The present invention teaches a method for injection molding a pair of seal end supporting end muckets to a previously molded vehicle panel (e.g. cowl). The panel is typically produced during an initial injection molding operation and can be constructed of a polypropylene (PP), thermoplastic olefin (TPO) or like material.
The end muckets are formed during the subsequent (or second stage) injection molding operation, such including a second shot thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV), and occurring concurrent with the injection molding of additional features associated with the panel/cowl construction and including any of circular wiper seal portions (these arranged within aperture locations of the cowl associated with wiper blade support shafts), as well as cowl edge to windshield extending seals.
The present method contemplates the installation of a separately configured elongated seal (such as in one non-limiting application including an extruded compression seal), and such as which can be formed at any point prior to, concurrent with or subsequent to the two stage injection molding process. The seal can be manipulated and installed in extending fashion along the panel/cowl in a fashion such that its elongated ends are inter-fitted between the opposing and inwardly facing receiving locations of the panel molded end muckets. The elongated seal can include anchor portions for securing through apertures formed along the panel. Alternately, the seal can be chemically or mechanically bonded to the panel, either prior to or following the injection molding formation of the panel.
The prior art discloses a multi-stage process for injection molding a vehicle panel (such as a cowl) from a first material (e.g. polypropylene or thermoplastic olefin), and during a first stage molding operation. Subsequent to the first molding operation, additional features including windshield seals and wiper pivot seals are formed with the panel during a second stage injection molding operation, these drawn from a second material (e.g. thermoplastic elastomer or thermoplastic vulcanizate).
End muckets or mucket seals are also defined in the relevant automotive art to reference any attaching or sealing portion secured or configured with a body panel, door or the like, not limited to a vehicle cowl. In the prior art, such mucket seals are molded in a separate operation (apart from the dual stage injection molding of the cowl/panel and second stage seals), the mucket seals subsequently being secured to extending ends of the separately formed (e.g., extruded) seal. At this point, the elongated seal with pre-attached end muckets are affixed to the extending surface of the molded panel.
As such, the muckets are provided as separate and previously formed components, requiring that they be pre-placed in correct aligning fashion along with the previously created and applied extruded seal secured to the body panel/cowl, and prior to the end muckets being mechanically or adhesively secured such as to the ends of the extruded or otherwise formed seal component. Disadvantages associated with the prior art fabrication and attachment of the end muckets include necessitating bulk transport and storage requirements of the muckets, and further requiring that they be successively pre-placed in correct aligning fashion, along with the previously created and applied extruded seal secured to the body panel/cowl, and prior to the end muckets being mechanically or adhesively secured such as to the ends of the extruded seal component.
The present invention discloses a method for injection molding a pair of end muckets as part of a second stage injection molding operation, such as also including the concurrent formation of wiper pivot seals and windshield seals, onto a previously (first stage) injection molded vehicle panel (e.g. cowl). The present invention improves upon the inefficiencies associated with the prior art, and by avoiding the requirement of having to separately mold the end muckets, transport the same for subsequent attachment to the separately extruded seal, and prior to attaching to the molded panel/cowl.
The vehicle panel further includes the cowl panel being configured with an exposed and width extending channel which is adapted for receiving the elongated seal in resistive engaging fashion. The advantage of molding the pair of end supporting muckets into the cowl panel provides both material shaping and fabricating savings, while establishing interface support between the seating ends of the seal and the adjoining vehicle fenders.
In application, the elongated seal is adapted to being incorporated into any of a hood to radiator, rocker, front grille, rear trunk, deck lid or lift gate application. As is also known, end muckets (also termed mucket seals) are defined in the relevant automotive art to reference any attaching or sealing portion secured or configured with a body panel, door or the like, not limited to a vehicle cowl, and which can also be provided in combination with the attachment of the previously formed extruded seal. End muckets as described in the present application are further understood to include any three dimensional boot or other multi-sided shaped article, such as which is formed of a TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) or thermoplastic vulcanizate injection molded material.
Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout he several views, and in which:
As previously described, the present invention discloses a method for injection molding a pair of seal supporting end muckets to a previously molded vehicle panel. The seal, without limitation, can include any construction and, in particular, can be a coextruded or tri-extruded bulb seal which is constructed of at least one softer and one harder polymer material for various in-vehicle applications. Such seals can be integrated along extending edge interfaces associated with the cowl to hood, rocker seal, grill seal, rear trunk and deck lid seals, lift gate seal, etc. Among other advantages, the seal eliminates the need for a secondary molded attachment pin, as it is integrated into the part.
One non-limiting depicted variant of cowl to hood seal provides a tri-extruded article, including a base attaching material exhibiting a more rigid filled or unfilled polypropylene, a polygonal and interiorly hollowed softer thermoplastic olefin, thermal plastic vulcanite, ethylene propylene diene monomer or the like, and an olefinic based slip coat which is coated or otherwise post applied and cured about the part and which provides a lowered coefficient of friction, such as during installation of the anchoring base material into a slot or channel associated with the mounting location. One non-limiting application of the tri-extruded seal located between the cowl and glass also depicts the use of a snap-in assembly with overlap, this including integrated end muckets which conform to an edge profile of the vehicle fender.
Referring now to the illustrations,
The upper portion 12 as shown exhibits, according to one non-limiting example, a multi-sided (pseudo rectangular) profile in cross section with curved perimeter defining edges and which collectively defines a hollow interior, this in order to facilitate controlled and cushioning collapse of the upper portion 12 such as when compressed by an opposing inner rear surface of a vehicle hood or other moveable or stationary component associated with the vehicle (not shown). As further shown, the upper portion 12 exhibits a generally conical pointed upper end 14 and a pair of outwardly flared lower ends 16 and 18. A slipcoat 20 can be coated over the upper portion 12 and can include any type of plastic olefinic based grade or post applied and cured material, such as which reduces a coefficient of friction of the material in use among other advantages.
Co-extruded with the softer upper portion 12 is a harder/more rigid and elongated base material, this including an upper most planar mounting ledge 22 exhibiting a given width with opposite extending edges, along which the spaced lower ends 16 and 18 of the upper softer material 12 are engaged during the co-extrusion process (as best shown in the enlarged end view of
The base material and associated anchor portion can further be constructed of a filled or unfilled polypropylene (PP), a thermoplastic olefin (TPO), a more dense EPDM material or the like. As with the upper portion 12, the base material and anchor portion can further exhibit an overlay application of the slip coat 20 or other suitable material in order to enhance its operating properties.
Further best shown in
The succeeding environmental perspective of
Referring now to
As previously described, the corresponding method of the present invention contemplates an initial injection molding operation which forms the cowl 34 (or other vehicle panel), such as which can be constructed of a polypropylene (PP), thermoplastic olefin (TPO) or like material. A subsequent injection molding operation forms the pair of opposite end located mucket seals 38′ and 40′, such including a second shot thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) and occurring concurrent with the injection molding of additional features associated with the cowl construction, again including circular wiper pivot seals 46 and 48 (these again arranged within aperture locations of the cowl associated with wiper blade support shafts), as well as cowl edge extending windshield seals 53 (again
As further assisted by reference to the illustrations of
The compression seal 10 (or other suitable elongated seal) is then engaged in extending fashion along the panel, such as by engaging its clip or anchor portions (see as again best shown in
In contrast, and as depicted in
Previously, such end muckets were provided as separate and previously formed components, requiring that they be pre-placed in correct aligning fashion along with the previously created and applied extruded seal secured to the body panel/cowl, and prior to the end muckets being mechanically or adhesively secured such as to the ends of the extruded seal component.
As also discussed, previous versions of end muckets were provided as separate and preformed components, this necessitating bulk transport and storage requirements and further requiring that the muckets be successively pre-placed in correct aligning fashion, along with the previously created and applied extruded seal secured to the body panel/cowl, and prior to the end muckets being mechanically or adhesively secured such as to the ends of the extruded seal component.
The present method improves over the prior art method of pre-producing the muckets in bulk, following which they are attached to the ends of the elongated seal prior to the seal being assembled to the cowl panel. Without limitation, the present invention contemplates installation of the pre-extruded compression seal 10 at any of an initial pre-placement step (prior to the initial stage injection molding formation of the cowl panel), or an intermediate step following the injection molding of the cowl, as well as alternately following completion of the two stage injection molding protocol for subsequently forming the end muckets, circular inner wiper pivot seal portions and linear edge extending windshield seal. In the middle or latter instances, the compression seal can be manipulated and installed in extending fashion along the cowl (as well as inter-fitting between the pre-formed end muckets) this including resistively engaging the underside anchor portions of the elongated extruded seal into the apertures defined in linearly spaced fashion along the cowl interior.
As is also known, end muckets or mucket seals are defined in the relevant automotive art to reference any attaching or sealing portion secured or configured with a body panel, door or the like, not limited to a vehicle cowl, and which can also be provided in combination with the attachment of the previously formed extruded seal. The end muckets as described in the present application are further understood to include any three dimensional boot or other multi-sided shaped-article.
Proceeding finally to
A suitable channel, see at 62 with multiple spaced introduction locations 63, is associated with the lower mold half 56, can further be communicated with a first injection molding material (represented by reservoir 64 and such as again including any of a polypropylene, thermoplastic olefin or other suitable material for forming the cowl 34). Following formation of the cowl 34, a second injection molding operation is conducted for forming the end muckets 38′/40′, wiper seals 46/48 and windshield seal 53 and which can include the introduction of a second material, see as represented by a heated/fluidic reservoir 66 of TPE, TPV or like material which is communicated by a further channel network 68 including communicating with additional introduction locations 70, 72 and 74 defined in communication with the negative interior mold defining cavity associated with (by example) the upper mold 54, again for forming the end muckets 38′/40′, wiper pivot seals 46 and 48 and windshield edge seal 53.
Without limitation, options for ensuring the integrity of the second stage injection molding operation can include reconfiguring the mold assembly of
Additional envisioned formation strategies contemplate the removal of the first stage injection molded cowl 34 from an initial mold assembly and transferring to a second mold which is specially configured for the second injection molding operation forming the end muckets 38′ and 40′, wiper seals 46 and 48 and windshield seal 53, such as again by introduction of the second shot injection molded material into the mold at a given pressure.
Other materials for the muckets can include, without limitation, such as a cross linked polyethylene or fusion molded material. While it is envisioned that the compression seal 10 with mounting anchors can be fastened to the finished injection molded cowl with second stage molded TPE/TPV accessories, it also being envisioned that a reconfiguration of the previously extruded seal can be pre-placed within a suitable mold and to which the cowl and subsequent features are injection molded in a variation of the present method.
This could further include any alternately configured extruded compression seal 10 (regardless of construction and whether or not including integrally formed clips or anchor portions) being placed within an appropriate pocket or channel defined in a mating mold cavity half, in combination with either the injection molding formation or subsequent placement of the cowl panel 34. The placement of the extruded compression seal can also be conducted prior to or following the formation of the second stage injection molded formation of the TPE end muckets 38′ and 40′, wiper seals 46 and 48 and windshield seal 53.
As is also known, end muckets (also termed mucket seals) are defined in the relevant automotive art to reference any attaching or sealing portion secured or configured with a body panel, door or the like, not limited to a vehicle cowl, and which can also be provided in combination with the attachment of the previously formed extruded seal. End muckets as described in the present application are further understood to include any three dimensional boot or other multi-sided shaped article, such as which is formed of a TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) or any other suitable injection molded material.
Without limitation, the present method can also contemplate the injection molding of additional components or features, not limited to the end muckets and/or wiper seals, and can include the partial or entire formation of other plasticized components associated with any vehicle panel structure such as with or without any particular sealing structure (extruded or otherwise).
As further described, the seal can be reconfigured for installation into any of hood to radiator, rocker, front grille, rear trunk, deck lid or lift gate applications. Yet additional variants of the invention further envisioned the seal being reconfigured as a wiper or lip seal or other bulb-type seal having any desired form or shape and which is coextruded or tri-extruded in the manner previously described in order to be installed into a suitable panel or supporting structure.
The present invention also discloses a method for multi-stage injection molding of the cowl and subsequently, the pair of end muckets, windshield seals and wiper seals, this prior to or concurrent with the attachment of the pre-extruded compression seal. The method includes the steps of extruding an elongated seal so as to include an elongated body, first stage injection molding the cowl, and second stage injection molding the end muckets and other seals. Other steps include the injection molding of the end mucket portions, wiper seals and windshield seal further including injection molding a thermoplastic elastomer or a cross linked polyethylene material.
The present method may also include steps associated with the (pre) extruding the elongated seal 10 and for attaching the seal 10 to the cowl panel 34 (or other suitable body panel or other mounting structure), again both during or following the injection molding of the cowl and and subsequent TPE/TPV molded accessories. This can include the vehicle panel further including a cowl panel, and further including the step of injection molding a pair of wiper seals within spaced apart inner perimeter and aperture defining surfaces formed into the cowl panel.
The step of pre-extruding the elongated seal can further include extruding a first softer portion exhibiting a multi-sided and enclosed cross sectional profile and a second more rigid portion coextruded with the softer portion and which is adapted to being resistively engaged with an extending location associated with a vehicle panel, so that the first portion is supported upon the panel adapted to being contacted by a further component associated with the vehicle. The step of extruding the first softer portion further comprising forming a multi-sided profile in cross section with a hollow interior in order to facilitate controlled and cushioning collapse when compressed.
Other steps include forming an upper portion exhibiting a generally conical pointed upper end and a pair of outwardly flared lower ends and applying a slip coat over at least one of the first and second portions of the elongated seal body and including any type of plastic olefinic based grade or post applied and cured material. The step of extruding the second portion further including forming an elongated base material which includes an upper most planar shaped mounting ledge exhibiting a given width with opposite edges to which the lower ends of the first portion are co-extruded.
The step of extruding the second portion further includes forming a plurality of spaced apart and integrally projecting anchor portions projecting from a reverse side of the planar shaped mounting ledge. The step of forming the anchor portions can further include forming each of the anchor portions to have a central support and a pair of beams extending in a reversed angled fashion from an end of the central support, the beams terminating in configured edge profiles which facilitate mounting of the anchor portions within apertures defined in the vehicle panel.
Other steps include applying the seal in extending fashion along the vehicle panel by configuring an exposed and width extending channel within the cowl panel configured for receiving the elongated seal in resistive engaging fashion. The step of extruding the first portion can further include forming of any of a thermoplastic elastomer, thermal plastic vulcanite, or ethylene propylene diene rubber.
Yet additional steps include extruding the second portion by forming of any of a filled or unfilled polypropylene, a thermoplastic olefin, thermoplastic vulcanizate or a more dense ethylene propylene diene rubber. The step of applying the seal in extending fashion along the vehicle panel can also include incorporating the seal into any of a hood to radiator, rocker, front grille, rear trunk, deck lid or lift gate application.
Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.
This application is a Continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 14/244,842 filed on Apr. 3, 2014. Application Ser. No. 14/244,842 claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/874,556 filed on Sep. 6, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 14/244,842, filed Apr. 3, 2014, which in turn claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application 61/874,556 filed on Sep. 6, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61874556 | Sep 2013 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 14244842 | Apr 2014 | US |
Child | 14596931 | US |