Plastic Trunk Lid Reinforcement with Flexible Glue Strip
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing tailgate assemblies for motor vehicles face issues with rigidity at the side pillars and inadequate sealing between the rear window and the lining, leading to water intrusion and design limitations.
Innovation Solution
An assembly that includes a reinforced lining with baffle-shaped contact surfaces and a trigger guard, which enhances rigidity and maintains a sealed interface between the rear window and the lining, using a flexible lamella to minimize glue intrusion and ensure uniform glue thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If reinforcement bridges are used at the side pillars to increase rigidity, then the tailgate rigidity is improved, but the sealing at the rear window level cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the lining providing structural support, the trigger guard as a separate reinforcing element, and the baffle creating a sealed barrier. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the others.
Solution Approach 2:
The baffle acts as an intermediary element between the lining and the rear window, creating a sealed interface that prevents water intrusion while allowing the reinforcement structures to maintain rigidity. The baffle mediates between the structural requirements and sealing requirements.
2Ease of manufacture
If a plastic lining is used for the tailgate, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but rigidity at the side pillars deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly combines plastic lining material with additional reinforcement elements (trigger guard and baffle) to create a composite structure. This allows the base plastic lining to maintain manufacturing flexibility while the added components provide the necessary rigidity at critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural reinforcement is segmented into separate components (trigger guard, baffle) that can be added to the plastic lining. This allows the lining to be manufactured independently with flexibility, while rigidity is provided by the segmented reinforcement elements.
3Reliability
If glue is applied to seal the rear window to the lining, then sealing is improved, but glue intrusion occurs at the glue line
Solution Approach 1:
The baffle serves as an intermediary barrier between the glue application area and the visible surfaces. It allows glue to be applied for sealing purposes while preventing the glue from intruding into areas where it would be harmful or aesthetically unacceptable.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful effect of glue intrusion is extracted or removed from the system by using the baffle to contain the glue at the sealing interface, preventing it from migrating to other areas.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The assembly (1) comprises: - a lining (2) and at least one bridge (4) defining an opening (6), - a first line of glue (16) intended to fix a rear window (7) of the trunk lid onto the lining, the rear window defining a thickness direction, the bridge comprising a body, and an end extending along the first line of glue, the end forming a flexible strip intended to be received in a housing formed by the lining and the rear window.