Patent Description:
Further, the present disclosure relates to a sealing arrangement comprising a sealing strip and a margin seal for an applique arrangement. Also, the present disclosure relates to a method for producing a sealing arrangement and to a method for producing an applique arrangement.

Vehicles, particularly automobiles, include a number of sealing arrangements for sealing in the area of interior access areas like doors, flaps, lids, etc., an interior of the vehicle against the outside.

Particularly in vehicles having four doors, a so-called B-pillar is typically provided as a part of the vehicle body, which B-pillar is arranged between the respective front and rear doors.

In order to provide this area with an aesthetic appearance, it is known to provide so-called appliques between the windows of the front and the rear doors, in order to add styling or cover unsightly portions of the vehicle.

The windows of the front and rear doors are sealed against the outside by respective sealing arrangements. Further, in many cases, a sealing arrangement is provided between the front door and the rear door. This assists in sealing off the interior of the vehicle against the outside and also contributes in reducing noise in the inside of the vehicle (e.g. passenger compartment).

In some cases, the sealing arrangement that is provided between the front door and the rear door in the upper area of the doors (in the window area) is made part of the applique arrangement. Particularly, a margin seal is extruded separately and then adhered (e.g. by thermoplastic welding, glueing etc.) to an edge of the applique, so as to extend between the doors of the vehicle.

In some cases, the margin seal extends between an applique attached to the rear door and an applique attached to the front door of the vehicle.

Document <CIT> provides an appliqué structure for the external B pillar areas of a four door vehicle. The vehicle structure is one wherein the pair of doors on each side are hingedly mounted at the forward edges and wherein the B pillar areas are defined by the upper door edges. The appliqués are adhered to the B pillar area and form a double seal at the juncture therebetween. Additional seals are provided around the periphery of the appliqués.

Document <CIT> provides an applique for a pillar (e.g., B-pillar) of a vehicle, wherein the applique is a decorative member which is fastened to a vehicle surface (e.g., to a door frame structure adjacent a pillar) in order to add styling and/or to functionally cover unsightly portions of the vehicle. In certain embodiments, the applique includes a glass receiving channel defined in a portion thereof, as well as a hook-shaped retainer member extending from one wall of the channel. Moreover, in certain embodiments, the applique includes a polymer based retainer member attached to a metal portion of the applique for the purpose(s) of: <NUM>) insulating the metal portion of the applique from sheet metal of the door frame structure, <NUM>) covering an end/edge of the metal portion of the applique so as to prevent damage to any component which should rub or bump up against it, and/or <NUM>) fastening the applique to the door frame structure or pillar using at least one fastener integrally molded with the polymer based retainer member.

In some cases, it is preferred to provide the applique with a coating, particularly for imparting the outer surface of the applique with a certain appearance.

Document <CIT>relates to a trim or weatherstrip assembly secured to an associated vehicle. The assembly includes a cover portion that overlies an associated vehicle adjacent an edge. A connection member is defined on the cover portion. A fastener portion includes a detent connection member having first and second portions for operatively and alternatively engaging the connection member in a shipping, first position and in an installed, second position.

It is the object to provide an improved applique arrangement, an improved sealing arrangement, as well as improved methods for producing same.

The above object is achieved by an applique arrangement of claim <NUM>, by a sealing arrangement of claim <NUM>, by a method for producing a sealing arrangement of claim <NUM>, and by a method for producing an applique arrangement of claim <NUM>.

According to the invention as defined in claim <NUM>, an applique arrangement for a vehicle surface, particularly for an outer vehicle surface in a pillar region of the vehicle, comprises an applique and a margin seal. The applique has a panel portion that extends essentially along a first direction and a second direction transverse to the first direction, and has an inner portion. The margin seal extends along an edge of the applique in the second direction. The panel portion, further, has a panel outer surface for forming a part of the vehicle surface. The first inner portion extends essentially in parallel to the margin seal and projects from the panel portion essentially in a third direction which is transverse to the first direction and to the second direction. The margin seal has a plurality of holding portions which are aligned along the direction of extension of the margin seal, and which are arranged at a distance from each other. The first inner portion of the applique has a plurality of receiving portions for receiving respective ones of the holding portions of the margin seal.

The holding portions of the margin seal are aligned along the direction of extension of the margin seal (i.e. the second direction) like a number of protrusions that preferably protrude in a direction transverse to the second direction, preferably protrude in the first direction.

On the other hand, the receiving portions of the first inner portion of the applique are also aligned along the same direction of extension of the margin seal and have each an opening which faces to the margin seal, particularly in the first direction.

Therefore, the margin seal can be joined to the applique by inserting the holding portions into the receiving portions. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide an additional joining step for joining the margin seal to the applique, which in the prior art is done by thermoplastic welding, glueing or the like.

The concept of joining the margin seal and the applique by holding portions inserted into receiving portions of the applique has the additional advantage that the applique can be coated with any coating, even those coatings which would impair a traditional joint between the margin seal and the applique. Particularly, when the applique is joined by a metallic coating like a chrome coating, thermoplastic welding will be difficult or have a reduced lifespan.

In addition, the concept of introducing holding portions into the receiving portions can provide an extended joint lifespan.

Further, the holding portions and the receiving portions can be formed within a very small installation space, particularly in the third direction. Therefore, it is possible to provide the applique arrangement such that the applique does not protrude significantly in the third direction from respective window outer surfaces, so as to improver the overall aesthetic appearance.

The disclosed sealing arrangement comprises a sealing strip and a margin seal for the applique arrangement of the present invention wherein the sealing strip and the margin seal are joined by means of a mold portion. The sealing strip is particularly a sealing strip that extends in the second direction and is used as a sealing strip for receiving a side edge of a window of a vehicle door, particularly a rear door window.

The sealing strip is preferably an extruded sealing strip, made of TPE or EPDM or the like. The margin seal is also preferably an extruded part, made of the same or a different type of material. The margin seal is typically cut after extruding so as to provide the respective holding portions.

The sealing strip and the margin seal are joined by means of a mold portion.

In other words, the margin and the sealing strip are introduced into an injection molding form, and are joined to each other by means of a mold material injected into the tool.

Therefore, the method of producing a sealing arrangement according to the present disclosure comprises the steps of providing a sealing strip, providing a margin seal that has a plurality of holding portions which are aligned along the direction of extension of the margin seal, and which are arranged at a distance from each other, and molding an end portion of the margin seal to the sealing strip.

The method of producing an applique arrangement of the present disclosure comprises the steps of: providing a margin seal that has a plurality of holding portions which are aligned along the direction of extension of the margin seal, and which are arranged at a distance from each other, particularly a margin seal of a sealing arrangement as produced in accordance with the present disclosure, and providing an applique having a panel portion and a first inner portion, wherein the first inner portion has a plurality of receiving portions for receiving respective ones of the holding portions of the margin seal, and inserting the holding portions into the receiving portions so as to produce an applique arrangement.

The material of the applique is preferably a plastic material, which can be coated by another plastic material or by a metallic material. The applique can be a <NUM>-plastic material or can be a <NUM>- or <NUM>-compound plastic material.

Therefore, the above object is achieved in full.

Preferably, the receiving portions are formed as through holes in the first inner portion.

This embodiment allows to produce the applique easily, for example by injection molding, wherein the injection molded plastic part is preferably coated thereafter.

In accordance with another embodiment, the holding portions are integral with a body portion of the margin seal.

Preferably, the margin seal is an extruded part, wherein the holding portions are formed by cutting out intermediate portions between the holding portions. The cutting step can be made by a knife, by a laser or by any other suitable tool.

In the applique arrangement of the present invention, the first inner portion has a radial part that extends from the panel portion in the third direction, and has an axial part that extends from the radial part.

The axial part preferably extends essentially in parallel to the applique and extends preferably from the radial part in the first direction.

In this embodiment, an end portion of the panel portion and the first inner portion form a U-shape in cross section. Therefore, it is possible to introduce a part of a structure of the vehicle (a part of the door, for example) into the U-shaped cross section, so as to allow a stable attachment of the applique arrangement to the structure.

In the applique arrangement of the present invention, at least one of the holding portions has an elastically deformable holding lip which can be compressed in the third direction between the axial part of the first inner portion and a structure of the vehicle when fitted to the vehicle.

The holding lip is preferably formed at an end of the holding portions, which is introduced through the receiving portions and extends into the U-formed cross section. The holding lip can particularly be used to "draw" the applique against the structure of the vehicle in the third direction, so as to provide a stable attachment of the applique arrangement to the structure of the vehicle.

In another preferred embodiment, at least one of the holding portions has an elastically deformable locking lip which locks against the first inner portion when inserted into the respective receiving portion.

The locking lip is also preferably formed at the holding portion in a manner that the locking lip is guided through a receiving portion when the respective holding portion is inserted therein. The locking lip is preferably formed such that it is deformed in the third direction when the holding portion is introduced into the respective receiving portion, an elastically flaps back into a locking position. In the locking position, the locking flap engages an inner side of the first inner portion (particularly the radial part thereof) and prevents that the margin seal comes loose during operation of the vehicle.

Further, it is preferred if the margin seal has a body portion from which the holding portions project to one side in the first direction, and wherein the margin seal has a sealing lip portion which projects from the body portion to an opposite side in the first direction.

The sealing lip portion is the portion which extends from the body portion to the adjacent structure of the vehicle, particularly from the rear door to the front door or from the rear door applique to a front door applique, so as to seal off the interior of the vehicle when the doors are closed.

The material of the margin seal is preferably TPE or EPDM.

The material of the sealing strip mentioned above is also preferably TPE or EPDM.

The material of the applique is preferably a plastic material that is harder than the material of the margin seal.

In another preferred embodiment, the applique is coated with a coating, particularly a metallic coating like a chrome coating.

Further, it is overall preferred if the applique has a second inner portion which defines a sealing strip receptacle for receiving a sealing strip.

While the first inner portion is preferably provided in the area of a first end of the panel portion in the first direction, the second inner portion is preferably provided in the area of an opposite end of the panel portion in the first direction.

The second inner portion can be provided for receiving the sealing strip and/or for attaching the applique to a structure of the vehicle.

Therefore, it is preferred if the second inner portion comprises at least one attachment location for attaching the second inner portion to a structure of the vehicle.

In one embodiment, the second inner portion can be screwed or otherwise fastened to the structure of the vehicle.

The second inner portion, preferably, also provides a U-shaped cross section, together with a part of the panel portion. The U-shaped part forms the sealing strip receptacle. The U-shaped cross section is preferably open on the same side in the first direction as is the U-shaped first inner portion, which is formed by a radial part and an axial part, together with a part of the panel portion.

It will be understood that the afore-mentioned features and to be described hereinafter cannot only be used in the respectively given combination, but also in different combinations or independently, without leaving the scope of the present invention.

Further features and advantages of the invention can be taken from the subsequent description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:.

In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail.

An automobile like a passenger car vehicle is schematically shown in <FIG> and generally denoted by <NUM>. The vehicle <NUM> has a body <NUM>, to which are hingedly connected a front door <NUM> and a rear door <NUM>.

The front door <NUM> has a front door window <NUM>. The rear door <NUM> has a rear door window <NUM>.

The front door <NUM> and the rear door <NUM> are each preferably hingedly mounted at the respective forward edges. The body <NUM> includes an A-pillar region <NUM> in the area of the forward edge of the front door <NUM>, and a B-pillar region <NUM> which is arranged essentially between the front door <NUM> and the rear door <NUM>. Preferably, the rear door <NUM> is hingedly mounted to the B-pillar region <NUM>.

The front door <NUM> has a front door window sealing arrangement <NUM> for the front door window <NUM>. The rear door <NUM> has a rear door window sealing arrangement <NUM> for the rear door window <NUM>.

The body <NUM> defines a first direction L, which is preferably a longitudinal direction of the vehicle <NUM>. Further, the body <NUM> defines a second direction V which is preferably a vertical direction of the vehicle <NUM>. In addition, the body <NUM> defines a third direction T, which is preferably a transverse direction of the vehicle. The three directions are also used to describe an applique arrangement.

The vehicle <NUM> includes an applique arrangement <NUM> which is provided in the B-pillar region <NUM> between the front door window <NUM> and the rear door window <NUM>.

The applique arrangement <NUM> includes a first applique which is assigned to the rear door <NUM>, and preferably also a second applique <NUM> which is assigned to the front door <NUM>. The second applique <NUM> is an optional element. Each of the appliques <NUM>, <NUM> extend essentially in a flat shape along the first direction L and the second direction V and provide an aesthetic appearance in the B-pillar region.

The first applique <NUM> has an applique edge <NUM> which extends along the second direction V.

<FIG> shows a cross section of the applique arrangement <NUM> along a line II-II in <FIG>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The rear door <NUM> has a rear door B-pillar structure <NUM> to which an B-pillar inner lining <NUM> is attached which faces into an interior I of the vehicle <NUM>, i.e. to a passenger compartment. A front door rear edge structure is shown schematically at <NUM>. It can be seen, that the optional second applique <NUM> is attached to the front door rear edge structure <NUM>.

The front door <NUM> and the rear door <NUM> are provided for separating the interior I of the vehicle from the outside O thereof, or allowing access thereto when opened.

The first applique <NUM> has a panel portion <NUM> which essentially extends along the first direction L and the second direction V. The panel portion <NUM> has a panel outer surface <NUM>, which is visible from the outside O of the vehicle.

Further, the first applique <NUM> has a first inner portion <NUM> and a second inner portion <NUM>.

The first inner portion <NUM> is joined to the panel portion <NUM> in the area of a front portion of the panel portion <NUM> in the first direction L. On the other hand, the second inner portion <NUM> is joined to the panel portion <NUM> in an area of a rear portion of the panel portion <NUM> in the first direction L.

The second inner portion <NUM> forms a sealing strip receptacle <NUM> which has a U-shaped cross section along a plane defined by the first direction L and the third direction T.

A sealing strip <NUM> is introduced into the sealing strip receptacle <NUM>. The sealing strip <NUM> guides a front edge of the rear door window <NUM> in this embodiment. The sealing strip <NUM> is shown schematically. Typically, the sealing strip <NUM> includes a number of sealing lips for engaging the window <NUM> and/or a number of locking portions for engaging the rear door B-pillar structure <NUM>, as is shown in <FIG>.

The second inner portion <NUM> comprises at least one attachment location <NUM> for attaching the second inner portion <NUM> to the structure <NUM>.

The first inner portion <NUM> includes a radial part <NUM> which is joined to the first applique <NUM> at the applique edge <NUM> thereof. The radial part <NUM> projects from the panel portion <NUM> essentially in the third direction T, and extends along the second direction V.

The first inner portion <NUM>, further, includes an axial part <NUM> which is joined to an inner portion of the radial part <NUM>. The axial part <NUM> projects from the radial part <NUM> in the first direction L, and extends in the second direction V. The front part of the panel portion <NUM>, the radial part <NUM> and the axial part <NUM> form a U-shaped cross section along a plane defined by the first direction L and the third direction T.

The radial part <NUM> has a number of margin seal receiving portions <NUM>, one of which being shown in <FIG>. The margin seal receiving portions <NUM> are formed as through holes in the radial part <NUM>. Each of the trough holes extends in the first direction L. The receiving portions <NUM> are aligned along the second direction V, as can be seen in <FIG>, and are arranged at a distance from each other in the second direction V.

The first applique <NUM> is preferably provided with an outer coating <NUM>, which is preferably a metallic coating like a chrome coating.

The applique arrangement <NUM> includes a margin seal <NUM>. The margin seal <NUM> is shown in detail in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The margin seal <NUM> includes a body portion <NUM> that extends essentially along the second direction V. Further, the margin seal <NUM> includes a sealing lip portion <NUM>. The sealing lip portion <NUM> projects from the body portion <NUM> in the first direction L, particularly in a forward direction if the applique arrangement <NUM> is fitted to the vehicle structure <NUM>.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the sealing lip portion <NUM> is arranged so as to bridge the distance between the first applique <NUM> and the front door, particularly the second applique <NUM> of the front door. The sealing lip portion <NUM> extends along the second direction V.

Further, the margin seal <NUM> includes a number of holding portions <NUM>. Each of the holding portions <NUM> protrudes from the body portion <NUM> in the first direction L, particularly to a side in the first direction which is opposite to the side into which the sealing lip portion <NUM> projects.

The holding portions <NUM> are each assigned to a respective receiving portion <NUM>, are aligned along the second direction V and are arranged at a distance from each other.

Further, at least one of the holding portions <NUM> of the margin seal <NUM> includes a holding lip <NUM>. The holding lip <NUM> is provided in an end area of the respective holding portion <NUM>.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the holding portions <NUM> of the margin seal <NUM> are introduced into the respective receiving portions <NUM> such that the holding portions <NUM> project into the U-shaped cross section formed by the panel portion <NUM> and the first inner portion <NUM>.

Particularly, the holding portions <NUM> are introduced into the U-shaped cross section such that the holding portions <NUM> are arranged between a portion of the rear door B-pillar structure <NUM>, which extends into the U-shaped section, and the axial part <NUM> of the first inner portion <NUM>.

The holding lips <NUM> are arranged such that they are elastically deflected between the structure <NUM> and the axial part <NUM> in the third direction T, and thereby convey a force onto the panel portion <NUM> which is directed to the interior I of the vehicle <NUM>.

In addition, at least one of the holding portions <NUM> of the margin seal <NUM> includes a locking lip <NUM> which is provided between the body portion <NUM> and the holding lip <NUM>.

When inserted into the receiving portion <NUM>, the locking lip <NUM> of the holding portion <NUM> engages behind a portion of the radial part <NUM> and/or of the axial part <NUM>, so as to lockingly engage the first inner portion <NUM>. The locking lip <NUM> serves to secure the margin seal <NUM> to the first applique <NUM>, particularly against forces in the first direction L.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the margin seal <NUM> can be an extruded element, from which intermediate portions between holding portions <NUM> are cut out.

The first applique <NUM> is typically an injection molded element having the number of margin seal receiving portions <NUM> in the radial part <NUM> of the first inner portion <NUM> thereof, and the panel outer surface <NUM> which forms the visible part of the panel portion <NUM>.

The margin seal <NUM> and the sealing strip <NUM> are joined together by means of a mold portion <NUM>, as can be seen in <FIG>.

In fact, the mold portion <NUM> may be provided for joining the margin seal <NUM>, the sealing strip <NUM> and also an upper portion of the rear door window sealing arrangement <NUM> together.

Therefore, the applique arrangement <NUM> is preferably produced by first joining the margin seal <NUM> and the sealing strip <NUM> via the mold portion <NUM>. In a second step, the first applique <NUM> is formed by injection molding and optionally coated. In a third step, the first applique <NUM> is attached to the margin seal <NUM>, by introducing the holding portions <NUM> into the receiving portions <NUM>. in some examples, the sealing strip is inserted in the sealing strip receptacle <NUM>.

Finally, the so-produced applique arrangement <NUM> can be mounted to the body <NUM> of the vehicle, particularly to the rear door B-pillar structure <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a prior art applique arrangement, having a first applique <NUM>' which comprises a panel portion <NUM>' and a first inner portion <NUM>'. The first inner portion <NUM>' has an axial part <NUM> as in the above embodiments.

A margin seal <NUM>' is attached to an edge of the first applique <NUM>' by means of a thermoplastic weld <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An applique arrangement (<NUM>) for a vehicle surface, particularly for an outer vehicle surface in a pillar region (<NUM>) of the vehicle (<NUM>), comprising:
- an applique (<NUM>) having a panel portion (<NUM>) that extends essentially along a first direction (L) and a second direction (V) transverse to the first direction (L), and having a first inner portion (<NUM>),
- a margin seal (<NUM>) which extends along an edge (<NUM>) of the applique (<NUM>) in the second direction (V),
wherein the panel portion (<NUM>) has a panel outer surface (<NUM>) for forming a part of the vehicle surface,
wherein the first inner portion (<NUM>) extends essentially in parallel to the margin seal (<NUM>) and projects from the panel portion (<NUM>) essentially in a third direction (T) which is transverse to the first direction (L) and to the second direction (V),
wherein the margin seal (<NUM>) has a plurality of holding portions (<NUM>) which are aligned along the direction of extension of the margin seal (<NUM>), and which are arranged at a distance from each other,
wherein the first inner portion (<NUM>) of the applique (<NUM>) has a plurality of receiving portions (<NUM>) for receiving respective ones of the holding portions (<NUM>) of the margin seal (<NUM>),
characterised in that the first inner portion (<NUM>) has a radial part (<NUM>) that extends from the panel portion (<NUM>) in the third direction (T), and has an axial part (<NUM>) that extends from the radial part (<NUM>), and
wherein at least one of the holding portions (<NUM>) has an elastically deformable holding lip (<NUM>) which can be compressed between the axial part (<NUM>) of the first inner portion (<NUM>) and a structure (<NUM>) of the vehicle (<NUM>) when fitted to the vehicle (<NUM>).