Frangible Vehicle Storage Compartment Seals for Impact Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle storage compartment sealing devices are rigid and unyielding, leading to increased impact forces during collisions, which are not mitigated by existing water sealing measures.

Innovation Solution

A sealing device with a frangible portion that moves downward upon impact, allowing the extension portion to detach or deform, thereby increasing the stroke and reducing impact forces on objects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid sealing structure is used to ensure water sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but impact force increases during collision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidimpact force

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing device is divided into a frangible portion and an extension portion that can separate from each other upon impact. This segmentation allows the sealing structure to deform during collision by detaching the frangible portion, thereby reducing impact force while maintaining sealing integrity through the extension portion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing device changes its structural parameters during impact by transitioning from a rigid connected state to a deformed state where the frangible portion moves downward and separates. This parameter change enables the structure to yield under impact force while preserving the sealing function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If a rigid sealing structure is used to maintain structural integrity, then structural strength is improved, but deformation capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoiddeformation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing device transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure that can deform during impact. The frangible portion is designed to move downward and detach when subjected to impact force, enabling the sealing structure to adapt its configuration during collision events while maintaining overall structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If an unyielding sealing structure is used to ensure waterproofing, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but impact mitigation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidimpact force

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The frangible portion is designed in advance to serve as a sacrificial element that absorbs impact energy through its downward movement and detachment. This pre-configured cushioning mechanism protects the extension portion and maintains sealing effectiveness while mitigating impact forces during collision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS12522145B2Vehicles including frangible storage compartment sealing devices

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 TOYOTA MOTOR ENG & MFG NORTH AMERICA INC

AI summary

A vehicle includes a vehicle frame member, a storage compartment, and a sealing device coupling the storage compartment to the vehicle frame member. At least a portion of the sealing device is configured to move in a downward vehicle vertical direction upon a force exceeding a predetermined threshold being applied against an upper end of the sealing device.