Vehicle Door Trim Fixing via Functional Space Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle tailgate assembly methods are costly and complicated, requiring additional parts and difficult access for sealing, which complicates assembly and can lead to sealing issues.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle opening design where the second trim element is fixed using a fixing element passing through the functional space between the window and the first trim element, allowing exterior fixing without interior access, eliminating the need for orifices through the tailgate body and enhancing sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the second trim element is attached using a fastener passing through the tailgate body from inside to outside, then the trim element can be securely fixed, but the assembly process becomes complicated and sealing problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of passing the fastener from inside to outside through the tailgate body, the fastener is inverted to pass from outside to inside through the functional space between the window and first trim element. This reverses the attachment direction, allowing the second trim element to be fixed securely while eliminating the need for internal access and maintaining sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening operation is extracted from the interior space and relocated to the exterior functional space. By removing the requirement for internal access, the assembly process is simplified and sealing is preserved, while the second trim element remains securely attached.
2Ease of operation
If a fastener passes through the tailgate body from inside to outside, then the second trim element can be secured, but access to the inside of the tailgate is required which complicates assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment operation is inverted from an interior-based process to an exterior-based process. The fastener now enters through the functional space on the outside rather than requiring access from the inside, making assembly easier and eliminating complex access requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If an opening is provided through the tailgate body for fastener passage, then the second trim element can be attached, but weatherproofing and sealing are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening operation is extracted from the sealed interior space and relocated to the exterior functional space. This eliminates the need to create openings through the tailgate body, preserving weatherproofing and sealing reliability while maintaining ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The functional space between the window and first trim element serves as an intermediary pathway for the fastener. This mediator allows the second trim element to be attached without compromising the sealing of the tailgate body, as the fastener does not need to penetrate the sealed interior space.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
The opening (1) comprises a main body (2) defining an opening (6) closed by a pane of glass (4), fixed to at least one upper edge (14) of said opening (6) and formed on an upper arm (10) of said body (2), said upper arm (10) further comprising a cavity (22) open to the outside of the body (2). The opening further comprises a first trim element (21) fixed to the upper arm (10) and comprising a projecting portion (30) extending beyond the upper arm (10), such that a functional space (36) extends between said pane of glass (4) and said projecting portion (30). The opening includes a second trim element (38) closing said functional space (36) and being fixed to the body (2) exclusively by at least one fixing element (40) extending into the functional space (36) between said first trim element (26) and said window (4).