Weather Strip Corner Stiffness via Insert Member Through Groove
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional weather strips with embedded insert members face issues of reduced stiffness and material coming off due to interference with clips, particularly in the corner portions, where the insert member's thickness is insufficient and prone to breakage, and the elastic material on both sides is separated, leading to potential ripping.
Innovation Solution
The formation of additional holes communicating with the clip hole in the insert member allows the elastic materials on both sides to unite, increasing the thickness and stiffness of the outer peripheral portion, preventing material coming off and reducing the risk of insert member breakage, while maintaining compatibility with general-purpose clips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If an insert member is embedded in the corner portion of the weather strip for reinforcement, then the stiffness of the corner portion is improved, but the elastic material on both sides of the insert member becomes separated and prone to coming off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a through groove as an intermediary structure that extends from the outer peripheral surface of the insert member to the inner peripheral surface. This through groove allows the elastic material to continuously pass through the insert member, acting as a mediator that connects the elastic material on both sides and prevents separation and coming off, while maintaining the reinforcement function of the insert member
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the hole structure into two parts: a clip hole for clip insertion and a through groove for material continuity. This segmentation allows the clip hole to provide mechanical fastening while the through groove provides material connection, resolving the contradiction between reinforcement and material retention
2Ease of manufacture
If the inner diameter of the clip hole in the insert member is made larger to accommodate clips, then the ease of manufacture and assembly is improved, but the stiffness of the insert member is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the hole structure into a clip hole with larger diameter for easy clip installation and a through groove with smaller cross-section for maintaining structural integrity. This segmentation allows the clip hole to fulfill its function of accommodating clips while the through groove maintains the stiffness of the insert member by having a smaller cross-sectional area
3Reliability
If multiple small-diameter through holes are provided in the insert member to prevent elastic material from coming off, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple small-diameter through holes into a single through groove structure. Instead of providing multiple separate holes, the through groove combines their material-connecting function into one continuous groove, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the reliability of preventing elastic material from coming off
Data Source
AI summary
A weather strip made of an elastic material includes an insert member having a plurality of through holes which is embedded in a corner portion of the weather strip. In the corner portion, a clip insertion hole in which a clip for attaching the corner portion to the automobile body is insertable is formed, and in the insert member, a clip hole is formed in a position corresponding to the clip insertion hole. In the outer peripheral portion of the clip hole, an additional hole communicating with the clip hole is formed, and the elastic materials of which the corner portion is made and that are situated on the obverse and reverse sides of the insert member are united together through the additional hole.