Edge Guard Installation Tool for Hem Flange Sealant Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturing operations can leave material, such as sealant, on edges of automotive components like door hem flanges, causing interference with the installation of edge guards, leading to improper fitting and visible imperfections.
Innovation Solution
A tool comprising a gauge and a correction tool to dimensionally gauge the edge and displace interfering material, ensuring proper fit and appearance of edge guards on hem flanges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealant is applied to the inside of the hem flange to seal the clinch between door panels, then sealing integrity is improved, but the sealant may interfere with edge guard installation and cause improper fitting or visible imperfections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by checking the edge for sealant interference before edge guard installation and correcting any interference in advance. The method involves inspecting the hem flange edge, identifying sealant that would prevent proper edge guard fitting, and removing or redistributing the sealant before the edge guard is installed, ensuring both sealing integrity and proper fit quality are achieved
2Productivity
If edge guard is installed on an edge with interfering material, then installation speed is maintained, but the edge guard will not fit properly and may create visible imperfections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing a pre-installation inspection and correction process. Before edge guard installation, the method checks for interfering material on the edge, identifies areas where sealant prevents proper fitting, and corrects these issues in advance. This preliminary correction step ensures that subsequent installation proceeds efficiently without compromising fit quality or creating visible imperfections
Data Source
AI summary
A tool has a gauge for disclosing if an edge of an object has sufficient clearance depth to allow an edge guard to be properly installed on the edge and a correction tool for correcting insufficient clearance depth by displacing interfering material on the edge so that sufficient clearance depth for properly installing an edge guard on the edge is achieved.