DE102023004213A1 - Method for operating a sealing arrangement of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a sealing arrangement (1) of a vehicle with a seal (2) having a fluid-tight hollow profile (2.1), wherein a fluid is introduced into the hollow profile (2.1) or is led out of the hollow profile (2.1) to adjust an internal pressure in the hollow profile (2.1). According to the invention, the internal pressure is adjusted depending on at least one operating condition of the vehicle.
The invention further relates to a device for operating a sealing arrangement (1) for a vehicle.

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a sealing arrangement of a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention further relates to a device for operating a sealing arrangement of a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 4.

From the EN 22 00 288 A1 a seal is known for use between two bodies or separate structures on a vehicle which can be brought into press contact with one another along an open or closed sealing line and one of which is removable or relatively movable with respect to the other. The seal comprises a continuous tube or a flexible or elastically deformable tubular casing which is either closed at both ends or closed in on itself and is fastened to one of the two bodies along the said sealing line in order to cooperate along its entire length with an elongated and narrower support element. The support element has the form of a strip or a flat projecting pressure nose. Alternatively, the seal cooperates with a symmetrical tube which is fastened to the other body. The tube contains gas which can be filled or discharged via a feed or escape valve formed on a connecting channel.

Furthermore, the DE 24 42 248 A1 an inflatable and retractable pneumatic seal is known which is made from a profile tube made of elastic material. When retracted, the tube is flattened so that it forms a base surface and a side wall folded onto the base surface.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a novel method and a novel device for operating a sealing arrangement of a vehicle.

The object is achieved according to the invention by a method which has the features specified in claim 1 and by a device which has the features specified in claim 4.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

In a method for operating a sealing arrangement of a vehicle with a seal having a fluid-tight closed hollow profile, a fluid is introduced into the hollow profile or led out of the hollow profile through a valve fluidically coupled to the hollow profile in order to adjust an internal pressure in the hollow profile.

According to the invention, the internal pressure is adjusted depending on at least one operating condition of the vehicle.

The process makes it possible to specifically adapt the properties of the seal to the operating conditions of a vehicle.

For example, if the seal is designed as a vehicle door seal, closing pressures when closing a vehicle door can be reduced by reducing the internal pressure. Vehicle doors also include vehicle flaps and vehicle hoods. By subsequently increasing the internal pressure, a sealing function of the seal can be achieved on the one hand and a play-free closure of the vehicle door on the other to avoid rattling noises.

During a collision between the vehicle and an obstacle, the internal pressure in the hollow profile of at least one seal located in a collision area between two vehicle components can also be reduced from an operating pressure value to a predetermined lower pressure value, so that an additional deformation path is created in the sealing area between the vehicle components. This can, for example, reduce the risk of injury to people who collide.

Furthermore, the process and the use of the seal with the hollow profile enable better tolerance compensation between two vehicle components to be sealed. Seal shapes that are difficult or impossible to implement can also be implemented and seals that run around corners can be implemented, as buckling of these can be prevented by internal pressure in the cavity.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

• 1 schematisch eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Schnittdarstellung einer Dichtungsanordnung gemäß dem Stand der Technik,
• 2 schematisch eine Schnittdarstellung einer Dichtungsanordnung mit einem druckbeaufschlagten Hohlprofil,
• 3 schematisch eine Schnittdarstellung der Dichtungsanordnung gemäß 2 mit einem Hohlprofil mit verringertem Innendruck,
• 4 schematisch eine Schnittdarstellung zweier Fahrzeugbauteile und einer zwischen diesen angeordneten Dichtungsanordnung mit einem druckbeaufschlagten Hohlprofil,
• 5 schematisch eine Schnittdarstellung der Fahrzeugbauteile und der Dichtungsanordnung gemäß 4 bei einer Krafteinwirkung auf eines der Fahrzeugbauteile,
• 6 schematisch eine Schnittdarstellung zweier Fahrzeugbauteile und einer zwischen diesen angeordneten Dichtungsanordnung gemäß dem Stand der Technik und
• 7 schematisch eine Schnittdarstellung zweier Fahrzeugbauteile und einer zwischen diesen angeordneten Dichtungsanordnung mit einem druckbeaufschlagten Hohlprofil.

Showing:

• 1 schematically a perspective view of a sectional view of a sealing arrangement according to the prior art,
• 2 schematically a sectional view of a sealing arrangement with a pressurized hollow profile,
• 3 schematically a sectional view of the sealing arrangement according to 2 with a hollow profile with reduced internal pressure,
• 4 schematically a sectional view of two vehicle components and a sealing arrangement arranged between them with a pressurised hollow profile,
• 5 schematically a sectional view of the vehicle components and the sealing arrangement according to 4 if a force is applied to one of the vehicle components,
• 6 schematically a sectional view of two vehicle components and a sealing arrangement arranged between them according to the prior art and
• 7 schematically a sectional view of two vehicle components and a sealing arrangement arranged between them with a pressurized hollow profile.

Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

In 1 a perspective view of a sealing arrangement 1' according to the prior art is shown.

The sealing arrangement 1' comprises a seal 2' designed as a so-called lip seal with a sealing profile 2.1' and a carrier profile 2.2'.

The seal 2' is made, for example, from a solid rubber material and is manufactured, for example, in a two- or multi-component injection molding process. The shape and hardness of the seal 2' is adapted to the area of application thereof.

Such sealing arrangements 1' are used, for example, on vehicles in the area of vehicle headlights in order to prevent noise generation by preventing the penetration of airflow into joints G (shown in 6 ). A gap or joint concealing effect can also be achieved by means of the sealing arrangements 1'.

Such sealing arrangements 1' can also be used as a vehicle door seal on a vehicle door to prevent water, dust and wind from penetrating the interior of the vehicle. The sealing arrangements 1' arranged between two components of the vehicle keep the components at a distance by means of a sealing counterpressure so that they do not touch each other. Using a vehicle door as an example, this sealing pressure is exerted when the vehicle door engages a lock. A pre-tension is exerted on the lock by means of the sealing arrangement 1'.

The problem is that the sealing arrangements 1' have to be designed precisely for such applications. In the design, all tolerance levels must be taken into account for optimal function of the sealing arrangement 1'. Among other things, it is very challenging to design joint-concealing sealing arrangements 1' in such a way that they have an optimal optical appearance in all tolerance levels.

Another problem is that the seals 2' of the sealing arrangements 1' become fatigued over the course of their service life, so that their original properties are no longer present. The resulting reduced sealing back pressure leads to leaks, a loss of comfort due to rattling noises and possibly to incorrect functioning of electrical or mechanical devices that are designed for the sealing back pressure.

2 shows a sectional view of a possible embodiment of a sealing arrangement 1 with a seal 2, comprising a pressurized hollow profile 2.1, which is arranged on a carrier profile 2.2. In 3 the sealing arrangement 1 is shown with the hollow profile 2.1, in which its internal pressure is reduced.

The hollow profile 2.1 is sealed in a fluid-tight manner and is fluidically coupled to a valve (not shown in detail), whereby the valve can be coupled to a control unit (also not shown in detail). The control unit can also be coupled to a fluid conveying unit (not shown).

The control unit is designed to set an internal pressure of the hollow profile 2.1 by appropriately controlling the valve and/or the fluid delivery unit. In order to increase the internal pressure, a fluid, for example a gas, in particular air, is fed into the hollow profile 2.1 by means of the fluid delivery unit. To reduce the internal pressure, the fluid is fed out of the interior of the hollow profile 2.1 through the valve.

In one possible embodiment, the hollow profile 2.1 is subjected to pressure in a vehicle production facility after the sealing arrangement 1 has been mounted on the vehicle in such a way that the hollow profile 2.1 takes on a desired shape. The internal pressure can be selected depending on the vehicle in order to achieve a defined sealing counterpressure, for example, despite body shell tolerances. It is also possible that in the event of fatigue of the sealing arrangement 1 and the resulting drop in the internal pressure in the hollow profile 2.1 (shown in 3 ) by restoring an original internal pressure (shown in 2 ) the defined sealing counterpressure can be reached again without the sealing arrangement 1 having to be replaced. This can be done automatically, for example, using the control unit, which controls the fluid feed unit to supply fluid to the interior of the hollow profile 2.1 depending on a monitored internal pressure. The internal pressure can also be checked, for example as part of vehicle maintenance, and if necessary, the internal pressure can be manually increased and/or carried out by a person servicing the vehicle.

Furthermore, by adjusting the internal pressure in the hollow profile 2.1, it is possible for a sealing arrangement 1 arranged in a joint space to adapt better to the joint space and thus achieve better sealing. Furthermore, this can increase design freedom for components that are provided with seals 2 and/or sealing surfaces, since sealing shapes that were previously considered critical or impossible to implement can be implemented using the sealing arrangement 1. For example, by adjusting an appropriate internal pressure using the hollow profile 2.1, it is possible to implement sealing arrangements 1 that can be guided around corners without constriction.

It is also intended that the internal pressure of the hollow profile 2.1 is varied during its operation. This allows a dynamic adjustment of the internal pressure and, consequently, the seal counterpressure. This dynamic adjustment is controlled by the control unit depending on the operating conditions of the vehicle. The possibility of dynamically changing the seal counterpressure or a contact pressure of the seal 2 also offers other design options for arranging the seal 2.

If the seal 2 of the sealing arrangement 1 is, for example, a vehicle door seal, the control unit controls the valve coupled to the interior of the hollow profile 2.1 before closing an associated vehicle door in such a way that it releases fluid located in the interior and thus reduces the internal pressure from an operating pressure value to a predetermined pressure value. This means that the seal counterpressure and the resulting force required when closing the vehicle door can be reduced. In so-called servo-assisted locking systems, in which the vehicle door is moved into a fully closed position by a motor, the required closing force can be reduced and, as a result, the requirements for an actuator can be reduced. In vehicle doors with electrically assisted closing, the reduction in the internal pressure advantageously leads to a shorter closing path. This results in the safety advantage that the possibility of vehicle users' fingers being trapped can be ruled out due to the very small gap size for inserting them. This also results in a reduction in the demands on electronics and the functionality can be implemented cost-effectively.

After the vehicle door has been completely closed, the control unit controls the fluid feed unit to feed fluid into the interior of the hollow profile 2.1 until the operating pressure value inside the hollow profile 2.1 is reached. This allows complete sealing of the vehicle door and, as a result, an increase in comfort when driving the vehicle compared to conventional seals 2', as in 1 shown. In this context, vehicle doors also include vehicle flaps and vehicle hoods.

4 shows a sectional view of two vehicle components 3, 4 and a sealing arrangement 1 arranged between them with a seal 2 with a pressurized hollow profile 2.1.

The seal 2 is arranged all the way around between the vehicle components 3, 4, wherein the vehicle component 3 is, for example, a hood or a hood of a trunk arranged in a front area of a vehicle. This trunk is, for example, a so-called front trunk, or frunk for short, of an electric vehicle. The vehicle component 4 is arranged below the vehicle component 3.

Even with such a design, the internal pressure in the hollow profile 2.1 can be controlled depending on the operating conditions of the vehicle.

For example, during a collision of the vehicle with an obstacle, for example a person, the internal pressure in the hollow profile 2.1 can be reduced in a targeted manner, so that an additional deformation path is created when a force F resulting from the impacting person acts on the vehicle component. By increasing the deformation path, more kinetic energy can be absorbed and a peak of negative acceleration of the person can be reduced.

For example, the internal pressure can be different from an operating pressure, as in 4 shown, in the event of a collision to a defined internal pressure, as in 5 shown. The reduction can be achieved, for example, by the valve fluidically coupled to the interior of the hollow profile 2.1. For this purpose, this is designed, for example, as a pressure relief valve, which discharges the fluid from the hollow profile 2.1 when a predetermined internal pressure is exceeded as a result of the action of the force F.

An impending collision or an occurring collision can also be detected by means of a corresponding detection unit and the control unit controls the valve to reduce the internal pressure during a collision detected by the detection unit.

Furthermore, it can be provided that when at least one of the vehicle parts 3, 4 is designed as a vehicle door, flap or hood, the internal pressure of the hollow profile 2.1 is controlled when closing depending on the operating conditions of the vehicle, as is described below using a hood seal.

Such a hood seal is designed, for example, in such a way that it is mainly used to improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle and to optically conceal joints G (shown in 7 ) is used. In order to build up the preload required to close the bonnet securely and keep it closed noiselessly, one or more springs are generally installed. As a result, when the bonnet is closed manually, a so-called breakthrough occurs, in which the bonnet sinks deeper than it is in its closed position. The associated "slamming" of the bonnet is therefore necessary to overcome the preload force. This requires larger gaps G between the bonnet and nearby body components compared to other gaps G in the vehicle body. By appropriately controlling the internal pressure of the hollow profile 2.1 before closing the bonnet, sufficient preload can be generated for the bonnet so that the springs can be omitted. By lowering the internal pressure before the bonnet is closed, lower closing forces are necessary and the slamming can be omitted. This also means that when this solution is used on a hood that closes the "frunk" of electric vehicles, the hood can be opened and closed frequently with great comfort and at the same time with a high perceived value. Due to the lower closing force, potential damage caused by force applied by the user to close it, such as dents in the hood, is avoided and the load on the front of the vehicle caused by the hood slamming shut is reduced.

6 shows a sectional view of two vehicle components 3, 4 and a sealing arrangement 1' arranged between them according to the prior art.

In 7 is a sectional view of two vehicle components 3, 4 and a sealing arrangement 1 arranged between them with a pressurized hollow profile 2.1.

When comparing the representations of the 6 and 7 a design advantage of the sealing arrangement 1 with the pressurizable hollow profile 2.1 becomes apparent. By means of the hollow profile 2.1, a gap G between the vehicle components 3, 4 can be completely closed by applying pressure to the interior of the same, so that visually narrower gaps G can be realized and noise development at the gaps G, which results for example from airflow, can be reduced.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 2200288 A1 [0003]
• DE 2442248 A1 [0004]

Claims (7)

Method for operating a sealing arrangement (1) of a vehicle with a seal (2) having a fluid-tight closed hollow profile (2.1), wherein in order to adjust an internal pressure in the hollow profile (2.1) a fluid is introduced into the hollow profile (2.1) or is led out of the hollow profile (2.1), characterized in that the internal pressure is adjusted depending on at least one operating condition of the vehicle. Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that when the seal (2) is designed as a vehicle door seal, the internal pressure in the hollow profile (2.1) - is reduced from an operating pressure value to a predetermined pressure value before closing an associated vehicle door and - is increased to the operating pressure value after closing the vehicle door. Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that during a collision of the vehicle with an obstacle, the internal pressure in the hollow profile (2.1) of at least one seal (2) located in a collision area between two vehicle components (3, 4) is reduced from an operating pressure value to a predetermined pressure value. Device for operating a sealing arrangement (1) for a vehicle with a seal (2) having a fluid-tight hollow profile (2.1), comprising a pressure adjustment device fluidically coupled to the hollow profile (2.1) for adjusting an internal pressure in the hollow profile (2.1) by introducing or removing a fluid into or from the hollow profile (2.1), characterized in that the pressure adjustment device is designed to adjust the internal pressure in the hollow profile (2.1) depending on an operating condition of the vehicle. Device according to Claim 4 , characterized in that - a detection unit is provided and designed to detect an opening and a closure of a vehicle door and - a control unit is provided and designed, when the seal (2) is designed as a vehicle door seal - to control a valve fluidically coupled to an interior of the hollow profile (2.1) before closing an associated vehicle door to reduce the internal pressure in the hollow profile (2.1) from an operating pressure value to a predetermined pressure value and - to control at least one fluid conveying unit after closing the vehicle door to increase the internal pressure in the hollow profile (2.1) to the operating pressure value. Device according to Claim 4 or 5 , characterized in that - a detection unit is provided and designed to detect a collision of the vehicle with an obstacle and - a control unit is provided and designed to control a valve fluidically coupled to an interior of the hollow profile (2.1) to reduce the internal pressure in the hollow profile (2.1) from an operating pressure value to a predetermined pressure value when the hollow profile (2.1) is arranged in a collision area between two vehicle components (3, 4) during a collision detected by means of the detection unit. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one valve designed as a pressure relief valve is fluidically coupled to an interior of the hollow profile (2.1), wherein the valve is designed to discharge a fluid from the hollow profile (2.1) when a predetermined internal pressure of the hollow profile (2.1) is exceeded.

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