U-Shaped Thermoplastic Trim for Door Frame Rebate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing exterior trims for motor vehicle glazed side or rear doors require complex manufacturing processes, are costly, heavy, and difficult to mold due to their small dimensions and need for additional support for sealing profiles, especially when made from materials like aluminum or stainless steel.

Innovation Solution

A U-shaped exterior trim with male and female catching means along its legs, injection molded from thermoplastic materials, which can be attached directly to the door frame rebate, supporting both the glass run channel and double lip seal profile strips, and featuring a bearing portion for secure attachment and varying appearances through surface treatments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If exterior trims are made from aluminum or stainless steel to avoid corrosion, then corrosion resistance is improved, but weight increases and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidtrim weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from metal (aluminum or stainless steel) to thermoplastic material, fundamentally altering the weight and manufacturing characteristics while maintaining corrosion resistance through material inherent properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a thermoplastic material that can be economically manufactured and replaced if necessary, trading the longevity and durability of metal for cost-effectiveness and weight reduction, while still providing sufficient service life for the application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If exterior trims are made from aluminum or stainless steel to avoid corrosion, then corrosion resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to re-machining, bending, and end fittings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical fastening systems (screws, clips, rivets) with an integrated injection-molded thermoplastic trim that incorporates mounting features directly into the material, eliminating the need for separate fastening components and reducing assembly steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple manufacturing operations (molding, fastening features, surface treatment) into a single injection molding process, creating an integrated trim component that eliminates sequential manufacturing steps required for metal trims

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If exterior trims are made from aluminum or stainless steel, then strength is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrim strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from expensive metal to cost-effective thermoplastic material, fundamentally altering the cost structure while maintaining sufficient strength through appropriate material selection and structural design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If U-shaped clamping portion has small dimensions and continuity, then attachment security is improved, but molding difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidmolding difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the continuous U-shaped clamping portion into discrete segments or sections, each capable of independent molding and assembly, which reduces the complexity of molding the entire continuous structure while maintaining the overall attachment security through distributed clamping points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9096114B2Exterior trim for motor vehicle door frame, and sealing module incorporating same

Publication Date: 2015.08.04 HUTCHINSON SA

AI summary

The present invention relates to an exterior trim for a frame of a glazed side or rear door of a motor vehicle and to a sealing module incorporating it. The invention notably applies to sealing modules for exterior glass run channel profile strips for doors with hidden frames used in motor vehicles. This exterior trim (40″′) can be attached directly to a rebate(21″′) of the frame and is intended to hold on this frame at least one sealing profile strip of the run channel type (10) and a double lip seal (50) for sealing against the bodyshell, the trim comprising a portion (41) for clamping onto the rebate which has a substantially U-shaped cross section with two longitudinal axial legs (42′″ and 43″′). According to the invention, a plurality of male and/or female catching means (43a″′) are formed spaced along the length of at least one of said legs, or catching leg (43″′) facing the other leg (42″′) and are designed to cooperate respectively with a plurality of complementary female and/or male catching elements (21a″′) formed spaced along the length of said rebate.