Floating Interface Seal for Variable Dynamic Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles with body-on-frame construction, large nominal gaps between components lead to airflow and turbulence, negatively impacting aerodynamics, gas mileage, and overall efficiency, and are aesthetically unappealing.
Innovation Solution
A floating interface seal is positioned between vehicle components, made of materials like EPDM or PVC, with a tapered central portion and transverse members, connected to one component without fasteners or adhesives, to close and adapt to varying gaps, reducing airflow and turbulence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If large nominal gaps are provided between body panels, then assembly variation and dynamic gap requirements are accommodated, but aerodynamics deteriorates and gas mileage decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A foam sealant material is introduced as an intermediary substance between the first and second vehicle components. This foam material fills the gap formed by spacing between components, creating a medium that blocks airflow through the gap while allowing the components to maintain their spaced relationship for assembly variation accommodation.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam sealant material forms a flexible sealing structure that can adapt to the variable gap dimensions. The foam expands to fill the gap space and creates a flexible barrier that maintains sealing effectiveness while accommodating dynamic changes in gap size during vehicle operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If large nominal gaps are provided between body panels, then assembly variation is accommodated, but aerodynamics deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The foam sealant acts as an intermediary that physically blocks the harmful airflow and turbulence from passing through the gap between body panels, while still allowing the gap to exist for assembly variation purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam material creates a flexible sealing film that disrupts and blocks airflow patterns, reducing turbulence and aerodynamic drag while maintaining the structural spacing between components.
3Loss of energy
If gaps are reduced to improve aerodynamics, then gas mileage improves, but assembly variation cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The foam sealant enables the use of larger nominal gaps by mediating the aerodynamic负面影响, allowing designers to prioritize assembly variation accommodation while the foam compensates for the aerodynamic penalty.
4Loss of energy
If gaps are reduced to improve aerodynamics, then gas mileage improves, but dynamic gap requirements cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The foam sealant creates a flexible sealing structure that can dynamically adapt to changing gap dimensions during vehicle operation, maintaining aerodynamic benefits while accommodating dynamic gap requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing system can be used between a first vehicle component and a second vehicle component. As an example, the first vehicle component can be a filler panel, and the second vehicle component can be a bumper panel. The first vehicle component and the second vehicle component can be spaced from each other such that a gap is formed between the first vehicle component and the second vehicle component. A seal can be operatively positioned at least partially between the first vehicle component and the second vehicle component to close at least a portion of the gap. The interface seal can be floatingly connected to the first vehicle component. The interface seal can be unconnected to the second vehicle component. The interface seal can be substantially adjacent to the second vehicle component.