Tailgate Outer Skin and Support Plate for Sealed Light Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle tailgates face issues with side rear signaling lights that are difficult to install, require separate waterproofing, compromise aesthetics, and are not easily removable, leading to reduced panel rigidity and design complexity.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle opening design featuring a support plate within the tailgate, where equipment such as lights are integrated under a removable outer skin, ensuring sealed and continuous integration with the panel, allowing easy access and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If side lights are attached to the external face of the tailgate, then installation is simplified, but waterproofing complexity increases and aesthetics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the side lights with the tailgate structure by integrating them into the volume between the inner panel and outer skin. The lights are mounted on the inner panel rather than externally attached, combining the lighting function with the tailgate assembly and eliminating separate waterproofing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The side lights are nested within the tailgate structure, specifically in the volume delimited by the inner panel and outer skin. This nesting approach allows the lights to be housed within the existing structure without requiring external attachment or additional waterproofing layers.
2Ease of manufacture
If side lights are attached to the external face of the tailgate, then installation is simplified, but aesthetic continuity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The side lights are merged with the tailgate assembly by integrating them into the internal volume. This merging ensures that the lights become part of the overall shape and surface continuity of the tailgate, eliminating visual discontinuities associated with external attachments.
3Reliability
If outer skin is permanently glued to inner panel for sealing, then waterproofing is improved, but equipment accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tailgate assembly into separable components: the outer skin can be detached from the inner panel while maintaining the sealed environment for the equipment. This segmentation allows access to mounted equipment without compromising the waterproofing of the overall assembly.
4Ease of repair
If holes are made in inner panel for equipment access, then equipment accessibility is improved, but panel rigidity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the equipment access approach to another dimension by providing access from the external side through removable outer skin, rather than creating holes through the inner panel. This dimensional change allows equipment access without compromising panel rigidity.
Data Source
Figure 1A~2
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AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle opening (1) comprising: - an inner panel (2), preferably made of plastic, having an upper portion (2A) in which a first opening (21) is formed for receiving a window (7), and - an outer skin (3), at least partially made of plastic, attached to the inner panel (2), comprising an internal surface (31) facing an external surface (23) of the inner panel (2). The opening (1) further comprises a support plate (4) for equipment (6) covered by the outer skin (3). The internal surface (31) of the outer skin (3) is directly attached to the support plate (4) in a sealed manner. The plate (4) is located within an internal volume (5A) delimited, on the one hand, by the external surface (23) of the inner panel (2) and, on the other hand, by the internal surface (31) of the outer skin (3).The outer skin (3) is attached directly and removably fixed to the inner panel (2) or the plate (4).