Vehicle Door Window Seal Fastening for End Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle window seals face challenges in securing their ends, particularly in the vertical direction, leading to delamination and loss of weatherproofing due to friction and rigid, non-deformable fasteners that require significant force for installation.
Innovation Solution
A sealing means with a U-shaped profile and flexible fastening devices, featuring slats and hooks, that securely attach to the vehicle panel using molded plastic and overmolding, allowing for easy installation and maintaining the seal during window movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid clip-on fasteners are used to secure the seal ends, then the seal can be firmly attached to the panel, but significant installation force is required leading to incorrect installation and removal of sealing material
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening device changes its mechanical properties from rigid to flexible during installation. The flexible body allows the fastening device to deform and adapt to the panel geometry during installation, then maintains firm attachment when secured. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by enabling both easy installation and strong attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening device transitions from a flexible state during installation to a secured state for attachment. The dynamic flexibility during installation allows easy positioning without excessive force, while the secured configuration provides strong attachment strength. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between installation ease and attachment strength.
2Reliability
If the seal is secured firmly in the transverse direction, then weatherproofing is maintained, but the ends separate from the panel in the vertical direction after numerous window closing cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening device uses flexible material that changes its mechanical response based on the direction of force. It provides rigid resistance in the vertical direction to prevent end separation, while allowing controlled movement in the transverse direction to maintain weatherproofing. This anisotropic flexibility resolves the contradiction between weatherproofing reliability and end retention stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening device is segmented into multiple functional elements: the flexible body, the attachment portion, and the retention features. This segmentation allows different parts to perform different functions - maintaining transverse weatherproofing while providing vertical end retention. The segmented structure resolves the contradiction by distributing different requirements to different components.
3Ease of operation
If molded plastic fastening devices with overmolding are used, then installation force is reduced and adhesion is optimized, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening device merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: the molded plastic body provides structural support and flexibility, while the overmolded attachment portion provides bonding capability. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps, offsetting the increased material processing complexity with simplified assembly. The combined structure resolves the contradiction between installation ease and manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a sealing means (4) intended to be disposed in contact with a window (3) of a door (10) of a vehicle (1), the sealing means (4) comprising an elongate body (5) extending along a first direction (100) and at least one fastening device (6), an immobilizing member (62) of which comprises a plurality of strips (7) that are parallel or substantially parallel to one another and are configured to cooperate with the panel of the door (10) and to hold the sealing means (4) relative to the panel along at least one second direction (200) orthogonal to the first direction (100).