Vehicle Bellows Sealing with Compression Spring Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of sealing bellows between a vehicle trunk and body is dangerous and complex due to the need for securing the ends of the bellows under load while lifting the trunk, and the limited space makes it difficult to secure the ends of the bellows effectively.
Innovation Solution
A sealing device using a compression spring to automatically press the ends of the bellows around the openings, eliminating the need for fixing means during lifting and allowing secure and simplified installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If clamps or fixing means are used to secure the ends of the bellows, then the sealing device can be fixed to the vehicle body, but the installation becomes dangerous and complex requiring intervention under load during lifting
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the clamps or fixing means from the system, replacing them with a compression spring that secures the bellows ends through elastic compression alone. This extraction of harmful fixing elements eliminates the need for dangerous interventions under load during lifting, while the spring maintains sufficient securing force for effective sealing
Solution Approach 2:
The compression spring provides automatic securing of the bellows ends through its elastic properties, requiring no manual intervention or additional fixing means. The spring self-adjusts to maintain contact pressure between the bellows and vehicle body, making the installation process safer and simpler while ensuring reliable sealing
2Ease of manufacture
If the trunk is lifted to allow operator access for installing clamps, then the bellows can be attached, but the operator must work under load which is particularly dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the clamps or fixing means that require dangerous manual installation under load. The compression spring replaces these elements, allowing the bellows to be secured automatically without requiring the operator to intervene while the trunk is lifted, thereby eliminating the safety hazard
Solution Approach 2:
The compression spring is pre-installed on the bellows before lifting, so that when the bellows are positioned against the vehicle body, the spring automatically compresses and secures the ends. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for subsequent manual fixing operations under load
3Volume of moving object
If the space between the trunk and body is small, then the vehicle structure is compact, but securing the ends of the bellows becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the complex fixing means (clamps, bolts, or other securing mechanisms) that become difficult to install in tight spaces. The compression spring, being a simple elastic element, can be easily compressed and installed even in the limited space between the trunk and body, significantly reducing installation complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The compression spring provides dynamic adaptation to the available space between the trunk and body. It automatically adjusts its compression level to fit the gap, maintaining effective sealing pressure without requiring precise pre-adjustment or complex mounting mechanisms, thus simplifying installation in compact configurations
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 sealing device ensures effective sealing without requiring fixing under load, reducing installation complexity and enhancing safety by using a compression spring to maintain contact pressure between the bellows and the vehicle components.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring (54), arranged inside the bellows (52), along an axis (Z50) of the bellows (52), so as to separate the two ends (60, 62) of the bellows from each other, along the axis (Z50)
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
This sealing device (50) is intended to be mounted between a vehicle body (12) and a storage box fixed to the body. The body and the storage box respectively comprise a first (38) and a second (40) opening facing each other. The sealing device surrounds the opening and includes a bellows (52) having a first end (60) in contact with the body (12) so as to surround the first opening, and a second end (62) in contact with the storage box (20) so as to surround the second opening (40). The sealing device includes a compression spring (54), each end (64, 66) of the spring acting on one of the two ends of the bellows so that the spring pushes the two ends of the bellows apart.