Sealing Element Positioning via Injection-Molded Receptacle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing sealing elements for vehicle bodies lack precision in manufacturing and positioning, leading to imprecise fitting and potential volume fluctuations during injection molding.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the creation of a receptacle in the first sealing part by material removal, such as punching, to precisely position a positioning element, which is then securely fastened using a clip connection or retaining pins, ensuring accurate positioning and attachment during injection molding and assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a positioning element is attached to the first sealing part before injection molding, then positioning precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is created in the first sealing part before injection molding takes place. This preliminary preparation allows the positioning element to be accurately positioned during subsequent assembly operations, resolving the contradiction by preparing the positioning infrastructure in advance rather than during the molding process itself
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system is divided into separate components: the receptacle (integrated into the first sealing part), the positioning element (separate attachable component), and the retaining pins (fastening mechanism). This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and positioned independently, improving overall positioning precision while managing manufacturing complexity through modular assembly
2Manufacturing precision
If material is removed to create a receptacle for the positioning element, then positioning accuracy is improved, but manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is created in advance during the preparation of the first sealing part, before injection molding. By performing this material removal operation as a preliminary step that is integrated into the existing manufacturing flow, the patent achieves precise positioning without significantly extending the overall production cycle
Solution Approach 2:
The creation of the receptacle is merged with the preparation process of the first sealing part. This integration allows the receptacle to be formed as part of the normal manufacturing sequence rather than as a separate additional operation, thereby maintaining productivity while achieving positioning accuracy
3Ease of operation
If the positioning element is designed in multiple parts with clip connection, then ease of assembly is improved, but structural stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning element is divided into multiple parts that can be assembled using simple clip connections. This segmentation enables easy assembly and disassembly while the retaining pins provide the necessary structural stability to hold the sealing part firmly in position during injection molding
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle is prepared in advance with the appropriate geometry to receive the positioning element. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the positioning element is assembled into the receptacle, it achieves both ease of assembly and structural stability without requiring complex fastening mechanisms
4Manufacturing precision
If a stamping operation is performed on the first sealing component before injection molding, then positioning precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stamping operation is performed as a preliminary step on the first sealing component before injection molding. This advance preparation creates precise positioning surfaces and features that guide subsequent assembly operations, achieving high positioning precision while managing complexity by front-loading the preparation work
Solution Approach 2:
The stamping operation is merged with the preparation process of the first sealing component. By integrating this precision-forming operation into the existing manufacturing sequence, the patent achieves accurate positioning without adding significant complexity to the overall manufacturing system
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a sealing element (1) for forming a seal on a vehicle body, in which a further sealing part (5; 6) of the sealing element (1) is injection-molded onto a first sealing part (3) of the sealing element (1). In order to enable dimensionally accurate manufacturing and thus a very precisely fitting sealing element (1), a receptacle for a positioning element (2) is manufactured during the clamping of the first sealing part (3) for injection-molding the further sealing part (5; 6).