Vehicle Side Door Edge Sealing for Tolerance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing edge protection for motor vehicle side doors is cost-intensive and visually unappealing, and fails to effectively compensate for tolerances between joined components, leading to issues like flaking paint and corrosion.
Innovation Solution
A sealing element composed of a hard component and a soft component is used, where the hard component extends along the edge region and the soft component is positioned on the inner and outer door skins, with additional features like material weakening and slots to adapt to the three-dimensional contour, preventing dirt and liquid penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a known edge protection system is used, then edge protection is provided, but it is cost-intensive and visually unappealing
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is divided into a hard component (structural frame) and a soft component (sealing lips), allowing each part to fulfill its specific function optimally while reducing overall cost
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element combines hard and soft materials in a single integrated component, achieving both protective function and cost-effectiveness
2Reliability
If a known edge protection system is used, then edge protection is provided, but tolerances between joined components are not compensated for
Solution Approach 1:
The soft component's material properties allow it to deform and adapt to tolerance variations in the edge region, compensating for manufacturing imperfections between the inner door panel and outer door skin
Solution Approach 2:
The soft sealing lips can flex and conform to the actual geometry of the edge region, accommodating tolerance variations while maintaining effective sealing
3Ease of manufacture
If the sealing element is designed with a hard component and soft component, then cost-effectiveness and tolerance compensation are achieved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hard component and soft component are merged into a single integrated sealing element, simplifying assembly while maintaining the benefits of material differentiation
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 provides cost-effective edge protection that compensates for tolerances, prevents flaking paint and corrosion, and enhances mechanical strength while maintaining a visually appealing appearance.
Implementation Method 1
there is arranged only at the inner door panel side and at the outer door skin side on the hard component a soft component which is positioned in a sealing manner on the inner door panel and the outer door skin
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle has a side door which has a door inner panel on the motor vehicle interior side and a door outer skin on the motor vehicle outer side. The door inner panel and the door outer skin are joined together at least in some sections in an edge region of the side door in order to form a butt joint, wherein a gap can be formed between the door inner panel and the door outer skin in the edge region at least partly on the basis of tolerances in a Y direction and/or an X-Z direction, and a seal element is provided which can be secured to the door inner panel by securing elements, extends over the edge region, and sealingly lies against the exterior of the door inner panel and the door outer skin in each case. The seal element is made of a hard component which extends along the edge region, and a soft component is arranged on the hard component solely on the door inner panel side and the door outer skin side, said soft component sealingly lying against the exterior of the door inner panel and the door outer skin in each case so as to adjoin the edge region when the seal element is secured.