JP7797361B2 - Glass molding structure for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a glass molding structure for vehicles.

Generally, a windshield molding is attached to the edge of a vehicle's windshield as a glass molding to seal gaps. Windshield moldings are made of an elastic material, and have a specific lip that protrudes and comes into contact with surrounding structures to seal gaps.

For example, Figure 2 of Patent Document 1 discloses a side molding 40 that seals the gap between the windshield 20 and the front pillar 14, and an upper molding 30 that seals the gap between the windshield 20 and the loop panel 16. As shown in Figure 4, the side molding 40 seals the gap between these using a pillar-side seal portion 43a and a glass-side seal portion 43b. Also, as shown in Figure 3, the upper molding 30 has a lip portion 36 that is pressed against the roof panel 16 and elastically deforms to fill the gap.

JP 2016-88287 A

Conventional windshield moldings have a space formed inside the lip, which can cause a difference in air pressure between this internal space and the outside while driving, which can cause the lip to vibrate. For example, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 provides a through-hole 36h in the lip portion 36 to reduce the pressure difference between the inside and outside, preventing abnormal noise from the lip portion 36. However, windshield moldings are sometimes installed in a manner that allows them to be seen from the outside, and providing a through-hole may not be desirable from an aesthetic perspective.

In light of these issues, the present invention aims to provide a glass molding structure for vehicles that can prevent abnormal noise with a simple configuration.

To solve the above problems, a typical vehicle glass molding structure according to the present invention comprises a windshield arranged so that its side edge overlaps the A-pillar of the vehicle body, a windshield molding attached to the side edge of the windshield, pillar glass arranged so that its front edge overlaps the A-pillar, and a pillar glass molding attached to the front edge of the pillar glass. The windshield molding comprises a molding main body fitted to the end face of the windshield, an outer lip of the molding main body extending from the vehicle outer side of the windshield and contacting the vehicle outer side of the pillar glass molding, and an inner lip of the molding main body extending from the vehicle inner side of the outer lip and contacting the pillar glass molding. The vehicle glass molding structure is further characterized by comprising a plurality of ventilation sections scattered along the length of the outer lip at the contact point between the outer lip and the pillar glass molding, and leading to the space between the outer lip and the inner lip.

This invention makes it possible to provide a glass molding structure for vehicles that can prevent abnormal noise with a simple configuration.

1 is a diagram showing an outline of a glass molding structure for a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the molding structure of FIG. 1( a ) with part A cut away. FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the pillar glass molding of FIG. 4A to 4C are cross-sectional views of molding structures corresponding to the pillar glass molding of FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of a glass molding structure for a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a modified example of the ventilation part of FIG.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a vehicle glass molding structure comprising a windshield positioned so that its side edge overlaps the A-pillar of the vehicle body, a windshield molding attached to the side edge of the windshield, pillar glass positioned so that its front edge overlaps the A-pillar, and a pillar glass molding attached to the front edge of the pillar glass. The windshield molding comprises a molding main body fitted to the end face of the windshield, an outer lip of the molding main body extending from the vehicle outer side of the windshield and contacting the vehicle outer side of the pillar glass molding, and an inner lip of the molding main body extending from the vehicle inner side of the outer lip and contacting the pillar glass. The vehicle glass molding structure further comprises a plurality of ventilation sections dotted along the length of the outer lip at the contact portion between the outer lip and the pillar glass molding, and leading to the space between the outer lip and the inner lip.

With the above configuration, when the air pressure outside the windshield molding drops relative to the air pressure inside the molding while driving, the multiple ventilation sections allow the pressure to escape. This prevents deformation of the outer and inner lips due to this pressure, and prevents abnormal noises such as hammering sounds caused by vibration of the lips.

The multiple vents may include multiple grooves formed in one or both of the outer lip and the pillar glass molding.

The multiple grooves described above allow ventilation of the interior space of the windshield molding with a simple and inexpensive configuration, helping to reduce manufacturing costs.

The above-mentioned multiple grooves may also be formed in the pillar glass molding. This configuration also allows ventilation of the interior space of the windshield molding with a simple and inexpensive structure.

The above-mentioned grooves may also be formed in the outer lip. This configuration also allows ventilation of the interior space of the windshield molding with a simple and inexpensive structure.

The multiple ventilation sections may be arranged at equal or predetermined intervals throughout the entire contact area.

The above configuration allows for efficient ventilation of the interior space of the windshield molding, preventing abnormal noises such as hammering sounds caused by vibrations of each lip.

The above-mentioned multiple ventilation sections may be provided at equal or predetermined intervals locally in the contact area.

With the above configuration, for example, by providing ventilation sections in locations where each lip of the windshield molding is susceptible to force, it is possible to efficiently prevent the generation of abnormal noises, such as hammering sounds, caused by vibrations of each lip.

The above-mentioned grooves may extend in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the windshield molding. This configuration also allows for efficient ventilation of the interior space of the windshield molding.

The above-mentioned multiple grooves may extend along a specific character line formed by the vehicle body. By aligning the groove direction with the character line formed by the edges of the side windows or the unevenness of the side outer panels, it is possible to improve the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dimensions, materials, and other specific values shown in these embodiments are merely examples intended to facilitate understanding of the invention and, unless otherwise specified, do not limit the present invention. Furthermore, in this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

(First Example)
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a glass molding structure for a vehicle (hereinafter, referred to as molding structure 100) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1(a) is a diagram showing the front of a vehicle to which the molding structure 100 is applied. Hereinafter, in Fig. 1 and all other drawings of the present application, the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows F (Forward) and B (Backward), the left and right in the vehicle width direction are indicated by arrows L (Leftward) and R (Rightward), and the vertical direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows U (Upward) and D (Downward).

The molding structure 100 is capable of preventing abnormal noise from the windshield molding 108 in the area of the A-pillar 102. The A-pillar 102 is a pillar that forms the boundary between the windshield 104 at the front of the vehicle and the pillar glass 106 on the front side of the vehicle. Because the A-pillar 102 is a part that is susceptible to wind pressure while driving, the effects of the molding structure 100 can be effectively utilized.

Figure 1(b) shows the pillar glass 106 and pillar glass molding 110 of Figure 1(a). The pillar glass 106 is a fixed glass that is attached to the vehicle body so that it cannot be opened or closed. The pillar glass molding 110 is a frame-shaped component made of resin that surrounds the front, rear, upper, and lower edges of the pillar glass 106. The pillar glass molding 110 is attached to the vehicle body while holding the pillar glass 106 in place.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the molding structure 100 of Figure 1(a) with section A cut away. The windshield 104 is positioned so that its side edge 112 overlaps the A-pillar 102, and the pillar glass 106 is positioned so that its front edge 114 overlaps the A-pillar 102.

A windshield molding 108 is attached to the side edge 112 of the windshield 104. The windshield molding 108 is a sealing material that seals the gap between the windshield 104 and the surrounding structure, and in this embodiment, it seals the gaps that form between the windshield 104 and the pillar glass molding 110 and the A-pillar 102.

The molding body 116 of the windshield molding 108 is a U-shaped section that fits into the end face 118 of the windshield 104. The molding body 116 fits over the end face 118 of the windshield 104, gripping the front face 120 and back face 122 of the windshield 104, securing the windshield in place and sealing any gaps.

The windshield molding 108 has two lips that close the gap with the pillar glass molding 110. The outer lip 124 extends from a portion of the molding body 116 that is further outward from the windshield 104 toward the rear pillar glass molding 110. The outer lip 124 comes into contact with the outer side of the pillar glass molding 110, closing the gap with the pillar glass molding 110.

The inner lip 126 also closes the gap with the pillar glass molding 110. The inner lip 126 extends from a portion of the molding body 116 that is closer to the vehicle interior than the outer lip 124 toward the pillar glass molding 110 and contacts the front surface of the pillar glass molding 110. The inner lip 126 and outer lip 124 form an inner space E1 between the windshield molding 108 and the pillar glass molding 110.

Figure 3 is a detailed view of the pillar glass molding 110 in Figure 1(b). Figure 3(a) is an enlarged view of part B of the pillar glass molding 110 in Figure 1(b).

Multiple ventilation sections 128 are provided on the front surface of the front portion of the pillar glass molding 110. The ventilation sections 128 are sections that ventilate the internal space E1 (see Figure 2) to release pressure. In this embodiment, the ventilation sections 128 are realized as multiple grooves formed at the contact portion between the front portion of the pillar glass molding 110 and the outer lip 124 (see Figure 2) of the windshield molding 108, and are scattered along the length of the outer lip 124.

Figure 3(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C of the pillar glass molding 110 in Figure 3(a). The ventilation section 128 is formed by cutting a trapezoidal groove into the front surface of the pillar glass molding 110. The ventilation section 128 allows ventilation of the interior space of the windshield molding 108 with a simple and inexpensive configuration, making it possible to reduce manufacturing costs.

Figure 4 shows cross-sectional views of the molding structure 100 corresponding to the pillar glass molding 110 in Figure 3(a). Figure 4(a) is a cross-sectional view of the molding structure 100 corresponding to the D-D cross section of the pillar glass molding 110 in Figure 3(a).

As described above, an inner space E1 is formed between the pillar glass molding and the outer lip 124 and inner lip 126 of the windshield molding 108.

Figure 4(b) is a cross-sectional view of the molding structure 100 corresponding to the E-E cross section of the pillar glass molding 110 in Figure 3(a). The E-E cross section corresponds to a cross section along the ventilation section 128 of the pillar glass molding 110.

The ventilation section 128 allows the inner space E1 to be ventilated to the outside. In particular, the ventilation section 128 is formed to extend from the outer lip 124 of the pillar glass molding 110 toward the rear of the vehicle, so that if the external air pressure decreases while driving, creating a pressure difference between the inner space E1 and the outer space, that pressure can be released toward the outside behind the vehicle.

In this embodiment, the pressure in the inner space E1 is released to the outside through the multiple ventilation sections 128, preventing deformation of the outer lip 124 and inner lip 126 due to that pressure and preventing abnormal noises such as hammering sounds caused by vibration of the lips. In particular, if the windshield molding 108 becomes wet with rainwater or the like, the lips may come into close contact with the pillar glass molding 110, and in such cases the ventilation sections 128 can function effectively.

As shown in Figure 1(b), the multiple ventilation sections 128 in this embodiment are provided at equal intervals throughout the entire contact portion of the pillar glass molding 110 with the windshield molding 108. This configuration allows for uniform ventilation throughout the entire longitudinal direction of the inner space E1 along the leading edge 114 of the pillar glass molding 110, making it possible to efficiently prevent abnormal noises such as hammering sounds caused by vibration of each lip.

Note that the multiple ventilation sections 128 in Figure 1(b) can be provided at equal intervals, or can be provided at varying intervals in some areas. For example, it is possible to provide more ventilation sections at shorter intervals in areas of the windshield molding 108 that are more susceptible to external forces.

In this embodiment, the multiple ventilation sections 128, realized as grooves, are arranged to extend in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the windshield molding 108. This configuration allows for efficient ventilation of the inner space E1 from the windshield molding 108 toward the rear when pressure is applied to the windshield molding 108.

As an alternative configuration, the groove-shaped ventilation portion 128 can be arranged to extend along a specific character line formed by the vehicle body. A character line is a line segment formed on the exterior of a vehicle, formed by the edges and irregularities of the components that make up the vehicle's exterior. For example, by aligning the direction of the groove-shaped ventilation portion 128 with the character line formed by the edge of the side window 130 or the irregularities of the side outer panel 132 in Figure 1(a), it is possible to improve the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle.

(Second Example)
5 is a diagram showing an outline of a glass molding structure for a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as a molding structure 150). FIG. 5 shows the molding structure 150 in accordance with FIG. 4(b).

In Figure 5 and subsequent figures, the same components as those already described in the above embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and explanations of these components will be omitted. Furthermore, in the following explanation, components with the same names as those already described will have the same functions, even if they are given different reference numerals, unless otherwise specified.

In this embodiment, a groove-shaped ventilation section 152 is formed in the outer lip 124. More specifically, the ventilation section 152 is provided on the back side of the outer lip 124, intersecting the longitudinal direction of the windshield molding 108. Similar to the ventilation section 128 in Figure 4(b), this ventilation section 152 allows ventilation of the inner space E1 of the windshield molding 108 with a simple and inexpensive configuration, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. Another advantage is that by providing the ventilation section 152 on the back side of the outer lip 124, the ventilation section 152 is out of sight, eliminating any impact on the vehicle's appearance.

The above-mentioned ventilation section 152 and the ventilation section 128 in Figure 4(b) can also be provided on both the windshield molding 108 and the pillar glass molding 110. For example, by providing more ventilation sections 128, 152 in areas of the windshield molding 108 that are more susceptible to external forces, or conversely, omitting ventilation sections 152 in areas of the windshield molding 108 where rigidity must be maintained, it becomes possible to achieve efficient ventilation according to the usage situation.

As a variant, the ventilation section 152 can also be realized by providing a notch in the outer lip 124 that leads to the inner space E1. Similar to the groove-shaped ventilation section 152, a notch-shaped ventilation section also allows ventilation of the inner space E1.

(Modification)
6 is a diagram showing a modified example (ventilation part 160) of the ventilation part 128 of FIG. 1(b) The ventilation part 160 is provided locally in the portion of the pillar glass molding 110 that contacts the windshield molding 108.

In this embodiment, for example, if the upper and lower parts of the windshield molding 108 (see Figure 1(a)) are susceptible to external forces, the ventilation section 160 can also be provided separately in the upper part 110a and lower part 110b of the pillar glass molding 110.

With the above configuration, by providing ventilation sections 160 at locations where each lip of the windshield molding 108 is susceptible to force, it is possible to efficiently prevent abnormal noises, such as hammering sounds, caused by vibration of each lip. Even with this configuration, the ventilation sections 160 can be provided at equal intervals or at variable intervals.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art could conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

The present invention can be used in glass molding structures for vehicles.

100...molding structure, 102...A-pillar, 104...windshield, 106...pillar glass, 108...windshield molding, 110...pillar glass molding, 110a...upper part, 110b...lower part, 112...side edge, 114...front edge, 116...molding body, 118...end face, 120...front face, 122...back face, 124...outer lip, 126...inner lip, 128...vent, 130...side window, 132...side outer panel, E1...inner space, 150...molding structure, 152...vent, 160...vent

Claims (8)

A glass molding structure for a vehicle includes a windshield arranged so that a side edge thereof overlaps an A-pillar of a vehicle body, a windshield molding attached to the side edge of the windshield, a pillar glass arranged so that a front edge thereof overlaps the A-pillar, and a pillar glass molding attached to the front edge of the pillar glass,
The windshield molding is
a molding body fitted to an end surface of the windshield;
an outer lip of the molding main body extending from the vehicle outer side of the windshield and contacting the vehicle outer side of the pillar glass molding;
an inner lip of the molding main body extending from a position closer to the vehicle inner side than the outer lip and contacting the pillar glass molding;
and
The vehicle glass molding structure further comprises a plurality of ventilation portions that are scattered along the longitudinal direction of the outer lip at the contact portion between the outer lip and the pillar glass molding and that communicate with the space between the outer lip and the inner lip. The vehicle glass molding structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the multiple ventilation sections include multiple grooves formed in one or both of the outer lip and the pillar glass molding. The vehicle glass molding structure described in claim 2, characterized in that the multiple grooves are formed in the pillar glass molding. The vehicle glass molding structure described in claim 2, characterized in that the multiple grooves are formed in the outer lip. The vehicle glass molding structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the multiple ventilation sections are provided at equal or predetermined intervals throughout the entire contact area. The vehicle glass molding structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the multiple ventilation sections are provided at equal or predetermined intervals locally in the contact area. A glass molding structure for a vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the plurality of grooves extend in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the windshield molding. The vehicle glass molding structure described in claim 3, characterized in that the multiple grooves extend along a predetermined character line formed by the vehicle body.