Vehicle Belt Molding Lip Structure for Low Window Closing Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing vehicle door belt moldings, frictional force is generated when the distal end portion of the vehicle interior side seal lip rubs against the lower surface of the decorative seal lip, making it difficult for the seal lip to bend smoothly and increasing the load when closing the window pane.
Innovation Solution
The elongated belt molding features a vehicle interior side lip with a return lip that folds back and a decorative lip, where at least one first convex portion is formed on the vehicle interior side wall portion. This design allows the return lip to slide against the convex portion, reducing friction and enabling smooth bending of the vehicle interior side lip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the distal end portion of the vehicle interior side seal lip rubs against the lower surface of the decorative seal lip, then sealing function is achieved, but frictional force increases and the seal lip becomes difficult to bend smoothly
Solution Approach 1:
The return lip acts as an intermediary element between the distal end portion of the vehicle interior side seal lip and the decorative seal lip. It guides the seal lip to contact the return lip instead of directly rubbing against the decorative seal lip, reducing friction while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the contact surface parameters by introducing a convex portion on the return lip with specific curvature and surface properties. This modifies the friction characteristics and contact pressure distribution, enabling smoother bending of the seal lip during window closure.
2Reliability
If the distal end portion of the vehicle interior side seal lip rubs against the lower surface of the decorative seal lip, then sealing function is achieved, but the load when closing the window pane increases
Solution Approach 1:
The return lip serves as a mediator that redirects the contact path of the seal lip. By guiding the seal lip to contact the return lip's convex portion instead of the decorative seal lip, it reduces the frictional force component that contributes to closing load.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potentially harmful direct rubbing contact into a beneficial guided contact through the return lip. The friction that would otherwise increase closing load is transformed into controlled sliding contact that maintains sealing while reducing resistance.
3Ease of operation
If the return lip slides against the first convex portion, then frictional force is reduced and bending becomes smooth, but the contact area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The convex portion is designed with specific geometric parameters (curvature radius, height, and position) that optimize the balance between contact area and friction reduction. The curved surface maintains sufficient contact area for stable guidance while minimizing friction through reduced surface engagement.
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 solution effectively reduces frictional force and allows the vehicle interior side lip to bend smoothly, thereby preventing an increase in load when closing the window pane.
Implementation Method 1
frictional force generated between the return lip and the vehicle interior side wall portion is also reduced
Data Source
AI summary
The belt molding has a vehicle interior side wall portion, a vehicle interior side lip, a return lip, and a decorative lip. The vehicle interior side lip protrudes from the vehicle interior side wall portion toward a vehicle interior side. The return lip is folded back from a distal end side of the vehicle interior side lip toward the vehicle interior side wall portion. The decorative lip protrudes toward a vehicle interior side from a portion of the vehicle interior side wall portion, which is above the vehicle interior side lip. On a vehicle interior side surface of the vehicle interior side wall portion, at least one first convex portion is formed at a position between the vehicle interior side lip and the decorative lip in a cross-section.