Exterior Door Strip Bridge Torque Isolation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing exterior door strip designs suffer from torque-induced gaps between the stainless steel trim and end pieces, leading to an unattractive vehicle appearance and corrosion, while attempts to mitigate this issue by dividing the mounting portion into two pieces increase assembly time and costs.

Innovation Solution

A one-piece exterior door strip structure featuring a first mounting portion, a bridge, and a second mounting portion, where the bridge absorbs and prevents torque transmission from the second mounting portion to the first, potentially formed as an elastically deformable elastic body, maintaining the vehicle's appearance quality and preventing corrosion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the mounting portion is divided into two pieces to prevent torque transmission, then the gap between SUS trim and end piece is reduced, but assembly time and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegap between SUS trim and end pieceVSAvoidassembly time and production costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting portion is divided into a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion that are separately positioned and connected through the bridge structure, allowing torque isolation while maintaining a relatively integrated appearance and reducing the need for multiple separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bridge structure acts as an intermediary element connecting the first and second mounting portions, serving as a mediator that allows torque generated at the second mounting portion to be absorbed without transmitting to the first mounting portion, while maintaining structural connectivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a single mounting portion is used, then assembly time and production costs are reduced, but torque causes gap enlargement between SUS trim and end piece

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly time and production costsVSAvoidgap between SUS trim and end piece

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting portion is divided into a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion that are separately positioned and connected through the bridge structure, allowing torque isolation while maintaining a relatively integrated appearance and reducing the need for multiple separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bridge structure acts as an intermediary element connecting the first and second mounting portions, serving as a mediator that allows torque generated at the second mounting portion to be absorbed without transmitting to the first mounting portion, while maintaining structural connectivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If the mounting portion is divided into two pieces to prevent torque transmission, then external appearance quality is improved, but the number of workers and assembly complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexternal appearance qualityVSAvoidnumber of workers and assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting portion is divided into a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion that are separately positioned and connected through the bridge structure, allowing torque isolation while maintaining a relatively integrated appearance and reducing the need for multiple separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bridge structure acts as an intermediary element connecting the first and second mounting portions, serving as a mediator that allows torque generated at the second mounting portion to be absorbed without transmitting to the first mounting portion, while maintaining structural connectivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution enhances the vehicle's external appearance quality, reduces assembly time and costs, and prevents corrosion by absorbing torque through the bridge, ensuring a durable and aesthetically pleasing design.

Implementation Method 1

the bridge may be formed as an elastically deformable elastic body so as to absorb torque caused by screw engagement of the second mounting portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9221324B2Exterior door strip assembly

Publication Date: 2015.12.29 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A structure of an exterior door strip includes a mounting portion mounted to an outer side of a outer door panel positioned, and a SUS trim coupled to an outer side of the mounting portion, and including: a first mounting portion formed in a longitudinal direction and having an end piece; a bridge connected to an other end of the first mounting portion; and a second mounting portion connected to the other end of the bridge and having a screw hole, in which the first mounting portion, the bridge, and the second mounting portion are integrally formed, and torque caused by screw engagement of the second mounting portion is not transmitted to the first mounting portion, thereby resolving a problem regarding quality in external appearance of the vehicle, preventing corrosion caused by rain water, and reducing production costs of the vehicle.