outer branch22connected together by a connecting branch24, and which cooperates with the glass panel12.

The glass panel12has an outer face12band an inner face12aand carries a panel guide14secured onto the inner face12a. The outer face12blaterally flush with an outer face26aof a vertical edge element26of the frame18.

The vertical edge element26comprises a U-shaped portion in cross section including an outer wall28which is parallel to the glass panel12and which includes the outer face26a, an inner wall30which is parallel to the glass panel12, and a connecting wall32connecting the outer wall28to the inner wall30,

As shown inFIG.3, the outer branch22of the run seal10is configured to be in contact with the outer wall28and to be sealably in contact with the glass panel12. The inner branch20is able to be in contact with the inner wall30, and the inner and outer branches20,22define therebetween a gap34which extends in a plane P substantially perpendicular to the glass panel12.

This gap34is crossed by the panel guide14, and the outer branch22comprises a groove36that is able to receive at least one hook14aof the panel guide14. As shown inFIG.3, the gap34is large and much higher than the thickness E of the panel guide14and even than the thickness E′ of the hook14a.

The inner branch20comprises protruding ribs38which are able to be in contact with the inner wall30so as to position the run seal10relative to the vertical edge element26.

The run seal10ofFIGS.1to3is mounted by a method comprising a first step of engaging the ascendant strand10bof the run seal10into the vertical edge element26so that the outer branch22of the run seal10comes in contact with the outer wall28, and the inner branch20comes in contact with the inner wall30. Then, the connecting branch24extends in front of the connecting wall32and is parallel to this connecting wall.

The method then includes a second step in which the glass panel12carrying the panel guide14is mounted. The glass panel12is aligned with the outer wall28of the vertical edge element26and is displaced towards this outer wall (arrow F) so that the panel guide12crosses the gap34and the hook12ais engaged in the groove36of the outer branch22.

However, due to the size of the gap34, the glass panel10may move or vibrate in the plane P. The panel guide14is in abutment against the outer branch22but has to move a large distance D (equal to the difference between the size of the gap34and the thickness E of the panel guide14) before coming in abutment against the inner branch20.

Moreover, since the thickness E′ is lower than the gap34, the hook14amay cross back through the gap34and may exit from the groove36of the outer branch22which may lead in problem of security for instance when an unauthorized person wishes to enter into the vehicle by forcing the door or the glass panel to open.

The disclosure proposes a simple, effective and economical solution to these problems.

SUMMARY

According to the disclosure there is provided a motor vehicle side door. In an embodiment, the motor vehicle side door comprises:

a glass panel having an outer face and an inner face and carrying a panel guide secured onto the inner face, the glass panel being able to be moved from an upright position to a downright position, and

a frame that is configured to extend along edges of the glass panel when the glass panel is in the upright position, the frame including a vertical edge element which is adjacent to the glass panel when it is in the upright position and which has an outer surface laterally flush with the outer face.

In an embodiment, the vertical edge element comprising a U-shaped portion in cross section including an outer wall which is parallel to the glass panel and which includes the outer surface, an inner wall which is parallel to the glass panel, and a connecting wall connecting the outer wall to the inner wall.

The motor vehicle side door also comprise in some embodiments an elastomer run seal mounted on the frame and suitable for receiving the glass panel when moving. The run seal comprises at least one ascending strand configured to be mounted at least in part in the U-shaped portion. The at least one ascending strand has an outer branch configured to be in contact with the outer wall and to be sealably in contact with the glass panel, an inner branch able to be in contact with the inner wall, and a connecting branch connecting the outer branch to the inner branch, an outer face of the inner branch and an inner face of the outer branch defining therebetween a gap which extends in a first plane substantially perpendicular to the glass panel and which is configured to be crossed by the panel guide. The outer branch comprises a groove that is able to receive at least one hook of the panel guide, and the inner branch comprises an inner face comprising at least one protruding rib which is able to be in contact with an outer face of the inner wall or against an outer face of the frame.

In some embodiments, the motor vehicle side door further comprises at least one protruding rib located and dimensioned so as to be able to come into abutment against a free end of the inner wall or of the frame when the at least one ascending strand is in a preliminary mounting position on the frame, and to be able to come into abutment against the outer face of the inner wall or against the outer face of the frame when the at least one ascending strand is in a final mounting position on the frame, moving of the at least one ascending strand from the preliminary mounting position to the final mounting position being realized in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first plane.

In some embodiments, the gap has a size measured in the first plane which is higher when the run seal is in the preliminary mounting position than when it is in the final mounting position.

The disclosure proposes therefore example embodiments to optimize the size of the above mentioned gap so as to avoid the drawbacks of the prior art. To this aim or others, the gap is intended to have a first size in a preliminary mounting position of the ascendant strand relative to the frame or its vertical edge element, and to have a lower second size in a final mounting position of the run seal. Reducing the size of the gap is rendered possible, for example, by the dimensions and location of the protruding rib(s) of the inner branch of the run seal that is or are intended to come into abutment with the inner wall of the vertical edge element or with the frame. When the ascendant strand is moved from the preliminary mounting position to the final mounting position, the protruding rib(s) are moved from a position where it/they is/are in contact with the free end of the inner wall or of the frame up to a position where it/they come(s) into abutment against the outer face of the inner wall or the frame. This displacement leads to the lift and displacement of the inner branch towards the outer branch and therefore of a reduction of the gap.

As will be described hereunder, the displacement of the ascendant strand is advantageously performed by, for example, the panel guide so that this panel guide may be trapped between the outer and inner branches when the gap is reduced.

Embodiments of the motor vehicle side door may also comprise one or more of the following features, taken alone from each other or in combination with each other:the at least one protruding rib has a triangular or trapezoidal shape in cross section;the inner branch has a first end connected to the connecting wall and an opposite second end;the at least one protruding rib is located at a distance D1from the first end which is lower than a distance D2between the protruding rib and the opposite second end;the at least one protruding rib is located at the opposite second end;a first protruding rib is located at the opposite second end and a second protruding rib is located at a distance D2from the opposite second end and at a distance D1from the first end;the first protruding rib has a thickness higher than a thickness of the second protruding rib, the thicknesses being measured in directions perpendicular to the glass panel;the protruding rib has a thickness which is equal to the gap size or which is higher than the gap size, when the run seal is in the final mounting position, the thicknesses being measured in directions perpendicular to the glass panel;the protruding rib comprises a first surface located on a glass panel side and a second surface located on an opposite side, the first surface being substantially perpendicular to the inner branch and the second surface being inclined so as to form a ramp configured to cooperate by sliding with the free end;the inner wall includes a retaining rib extending towards the glass panel and configured to come into abutment with the at least one protruding rib so as to retain the run seal in the final mounting position;the retaining rib has a triangular or trapezoidal shape in cross section;the retaining rib comprises a first surface located on a glass panel side and a second surface located on an opposite side, the second surface being substantially perpendicular to the inner wall and the first surface being inclined so as to form a ramp configured to cooperate by sliding with the at least one protruding rib;the inner wall comprises a first end connected to the connecting wall and an opposite second end, the retaining rib being located on the opposite second end;the inner wall has a length measured between both first and opposite second ends which is higher than a length of the outer wall;the inner and connecting branches are connected therebetween by a longitudinal portion of the run seal, the longitudinal portion being made of a first material which is different from a second material of the inner and connecting branches and which has a Shore A hardness lower than that of the second material;the first material has a Shore A hardness of lower than 75 while the second material has a Shore A hardness of higher than 75;the outer wall includes a protruding leg which protrudes from the inner face of the outer wall towards the outer face of the inner wall and which is configured to be engaged into a groove of the outer branch;the protruding leg has a triangular, rectangular or trapezoidal shape in cross section;the outer wall comprises a first end or portion connected to the connecting wall and an opposite second end, the protruding leg being located on or close to the opposite second end;the vertical edge element is secured to the frame by snap fitting or by screwing;the panel guide comprises a first edge secured onto the inner face of the glass panel and an opposite second edge which is L-shaped and which includes a first portion parallel to the glass panel and having a thickness lower than the gap size when the run seal is in both preliminary and final mounting positions, and a second portion perpendicular to the glass panel and forming the at least one hook, the hook having a thickness higher than the gap size when the run seal is in the preliminary mounting position, the thicknesses being measured in directions perpendicular to the glass panel.

The disclosure further proposes embodiments of a method for mounting the motor vehicle door. In an embodiment, the method comprises the steps of:positioning the run seal so that its ascending strand is in the preliminary mounting position relative to the inner wall or the frame, wherein the connecting branch is engaged in the U-shaped portion and the at least one protruding rib is in abutment against the free end of the inner wall or of the frame, andengaging the panel guide through the gap and into the U-shaped so as to push the ascending strand in the final mounting position, wherein the connecting branch is moved towards the connecting wall and the at least one protruding rib is forced to come into abutment against the outer face of the inner wall or of the frame.

In some embodiments, the method may also comprise one or more of the following features and/or steps, taken alone from each other or in combination with each other:step a) is performed by displacing the ascending strand in at least one direction which is substantially parallel to the inner and outer walls or which is inclined by an angle of 1 to 30° relative to the inner and outer walls;step b) is performed by displacing the glass panel in a direction which is substantially parallel to the inner and outer walls;before step a), the ascending strand has a rest position in which the inner and connecting branches are inclined one another by an angle higher than 90°;after step b), the ascending strand has a constrained position in which the inner and connecting branches are inclined one another by an angle lower than 90°.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the present specification, the words “inner”, “inside”, “interior”, etc., make reference to the inside of a motor vehicle. The words “outer” “outside”, “exterior”, etc., make reference to the outside of the motor vehicle. Then, an outer element is located at the outer side of the vehicle. A first outer element, portion or surface may be visible by a user of the motor vehicle or may be hidden by a second outer element, portion or surface covering said first outer element.

Moreover, the axes X, Y and Z make respectively reference to three perpendicular axes. Axis X extends along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle which is substantially horizontal, and in particular from the rear to the front of the vehicle. Axis Y extends transversely to the car, from a side to the opposite side. Considering a side door, axis Y extends from the interior to the exterior of this side door. Axis Z extends substantially vertically from downward to upward.

Furthermore, a length is considered to be measured in a direction parallel to axis X. A thickness is considered to be measured in a direction parallel to axis Y and a height is considered to be measured in a direction parallel to axis Z.

FIGS.1to3illustrate the prior art and have been described above but can also be used to illustrate some features of the motor vehicle side door16according to the disclosure. As specified above, a motor vehicle side door16includes at least: a glass panel12carrying at least one panel guide14; a frame18including at least one vertical edge element26; and a run seal10ensuring the sealing and the guiding of the glass panel12relative to the frame.

FIG.4illustrates a first embodiment of the disclosure. InFIG.4and the following FIGURES still illustrating the disclosure, the elements that have already been described in relation withFIGS.1to3are designated by the same reference numerals for better clarity and understanding.

The run seal10ofFIG.4is U-shaped as shown inFIGS.1and2and comprises two ascendant strands10bwhich are connected therebetween at their upper ends by a top strand10a. Only one of the ascendant strands10bis visible inFIG.4.

This ascending strand10bofFIG.4has a transversal section substantially in the shape of a U and comprises an inner branch20and an outer branch22connected together by a connecting branch24, and which receives the panel guide14carried by the glass panel12. The panel guide14is secured onto the inner face12aof the glass panel12. The outer face12bof the glass panel12laterally flush with an outer face26aof the vertical edge element26of the frame18. The vertical edge element26comprises a U-shaped portion in cross section including an outer wall28which is parallel to said glass panel12and which includes the outer face26a, an inner wall30which is parallel to said glass panel12, and a connecting wall32connecting said outer wall28to said inner wall30.

The various elements of the motor vehicle side door16will now be described in more detail.

The glass panel12includes a vertical edge12cwhich is coplanar with said outer wall28and which faces a vertical edge28aof this outer wall. The panel guide14is secured onto the inner face12aalong the edge12c. The panel guide14includes a first edge14bwhich is applied onto the inner face12aand secured thereto, for instance by bonding or gluing, and an opposite second edge14cwhich is substantially L-shaped. The second edge14cincludes a first portion14caparallel to the glass panel12and a second portion14cbperpendicular to the glass panel12and forming said hook(s)14a.

In case where the panel guide14would comprise a single hook14a, this hook may extend along a portion or the totality of the height of the panel guide14. In case where the panel guide would comprise two or more hooks, these hooks may be located at specific locations along the height of the panel guide. Both edges14b,14care connected therebetween by means of an intermediate portion14cwhich is inclined relative to the glass panel12.

E1designates the thickness of the panel guide14, and in particular of its portion14ca. E2designates the thickness of the hook(s)14a. Both thicknesses are measured in directions which are perpendicular to the glass panel12.

The frame18may be made of metal or plastic or both. The frame18may for instance comprise at least one metal plate18a,18bwhich is configured to extend along and inwardly from the edge12cof the glass panel12, and from the run seal10. The vertical edge element26may be made as a single piece with the frame18or may be secured thereto. This vertical edge element26is for instance made of a plastic or composite material.

In the example shown inFIG.4, the inner wall30of the vertical edge element26comprises at least one fastening leg40intended to be secured to the frame18, for instance by fasteners such as screw(s), bolt(s) or equivalent means. This leg40is connected to the inner end of the connecting wall32and extends inwardly from the inner wall30. The leg40is spaced from the rest of the inner wall30and has a length measured along axis X which is similar than those of the inner wall30.

Furthermore, in the example shown, the frame18includes two metal plates18a,18b: an inner metal plate18aand an outer metal plate18b. Both plates18a,18bare substantially superimposed and extend inwardly from the vertical edge element26and the glass panel12. Both metal plates18a,18binclude longitudinal portions18copposite to the vertical edge element26that are substantially parallel to the glass panel12ant that include free ends18d.

The inner wall30of the vertical edge element26comprises a first end30aconnected to the connecting wall32and an opposite second end30bthat is free in the example shown. The inner wall30includes a retaining rib42extending towards the outer wall28or the glass panel12from an outer face30cof the inner wall. The retaining rib42has a triangular or trapezoidal shape in cross section. The retaining rib42comprises a first surface42alocated on a glass panel side and a second surface42blocated on an opposite side. The second surface42bis substantially perpendicular to the inner wall30and the first surface42ais inclined so as to form a ramp. The retaining rib42is located on said opposite second end30b.

The connecting wall32is substantially perpendicular to the walls28and30. The outer wall28of the vertical edge element26comprises a portion or an end connected to the connecting wall32and the free end28a. The outer wall28includes a protruding leg44which protrudes from an inner face28cof the outer wall towards the outer face30cof the inner wall30. In the example shown, the leg44has a rectangular shape in cross section and includes two opposite faces42awhich are parallel therebetween and perpendicular to the glass panel12. The protruding leg44is located on or close to said free end28a.

The run seal10and in particular its ascendant strand10bmay be made of one or more material which is, for example, an elastic material such as an elastomer.

The connecting branch24is substantially parallel to the connecting wall32and perpendicular to the glass panel12. The connecting branch24includes an inner end24aconnected to a first end20aof the inner branch20, and an outer end24bconnected to a first end22aof the outer branch22.

The outer branch22includes an opposite second end22bwhich is connected to a sealing lip46that is configured to come into abutment against at least one of the edges12c,28ato ensure sealing in this area, i.e., between the glass panel12and the vertical edge element26. The outer branch22comprises or defines two grooves48,50. An outer groove48is formed in the outer face of the outer branch22and is configured to receive the protruding leg44, and an inner groove50is formed in the inner face22cof the outer branch22and is configured to receive the hook(s)14aof the panel guide14.

The groove48has a shape and dimensions similar to the ones of the leg44. In the example shown, the leg44is configured to come into abutment at least against the bottom of the groove48and one of the lateral faces of this groove48. The groove50has a shape and dimensions higher than that of the hook(s)14ain the example shown.

In the position ofFIG.4, the portion14caof the panel guide14is in abutment against the outer branch22, and in particular its inner face22c, and the hook(s)14ais/are slightly spaced from the outer branch22, i.e., from the bottom and the lateral faces of the groove50.

The outer branch22, and in particular its inner face22c, together with the bottom and the lateral faces of the groove50may be covered by an antifriction layer52.

Both ends20a,24aof the branches20,24may be joined together by a longitudinal portion54of the run seal10, which is made of a material which is different from the material of at least a portion of each branches20,24. Advantageously, this portion54is configured to have a hinge function to allow modifying the angle α between the branches20,24.

The material of the portion54may have a Shore A hardness lower than that of the material of at least a portion of each branch20,24. For instance, the material of the portion54has a Shore A hardness of lower than 75 while the material of at least a portion of each branch20,24has a Shore A hardness of higher than 75.

The inner branch20extends from the end20ato an opposite end20band comprises an outer face20cfacing the panel guide14and the glass panel12and comprising at least one sealing lip56intended to cooperate with the inner face12aof the glass panel12or the panel guide14. The inner branch20comprises an inner face that faces20d, the inner wall30and a portion of the frame18, and in particular the inner metal plate18a.

At least one protruding rib protrudes from the inner face20d. In the example shown, the inner branch20may be considered as having two protruding ribs58,60.

The rib58is located at a distance D1from the end20awhich is lower than a distance D2between said rib58and the opposite end20b. That means the rib58is closer to the end20athan to the end20b. The rib60is located at the opposite end20b.

The rib58has a triangular or trapezoidal shape in cross section and comprises a first surface58alocated on a glass panel side and a second surface58blocated on an opposite side. The first surface58ais substantially perpendicular to the inner branch20and is configured to cooperate by abutment with the surface42bas shown, and the second surface58bis inclined so as to form a ramp configured to cooperate with the end30band the ramp formed by the surface42a.

The rib60has a rectangular shape in cross section and comprises a first surface60afacing the surface58aand an opposite second surface60b. The first surface60ais substantially perpendicular to the inner branch20. The second surface60bis covered by a material which can be similar to the material of the portion54and which is used to define an outer sealing lip62configured to cooperate with the inner face12aof the glass panel12, and an inner hook64.

The hook64extends inwardly from the rib60and defines with this rib a slot65configured to receive both ends18das shown inFIG.4. The rib60is configured to come into abutment with the outer face18baof the frame18and in particular of the outer metal plate18b, and the hook64is configured to come into abutment with an inner face18aaof the frame18and in particular of the inner metal plate18a.

As it is the case for the sealing lips46,56and62, the hook64is shown in a rest position inFIG.4. On the contrary, when the run seal10is mounted, the sealing lips and the hook64adopt a position where they are constrained.

The rib60has a thickness E3higher than a thickness E4of the rib58. The thickness E4of the rib58is equal to the size W of the gap34or is higher than the gap size W in the position shown inFIG.4.

FIG.4shows a position of the run seal10which is called the final mounting position. In this specific position, the branches20,22of the run seal10, and in particular the faces22c,20c, define the gap34which is crossed by the panel guide14. This gap34corresponds to the smaller space between the branches20,22and its size W is measured in the plane P inFIG.4.

This gap34has a size W which is similar to a thickness since it is measured along axis Y. As shown inFIG.4, in the final mounting position, size W is advantageously higher than E1but equal to E2or lower than E2.

FIGS.5to7illustrates steps of a method for mounting a motor vehicle side door16according to embodiments of the disclosure.

The method comprises a first step a) shown inFIGS.5and6during which the run seal10is positioned so that its ascending strand10bis in a preliminary mounting position relative to the inner wall30or the frame18. In this position, the connecting branch24is engaged in the U-shaped portion of the element26, i.e., between the walls28,30, until the ribs58,60come in abutment against the free ends30b,18das shown inFIG.6.

Step a) is performed by displacing said ascending strand10bin at least one direction H1, H2. The first direction H1shown inFIG.5is inclined by an angle of 1 to 30° relative to the walls28,30. The second direction H2shown inFIG.6is substantially parallel to the inner and outer walls28,30.

FIG.6shows that the protruding leg44enters into the groove48of the run seal10and that the inner face20dof the inner branch20comes into abutment with the retaining rib42which tend to reduce the size of the gap34.

Indeed, before step a), the ascending strand10bhas a rest position shown inFIG.5in which the angle α is higher than 90°. When the ascendant strand10bis in the position ofFIG.6, this angle α is reduced which lead to a reduction of the size W′ of the gap34.

As shown inFIG.7, The method includes a second step b) in which the panel guide14is engaged through the gap34and into the U-shaped so as to push the ascending strand10bin the final mounting position ofFIG.4. In this position, the connecting branch24is moved towards the connecting wall32and the rib58,60are forced to come into abutment against the outer faces30cof the inner wall30and the outer face18baof the frame18and in particular of the outer metal plate18b.

Then, the rib58slides onto the rib42up to the position ofFIG.4where both faces42b,58aface each other as shown inFIG.4and cooperate therebetween to ensure immobilization of the run seal10.

Step b) is performed by displacing the glass panel14in a direction which is substantially parallel to the walls28,30.

When the ascendant strand10bis in the position ofFIG.4, the angle α is reduced to a value lower than 90° and the gap34has a size W as specified above.

FIGS.8to10show some other embodiments according to the disclosure.FIG.8differs from the embodiment ofFIGS.4to7according to which the protruding leg44′ and the groove48′ receiving this leg have a different shape in cross section which is triangular or trapezoidal. This leg44′ comprises a first lateral face44a′ on the glass panel side12and a second lateral face44b′ on the opposite side. The face44a′ is inclined while the face44b′ is perpendicular to the glass panel12.

FIGS.9and10differ from the embodiment ofFIGS.4to7according to which the vertical edge element26is secured by screwing to the frame18. One or more screw70passes through an orifice of the U-shape portion and is screwed into a threaded orifice of the frame18or a nut carried by the frame. In the example shown inFIG.9, the orifice of the U-shaped portion is formed into a leg72and in the example shown inFIG.10, the orifice is formed into the connecting wall32.