Glass run seal testing machine

• US 6,269,705 B1
• Filed: 09/09/1999
• Issued: 08/07/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Saargummi Americas, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Saargummi Americas, Inc.
• Inventors: Menguc, Ismail
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): Garber, Charles D.
• Application Number:
  US09/392,919
• Time in Patent Office: 698 Days
• Field of Search: 73/7, 738/653, 738/655, 738/659, 73/9
• US Class Current: 73/865.9
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 13/005 Sealing rings
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 3/56 Investigating resistance to wear or abrasion

Abstract

A window seal testing machine for seals of the type used in powered automotive windows, the testing machine comprising an adjustable frame simulating a portion of a powered automotive window, the frame being adapted to receive one or more sets of window seals and a piece of window glass therein to simulate the sealing relationship between the seals and window glass in an actual automotive window. The testing machine further includes a drive mechanism for repetitively cycling the window glass through the frame and seals to simulate actual window operation over hundreds or thousands of cycles. The entire machine is preferably self-contained and portable, and the frame is further adjustable to be adapted to test different sets of seals and types of window glass.

Claims

1. An apparatus for testing glass window seals of the type used in powered automotive windows, comprising:

a frame adapted to receive a piece of window glass driven in a repetitive motion simulating operation in a powered automotive window, the frame comprising a pair of seal-holding members adapted to removably mount a pair of window seals in a position engaging the window glass in a manner simulating a sliding seal with the window glass in a powered automotive window, the window seals being taken from the group consisting of glass run seals and belt seals, the seal holding members being adjustable to removably mount different pairs of window seals and to vary tolerances with which the window seals engage the window glass;

wherein the window is driven by a variable speed motor capable of driving the window glass in the repetitive motion at a cyclic rate greater than a cyclic rate possible with a window actuator in a powered automotive window;

wherein the motor includes a seal wear-measuring sensor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the seal wear-measuring sensor comprises a load cell connected to a drive member in line with the motor and window glass.