Vehicle Door Trim Lip Structure for Window Seal Gap Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motor vehicle doors experience a discontinuity between the side edge of the trim and the window seal due to combined translation and rotation movements during assembly, leading to an unsightly gap that reduces the perceived quality of the door.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle door design featuring a trim with a lip portion adjacent to the window seal's lip, where the lip portion has an exterior profile matching the window seal's profile, and a support fixed to the interior panel under the trim, made of elastomeric material overmolded on a rigid plastic support, to create continuity and reduce the gap between the trim and the window seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the trim is assembled using combined translation and rotation movements, then the trim can be installed into position, but a discontinuity gap forms between the lateral edge of the trim and the window seal
Solution Approach 1:
A lip portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the trim and the window seal. This lip portion engages with the window seal and extends to meet the lateral edge of the trim, acting as a mediator that bridges the gap created during assembly movements and ensures continuous coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The trim is segmented into multiple functional parts: the main trim body and a separate lip portion. This segmentation allows the lip portion to be specifically designed to compensate for assembly movements while the main trim body maintains its structural integrity and aesthetic function.
2Shape
If the trim profile rises towards the rear or front of the vehicle, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the amplitude of movement of the lateral edge during assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lip portion serves as a compensatory intermediary that absorbs the increased movement amplitude caused by rising trim profiles. Its engagement with the window seal and extension to the trim's lateral edge creates a flexible connection that accommodates larger movement ranges while maintaining visual continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lip portion's geometry is specifically designed with parameters (length, angle, cross-section) that allow it to accommodate varying amplitudes of movement. By adjusting these parameters, the solution adapts to different trim profile configurations without compromising the aesthetic appearance or assembly feasibility.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
Disclosed is a motor vehicle door (5, 5B) comprising: an outer panel; a liner (13) forming an inner panel disposed against the outer panel, and a window frame (15); a window seal (19) mounted on the window frame (15), with a lip (19A) against said window frame (15); a fitting (21) disposed against the inner panel and having a lateral edge (21A) with an upper end (21A.1) aligned with a lower end (19A.1) of the lip (19A) of the window seal (19); the door (5, 5B) further comprising: a trim (27) comprising a lip portion (29) adjacent to the lower end (19A.1) of the lip (19A) of the window seal (19) and to the upper end (21A.1) of the lateral edge (21A) of the fitting (21).