Water shield with integrated 3-D mirror seal
View Patent ↗A molded water shield integrated between an exterior panel assembly and a trim panel of a vehicle includes a semi-rigid barrier sheet and a seal integrally molded into the semi-rigid barrier sheet. The seal includes reliefs formed therein and is detachable from the semi-rigid barrier sheet to define an opening through the semi-rigid barrier sheet.
1. A molded water shield disposed between an exterior panel assembly and a trim panel of a vehicle door, comprising:
a semi-rigid barrier sheet having a detachable portion formed therein, said detachable portion contoured to sealing engage a first component of a vehicle door and having reliefs formed therein, said detachable portion when removed from said semi-rigid barrier sheet defining an opening through said semi-rigid barrier sheet which accommodates a second component of said vehicle.
2. The molded water shield of claim 1 wherein said semi-rigid barrier sheet and said detachable portion are formed of a water resistant material.
3. The molded water shield of claim 1 wherein said semi-rigid barrier sheet and said detachable portion are formed of a thermally formable material.
4. The molded water shield of claim 3 wherein said thermally formable material is selected from a group consisting of a thermoplastic polymeric material and a thermoplastic olefin (TPO).
5. The molded water shield of claim 4 wherein said TPO comprises a cross-linked polypropelene and polyethylene blend.
6. The molded water shield of claim 1 further comprising a linear low density polyethylene film and a silicon-based coating applied to surfaces of said semi-rigid barrier sheet and said detachable portion.
7. The molded water shield of claim 1 further comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive material that adhesively engages said semi-rigid barrier sheet and said exterior panel assembly.
8. The molded water shield of claim 1 wherein said reliefs enable indexing of said detachable portion for arrangement within a mirror assembly.
9. A molded water shield for a panel assembly of a vehicle door, comprising:
a semi-rigid barrier sheet; and
a mirror seal integrally molded into said semi-rigid barrier sheet and having a first set of reliefs formed therein to facilitate indexing of said mirror seal for arrangement with a mirror bracket, said mirror seal detachable from said semi-rigid barrier sheet to define an opening through said semi-rigid barrier sheet.
10. The molded water shield of claim 9 wherein said semi-rigid barrier sheet and said mirror seal are formed of a water resistant material.
11. The molded water shield of claim 9 wherein said semi-rigid barrier sheet and said mirror seal are formed of a thermally formable material.
12. The molded water shield of claim 11 wherein said thermally formable material is selected from a group consisting of a thermoplastic polymeric material and a thermoplastic olefin (TPO).
13. The molded water shield of claim 12 wherein said TPO comprises a cross-linked polypropelene and polyethylene blend.
14. The molded water shield of claim 9 further comprising a linear low density polyethylene film and a silicon-based coating applied to surfaces of said semi-rigid barrier sheet and said mirror seal.
15. The molded water shield of claim 9 further comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive material that adhesively engages said semi-rigid barrier sheet and said panel assembly.
16. The molded water shield of claim 9 further comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive material that adhesively engages said mirror seal and said mirror bracket.
17. The molded water shield of claim 9 wherein said mirror seal further includes a second-set of reliefs contoured to conform to a shape of components associated with said mirror bracket.
18. A vehicle panel assembly, comprising:
an exterior panel assembly that defines a cavity and a mirror bracket; and
a molded water shield assembled adjacent said exterior panel comprising:
a mirror seal having a first set of reliefs formed therein for registering said mirror seal with said mirror bracket;
a semi-rigid barrier sheet having an opening defined by a peripheral shape of said mirror seal detached therefrom; and
said mirror seal and said semi-rigid barrier sheet being formed of the same material.
19. The vehicle panel assembly of claim 18 wherein said semi-rigid barrier sheet and said mirror seal are formed of a water resistant material.
20. The vehicle panel assembly of claim 18 wherein said semi-rigid barrier sheet and said mirror seal are formed of a thermally formable material.
21. The vehicle panel assembly of claim 20 wherein said thermally formable material is selected from a group consisting of a thermoplastic polymeric material and a thermoplastic olefin (TPO).
22. The vehicle panel assembly of claim 21 wherein said TPO comprises a linear low density polyethylene blend.
23. The vehicle panel assembly of claim 18 wherein said molded water shield further comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive material that adhesively engages said semi-rigid barrier and said mirror seal.
24. The molded water shield of claim 18 further comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive material that adhesively engages said semi-rigid barrier sheet and said mirror bracket.
25. The molded water shield of claim 18 further comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive material that adhesively engages said mirror seal and said mirror bracket.
26. The vehicle panel assembly of claim 18 wherein said mirror seal further includes a second-set of reliefs contoured to conform to a shape of components associated with said mirror bracket.