Weather Strip Bead Part Water Guidance Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drainage structures in weather strips of retractable roof and hard top vehicles fail to prevent water from entering the vehicle interior during car washing or rain, as water collects on the outer-cabin side edge of the hollow seal part and flows along the longitudinal direction, reaching the top end of the door glass and entering the vehicle when the door is opened.
Innovation Solution
A bead part is formed on the lower side wall surface of the hollow seal part, extending from the outer-cabin side edge beyond the elastic contact position with the door glass, inclined downward, guiding water to the drainage hole and preventing it from entering the vehicle interior by forming ditches that direct water into the eaves-trough-shaped water receiving part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If water receiving part is formed on the lower side wall surface of the hollow seal part, then water can be collected, but water enters the vehicle interior through the gusset when the door is opened
Solution Approach 1:
The bead part is formed in advance on the lower side wall surface of the hollow seal part, creating a preliminary water guidance structure that directs water toward the drainage hole before water can accumulate and flow into the vehicle interior through the gusset
Solution Approach 2:
The bead part acts as an intermediary element between the water receiving part and the drainage hole, mediating the water flow path and ensuring water is properly channeled through the drainage system rather than allowing it to reach the gusset and enter the vehicle
2Object-affected harmful factors
If drainage hole is formed in the die molded part, then water can be drained, but water collects on the outer-cabin side edge and flows along the longitudinal direction reaching the top end of the door glass
Solution Approach 1:
The bead part is localized on the lower side wall surface of the hollow seal part, creating a specific local structure that modifies water flow characteristics in that area without requiring complex modifications to the entire weather strip assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The bead part introduces a new dimensional feature (protrusion) on the lower side wall surface, creating a three-dimensional water guidance structure that directs water flow in a controlled path from the outer-cabin side edge toward the drainage hole
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 bead part effectively guides water into the drainage system, preventing water leaks and reducing the burden on the seal lip, ensuring improved water-tightness and preventing water from entering the vehicle interior, even when the door is opened after rain or car washing.
Implementation Method 1
the bead part is inclined downward, guiding water to the drainage hole
Implementation Method 2
a hollow seal part which makes elastic contact with a top end of the door glass and a seal lip extending from a lower side of the hollow seal part toward an outer-cabin side, which makes elastic contact with an inner-cabin side surface of the door glass
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A drainage structure of a weather strip (10) comprises: an installation base member (11) installed on a door (3) opening edge of a retractable roof vehicle; a hollow seal part (12) provided downward on an outer-cabin side with respect to the installation base member (11), which makes elastic contact with a top end (5a) of a door glass (5); and a seal lip (13) extending from a lower side of the hollow seal part (12) toward an outer-cabin side, of which top end curves upward and makes elastic contact with an inner-cabin side surface of the door glass (5), thereby forming an eaves-trough-shaped water receiving part (14), wherein: a lower side wall surface (12b) forming the hollow seal part (12), with which the top end (5a) of the door glass (5) makes elastic contact, has a bead part (30) formed at least on an elastic contact position thereof with the top end (5a) of the door glass (5).