Integrated Cutting Template for Adhesive Tape on Plastic Vehicle Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual application of adhesive tape on plastic vehicle components is imprecise and often damages the components, while existing cutting templates are costly, time-consuming, and sometimes not used due to these drawbacks.

Innovation Solution

An integrated cutting template is formed within the plastic component during manufacturing, featuring a channel-shaped recess for precise positioning and cutting, with a guide shape to prevent tape displacement and ensure accurate cutting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual freehand cutting of adhesive tape is used, then operation simplicity is maintained, but cutting precision deteriorates leading to component damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidcutting precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cutting template as an intermediary tool between the worker and the adhesive tape. The template features a channel-shaped recess that guides the cutting device and a bar-shaped formation that positions the adhesive tape, enabling precise cutting without requiring the worker to directly measure and cut freehand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting template is designed to be self-aligning through the bar-shaped formation that protrudes from the base body. When the adhesive tape is applied over this formation, it automatically positions itself correctly, and the channel-shaped recess automatically guides the cutting device into the proper position, eliminating the need for complex measurement procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If cutting templates are used to improve cutting precision, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidtemplate complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the cutting template with the base body of the plastic component by forming them as a single integrated unit. The channel-shaped recess and bar-shaped formation are directly formed in the base body during manufacturing, eliminating the need for a separate, complex template device while maintaining cutting precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The base body serves multiple functions: it provides the structural component function and simultaneously integrates the cutting template function through the channel-shaped recess and bar-shaped formation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated cutting tools or templates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If cutting templates are used to ensure repeatable cutting, then manufacturing precision improves, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming setup

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverepeatable cuttingVSAvoidcutting speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The channel-shaped recess and bar-shaped formation are pre-formed in the base body during the manufacturing process. This preliminary action ensures that the cutting guide structure is already in place and precisely positioned before the adhesive tape application, enabling rapid and repeatable cutting without time-consuming setup procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If manual freehand cutting is used to maintain simplicity, then ease of operation is maintained, but material waste increases due to component damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting simplicityVSAvoidcomponent waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting template acts as an intermediary that protects the component from damage during cutting. By providing a precise guide structure, it prevents the imprecise freehand cutting that leads to component damage and subsequent discarding, thereby reducing material waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3315361B1Plastic component for a motor vehicle and method for cutting an adhesive tape on a plastic component
Publication Date: 2019.07.10 REHAU AG & CO
  • EP3315361B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3315361B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3315361B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The present invention relates to a plastic component for a motor vehicle, comprising a base body (1) with a thickness (X) and with a freely accessible functional surface (F) configured such that an adhesive tape (2) can be adhered along this functional surface (F) and bonded to it. The base body (1) has, in the region of the functional surface (F), a channel-shaped recess (3) extending inwards from the functional surface (F) into the base body (1) and a rib-shaped projection (4) extending outwards from the functional surface (F). The recess (3) and the projection (4) are adjacent to each other and integrally formed with the base body (1), so that together they form a cutting template (5) for the adhesive tape (2) integrated into the base body (1). The invention further includes a method for cutting an adhesive tape (2) on a plastic component.