Adhesive Elastomer Seal for Automotive Door Water Infiltration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elastomer seals for motor vehicle side doors fail to perfectly seal against rain or washing water, leading to water infiltration and potential corrosion due to gaps between the door and the body, despite having two lips for sealing.
Innovation Solution
The elastomer seal features two adhesive lips made from a material distinct from or identical to the rest of the seal, which remain adhesive after vulcanization, ensuring a tight barrier against water runoff by being either extruded with a different material that doesn't cure at the vulcanization temperature or by preventing curing during the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the seal is made of elastomer material that cures at high temperature, then the seal achieves good mechanical strength and durability, but the sealing lips lose adhesion and fail to prevent water infiltration
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into two distinct material zones: the main body made of curing elastomer for structural strength, and the sealing lips made of non-curing adhesive material for water tightness. This segmentation allows each part to have optimized properties for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the seal have different material properties. The sealing lips specifically use adhesive material that remains soft and sticky at operating temperatures, while the main body uses curing elastomer for durability. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between strength and sealing effectiveness.
2Ease of manufacture
If the sealing lips are made of the same elastomer material as the rest of the seal, then manufacturing is simplified, but the lips cure during vulcanization and lose adhesive properties needed for waterproofing
Solution Approach 1:
The seal uses a composite structure with two different materials: curing elastomer for the main body and non-curing adhesive material for the sealing lips. This composite approach maintains manufacturing integration while preserving the adhesive properties needed for waterproofing.
3Reliability
If the sealing lips are made of material that does not cure at vulcanization temperature, then adhesion is maintained for waterproofing, but the lips may lack the mechanical strength needed for durability
Solution Approach 1:
The curing temperature parameter is changed for the sealing lips compared to the main body. The lips use material with a higher curing temperature or no curing, allowing them to remain adhesive while the main body cures at standard vulcanization temperatures for optimal strength.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adhesive lips effectively prevent water infiltration, forming a sealed barrier against rain and washing water, thereby reducing corrosion risks.
Implementation Method 1
said lips are made of an adhesive material which is: either distinct from the elastomer which constitutes the rest of the seal and which does not bake at the vulcanization temperature of said elastomer, or identical to this elastomer but which is prevented from baking during the vulcanization of said elastomer so that said material remains adhesive
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
Elastomer seal (10) for sealing between a motor vehicle door and the body shell (11) of this vehicle, this seal (10) comprising a part (12) which is intended to be applied to the body shell (11) using a clip (13) that can clip into a hole (14) made in the body shell (11), said part (12) comprising two lips (15) that can press against the body shell (11) on each side of said hole (14), characterized in that said lips (15) are made of an adhesive material which is: - either separate from the elastomer of which the rest of the seal (10) is made and not cured at the temperature at which said elastomer is vulcanized, - or identical to this elastomer but prevented from curing during vulcanization of said elastomer so that said material remains adhesive.