Inverted Rear Window Close-out Seal Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle close-out seals often obstruct the lower edge and outside surface of rear windows, leading to aesthetic issues and potential water or debris entrapment, while also risking wear on painted metal surfaces and inconsistent appearance.

Innovation Solution

A close-out seal design that is operatively connected to the inside surface of the rear window, contacts the rear decklid without obstructing the lower edge or outside surface, featuring a tapered root portion and constant-thickness flap with elastic deformation capabilities, ensuring a 'flush' appearance and effective wind noise and water deflection performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the close-out seal is mounted to obstruct the gap between the rear window and rear decklid, then the gap is covered and aesthetic appearance is improved, but the lower edge and outside surface of the rear window are obstructed and contacted, leading to wear and inconsistent appearance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidwear on painted metal surfaces and debris entrapment

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of mounting the close-out seal on the exterior surface of the rear window (conventional approach), the seal is inverted and mounted on the interior surface of the rear window. This inversion allows the seal to contact the rear decklid and cover the gap from the inside, eliminating contact with and obstruction of the exterior lower edge and outside surface of the rear window, thereby preventing wear and debris entrapment while maintaining aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If the close-out seal contacts the rear decklid to cover the gap, then wind noise and water deflection are improved, but contact pressure causes wear on the painted metal surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind noise and water deflection performanceVSAvoidwear on painted metal surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The close-out seal utilizes a flexible elastomeric material that can deform elastically to contact the rear decklid, providing effective wind noise and water deflection. The flexibility of the thin film-like seal allows it to conform to the gap while distributing contact pressure, preventing excessive localized pressure that would cause wear on the painted metal surface of the rear decklid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Stability of the object's composition

If the close-out seal is designed with sufficient thickness to provide structural support, then the seal maintains its shape and function, but the appearance becomes inconsistent and the lower edge is obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal structural integrityVSAvoidconsistent appearance and unobstructed lower edge

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The close-out seal employs varying thickness profiles with different local qualities: a thicker base portion mounted on the interior surface provides structural support and stability, while a thinner flap portion extends toward the rear decklid to maintain a consistent aesthetic appearance and avoid obstructing the lower edge. This local variation in thickness allows the seal to simultaneously achieve structural integrity and visual consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 seal provides a flush, aesthetically pleasing appearance by not contacting the outside surface of the rear window or decklid, maintains minimal contact pressure to prevent wear, and effectively manages wind noise and water deflection with geometric design and material selection.

Implementation Method 1

featuring a tapered root portion and constant-thickness flap with elastic deformation capabilities

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9216633B2Close-out seal

Publication Date: 2015.12.22 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A vehicle includes a rear window having an outside surface, an inside surface, and a lower edge that connects the outside surface and the inside surface. The vehicle also includes a rear decklid that is selectively movable with respect to the rear window between an open position and a closed position. The rear decklid and the rear window define a gap therebetween. The vehicle further includes a close-out seal that is operatively connected to the inside surface of the rear window and that contacts the rear decklid when the decklid is in the closed position. The close-out seal is configured such that the lower edge and outside surface of the rear window are unobstructed and uncontacted by the close-out seal.