Automobile Hood Joint Layout for Faster Sealer Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for producing automobile panels, such as hoods, are inefficient due to the time-consuming process of applying adhesives like mastic sealers, which affects production efficiency and compromises panel rigidity and dent resistance when trying to reduce weight and thickness.
Innovation Solution
The use of a configuration with multiple nozzles arranged in a predetermined pattern to apply adhesive simultaneously, allowing for faster and more uniform application of joints between the inner and outer panels, enhancing panel rigidity and dent resistance while reducing weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single nozzle is used to apply mastic sealer to the outer panel, then the application process is simple, but the cycle time is long and production efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The single nozzle is segmented into multiple nozzles (first nozzle and second nozzle) that are positioned at different locations. Each nozzle applies sealer to different regions of the outer panel simultaneously, dividing the application task into parallel operations that reduce total cycle time while maintaining process simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-point application (one nozzle) to a multi-point spatial distribution (multiple nozzles at different positions). By adding the spatial dimension of multiple application points, the system achieves parallel processing across the panel surface, significantly reducing the time required to complete sealer application
2Weight of moving object
If the outer panel is made thinner to reduce weight, then the automobile becomes lighter, but the panel rigidity and dent resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The joints are designed with predetermined patterns and configurations before the actual sealer application process. This preliminary design ensures that the joint structure provides sufficient rigidity and dent resistance even when the panel thickness is reduced, allowing the panel to be made thinner without compromising strength
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure combining the outer panel, inner panel, and joint elements. This composite construction provides enhanced mechanical properties and rigidity that compensate for the reduced thickness of individual panels, enabling weight reduction while maintaining structural integrity
3Productivity
If multiple nozzles are used to apply adhesive simultaneously, then the cycle time is reduced and production efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple nozzles are designed with the same structure and function, each capable of applying mastic sealer independently. This universality allows the system to achieve parallel processing and reduced cycle time while maintaining a relatively simple and standardized device configuration that does not significantly increase complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An automobile hood 1 has joints 20. The inner panel 2 includes, for example, units 8 and 9 arranged in plurality in an aligned relationship in a cross direction X and arranged in plurality in an aligned relationship in a longitudinal direction Y. The plurality of units 8 and 9 include a plurality of joint-equipped units. In the first form, in some of the joint-equipped units, namely, joint-equipped units 84, 89, and 9, the joints 20 are arranged in an arrangement including a predetermined pattern P1, and in the remaining joint-equipped units 81, 85, 86, 810, 811, and 812, the joints 20 are arranged in an arrangement including a part of the predetermined pattern P1. In the second form, in each of the joint-equipped units 8 and 9, a plurality of the joints 20 are arranged in an arrangement including the predetermined pattern P1.