Profile Connecting Element Embossing for Paint Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing profile systems experience paint accumulation and subsequent noise issues due to large connection areas between profile parts and connecting elements, known as paint creak, during the painting process.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an embossing feature in the connecting element that creates a free-flowing paint environment by spacing it from the profile parts, allowing paint to run off before curing, thus preventing accumulation and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If large connection areas are used between profile parts and connecting elements, then connection strength is improved, but paint accumulation occurs causing paint creaking noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidpaint creaking noise
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting element is segmented by introducing an embossing that divides the connection area into multiple zones. This segmentation allows paint to drain through the embossed regions while maintaining connection strength through the surrounding contact areas, thus preventing paint accumulation and creaking noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The embossing creates local variations in the connection surface, where certain areas have reduced contact between the connecting element and profile parts. This local quality change allows paint to flow through these specific regions while maintaining adequate connection strength in other areas, resolving the contradiction between connection strength and paint drainage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If connecting elements are made with embossing to enable paint drainage, then paint creaking is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaint creaking preventionVSAvoidconnecting element complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The embossing features are merged into the standard connecting element design and manufactured as an integrated component. This combining of the drainage function with the connection element itself avoids adding separate components or complex assembly steps, thus preventing excessive manufacturing complexity while achieving paint creaking prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If embossing is added to connecting elements, then paint can drain off effectively, but production time may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaint drainage efficiencyVSAvoidproduction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The embossing structures are pre-formed during the connecting element manufacturing process before assembly. This preliminary action ensures that paint drainage pathways are already in place when painting occurs, eliminating the need for additional post-assembly modifications and minimizing impact on overall production time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3172451B1Method for producing a profile system
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 ADIENT LUXEMBOURG HLDG SARL
  • EP3172451B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a connection element (1) for connecting profile parts (2, 3). Said connection element comprises at least one first connection area (11) for connecting to a first profile part (2), at least one second connection area (12) for connecting to a second profile part (3) and an embossing (4) for removing liquid varnish.