Window seal assembly for limiting air leaks from a vehicle frame into a passenger cabin of a vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9937778-B2
Application number	US-201615070135-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 15, 2016
Priority date	Mar 15, 2016
Publication date	Apr 10, 2018
Grant date	Apr 10, 2018

Abstract

A vehicle door sealing assembly includes a door trim panel and an inner frame panel defining a door cavity, a window positioned proximate the door trim panel and the inner frame panel, a beltline seal disposed between the door trim and inner frame panels and in selective engagement with the window and a leak seal extending between the door trim panel and the beltline seal to divert a flow of air from the door cavity.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle door sealing assembly comprising:
a door trim panel and an inner frame panel defining a door cavity;
a window positioned proximate the door trim panel and the inner frame panel, wherein a portion of the door trim panel extends downward to a distal end surface that is located between the window and the inner frame panel and wherein the distal end surface is located below an uppermost top surface of the inner frame panel;
a beltline seal disposed between the door trim panel and the inner frame panel and in selective engagement with the window; and
a leak seal extending between the door trim panel and the beltline seal to divert a flow of air from the door cavity, wherein a portion of the leak seal extends from the beltline seal and directly engages the distal end surface of the door trim panel between the window and the inner frame panel.

2. The vehicle door sealing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the leak seal includes a first stopper that is disposed to selectively engage the distal end surface of the door trim panel.

3. The vehicle door sealing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the leak seal includes a second stopper that is disposed distal from the distal end surface of the door trim panel.

4. The vehicle door sealing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the leak seal is made of a thermoplastic compound material.

5. The vehicle door sealing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the leak seal has a sealing strength of 1 pound per square inch proximate the beltline seal, wherein the sealing strength is defined by a pressure at which the leak seal disengages the door trim panel.

6. The vehicle door sealing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the door cavity is in communication with a frame cavity defined within a portion of a frame of a vehicle.

7. The vehicle door sealing assembly of claim 1 , wherein a distance from the window to the door trim panel is no greater than 5 millimeters.

8. The vehicle door sealing assembly of claim 2 , wherein the first stopper engages the door trim panel and selectively engages the distal end surface of the door trim panel.

9. The vehicle door sealing assembly of claim 2 , wherein the leak seal includes a foam seal.

10. The vehicle door sealing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the leak seal includes a bulb-shaped cross section.

11. The vehicle door sealing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the leak seal includes a lip-shaped cross section.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Walawender Chester Stanislaus
• Hafiani Fouad
• Laczay Stephen
• Reck Sheri

Classifications

• B60J10/75 Primary

  for sealing the lower part of the panes · CPC title

• B60J10/32

  using integral U-shaped retainers · CPC title

• B60J5/0418

  Water or sound barrier, e.g. watershields or seals between dry/wet compartment, sound or vibration dampers · CPC title

• B60J10/74 Primary

  for sliding window panes, e.g. sash guides · CPC title

• B60J10/27

  having projections, grooves or channels in the longitudinal direction (for separately inserted fastening means, e.g. beads or strips, B60J10/36) · CPC title