Triangular Flow Element Sealing Motor Vehicle Joints

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for sealing the joint edges of motor vehicle bodies, particularly between components like wheelhouses and side walls, face challenges in providing effective noise reduction and water/dust barrier while avoiding corrosion and compromising acoustic quality.

Innovation Solution

A method and system utilizing a flow element with a triangular body and corner gap to direct and solidify a sealing substance, such as wax, along the connecting edge, influencing its flow based on temperature and viscosity, and incorporating a carrier component for enhanced sealing and acoustic isolation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a sealant arrangement completely covers the joint between sheet metal parts, then noise reduction and water/dust barrier are improved, but corrosion protection is compromised due to inability to apply wax to wheel arch edges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise and water/dust ingressVSAvoidcorrosion protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealant arrangement is segmented into a sealing sheet for general sealing and a flow element with corner gap for targeted corrosion protection at the wheel arch edge, allowing both noise reduction and wax application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sealing approaches are applied to different locations: the sealing sheet provides general joint sealing, while the flow element with corner gap provides localized corrosion protection at the wheel arch edge where wax application is critical

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If an opening is provided in the body part for wax application, then corrosion protection is improved, but noise reduction and acoustic quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion protectionVSAvoidnoise level
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flow element acts as an intermediary structure that allows wax to reach the wheel arch edge through the corner gap while the sealing sheet maintains acoustic isolation in the main body, mediating between corrosion protection and noise reduction requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If sealing substance is poured directly onto the connecting edge, then sealing is achieved, but uneven distribution and poor flow control occur in the triangular connecting area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing substance distributionVSAvoidsealing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The flow element serves as an intermediary that receives sealing substance on its upper surface and directs it through the corner gap to the connecting edge, mediating between the pouring action and the final sealing application to ensure even distribution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The flow element is pre-positioned in the triangular connecting area with its corner gap oriented toward the wheel arch edge, preparing the path for sealing substance flow before the actual sealing operation begins

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method effectively seals the connecting edges, reducing noise and preventing water and dust ingress, while eliminating the need for additional foaming systems and ensuring corrosion protection without compromising acoustic performance.

Implementation Method 1

The flow of the sealing substance depends on its temperature and/or viscosity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscosity: Viscometer

Implementation Method 2

the sealing substance initially collecting at least partially on the first body, with the sealing substance flowing at least partially through the corner gap

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolidification: Freezing

Data Source

PatentEP3228526B1Method for sealing a seam
Publication Date: 2018.12.19 AUDI AG
  • EP3228526B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3228526B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3228526B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~5b

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for sealing a connecting edge (6) at which two components (2, 4) of a motor vehicle abut each other, wherein the connecting edge (6) is located between the two components (2, 4), wherein a flow element (18) is arranged in a triangular connecting area (1) between the two components (2, 4), the flow element having a first body (20) with two outer edges (24, 26) that meet at a corner of the first body (20), wherein one outer edge (24, 26) of the first body (20) faces one of the two components (2, 4) and the corner faces the connecting edge (6), wherein a corner gap (28) is provided along a section along each outer edge (24, 26) and each component (2, 4) as well as between the corner and the connecting edge (6), wherein a liquid sealing substance is poured onto the first body (20), which at least partially adheres to the first body (20). accumulates.