Vehicle Flush Bay Closure Device with Integrated Seal Reinforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flush bay closure devices face challenges in achieving robust sealing without disturbing the exterior flush appearance, require complex assembly steps, and lack robustness against intrusions and theft.
Innovation Solution
A closure device with a movable panel carrying a seal supported by a reinforcing element integrated into a U- or V-shaped housing, which secures the seal support to the panel and provides robustness while maintaining a flush appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal forming a frame overlapping the entire contour of the opening is provided, then sealing efficiency is improved, but device complexity and assembly steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into two functional parts: a seal support fixed to the movable panel and a sealing lip that contacts the fixed assembly. This segmentation allows the seal to be integrated with the movable panel rather than requiring a separate frame assembly, reducing assembly steps while maintaining sealing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal support and sealing lip are combined into a single integrated component that is fixed to the movable panel. This merging eliminates the need for separate frame assembly and reduces the number of assembly operations required, while the sealing lip maintains effective contact with the fixed assembly.
2Reliability
If a seal forming a frame overlapping the entire contour of the opening is provided, then sealing efficiency is improved, but exterior appearance is worsened due to visible bulges
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is extracted from the traditional frame structure and repositioned to be integrated with the movable panel. The sealing lip contacts the fixed assembly at specific points rather than forming an overlapping frame, eliminating visible bulges and maintaining a flush exterior appearance while preserving sealing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal provides localized sealing contact at the interface between the movable panel and fixed assembly, rather than requiring continuous frame overlap. This localized approach maintains sealing efficiency at the critical contact zone while eliminating unnecessary material that would create visible bulges and disrupt exterior appearance.
3Ease of manufacture
If a rigid base such as plastic or polyurethane is used for seal support, then ease of manufacture is improved, but robustness against shocks and intrusion attempts is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The seal support is constructed as a composite structure combining a rigid base (plastic or polyurethane) for ease of manufacture and shaping, with a reinforcing element (metal or rigid material) integrated within. This composite construction maintains the manufacturing advantages of molded materials while adding the strength and robustness of reinforcing elements to resist shocks and intrusion attempts.
Data Source
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AI summary
The device has a fixed unit, connected on the body of a vehicle, with a C-shaped element (12) having sliding rails receiving a movable panel e.g. glass (14). A joint support (22) is formed on the side of the fixed unit turned towards the interior of the vehicle. The support carries a sealing ring (24) supported against the fixed unit. The panel has a binder or reinforcement element (23) mounted or formed in a housing defined by the joint support. The support has a U or V shaped cross section and the housing corresponds to the lower portion of the interior of the U or V. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a motor vehicle comprising a device for closing a flush bay or opening arranged in the body of the vehicle (2) a method for manufacturing a flush bay or opening closing device.