Tail Light Sealing Plate Fixing System with Lateral Fork
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for fixing a sealing plate with a swelling insert to a motor vehicle rear light housing suffer from relative movement, particularly rotational movement, which compromises the sealing effectiveness during installation.
Innovation Solution
A fixing system comprising orifices on the rear light housing that collaborate with fixing clips on the sealing plate, along with a fork on the lateral face to laterally hold the sealing plate, preventing rotational movement and maintaining its position during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two retaining clips are used to attach the sealing plate with inflatable insert to the rear light housing, then the sealing plate can be fixed to the housing, but relative rotational movement occurs when the inflatable insert expands, compromising sealing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing system is segmented into three independent elements: two retaining clips that engage with orifices in the bearing face, and a separate fork element engaged with a groove on the lateral face. This segmentation allows each element to perform a specific function - the clips provide primary attachment while the fork prevents rotation, resolving the contradiction between fixation and positional stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a two-point attachment system (retaining clips only) to a three-point system by adding the fork element that engages with a groove on the lateral face. This adds a third dimension of constraint that prevents rotational movement around the retaining clips, thereby maintaining sealing effectiveness while preserving the simplicity of the original two-clip design.
2Device complexity
If the sealing plate with inflatable insert is attached using only retaining clips, then the structure remains simple, but the sealing plate shifts position during assembly and when the insert expands
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing system is divided into simple, discrete elements: two retaining clips for attachment and one fork element for positioning. Each component has a clear, single function that is easy to manufacture and assemble. The fork engages with a groove on the lateral face to prevent rotation, while the clips engage with orifices in the bearing face, providing precise positioning without complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The fork element with its groove engages automatically with the lateral face of the rear light housing during assembly, providing self-aligning positioning that prevents rotational movement. The inflatable insert itself expands to engage the fork, creating a self-service positioning mechanism that requires no additional adjustment or complex fastening.
3Productivity
If the sealing plate is allowed to move freely during assembly, then the assembly process is faster, but the sealing plate cannot be held in the correct position, compromising installation quality
Solution Approach 1:
The fork element with its groove is pre-formed on the lateral face of the rear light housing, creating a positioning constraint before assembly begins. When the sealing plate is inserted, the fork automatically engages with the groove, preliminarily establishing the correct position and preventing rotation during the entire assembly process, thereby ensuring installation precision without slowing down the assembly speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning function is localized to the fork element that engages with the groove on the lateral face, while the retaining clips handle the attachment function. This local specialization allows each element to perform its specific function efficiently - the fork provides precise rotational constraint at the lateral face, while the clips provide secure attachment at the bearing face, maintaining both assembly speed and precision.
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 system effectively prevents lateral and rotational movements of the sealing plate, ensuring a secure and efficient seal between the rear light housing and the vehicle's trunk, enhancing the sealing performance.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing plate with an inflatable insert
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to an attachment system (7) of a tail light recess (2), the attachment system serving to hold in position and/or reduce lateral movement of the inflating insert sealing plate (6) with respect to the tail light recess (2). The attachment system (7) comprises, in addition to two orifices (71, 72) intended for the insertion of an attachment clip (63) of the inflating insert sealing plate (6), a fork (73) formed at a longitudinal end (74) of a lateral face (25) of the tail light recess (2). The invention also relates to a sealing and support structure (10) for the tail light recess (2) of a motor vehicle (5), the sealing and support structure (10) comprising in particular the tail light recess (2) and the inflating insert sealing plate (6).