Reinforced Sealing Plug Structure for Easier Body Hole Assembly

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sealing plugs for vehicle bodies face difficulties in assembly due to the yielding of walls during assembly or disassembly, leading to increased pressure on hole edges and reduced sealing efficacy.

Innovation Solution

A closing plug with a reinforced inner circumferential wall and transverse ribs that increase stiffness, allowing for improved assembly and disassembly by reducing wall spreading and enhancing holding force, while maintaining resilience for sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a resiliently elastic plug with a bowl-like central cavity is used, then the plug can be assembled into holes in vehicle bodies, but the outer wall yields outward during assembly causing increased pressure on hole edges and assembly difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidpressure on hole edges

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The plug is segmented into distinct functional regions: a reinforced inner circumferential wall for structural stability, an outer circumferential wall for sealing, and a central cavity for compression. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function without interfering with others, resolving the contradiction by preventing the outer wall from yielding while maintaining assembly feasibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner circumferential wall is given different local quality (increased stiffness) compared to the outer circumferential wall. The inner wall is reinforced with ribs or thicker material specifically at locations prone to yielding, while the outer wall maintains its resilient properties for sealing. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing structural support where needed without compromising overall elasticity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the outer wall yields outward during assembly, then the plug can be inserted into the hole, but the plug widens and presses on the hole edges making assembly more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidassembly process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inner circumferential wall is preliminarily reinforced with ribs or thickened sections before assembly occurs. This preliminary structural preparation prevents yielding during the assembly process, eliminating the need for complex assembly procedures or special tools, and directly resolves the contradiction between ease of assembly and process complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the plug is made resiliently elastic for sealing, then the plug can seal the hole, but the wall yields inward during disassembly reducing holding force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidholding force

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The inner circumferential wall is given different local quality (increased stiffness) compared to the outer circumferential wall. The inner wall is reinforced with ribs or thicker material specifically at locations prone to yielding, while the outer wall maintains its resilient properties for sealing. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing structural support where needed without compromising overall elasticity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The plug is segmented into distinct functional regions: a reinforced inner circumferential wall for structural stability, an outer circumferential wall for sealing, and a central cavity for compression. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function without interfering with others, resolving the contradiction by preventing the outer wall from yielding while maintaining assembly feasibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 reinforced design facilitates easier assembly, enhances sealing performance, and provides improved holding force without excessive deformation, ensuring effective sealing and reduced pressure on hole edges.

Implementation Method 1

the closing plug (1) is formed from a resiliently elastic, in particular from an elastomeric material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the closing plug has at least one first circumferential wall (2) which encloses a cavity (3), wherein a transverse wall (4) is present in the cavity (3) between the circumferential side wall (2)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStructural reinforcement:

Data Source

PatentUS20250019009A1Sealing plug

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

AI summary

Closing plug for closing holes in objects, in particular for closing holes in vehicle bodies, wherein the closing plug has at least one first circumferential wall which encloses a cavity, wherein a transverse wall is present in the cavity between the circumferential side wall, which transverse wall has an outer shape which corresponds to the shape of the cavity and is attached to the side wall in a circumferential manner, wherein, for the purpose of reinforcing the circumferential wall against yielding outward or inward, at least one reinforcement rib extends transversely through the cavity and so as to connect opposite regions of the circumferential side wall.