Vehicle Lid Lock Seal Member Inversion Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing vehicle lid lock devices suffer from a deterioration in waterproof properties due to the deformation of the seal member during attachment.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle lid lock device is designed with an annular seal member having a main body with an inner peripheral surface larger than the locking member, and a lip portion that protrudes radially inward for slide contact, reducing sliding resistance and preventing deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the seal member is attached to the locking member with an inner diameter smaller than the locking member's outer diameter, then the seal member must be expanded during attachment, but this causes deformation and deterioration of waterproof properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproof propertyVSAvoidseal member deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the seal member's inner diameter smaller than the locking member's outer diameter (conventional approach), the patent inverts this relationship by making the seal member's inner diameter larger than the locking member's outer diameter. This allows the locking member to be inserted without expanding the seal member, thereby preventing deformation and maintaining waterproof properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a groove structure as an intermediary element. The groove is formed on the locking member's outer peripheral surface, and the seal member is fitted into this groove rather than directly onto the locking member's outer surface. This intermediary groove structure facilitates proper sealing while preventing seal member deformation during attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the seal member is expanded during attachment to fit onto the locking member, then the seal member can be securely attached, but the deformation reduces the waterproof property

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal member attachmentVSAvoidwaterproof property

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional attachment approach by making the seal member's inner diameter larger than the locking member's outer diameter. This eliminates the need to expand the seal member during attachment, thereby maintaining its original shape and waterproof properties while still achieving secure attachment through the groove structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The groove structure is pre-formed on the locking member before the seal member is attached. This preliminary preparation of the groove allows the seal member to be fitted without deformation, ensuring both ease of manufacture and maintained waterproof properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If the seal member is made with an inner diameter larger than the locking member, then deformation is prevented, but the seal member may become misaligned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal member shape stabilityVSAvoidseal member alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The groove structure serves as an intermediary that provides both the larger inner diameter space and the alignment features. The groove is positioned and dimensioned to guide the seal member into proper alignment while allowing the seal member's inner diameter to be larger than the locking member's outer diameter, thus preventing both deformation and misalignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The groove structure provides localized features (such as positioning ribs or alignment edges) that ensure proper alignment of the seal member. This local quality enhancement in the groove area compensates for the potential misalignment issue that might arise from the larger inner diameter configuration.

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

This configuration maintains the waterproof properties by reducing the need for seal member expansion during attachment, preventing deformation and misalignment, and enhancing the structural integrity of the moving member.

Implementation Method 1

a lip portion that protrudes radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the main body and that is in slide contact with the outer surface of the locking member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11162283B2Vehicle lid lock device

Publication Date: 2021.11.02 JOHNAN SEISAKUSHO CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicle lid lock device includes a locking member for locking a lid provided on a vehicle, a housing member in which an insertion hole is formed into which the locking member is inserted and which houses the locking member enabled to move backward and forward; and an annular seal member that is housed in a housing portion of the housing member and that seals a gap between an inner surface of the insertion hole of the housing member and an outer surface of the locking member. The seal member includes a main body including an inner peripheral surface with an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the locking member, and a lip portion that protrudes radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the main body and that is in slide contact with the outer surface of the locking member.