DE112017004701B4 - Movable vehicle window with shaft strip sealing element - Google Patents

Abstract

Door (101, 101A) for a vehicle (102), comprising:
a window pane (103) forming a window (104) of the door (101, 101A), the window pane (103) being movable between a closed position and open positions;
a sealing element (301) having a deflectable portion (302) for pressing against the window pane (103) to provide a seal when the window (104) is in at least some of the open positions; and
a seal carrier (303) comprising a strip attached to the window pane (103) to keep the deflectable portion (302) of the sealing element 301 away from the window pane (103) when the window (104) is in the closed position, the seal carrier (303) defining a channel (710) for receiving particulate material.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a door, a vehicle, an apparatus, a window and a method. In particular, but not exclusively, it relates to a door, a vehicle, an apparatus, a window and a method in automobile manufacture.

STATE OF THE ART

It is known that, for opening side windows of vehicles, there is a sealing element (which may be referred to as a sash seal) extending along the lower edge of the visible portion of the window pane. The sealing element may comprise one or more members which contact the glass (or pane) of the window. A problem with this arrangement is that particulate material, such as dust or gravel, may accumulate along the line where the member contacts the glass. Consequently, when the window is opened, foreign objects may become lodged between the sealing element and the glass, scratching the glass as it moves. This may be a problem with windows of doors which are framed, i.e. where the door has a frame extending along the sides and top edge of the window pane. However, it is potentially an even greater problem with doors with frameless windows, where the window must be partially opened each time the door is opened.

A second problem is that water can collect along the line where the link makes contact with the glass, and in cold weather the water freezes. This can prevent the glass from moving when needed. Again, this is a problem with framed door windows, but with frameless doors it can be an even bigger problem as it can prevent the door from opening and/or damage the seals/panels and mechanism of the door.

The present invention aims to remedy the disadvantages of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a door, a vehicle, an apparatus and a method according to the appended claims.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a window pane seal carrier for a window of a door of a vehicle, in which the window pane is movably arranged between a closed position and an open position and the door has a sealing element with a deflectable portion for pressing against a window pane to provide a seal when the window is in at least some of the open positions,
wherein the seal carrier comprises a strip for attachment to a window pane to, in use, hold a deflectable portion of a seal member away from a window pane when the window is in the closed position.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a window pane for forming a window of a door of a vehicle, in which the window pane is movable between a closed position and an open position, and the door has a sealing element with a deflectable portion for pressing against a window pane to provide a seal when the window is in at least some of the open positions,
wherein the window pane comprises a seal carrier comprising a strip attached to the window pane for keeping a deflectable portion of a seal member away from the window pane when the window pane is in the closed position.

• eine Fensterscheibe, die ein Fenster der Tür bildet, wobei die Fensterscheibe zwischen einer geschlossenen Position und einer offenen Position bewegbar ist;
• ein Dichtungselement mit einem auslenkbaren Abschnitt zum Drücken gegen die Fensterscheibe, um eine Dichtung bereitzustellen, wenn sich das Fenster in mindestens einigen der offenen Positionen befindet; und
• einen Dichtungsträger mit einem Streifen, der an der Fensterscheibe befestigt ist, um den auslenkbaren Abschnitt des Dichtungsteils von der Fensterscheibe weg zu halten, wenn sich das Fenster in der geschlossenen Position befindet.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a door for a vehicle comprising:

• a window pane forming a window of the door, the window pane being movable between a closed position and an open position;
• a sealing element having a deflectable portion for pressing against the window pane to provide a seal when the window is in at least some of the open positions; and
• a seal carrier having a strip attached to the window pane to hold the deflectable portion of the seal member away from the window pane when the window is in the closed position.

This offers the advantage that foreign objects are less likely to become trapped between the deflectable portion and the window pane when the window pane is moved to open the window. Consequently, the possibility of the window pane being scratched by such a foreign particle is reduced.

In some embodiments, the seal carrier is arranged to keep the deflectable portion away from the window pane when the window is in at least some of the open positions besides the closed position. This offers the advantage that the window can be opened at relatively small intervals without the deflectable portion coming into contact with the window pane at all and that it is therefore not possible to scratch the window pane when opening at such small intervals.

In some embodiments, the deflectable portion has a sufficiently high height to allow the seal carrier to keep the deflectable portion away from the window pane when it is moved from the closed position to at least some of the open positions adjacent to the closed position. This provides the advantage that the window can be opened by relatively small distances without the deflectable portion coming into contact with the window pane at all, and therefore it is not possible to scratch the window pane when it is opened by such small distances.

In some embodiments, the door comprises an actuator means, the actuator means being arranged to automatically move the window pane a preset distance from a closed position to an open position when the door is to be opened, and the deflectable portion having a sufficiently large height to enable the seal carrier to keep the deflectable portion away from the window pane when it is moved the preset distance from the closed position. This offers the advantage that such a door can be opened and closed without the deflectable portion coming into contact with the window pane, and therefore it is very unlikely that a particle trapped by the seal member will scratch the window pane when the door is opened.

In some embodiments, the deflectable portion is configured to be kept away from the window pane by the seal carrier when the window is in all open positions that are within 8 mm of the closed position. This provides the advantage that the window can be opened by small distances (up to 8 mm) with a reduced likelihood of a foreign particle becoming trapped by the deflectable portion and scratching the window pane.

In some embodiments, the sealing element has a surface arranged to bear against the sealing carrier, the surface having a height of at least 8 mm extending in the direction of the height of the window pane. This offers the advantage that the window can be opened in small gaps (up to 8 mm) without the likelihood of foreign objects being trapped by the deflectable portion and scratching the window pane. The deflectable portion may be configured to deflect about a pivot portion, and the height of the surface extends from the pivot portion to a distal edge of the deflectable portion.

In some embodiments, the seal carrier defines a channel for receiving particulate matter and/or water. This provides the advantage that foreign matter that might otherwise become trapped between the deflectable portion of the seal member and the window pane can fall into the channel where it cannot be trapped in this way. In addition, the channel can drain water that might otherwise freeze in cold weather and prevent the window from opening. The channel can have an opening oriented toward an upper edge of the window pane. The channel can be located between an upper portion of the seal carrier and the window pane. This provides the advantage that particulate matter or water can fall from the front of the window pane directly into the channel.

The upper portion of the seal carrier may have a plurality of support members spaced along the length of the channel to keep the upper portion clear of the window pane. This offers the advantage that stresses in the seal carrier can be reduced. The channel may have a width between 0.8 mm and 1.7 mm. The width of the channel may be between 1.2 and 1.5 mm.

In some embodiments, the seal carrier comprises a polymer material bonded to the window pane by an adhesive. This offers the advantage that the seal carrier can be easily positioned and held on the window pane.

In some embodiments, the window pane comprises glass.

In some embodiments, the door comprises an actuator means configured to move the window pane between the closed position and the open position. The actuator means may comprise a window regulator. The actuator means may be arranged to to be activated depending on manual input.

In some embodiments, the sealing element is held to a door panel by a shaft strip, and the deflectable portion and the sealing carrier are located below a top surface of the shaft strip.

In some embodiments, the window is frameless at least along an upper edge of the window pane.

In some embodiments, the door defines a frame along at least a top edge of the window pane.

In some embodiments, the seal carrier has an upper edge that is arranged to be higher than a distal edge of the deflectable portion when the window pane is in the closed position, and the upper edge extends over the distal edge when the window is moved from open positions to the closed position. This provides the advantage that the seal carrier can remove foreign objects from the distal edge of the deflectable portion when the window is moved to the closed position. This cleaning effect can prevent such foreign objects from scratching the window pane during its movement.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a vehicle comprising a door according to any one of the preceding paragraphs is provided.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for providing a window in a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a window pane configured to be mounted to a window regulator in a vehicle to move the window pane between a closed position and open positions; and a seal carrier having a strip attached to the window pane and extending across the width of the window pane to keep a flexible seal away from the window pane when the window pane is in a closed position.

This offers the advantage that when the window pane is used to form an openable window, the seal carrier can be located between a static flexible seal and the window pane when the window pane is in a closed position. Consequently, foreign particles are less likely to become trapped between the flexible seal and the window pane and the possibility of the window pane being scratched by such a foreign particle when the window is opened is reduced.

In some embodiments, the seal carrier defines a channel for receiving particulate material. This provides the advantage that foreign objects that might otherwise become trapped between a sealing element and the window pane can fall into the channel where they cannot be trapped in this way.

In some embodiments, the window pane has a lower edge configured to connect to a window regulator, and the channel has an opening facing away from the lower edge. The channel may be located between an upper portion of the seal carrier and the window pane.

• Befestigen eines Dichtungsträgers mit einem Streifen an einer Fensterscheibe, so dass sich der Dichtungsträger über die Breite der Fensterscheibe erstreckt;
• Anordnen der Fensterscheibe in einer Tür und Tragen der Fensterscheibe durch ein Aktuatormittel, das konfiguriert ist, um die Fensterscheibe zu stützen und die Fensterscheibe zwischen einer geschlossenen Position und einer offenen Position zu bewegen;
• Anordnen eines Dichtungselements gegen die Fensterscheibe, um mindestens einen Teil einer Dichtung zwischen einer Türplatte und der Fensterscheibe auszubilden;
• Bewegen der Fensterscheibe durch offene Positionen, in denen ein auslenkbarer Abschnitt des Dichtungselements gegen die Fensterscheibe drückt, um eine Dichtung bereitzustellen, durch offene Positionen, in denen der Dichtungsträger den auslenkbaren Abschnitt von der Fensterscheibe in eine geschlossene Position hält, wobei der Dichtungsträger den auslenkbaren Abschnitt von der Fensterscheibe fernhält.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a manufacturing method for providing a window of a door in a vehicle, the method comprising:

• Attaching a seal carrier to a window pane with a strip so that the seal carrier extends across the width of the window pane;
• disposing the window pane in a door and supporting the window pane by an actuator means configured to support the window pane and move the window pane between a closed position and an open position;
• disposing a sealing element against the window pane to form at least a portion of a seal between a door panel and the window pane;
• Moving the window pane through open positions in which a deflectable portion of the sealing member presses against the window pane to provide a seal, through open positions in which the seal carrier holds the deflectable portion away from the window pane, to a closed position wherein the seal carrier holds the deflectable portion away from the window pane.

This offers the advantage that a window can be provided in a door of a vehicle using conventional techniques, but by attaching a sealing carrier with a strip to the window pane so that the sealing carrier extends across the width of the window pane, the resulting window is less likely to be scratched by particles trapped between the window pane and the sealing element.

In some embodiments, the window is frameless at least along a top edge of the window pane, and the window pane is moved through open positions in which the seal carrier keeps the deflectable portion away from the window pane, to a closed position in which the seal carrier keeps the deflectable portion away from the window pane when the door is closed. This provides the advantage that a frameless window can be provided in a door and the window is less likely to be scratched as a result of window movement during door opening.

• eine Fensterscheibe, die zwischen einer geschlossenen Position und einer offenen Position bewegbar ist;
• ein Dichtungselement mit einem auslenkbaren Abschnitt zum Drücken gegen die Fensterscheibe, um eine Dichtung bereitzustellen, wenn sich das Fenster in mindestens einigen der offenen Positionen befindet; und
• einen Dichtungsträger mit einem Streifen, der an der Fensterscheibe befestigt ist, um den auslenkbaren Abschnitt des Dichtungsteils von der Fensterscheibe fernzuhalten, wenn sich das Fenster in der geschlossenen Position befindet.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a window comprising:

• a window pane movable between a closed position and an open position;
• a sealing element having a deflectable portion for pressing against the window pane to provide a seal when the window is in at least some of the open positions; and
• a seal carrier having a strip attached to the window pane to keep the deflectable portion of the seal member away from the window pane when the window is in the closed position.

Within the scope of this application, it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives presented in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular their individual features, may be considered independently of each other or in any combination. This means that all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment may be combined in any way and/or any combination, provided that these features are not incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to amend any originally filed patent claim or to file any new patent claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed patent claim to depend on and/or incorporate any feature of any other patent claim, even though it has not been previously claimed in that way.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• 1 ein Fahrzeug 102 mit einer Tür 101 zeigt, die ein Fenster 104 umfasst, das zwischen geschlossenen und offenen Positionen beweglich ist;
• 2 das Fahrzeug 102 mit der Fensterscheibe 103 des Fensters 104 in abgesenkter Position zeigt;
• 3 eine schematische Querschnittsansicht der Tür 101 mit dem Fenster 104 in geschlossener Position zeigt;
• 4 eine schematische Querschnittsansicht der Tür 101, mit dem Fenster 104 in offener Position zeigt;
• 5 eine schematische Querschnittsansicht der Tür 101 zeigt, wobei das Fenster 104 um einen relativ kleinen Abstand geöffnet ist;
• 6 die Tür 101 getrennt vom Fahrzeug 102 zeigt;
• 7 bis 9 jeweils eine Querschnittsansicht eines bestimmten Beispiels eines Abschnitts der Fensterscheibe 103, des Dichtungsträgers 303, des Dichtungselements 301, der Schachtleiste 603 und eines oberen Abschnitts des äußeren Türpaneels 602 der Tür 101 zeigen;
• 7 die Fensterscheibe 103 in der geschlossenen Position zeigt;
• 8 die Fensterscheibe 103 zeigt, nachdem sie um einen vorgegebenen Abstand bewegt worden ist, damit die Tür 101 geöffnet werden kann;
• 9 die Fensterscheibe 103 in einer niedrigeren Position als in 8 zeigt, so dass das Fenster 104 weiter geöffnet ist;
• 10 eine alternative Ausführungsform in einer Querschnittsteilansicht zeigt;
• 11 eine Vorrichtung 1101 umfassend die Fensterscheibe 103 mit dem angebrachten Dichtungsträger 303 zeigt;
• 12 eine Perspektivansicht einer alternativen Tür 101A für ein Fahrzeug zeigt ;
• 13 eine schematische Querschnittsansicht der alternativen Tür 101A für ein Fahrzeug zeigt ; und
• 14 ein Flussdiagramm zeigt, das ein Verfahren 1400 zum Herstellen einer Vorrichtung zum Bereitstellen eines Fensters einer Tür in einem Fahrzeug umreißt.

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• 1 shows a vehicle 102 with a door 101 including a window 104 movable between closed and open positions;
• 2 the vehicle 102 with the window pane 103 of the window 104 in the lowered position;
• 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the door 101 with the window 104 in the closed position;
• 4 a schematic cross-sectional view of the door 101, with the window 104 in the open position;
• 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the door 101 with the window 104 opened by a relatively small distance;
• 6 showing the door 101 separated from the vehicle 102;
• 7 to 9 each show a cross-sectional view of a specific example of a portion of the window pane 103, the seal carrier 303, the seal member 301, the shaft strip 603 and an upper portion of the outer door panel 602 of the door 101;
• 7 the window pane 103 is shown in the closed position;
• 8 the window pane 103 after it has been moved a predetermined distance to allow the door 101 to be opened;
• 9 the window pane 103 in a lower position than in 8 so that the window 104 is further open;
• 10 an alternative embodiment in a partial cross-sectional view;
• 11 a device 1101 comprising the window pane 103 with the attached sealing carrier 303;
• 12 shows a perspective view of an alternative door 101A for a vehicle;
• 13 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the alternative door 101A for a vehicle; and
• 14 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1400 for manufacturing a device for providing a window of a door in a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

• eine Fensterscheibe 103, die ein Fenster 104 der Tür 101, 101A bildet, wobei die Fensterscheibe 103 zwischen einer geschlossenen Position und offenen Positionen bewegbar ist; ein Dichtungselement 301 mit einem auslenkbaren Abschnitt 302 zum Drücken gegen die Fensterscheibe 103, um eine Dichtung bereitzustellen, wenn sich das Fenster 104 in mindestens einigen der offenen Positionen befindet; und
• einen Dichtungsträger 303, der einen an der Fensterscheibe 103 befestigten Streifen umfasst, um den auslenkbaren Abschnitt 302 des Dichtungselements 301 von der Fensterscheibe 103 fernzuhalten, wenn sich das Fenster 104 in der geschlossenen Position befindet.

The figures show a door 101, 101A for a vehicle 102, comprising:

• a window pane 103 forming a window 104 of the door 101, 101A, the window pane 103 being movable between a closed position and open positions; a sealing member 301 having a deflectable portion 302 for pressing against the window pane 103 to provide a seal when the window 104 is in at least some of the open positions; and
• a seal carrier 303 comprising a strip attached to the window pane 103 to keep the deflectable portion 302 of the seal member 301 away from the window pane 103 when the window 104 is in the closed position.

The window pane 103 may be formed of glass or other material that is sufficiently transparent to light so that most people can see out of the vehicle 102 through the window pane 103.

As used herein, a window is in an "open position" when: at least one edge of the window pane of the window is separated from a seal against which the at least one edge is located when the window is in a closed position; or at least one edge of the window pane of the window is outside a channel in which the at least one edge is located when the window is in a closed position.

A vehicle 102 having a door 101 including a window 104 movable between closed and open positions is shown in 1 . In this example, the vehicle is a road vehicle, and in particular a passenger car 102. However, in other examples, the vehicle may be another type of road vehicle, or may not even be a road vehicle, but another type of vehicle, such as an off-road vehicle or a boat.

In the present example, the window 104 may be referred to as "frameless" because the window pane 103 has at least one upper edge that is not surrounded by a frame portion of the door 101, even when the window is in a closed position. Instead, the uppermost edge of the window pane is sealed in a sealing channel (304 in 3 ) which forms part of the roof 105 of the vehicle 102. The 6 The door illustrated in FIG. 1 shows that the uppermost edge 201 of the window pane 103 is not provided with a frame. In this example, a rearmost edge 601 of the window pane 103 is also not surrounded by a frame. A lower portion of the window pane 103 extends within an outer door panel 602 of the door 101 under a slot 603. As will be described later with reference to FIG. 7 to 9 As explained, the shaft strip 603 may carry a sealing element that provides a seal against the window pane 103.

In this type of “frameless” window pane, the window pane 103 must be lowered to clear its uppermost edge 201 from the sealing channel in the roof 105 of the vehicle 102 before the door 101 can be opened. The window pane 103 is in 2 shown lowered in an open position where the uppermost edge 201 of the window pane 103 is outside the channel and the door 101 can be opened. When the door 101 is closed again, the window pane 103 can then be raised again to bring the uppermost edge 201 of the window pane 103 into the channel in the roof 105 of the vehicle 102 and thereby close the window 104.

In order to facilitate the opening and closing of the door 101, it is common to automate this movement of the window pane 103 when a person operates a door handle 106 of the door 101.

Door 101 is in 3 shown in a schematic cross-sectional view. As described above, the window pane 103 is movable between closed positions, such as the position shown in 3 shown fully closed position, and the open position in which the uppermost edge 201 is outside the channel 304 formed on an edge of the roof 105 (in 1 shown) and in which at least a portion of the window pane 103 is slid downward into a compartment 305 in the door 101. To enable this movement of the window pane 103, the door 101 is provided with an actuator means 306 located within the compartment 305 of the door 101. The actuator means 306 may be a window regulator of a known type or other means for supporting a lower edge of the window pane 103 and for sliding the window pane 103 up and down to close and open the window 104.

The actuator means 306 may be controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) 307 configured to provide electrical signals to the actuator means 306 to enable opening and closing of the window 104 by the actuator means 306. The ECU 307 may itself be configured to receive electrical signals from a window switch unit 308 comprising a manually operable switch 309. In response to manual actuation of the switch 309, the window switch unit 308 is configured to provide corresponding signals to the ECU 307, and in response to receipt of such signals, the ECU 307 is configured to control the actuator means 306 to open or close the window 104. The window switch unit 308 may be mounted on an interior panel 311 of the door 101 or elsewhere within the vehicle 102.

The ECU 307 may also be configured to receive electrical signals from one or more door handle units 310 connected to the exterior door handle 106 and the interior door handle 106A. In response to receiving a user input in the form of a user actuation of a door handle 106, 106A, the door handle units 310 are arranged to provide a signal to the ECU 307 to cause it to ensure that the window 104 is in an open position to enable opening of the door 101. That is, when the window 104 is in a closed position, as in 3 shown, the ECU 307 controls the actuator means 306 to move the window pane 103 a preset distance from the fully closed position to an open position so that the door 101 can be opened. In this way, the actuator means 306 is automatically arranged to move the window pane 103 a predetermined distance from a closed position to an open position when the door 101 is to be opened.

The door 101 also includes a sealing member 301 having a deflectable portion 302 for pressing against the window pane 103 to provide a seal when the window 104 is in at least some open positions. The door 101 is again in 4 with the window 104 in an open position such that the uppermost edge 201 of the window pane 103 is outside the channel 304 and a relatively large gap 401 is provided between the channel 304 and the edge 201. When the window is in this position, the deflectable portion 302 can flex toward the window pane 103 to provide a seal against the window pane 103. It will be understood that the deflectable portion 302 extends across the width of the window pane 103 to provide a seal across that width.

The door 101 also includes a seal carrier 303 having a strip attached to the window pane 103 and extending across the width of the window pane 103 in a position substantially parallel to the deflectable portion 302. The seal carrier 303 is in 4 shown separated from the sealing element 301. However, if the window pane 103 is in the 3 shown closed position, the deflectable portion 302 is deflected away from the window pane 103 by the seal carrier 303. In this way, the seal carrier 303 is positioned between the deflectable portion 302 of the sealing element 301 and the window pane 103 and keeps the deflectable portion 302 away from the window pane 103.

The seal carrier 303 may also be arranged to keep the deflectable portion 302 away from the window pane 103 when the window 104 is in at least some open positions besides the closed positions. For this reason, the seal carrier 303 keeps the deflectable portion 302 away from the window pane when the window pane 103 is in the 3 shown fully closed position through closed positions in which the uppermost edge 201 of the window pane 103 is still in the channel 304 and into adjacent open positions in which the uppermost edge 201 is outside the channel 304. For example, when the window pane 103 is automatically lowered by the actuator means 306 to a position as in 5 As shown, to enable the opening of the frameless door 101, the seal carrier 303 may be arranged to keep the deflectable portion 302 away from the window pane 103 during the entire movement. An example of how this can be achieved is given below with reference to the 7 to 9 described.

7 to 9 11A and 11B each show a cross-sectional view of a specific example of a portion of the window pane 103, the seal carrier 303, the seal member 301, the shaft molding 603, and an upper portion of the outer door panel 602 of the door 101. The seal member 301 is held to the outer door panel 602 by the shaft molding 603. The deflectable portion 302 and the seal carrier 303 are located below an uppermost surface 720 of the shaft molding 603.

The shaft strip 603 may be formed from a metal such as an aluminum alloy or a rigid plastic material. An upper portion of the shaft strip 603 is provided with features arranged to engage a second sealing element 701 that provides a seal between the shaft strip 603 and the outer door panel 602 of the door. A lower Portion 703 of the sill 603 includes features configured to engage features of the sealing member 302 such that the sealing member 302 is held in position adjacent the window pane 103.

The sealing member 301 has a mounting portion 704 configured to be attached to the lower portion of the chute 603. The deflectable portion 302 of the sealing member 301 is separated from the mounting portion 704 by a pivot portion 705. The pivot portion 705 is less rigid than either the deflectable portion 302 or the mounting portion 704, and thus the deflectable portion 302 can deflect about the line of the pivot portion 705 under forces exerted thereon by the seal carrier 303. The sealing member 301 may be formed from a relatively flexible resilient material, such as a synthetic rubber material, while the seal carrier 303 may be formed from a relatively stiffer polymeric material.

The window pane 103 is in 7 in a fully closed position, and thus the seal carrier 303 is positioned along the deflectable portion 302 of the sealing member 301. Consequently, the deflectable portion 302 is held away from the window pane 103 by the seal carrier 303. In this position, the upper edge 801 of the seal carrier 303 is arranged to be approximately level with the distal edge 802 of the deflectable portion 302, and consequently the seal carrier 303 is generally not visible to a user of the vehicle 102. The upper edge 801 of the seal carrier 303 may be arranged slightly lower than the distal edge 802 to ensure that the seal carrier is not visible. Alternatively, the upper edge 801 of the seal carrier 303 may be arranged to be slightly higher than the distal edge 802 of the deflectable portion 302 so that the upper edge 801 always passes over the distal edge 802 when the window 104 is closed. This may provide a cleaning effect by removing dirt adhering to the distal edge 802.

The seal carrier 303 may include a lower portion 706 having an inner surface 707 that is secured to the window pane 103, for example with a suitable adhesive. The seal carrier 303 may include an upper portion 708 that is connected to the lower portion 706 such that an inner surface 709 of the upper portion 708 facing the window pane 103 extends in a substantially parallel but separate plane to the inner surface 707 of the lower portion 706. Thus, the inner surface 709 of the upper portion 708 of the seal carrier 303 is positioned substantially parallel to the opposite portion of the window pane 103, but spaced therefrom by a gap or channel 710. The gap or channel 710 between the upper portion 708 of the seal carrier 303 and the window pane 103 may have a width between 0.8 mm and 1.7 mm. In some embodiments, channel 710 has a width between 1.2 and 1.5 mm, and typically about 1.35 mm.

The window pane 103 is in 7 shown in the closed position. The open end of the channel 710 points upwards towards the upper edge 201 of the window pane 103. In addition, the channel 710 is open to the outside atmosphere and consequently foreign particles such as sand particles can fall from the outer surface of the window pane 103 into the channel 710. Water can also fall from the window pane 103 into the channel 710, therefore such foreign particles are periodically flushed away through the ends of the channel 710, which can also be arranged open. By keeping the deflectable portion 302 of the sealing element 301 away from the window pane 103 and also by providing the channel 710 into which foreign particles can fall, such particles are prevented from becoming trapped between the deflectable portion 302 and the window pane 103. Thus, when the window pane 103 is moved from this closed position, the possibility of a foreign particle being pressed against the window pane 103 by the sealing member 301 is greatly reduced, and scratching of the window pane 103 by such a particle becomes less likely.

In some embodiments, the seal carrier 303 is provided with holes or slots (not shown) at spaced positions along the length of the seal carrier 303 so that water and/or particles can exit the channel 710 through the holes or slots instead of or in addition to the ends of the channel 710.

In addition, the deflectable portion 302 may be provided with a sufficiently large height so that it is kept away from the window pane 103 while the window pane is moved to adjacent open positions. That is, the deflectable portion 302 is kept away from the window pane 103 while it is moved from the fully closed position of 3 through other positions in which the window can still be considered closed, and into an open position, as in 5 In an embodiment such as that shown in 1 , where the window 104 is “frameless”, the steerable portion 302 may be provided with a sufficiently large height so that the seal carrier 303 keeps the deflectable portion 302 away from the window pane 103 when it is moved from the fully closed position by the preset distance which allows the door to be opened.

The window pane 103 is in 8 moved a preset distance that allows opening of the door 101. The upper edge 801 of the seal carrier 303 has been moved from a position adjacent the distal edge 802 of the deflectable portion 302 by the preset distance, but due to the sufficiently large height of the deflectable portion 302, the upper edge 801 of the seal carrier 303 still exerts a force on the deflectable portion 302 along a line above the pivot portion 705. In one example, the preset distance is approximately 8 mm, and the length of the deflectable portion 302 from its distal edge 802 to the pivot portion 705 is longer than the preset distance.

With this arrangement, the deflectable portion 302 is positioned to be kept away from the window pane 103 by the seal carrier 303 when the window is in all open positions that are within a preset distance (for example, 8 mm) from the fully closed position. In the case where the window pane 103 is arranged to be automatically opened to open the door 101, the deflectable portion 302 never comes into contact with the window pane 103. Thus, the door 101 can be opened and closed again without the deflectable portion 302 coming into contact with the window pane 103, and there is no possibility of the deflectable portion 302 jamming a particle against the window pane 103 and scratching the window pane 103 during this process.

The window pane 103 is in 9 in a lower position than in 8 , whereby the window is opened further. In this position, the upper edge 801 of the seal carrier 303 is lower than the deflectable portion 302 of the sealing element 301, and consequently the sealing element 301 could be moved out of its 7 and 8 shown deflected position to a less stressed position in which the distal edge 802 of the deflectable portion 302 presses against the window pane 103 to provide a seal.

When the window pane 103 is removed from the 9 shown position, the upper edge 801 of the seal carrier 303 presses the deflectable portion 302 away from the window pane 103 to close the window.

In the 7 to 9 In the embodiment shown, the lower portion 706 of the seal carrier 303 is attached to the window pane 103, and the upper portion 708 of the seal carrier 303 is held away from the window pane 103 like a cantilever. In an alternative embodiment shown in the partial cross-sectional view of 10 However, as shown in FIG. 1, the seal carrier 303 is provided with a plurality of support elements 1001 spaced along the length of the channel 710. The embodiment of FIG. 10 may otherwise be the same as the embodiment of 7 to 9 be.

The support members 1001 may be positioned at or near the top edge 801 of the seal carrier 303. The support members 1001 may be located on the surface 709 of the upper portion 708 of the seal carrier 303 facing the window pane 103 and may each include a ridge formed in the material of the seal carrier 303. The support members 1001 may extend from the surface 709 a distance substantially equal to the width of the channel 710 to enable the support members 1001 to provide assistance in maintaining the width of the channel 710 when the upper portion 708 of the seal carrier holds the deflectable portion 302 away from the window pane 103.

A device 1101 comprising the window pane 103 with attached sealing carrier 303 is shown in the perspective view of 11 . The window pane 103 is provided with a lower edge 1103 and/or features 1102 in the form of openings that allow it to be mounted to a window regulator within the vehicle 101. This allows movement of the window pane 103 between a closed position and an open position as explained above. The seal carrier 303 comprises a strip attached to the window pane 103 that extends across the width of the window pane 103 to keep a flexible seal member 301 away from the window pane 103 when the window pane 104 is in a closed position.

The upper portion 708 of the seal carrier 303 may be supported by the lower portion 706 of the seal carrier 303 such that a channel 710 exists between the upper portion 708 and the disk 103, as described above with respect to 7 The window pane 103 may be formed from laminated or tempered glass by conventional methods. The seal Seal carrier 303 may be formed by molding or extruding a plastic material. If seal carrier 303 is provided with spaced support elements 1001, support elements 1001 may, for example, be formed as part of seal carrier 303 when it is manufactured by molding. Seal carrier 303 may be attached to window pane 103 by an adhesive suitable for adhering to the plastic material of seal carrier 303 and to the material of window pane 103. The adhesive may be part of a double-sided adhesive tape applied to seal carrier 303 prior to attaching seal carrier 303 to window pane 103.

An alternative door 101A for a vehicle is shown in the perspective view of 12 and the schematic cross-sectional view of 13 . The door 101A may have a similar structure to door 101. However, the door 101A differs from the door 101 in that it includes a frame 1201 that surrounds all edges of the window pane 103 above the outer door panel 602, including at least the uppermost edge 1301 of the window pane 103. The frame 1201 may be provided with a channel 1304 in which the uppermost edge 1301 of the window pane 103 is located when the window 104 is in a closed position.

Like the window pane 103 of the door 101, the window pane 103 of the door 101A is movable by an actuator means 306 which may be controlled by an ECU 307 in response to signals received from a manually operable switch 309 of a window switch unit 308. However, with this arrangement, it is not necessary for the window pane 103 to be in an open position when the door 101A is opened. Consequently, user operation of the door handles 106, 106A does not cause the window 104 to open automatically.

Like door 101, door 101A has a sealing member 301 with a deflectable portion 302 that can seal against window pane 103 when window 104 is opened and window pane 103 is sufficiently lowered. It also has a sealing carrier 303 for holding deflectable portion 302 from window pane 103 when window pane 103 is in a closed position. Seal carrier 303 and sealing member 301 including deflectable portion 302 may be configured in the same manner as described above with reference to 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 However, in this embodiment, the height of the deflectable portion 303 may be relatively smaller (e.g., less than 8 mm) because the window pane 103 is not automatically opened repeatedly to allow the door to be opened.

A flowchart outlining a method 1400 for manufacturing an apparatus for providing a window of a door in a vehicle is shown in 14 The method 1400 includes, in block 1401, attaching a sealing carrier with a strip to a window pane such that the sealing carrier extends across the width of the window pane. As described with respect to 11 For example, as described above, a seal carrier 303 may be attached to a window pane 103 using an adhesive. The adhesive may be applied to the seal carrier 303 in the form of a double-sided adhesive tape. A carrier strip may cover the adhesive, and the carrier strip may then be removed before the seal carrier 303 is placed on the window pane 103 to fix it in place. The seal carrier 303 is positioned on the window pane 103 such that when the window pane 103 is later in the door 101 in a closed position, the seal carrier 303 is positioned next to the seal element 301 (as shown, for example, in 7 shown).

The method further includes, at block 1402, placing the window pane 103 in a door 101 and supporting the window pane 103 by an actuator means 306 configured to support the window pane 103 and move the window pane 103 between a closed position and open positions. As described with respect to 3 For example, as described above, the door 101 may be attached by an actuator means 306 in the form of a window regulator. The window pane 103 may be lowered into the outer panel 602 of the door 101 and a lower portion of the window pane 103 may be disposed on the window regulator.

At block 1403, the method 1400 includes disposing a sealing element 301 against the window pane to form at least a portion of a seal between a door panel and the window pane 103. As in 7 For example, as shown, a sealing element 301 can be attached to a shaft strip 603. The shaft strip 603 can be arranged at an upper end of an outer panel 602 of the door 101 with the sealing element mounted, so that the sealing element is located in a space between the outer door panel 602 and the window pane 103.

At block 1404, method 1400 includes moving window pane 103
through open positions in which a deflectable portion of the sealing element 301 presses against the window pane 103 to provide a seal deliver,
through open positions in which the seal carrier 303 keeps the deflectable portion 302 away from the window pane 103,
to a closed position in which the seal carrier 303 keeps the deflectable portion 302 away from the window pane 103. For example, the window pane 103 can be moved by operating the window regulator to form an open position in which the deflectable portion 302 of the seal element 301 is pressed against the window pane 103, as in 4 shown, in a closed position, with the seal carrier 303 keeping the deflectable portion 302 away from the window pane 103, as in 3 shown.

In an example of the method 1400, the window 104 is frameless at least along an upper edge 201 of the window pane 103, such as in the 3 to 5 The window pane 103 is opened by positions as shown in 5 in which the seal carrier 303 holds the deflectable portion 302 away from the window pane 103 in a closed position, as in 3 shown, with the seal carrier 303 keeping the deflectable portion 302 away from the window pane 103 when the door 101 is closed.

For purposes of this disclosure, it is understood that the electronic control units described herein may each comprise a controller or a computing device having one or more electronic processors. A vehicle and/or a system thereof may comprise a single controller or electronic controller, or alternatively, different functions of the controller(s) may be implemented or hosted in different controllers or control devices. A set of instructions may be provided that, when executed, cause the controller(s) or controller unit(s) to implement the control techniques described herein (including the methods described). The set of instructions may be embedded in one or more electronic processors, or alternatively, the set of instructions may be provided as software to be executed by one or more electronic processors. For example, a first controller may be implemented in software running on one or more electronic processors, optionally the same one or more processors as the first controller. However, it is understood that other arrangements may also be used and the present disclosure is therefore not limited to any particular arrangement. In any case, the set of instructions described above may be embedded in a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a non-volatile storage medium) that may include a mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a machine or electronic processor/computing device, including, but not limited to: a magnetic storage medium (e.g., floppy disk), an optical storage medium (e.g., CD-ROM), a magneto-optical storage medium, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM or EEPROM), a flash memory, or an electrical or other medium for storing such information/instructions.

The in 14 The blocks illustrated may represent steps in a method. The illustration of a particular order of the blocks does not necessarily imply that there is a required or preferred order for the blocks, and the order and arrangement of the blocks may be varied. In addition, it is possible to omit some steps.

For example, although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding sections with reference to various examples, it is to be noted that modifications may be made to the examples given without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, although the embodiments described above refer to a window of a door of a vehicle, it will be appreciated that the window may be located within a solid wall of a vehicle. For example, the window may be a rear quarter window in a three-door vehicle.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations that differ from those expressly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to particular features, those functions are performable by other features, whether or not they have been described.

Although features have been described with reference to particular embodiments, these features may be present in other embodiments, whether described or not.

Although the applicant has endeavoured in the foregoing description to draw attention to the features of the invention to which he attaches particular importance, it is to be understood that with regard to any patentable feature or any patentable combination of features referred to above and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not particular emphasis is placed thereon, is claimed.

Claims (29)

A door (101, 101A) for a vehicle (102), comprising: a window pane (103) defining a window (104) of the door (101, 101A), the window pane (103) being adapted to move between a closed position and open positions; a sealing member (301) having a deflectable portion (302) for pressing against the window pane (103) to provide a seal when the window (104) is in at least some of the open positions; and a sealing carrier (303) comprising a strip secured to the window pane (103) to keep the deflectable portion (302) of the sealing member 301 away from the window pane (103) when the window (104) is in the closed position, the sealing carrier (303) defining a channel (710) for receiving particulate matter. Door (101, 101A) to claim 1 wherein the seal carrier (303) is arranged to keep the deflectable portion (302) away from the window pane (103) when the window (104) is in at least some of the open positions adjacent to the closed position. Door (101, 101A) to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the deflectable portion (302) has a height sufficient to enable the seal carrier (303) to keep the deflectable portion (302) away from the window pane (103) when it is moved from the closed position to at least some of the open positions adjacent to the closed position. Door (101, 101A) according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , comprising an actuator means (306), the actuator means (306) being arranged to automatically move the window pane (103) a preset distance from a closed position to an open position when the door (101, 101A) is to be opened, and the deflectable portion (302) has a sufficiently large height to enable the seal carrier (303) to keep the deflectable portion (302) away from the window pane (103) when it is moved the preset distance from the closed position. Door (101, 101A) according to one of the claim 1 until 4 wherein the deflectable portion (302) is configured to be kept away from the window pane (103) by the seal carrier (303) when the window (104) is in all open positions that are within 8 mm of the closed position. Door (101, 101A) according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , wherein the sealing element (301) has a surface arranged to bear against the sealing carrier (303), the surface having a height of at least 8 mm extending in the direction of the height of the window pane (103). Door (101, 101A) to claim 6 wherein the deflectable portion (302) is configured to deflect about a pivot portion (705), and the height of the surface extends from the pivot portion (705) to a distal edge (802) of the deflectable portion (302). Door (101, 101A) to claim 1 , wherein the channel (710) has an opening oriented toward an upper edge (201) of the window pane (103). Door (101, 101A) to claim 8 , wherein the channel (710) is located between an upper portion of the seal carrier (303) and the window pane (103). Door (101, 101A) to claim 9 wherein the upper portion of the seal carrier (303) may include a plurality of support members (1001) spaced along the length of the channel (710) to keep the upper portion away from the window pane (103). Door (101, 101A) according to the preceding claims, wherein the channel (710) has a width of between 0.8 mm and 1.7 mm. Door (101, 101A) to claim 11 , wherein the width of the channel (710) is between 1.2 and 1.5 mm. Door (101, 101A) according to one of the Claims 1 until 12 , wherein the seal carrier (303) comprises a polymer material bonded to the window pane (103) by an adhesive. Door (101, 101A) according to one of the Claims 1 until 13 , wherein the window pane (103) comprises glass. Door (101, 101A) according to one of the Claims 1 until 14 , wherein the door (101, 101A) comprises an actuator means (306) configured to open the window disc (103) between the closed position and the open position. Door (101, 101A) to claim 15 , wherein the actuator means (306) comprises a window regulator. Door (101, 101A) to claim 15 or claim 16 , wherein the actuator means (306) is arranged to be activated in response to a manual input. Door (101, 101A) according to one of the Claims 1 until 17 , wherein the sealing element (301) is held on a door panel (602) by a shaft strip (603) and the deflectable portion (302) and the sealing carrier (303) lie below an uppermost surface of the shaft strip (603). Door (101) after one of the Claims 1 until 18 , wherein the window (104) is frameless at least along an upper edge (201) of the window pane (103). Door (101A) to one of the Claims 1 until 18 wherein the door (101, 101A) defines a frame (1201) along at least one uppermost edge (1301) of the window pane (103). Door (101, 101A) according to one of the Claims 1 until 20 wherein the seal carrier (303) has an upper edge (801) arranged to be higher than a distal edge (802) of the deflectable portion (302) when the window pane (103) is in the closed position, and the upper edge (801) extends over the distal edge (802) when the window (104) is moved from open positions to the closed position. Vehicle (102) having a door according to one of the Claims 1 until 21 includes. An apparatus for providing a window (104) in a vehicle (102), the apparatus comprising: a window pane (103) configured to be mounted to a window regulator in a vehicle (102) to move the window pane (103) between a closed position and an open position; and a seal carrier (303) having a strip attached to the window pane (103) and extending across the width of the window pane (103) to keep a flexible seal (301) away from the window pane (103) when the window pane (103) is in a closed position, the seal carrier (303) defining a channel (710) for receiving particulate matter. device according to claim 23 wherein the window pane (103) has a lower edge (1103) configured for connection to a window regulator, and the channel (710) has an opening facing away from the lower edge (1103). device according to claim 23 or claim 24 , wherein the channel (710) is arranged between an upper portion of the seal carrier (303) and the window pane (103). A method (1400) for manufacturing an apparatus of a window (104) of a door (101, 101A) in a vehicle (102), the method (1400) comprising: attaching (1401) a seal carrier (303) with a strip to a window pane (103) such that the seal carrier (303) extends across the width of the window pane (103); wherein the seal carrier (303) defines a channel (710) for receiving particulate material; arranging (1402) the window pane (103) in a door (101, 101A) and supporting the window pane (103) by an actuator means (306) configured to support the window pane (103) and move the window pane (103) between a closed position and open positions; disposing (1403) a sealing element (301) against the window pane (103) to form at least a portion of a seal between a door panel and the window pane (103); moving (1404) the window pane (103) through open positions in which a deflectable portion (302) of the sealing element (301) presses against the window pane (103) to provide a seal, through open positions in which the seal carrier (303) keeps the deflectable portion (302) away from the window pane (103), to a closed position in which the seal carrier (303) keeps the deflectable portion (302) away from the window pane (103). procedure according to claim 26 , wherein the window is frameless at least along an upper edge (201) of the window pane (103) and the window pane (103) is moved through open positions in which the seal carrier (303) keeps the deflectable portion (302) away from the window pane (103) to a closed position in which the seal carrier (303) keeps the deflectable portion (302) away from the window pane (103) when the door (101, 101A) is closed. Window pane (103) for forming a window (104) of a door (101, 101A) of a vehicle (102), wherein the window pane (103) is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the Window pane (103) comprises a seal carrier (303) comprising a strip attached to the window pane (103) for keeping a deflectable portion (302) of a sealing element (301) of the door (101, 101A) away from the window pane (103) when the window pane (103) is in the closed position, the seal carrier (303) defining a channel (710) for receiving particulate material. A seal carrier (303) for a window pane (103) for a window (104) of a door (101, 101A) of a vehicle (102), the seal carrier (303) comprising a strip for attachment to a window pane (103) to, in use, keep a deflectable portion (302) of a sealing element (301) away from a window pane (103) when the window (104) is in a closed position, the seal carrier (303) defining a channel (710) for receiving particulate material.

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