Vehicle Tailgate Elastomeric Seal Relocation and Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicle tailgate sealing systems wear out quickly due to stress and friction, leading to water infiltration and frequent seal replacements, and they require gluing for tightness, which complicates manufacturing and repair.
Innovation Solution
A dual-seal system where a single elastomeric seal is applied to both the vehicle body and the tailgate, ensuring sealing between the opening and the body, and partially between the box and the bodywork panel, eliminating the need for full gluing and allowing simpler, more economical assembly and repair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the seal is fitted to the body in the lower part near the rear opening, then the sealing function is provided, but the seal is subjected to stresses and friction causing quick wear out
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is extracted from the body and transferred to the tailgate, removing it from the harmful zone where users lean and objects are loaded/unloaded. This relocates the seal to a position不受用户倚靠和物体摩擦的影响, eliminating the wear causes while maintaining the sealing function at the rear opening interface.
2Reliability
If the box and panel are glued to ensure tightness, then the sealing between box and panel is ensured, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function between the box and panel is merged with the seal already fitted on the tailgate. The same seal that provides the interface sealing also extends to seal the box-panel interface, eliminating the need for a separate gluing process. This consolidation simplifies manufacturing while ensuring reliable tightness through the elastomeric seal's compression against the box and panel surfaces.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single seal is used for both body-sealing and box-panel sealing, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but the seal must perform multiple functions simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions: it seals the interface between the tailgate and the body, and simultaneously seals the interface between the box and the panel. The elastomeric material and geometric design of the seal enable it to adapt to different sealing surfaces and provide reliable sealing in both locations, reducing the need for multiple separate sealing components and lowering manufacturing costs.
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 solution reduces manufacturing costs, enhances repairability, and improves the sealing efficiency by using a single seal for multiple functions, reducing water infiltration and extending the lifespan of the sealing system.
Implementation Method 1
The seal is made of elastomer, in particular rubber... the second part shaped like a tube... adapted to be compressed against the wall of the vehicle body when the opening is in the closed position
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~4B
Figure 5~6B
AI summary
The casement has a joint (26) provided on a surface that is turned towards the interior of a vehicle when the casement is mounted on the vehicle. The joint is made of elastomer material and extended on the circumference of the casement. The joint is encased on superimposed walls of a shell (14) and a body panel (24). Another joint is placed between the body panel and the shell. The former joint is encased on an end of the latter joint along a longitudinal direction of the latter joint.