Stepped Joining Surface Sealant Retention for Vehicle Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing housing component apparatuses for vehicle components face issues with waterproof and dustproof sealing due to inadequate sealant distribution, leading to gaps and reduced binding force, especially when using thin steel materials and experiencing bending.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a joining surface with a step formed between the case and cover, where the outer surface is higher than the inner surface, allowing for sealant beads to be formed at different regions, and a chamfer is added to guide the sealant, ensuring a wider contact area and more effective sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealant is applied on a flat joining surface, then the sealing process is simple, but the sealant amount remaining on the joining surface is small leading to gaps and reduced waterproof performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the flat two-dimensional joining surface into a three-dimensional stepped structure. By adding vertical height differences through steps, the sealant can be retained in greater quantities at specific locations, improving waterproof performance without overly complicating the overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The stepped structure creates different regions with different heights on the joining surface. The first region has a higher height than the second region, allowing sealant to be concentrated where most needed for sealing, while other areas maintain simpler geometry. This localized variation optimizes sealant distribution and waterproofing.
2Reliability
If a groove is formed at the central region of the joining surface to apply sealant, then sealant application is improved, but the hardened sealant region disperses to the groove and outside reducing binding force
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a horizontal groove that causes sealant dispersion, the patent uses vertical steps to contain the sealant. The stepped structure creates vertical barriers that prevent sealant from spreading laterally to the groove and outside areas, keeping the hardened sealant concentrated at the joining surface where binding force is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The joining surface is segmented into multiple regions with different heights. The first region with higher height acts as a sealant retention zone, while the second region with lower height provides structural support. This segmentation prevents sealant dispersion while maintaining adequate binding force.
3Weight of moving object
If thin steel material with 3 mm thickness or less is used for upper cover or lower case, then weight is reduced, but bending occurs requiring solid sealing method
Solution Approach 1:
The stepped structure creates localized regions with different heights on the joining surface. The first region with higher height provides enhanced sealant retention and sealing capability exactly where needed, while the overall thin-walled structure maintains its weight advantage. This localized enhancement allows solid sealing without requiring thicker materials.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an apparatus of housing component which includes a case which accommodates a component, a cover which covers the case, and a sealant applied on a joining surface at which the case and the cover join together, wherein a step is formed at the joining surface.