Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure generally relates to a field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively the present disclosure relates to a window trim of a vehicle. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a method for manufacturing the window trim of the vehicle. 5
BACKGROUND
Generally, vehicles such as passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles are designed with windows. Typically, doors of the vehicles are defined with window frames which form the 10 window and which are configured to receive a window glass. The window frame is generally fitted with a window trim or an outer waist seal, which plays a key role rolling up and down movement of the window glass with minimum friction. Additionally, the window trim prevents debris and water from entering down through the window frame.
The window trim is typically positioned at an edge of the door where the window frame is 15 defined. The window trim consists of an elongate strip of a rigid and/or flexible material that generally covers the edge, and especially the top edge, of the door at the window frame and abuts the window glass, bridging and sealing the gap between the two and creating a finished exterior appearance.
Conventionally, these window trims are fitted and locked on the edge of the window frame 20 with the help of fasteners or can also be snap fitted on to the door frame. However, the conventional window trim is not aesthetically appealing and is not capable of being manufactured with required colours. Additionally, the conventional window trims are not suitable for doors having large curvature, as the large curvature of the door requires stretch bending of the window trims, which lead to uneven fitment, which is undesired. 25
The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above, or any other limitation associated with the prior arts.
SUMMARY
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The one or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by a method and a window trim as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the provision of the method and the window trim as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are
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realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
In a non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a method for manufacturing a window trim of a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes molding an outer body of the window trim by an 5 injection molding process. Further, an inner body of the window trim which is configured to be fixed to the outer body is extruded, by an extrusion process. Furthermore, the outer body and the inner body are laser welded to form the window trim. The configuration of the method aids in manufacturing the window trim with two separate materials which facilitate correct alignment and fitting of the window trim on the window frame. Additionally, by manufacturing 10 the outer body separately from the inner body, the outer body may be made of a material having high aesthetic appeal to improve aesthetics of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the outer body is defined with a first section and a second section.
15
In an embodiment, the outer body is injection molded with a poly methyl methacrylate PMMA material which enables the window trim to be aesthetically appealing as it provides high gloss.
In an embodiment, the method includes addition of additives with the PMMA material to form the outer body. The additives enable the outer body to be manufactured with a required colour 20 as per requirement.
In an embodiment, the inner body is defined with a base section and at least one lip section. The base section is configured to be fixed to the outer body and the at least one lip section is configured to be in contact with the window glass to prevent dust/dirt/debris and water from 25 entering the door of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the base section of the inner body is extruded with a hard polymeric material. Further, the at least one lip section of the inner body is extruded with a soft polymeric material. The hard polymeric material facilitates rigid fixing of the base section with the outer 30 boy and the soft polymeric material of the at least one lip section enables the at least one lip section to ride on the window glass to prevent unwanted particles from entering the door.
In an embodiment, the laser welding is carried out on the first section of the outer body and the base section of the inner body to form the window trim. 35
4
In an embodiment, the method includes heat bending the extruded inner body to form a prerequired shape of a window frame.
In an embodiment, the method includes extruding an intermediate body to be positioned between the first section and the second section of the outer body. The intermediate body 5 enables dampened fitment of the outer body on the window frame.
In an embodiment, the method includes laser welding the intermediate body to the second section of the outer body.
10
In a non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a window trim of a vehicle is disclosed. The window trim includes an outer body which is adapted to be positioned on a window frame of the vehicle. Further, the window trim includes an inner body which is fixed to the outer body and is adapted to be positioned within the window frame.
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In an embodiment, the outer body is manufactured by an injection molding process and the inner body is manufactured by an extrusion process.
In an embodiment, the outer body is defined with a first section which is configured to be positioned within the window frame and a second section which is configured to extend out of 20 the window frame.
In an embodiment, the inner body is defined with a base section which is fixed to the first section of the outer body and at least one lip section which extends in a direction opposite to the outer body. 25
It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.
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The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES
5
The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying 5 figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Fig. 1 illustrates a side view of a window trim positioned on a window frame of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
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Fig. 2a and 2b, illustrate a perspective views of the window trim and the window frame of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 3 illustrates a side view of the window trim having an outer body and an inner body fixed together, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 15
Fig. 4 illustrates a side view of the outer body of the window trim, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 5 illustrates a side view of the inner body of the window trim, according to an embodiment 20 of the present disclosure.
Fig. 6 illustrates a process flow diagram for manufacturing the window trim, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
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Fig. 7 illustrates a flow chart of a method for manufacturing the window trim, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of 30 the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better
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understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other method for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent 5 constructions do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is 10 provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an mechanism, assembly, device or method that comprises 15 a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or mechanism or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a device or apparatus or method proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the device or apparatus or method. 20
Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same numerals have been used to refer to the same or like parts. The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figs. 1-6. 25
Figs. 1-3, are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure illustrating a window trim (100) of a vehicle. As an example, the vehicle may be any passenger or a commercial vehicle having a window frame (4). As seen in Fig. 1, the window trim (100) may include an outer body (1) which is adapted to be positioned on the window frame (4) of the vehicle. Further, the 30 window trim (100) may include an inner body (2) which may be fixed to the outer body (1). The inner body (2) may be adapted to be positioned within the window frame (4). In an embodiment, as seen in Figs. 2a and 2b, the window frame (4) is typically an edge portion of the door where the window of the vehicle is defined. The window frame (4) may extend along a length of the door which may be between an opening in a cabin of the vehicle. For example, 35
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the window frame (4) may be in the form of an elongate slot at a top portion of the door, which may extend between two sides of the door. In an embodiment, the window trim (100) may be a component of the vehicle door which may be adapted to cover the edge of the door, preferably the top edge at the portion where the window frame (4) may be defined. Additionally, a portion of the window trim (100) may be configured to abut or contact a window glass (5) which may 5 be movably positioned within the door and which may be configured to slide into and out of the door through the window frame (4).
Further, Referring to Figs. 1 and 4, the outer body (1) may be defined with a first section (1a) which may be configured to be positioned within the window frame (4) and a second section 10 (1b) which may be configured to extend out of the window frame (4). In an embodiment, the outer body (1) may be made of a poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) material or any other polymeric material which is capable of exhibiting high gloss properties. For example, the outer body (1) may be made of a material which may exhibit a piano black finish. Further, the outer body (1) may be manufactured by adding additives to the PMMA material which may aid in 15 exhibiting a prerequired colour. In an embodiment, the additive may be in the form of colouring dyes or any other material which may be suitable for facilitating colouring of the outer body (1). Further, the outer body (1) may be manufactured by an injection molding process, where the PMMA material may be injected molded to form the outer body (1). The second section (1b) of the outer body (1) which may be positioned out of the window frame (4) may exhibit 20 the required aesthetic property based on requirement. Additionally, the injection molding process for manufacturing the outer body (1) of the window trim (100) may facilitate manufacturing of the outer body (1) as per the required dimensions of the window frame (4) such that additional process for achieving correct fitment of the outer body (1) on the window frame (4) may not be required. 25
Further, as seen in Figs. 1 and 5, the inner body (2) of the window trim (100) may be fixed to the outer body (1). The inner body (2) may be defined with a base section (2a) which may be fixed to the first section (1a) of the outer body (1). In an embodiment, the base section (2a) of the inner body (2) may be made of a hard polymeric material. For example, the base section 30 (2a) may be made of hard polypropylene material. The base section (2a) of the inner body (2) may be fixed to the first section (1a) of the outer body (1) by including but not limited to laser welding, UV welding and any other type of welding which may be capable of rigidly joining the outer body (1) and the inner body (2) without deformation. In an embodiment, the hard
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polymeric material of the base section (2a) may facilitate rigid joining or fixing of the inner body (2) with the outer body (1) without deformation. Further, the inner body (2) may be defined with at least one lip section (2b). The at least one lip section (2b) may extend from the base section (2a) in a direction opposite to the outer body (1), when the inner section may be fixed to the outer section. That is, the at least one lip section (2b) may extend from the base 5 section (2a) such that the at least one lip section (2b) may contact the window glass (5) that may be provided within the door frame [as seen in Fig. 1]. In an embodiment, the at least one lip section (2b) of the inner body (2) may be made of a soft polymeric material. For example, the at least one lip section (2b) may be made of soft thermoplastic polyolefin material or any other material that may be configured to deform upon contact with the window glass (5). In an 10 embodiment, the inner body (2) may be manufactured by an extrusion process. For example, the material for the base section (2a) and the material for the at least one lip section (2b) may be combined and the mixture of the materials may be subjected to the extrusion process for extruding the inner body (2). The extruded inner body (2) may be subjected to including but not limited to bending process and notching process to conform to the profile of the window 15 frame (4) prior to joining the inner body (2) with the outer body (1) to form the window trim (100).
Furthermore, referring back to Figs. 1-3, the window trim (100) may include one or more intermediate body (3) which may be fixed to the outer body (1). For illustrative purpose, one 20 of the intermediate body (3) is depicted in the Figs 1-3. However, this should not be considered as a limitation as the window trim (100) may include more than one intermediate body (3) which may be fixed along a length of the outer body (1). In an embodiment, the intermediate body (3) may be defined with one or more lips which may be adapted to abut the window frame (4). In an embodiment, the intermediate body (3) may be made of a polymeric material. For 25 example, the intermediate body (3) may be made of the thermoplastic polyolefin material or any other material that may be configured to deform upon contact with the window frame (4). The intermediate body (3) may be fixed to the second section (1b) of the outer body (1) by including but not limited to laser welding, UV welding and any other type of welding which may be capable of rigidly joining the intermediate body (3) with the outer body (1) of the 30 window trim (100). In an embodiment, the intermediate body (3) may aid in providing a dampening contact between the window frame (4) and the outer body (1) of the window trim (100). The intermediate body (3) may be manufactured by an extrusion process.
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In an embodiment, the window trim (100) provides high levels of the required aesthetic appearance as required by the vehicle. Further, the window trim (100) may be manufactured with the required colour as per the vehicle requirement, which may add to the vehicle aesthetics. Additionally, the window trim (100) mitigates fitment issues when fitted on the window frame (4) of the vehicle having doors defined with large degree of curvature. 5 Furthermore, the use of PMMA material increases wear and weathering resistance.
Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7, which is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure illustrating a process flow diagram and a flow chart of a method for manufacturing the window trim (100) of the vehicle. It should be noted that, the order in which the method is described is 10 not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described steps may be combined in any order to implement the method. Additionally, individual steps may be deleted from the methods without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof. 15
At Block 701, the window trim (100) may be manufactured by molding the outer body (1) by an injection molding process. The injection molding process may be carried out in a cavity injection mold which may be defined with the required dimensions for manufacturing the outer body (1) with the required shape and dimensions. The injection molding process may enable 20 manufacturing of the outer body (1) with the first section (1a) and the section such that the shape and dimensions of the outer body (1) is in line with the required dimensions as per the profile of the window frame (4). In an embodiment, the outer body (1) may be manufactured by the injection molding process by utilizing a poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) material. Further, in an embodiment, the a poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) material may be added 25 with additives prior to injection molding process, such that the injection molded outer body (1) may be defined with a required colour and other aesthetic and resistive properties.
Referring now to Block 702, the inner body (2) of the window trim (100) may be separately manufactured which may be then fixed or joined with the outer body (1). The inner body (2) may be extruded by an extrusion process. The inner body (2) may be extruded by employing 30 an extrusion die and a sizer. In an embodiment, the extrusion die may be fed with a hard polymeric material and a soft polymeric material to extrude the inner body (2). The hard polymeric material may be utilized to extrude the base section (2a) of the inner body (2) and the soft polymeric material may be utilized to extrude the at least one lip section (2b). Further,
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the inner body (2) of the window trim (100) may be subjected to a bending process in order to conform the inner body (2) to be in line with the profile of the window frame (4). In an embodiment, the extruded inner body (2) may be subjected to heat bending. Furthermore, the inner body (2) upon the bending process may be subjected to a notching process to defined required notches on the inner body (2) which may aid the inner body (2) to be fitted in the 5 window frame (4).
Further, as seen in Block 703, the outer body (1) and the inner body (2) may be subjected to laser welding to join the inner body (2) and the inner body (2) to form the window trim (100). In an embodiment, the laser welding may be carried out on the first section (1a) of the outer body (1) and the base section (2a) of the inner body (2) to form the window trim (100). The 10 hard polymeric material employed to extrude the base section (2a) of the inner body (2) may aid in rigid fixing of the outer body (1) and the inner body (2) when subjected to laser welding. In an embodiment, the laser welding should not be considered as a limitation as the outer body (1) and the inner body (2) may be fixed together by utilizing any other welding techniques such as UV welding and the like, which do not deform the outer body (1) and the inner body (2) 15 during then joining process.
In an embodiment, the method may include extruding the intermediate body (3) by the extrusion process, such that the intermediate body (3) may be positioned between the first section (1a) and the second section (1b) of the outer body (1). In an embodiment, the soft polymeric material may be utilized to extrude the intermediate body (3). Further, the method 20 may include laser welding the intermediate body (3) to the second section (1b) of the outer body (1), such that the lips of the intermediate body (3) may extend away from the second section (1b) of the outer body (1).
In an embodiment, the method enables manufacturing of the window trim (100) with high levels of the required aesthetic appearance as required by the vehicle. Further, the method 25 enables the window trim (100) to be manufactured with the required colour as per the vehicle requirement, which may add to the vehicle aesthetics. Additionally, the window trim (100) that may be manufactured by the said method does not require additional finishing process during fitment even when the window frame (4) of the vehicle may be defined with large degree of curvature. Furthermore, the use of PMMA material during manufacturing the outer body (1) of 30 the window trim (100) increases wear and weathering resistance of the window trim (100), thereby increasing the life of the window trim (100).
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In an embodiment, the method provides a simple way of manufacturing the window trim (100) and prevents additional steps during mounting or fitting of the window trim (100) on the window frame (4). Additionally, the method reduces the costs involved in enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the window trim (100) as requirement of additional covers to improve the aesthetic look of the window trim (100) is mitigated. 5
It should be imperative that the device, the method and any other elements described in the above detailed description should not be considered as a limitation with respect to the figures. Rather, variation to such system and method should be considered within the scope of the detailed description. 10
Equivalents:
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural 15 as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” 20 terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is 25 present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such 30 recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such 35
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recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one 5 of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be 10 limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, 15 the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group. 20
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope. 25
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Referral Numerals:
Reference Number
Description
100
Window trim
1
Outer body
1a
First section
1b
Second section
2
Inner body
2a
Base section
2b
Lip section
3
Intermediate body
4
Window frame
5
Window glass , C , Claims:We Claim:
1. A method for manufacturing a window trim (100) of a vehicle, the method comprising:
molding an outer body (1) of the window trim (100) by an injection molding process; 5
extruding, an inner body (2) of the window trim (100) configured to be fixed to the outer body (1), by an extrusion process;
laser welding, the outer body (1) and the inner body (2) to form the window trim (100).
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer body (1) is defined with a first 10 section (1a) and a second section (1b).
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer body (1) is injection molded with a poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) material.
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4. The method as claimed in claim 3 comprising addition of additives with the PMMA material to form the outer body (1).
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner body (2) is defined with a base section (2a) and at least one lip section (2b). 20
6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the base section (2a) of the inner body (2) is extruded with a hard polymeric material.
7. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one lip section (2b) of the inner 25 body (2) is extruded with a soft polymeric material.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the laser welding is carried out on the first section (1a) of the outer body (1) and the base section (2a) of the inner body (2) to form the window trim (100). 30
9. The method as claimed in claim 1 comprising heat bending the extruded inner body (2) to form a prerequired shape of a window frame (4).
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10. The method as claimed in claim 1 comprising extruding an intermediate body (3) to be positioned between the first section (1a) and the second section (1b) of the outer body (1).
11. The method as claimed in claim 10 comprising laser welding the intermediate body (3) 5 to the second section (1b) of the outer body (1).
12. A window trim (100) of a vehicle, comprising:
an outer body (1) adapted to be positioned on a window frame (4) of the vehicle; and 10
an inner body (2) fixed to the outer body (1) and adapted to be positioned within the window frame (4).
13. The window trim (100) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the outer body (1) is manufactured by an injection molding process.
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14. The window trim (100) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the inner body (2) is manufactured by an extrusion process.
15. The window trim (100) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the outer body (1) is defined with a first section (1a) configured to be positioned within the window frame (4) and a 20 second section (1b) configured to extend out of the window frame (4).
16. The window trim (100) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the outer body (1) is made of a poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) material.
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17. The window trim (100) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the inner body (2) is defined with a base section (2a) which is fixed to the first section (1a) of the outer body (1) and at least one lip section (2b) extending in a direction opposite to the outer body (1).
18. The window trim (100) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the base section (2a) of the 30 inner body (2) is made of a hard polymeric material.
19. The window trim (100) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the at least one lip section (2b) of the inner body (2) is made of a soft polymeric material.
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20. The window trim (100) as claimed in claim 12 comprising an intermediate body (3) fixed to the second section (1b) of the outer body (1).