Expandable Hole-Sealing Device with Guided Foam Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hole-sealing devices for bodies, particularly vehicle bodies, require significant manufacturing effort due to the need for customized geometries adapted to each hole, leading to inefficiencies in production.
Innovation Solution
A device with an expandable sealing means and a carrier structure featuring a boundary wall that guides the sealing means towards the hole, allowing for a standardized design independent of the hole's shape, reducing material usage and manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a separate or dedicated device is manufactured for each hole to be sealed with customized geometry adapted to the hole shape, then the sealing precision and tight closure are improved, but the manufacturing effort and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a standardized carrier structure with a uniform geometry that can be used for sealing different holes regardless of their shape or location. The carrier structure includes a standardized connection element for attaching to the body and a standardized sealing element holder, eliminating the need to manufacture separate customized devices for each hole. This universal design maintains sealing precision through the controlled expansion of the sealing element guided by the boundary wall rather than through customized carrier geometry.
2Reliability
If the carrier structure geometry is adapted to the specific shape of the body in the hole area to ensure close connection and essential coverage of the hole, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the sealing function from the connection function. The carrier structure is divided into a standardized connection element for attaching to the body and a standardized sealing element holder that accommodates the expandable sealing element. The boundary wall is segmented to guide the sealing element expansion directionally toward the hole. This segmentation allows the carrier structure to have a simple, standardized geometry that is easy to manufacture while maintaining sealing effectiveness through the guided expansion mechanism rather than through customized overall geometry.
3Area of stationary object
If the sealing means is allowed to expand freely in all directions, then the sealing means can cover larger areas, but the sealing means may not be directed efficiently towards the hole causing material waste and reduced precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing the boundary wall with a specific geometric configuration that has different properties in different directions. The boundary wall includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion that together form a channel directing the sealing element expansion toward the hole. This localized geometric constraint ensures that the sealing element expands preferentially in the direction of the hole rather than uniformly in all directions, reducing material waste while maintaining adequate coverage of the hole area.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device achieves precise sealing of holes with minimal material waste by directing the sealing means efficiently to the target, resulting in a compact design and reduced assembly effort.
Implementation Method 1
an expandable, in particular foamable, sealing means
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (10) for sealing at least one hole (31) in a body (30), in particular in a vehicle body (30), preferably in a body-in-white vehicle body (30), the device (10) having an expandable sealing means (11) and a carrier structure (12) for the sealing means (11), the carrier structure (12) comprising the following: a carrier plate (13) with a first carrier side (14) and a second carrier side (21), wherein the first carrier side (14) is arranged on a side of the carrier plate (13) opposite to the second carrier side (14), and wherein the sealing means (11) is arranged on the first carrier side (14); a connecting means (17) which protrudes from the first carrier side (14) of the carrier plate (13) and is configured to connect the device (10) to the body (30) with the first carrier side (14) facing towards the body (30); and a boundary wall (15) which protrudes from the first carrier side (14) of the carrier plate (13) and delimits the sealing means (11) at least in sections, the boundary wall (15) having an outlet opening (16) for the sealing means (11), wherein the boundary wall (15) is configured to guide the sealing means (11) through the outlet opening (16) in direction of the hole (31) during expansion in order to seal the hole (31). The invention further relates to a method for sealing at least one hole (31) in a body (30).