Sealing Plug Rib Structure for Stable Hole Insertion

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 effectiveness.

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 in the outer wall.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the plug is made from elastic material with a bowl-like central cavity, then the plug can be assembled by pressing into the hole, but the outer wall yields outward during assembly causing the plug to widen and press on hole edges, making assembly more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidpressing force on hole edges

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The plug is divided into two distinct wall structures: an inner circumferential wall that remains stiff to prevent widening, and an outer circumferential wall that is elastic to enable assembly. This segmentation allows each wall to perform its specific function without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the plug have different mechanical properties: the inner circumferential wall is designed with high stiffness to maintain structural integrity and prevent spreading, while the outer circumferential wall is designed with elasticity to facilitate insertion into the hole. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between ease of assembly and excessive pressing force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the outer wall is made elastic to facilitate assembly, then the plug can be pressed into the hole, but the holding force is reduced due to wall yielding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidholding force

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The plug is divided into two distinct wall structures: an inner circumferential wall that remains stiff to prevent widening, and an outer circumferential wall that is elastic to enable assembly. This segmentation allows each wall to perform its specific function without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the plug have different mechanical properties: the inner circumferential wall is designed with high stiffness to maintain structural integrity and prevent spreading, while the outer circumferential wall is designed with elasticity to facilitate insertion into the hole. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between ease of assembly and excessive pressing force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If pressure is exerted on the central region of the bottom of the bowl-like element during assembly, then the plug can be inserted into the hole, but the outer wall spreads causing the plug to widen and exercise pressing action on hole edges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidplug shape stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The plug is divided into two distinct wall structures: an inner circumferential wall that remains stiff to prevent widening, and an outer circumferential wall that is elastic to enable assembly. This segmentation allows each wall to perform its specific function without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the plug have different mechanical properties: the inner circumferential wall is designed with high stiffness to maintain structural integrity and prevent spreading, while the outer circumferential wall is designed with elasticity to facilitate insertion into the hole. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between ease of assembly and excessive pressing force.

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 reinforced design facilitates easier assembly, improves sealing, and enhances the holding force of the plug, providing improved ergonomics and reduced deformation during manual installation, with enhanced impermeability to water.

Implementation Method 1

The closing plug (1) is formed from a resiliently elastic, in particular rubber-like material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12077217B2Sealing plug

Publication Date: 2024.09.03 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

AI summary

A 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.