Toyoda Gosei Develops Glass Run with New Structure for Better Vehicle Design

Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. has developed glass runs with a new structure. The new product can lend vehicles a more stylish look in addition to making the vehicle cabins quieter. Gosei’s new product is used in the new Lexus LS.

Glass runs are essentially plastic sealing products which are used in the window frames of vehicles. They are made of thermoplastic olefin (TPO), which acts like rubber and can be molded.

Their purpose is to prevent the entry of noise, rain and wind into the vehicle cabin as they plug the gap between the glass and window frame. They also help windows to open and close smoothly.
Generally, glass runs seal any possible entry point for noise and elements of the weather by creating a surface offset between the glass surface and center pillar and come in a square U shape that holds the edge of the window glass. This design has been modified in the new product in which the cross-sectional shape has been changed. There is no longer any offset. The front and back side window glass will now have a smooth and seamless look well in keeping with the stylish exterior of a premium sedan. Another advantage of the new product is that it reduces the wind noise generated by the surface offset and makes the interiors quieter.

Gosei’s new glass run has won the CE Special Award from Toyota Motor Corporation.
With the advent of electric vehicles, Toyoda Gosei is projecting that there will be greater demand for sound insulating performance. Such vehicles will not have any noise from the operation of the engines as in the case of conventional combustion engine powered cars and the ambient noise can cause greater distraction. The company will continue to develop new products for comfortable vehicle cabin spaces.