Vehicle Weather Strip Dynamic Hardness Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional body weather strips made of rubber face a trade-off between effectively preventing wind noise and water entry during driving and ensuring smooth door operation and reduced noise when stopped, as their hardness affects both functions oppositely.
Innovation Solution
A body weather strip with a conductive coating agent and integrated conductive wire that adjusts rubber hardness based on vehicle speed and external temperature through electrical conduction, using a urethane coating with carbon nanotubes and a copper wire for heat generation, controlled by sensors to optimize both functionality during driving and static closing force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hardness of rubber is increased to improve wind noise and water prevention during driving, then the functionality during driving is improved, but the static closing force deteriorates causing poor door panel closing and increased noise when opened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a heating element to the weather strip that allows dynamic adjustment of rubber hardness. When activated, the heating element raises the temperature of the rubber material, temporarily reducing its hardness to enable easy door panel operation. This dynamic property change resolves the contradiction by allowing the weather strip to be hard when needed for sealing and soft when needed for installation and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of rubber hardness through temperature control. By applying heat via the heating element, the rubber's temperature increases, which directly changes its hardness parameter. This allows the same weather strip to exhibit different hardness characteristics under different temperature conditions, resolving the contradiction between hard and soft requirements.
2Ease of operation
If the hardness of rubber is decreased to improve door panel opening and closing operation, then the static closing force is improved, but the functionality during driving deteriorates with increased wind noise and water entry
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element enables dynamic switching between soft and hard states. During installation or when door operation is required, the heating element can be activated to temporarily soften the rubber. Once the operation is complete, the heating element is deactivated and the rubber returns to its hard state for optimal sealing performance during driving.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element operates periodically or intermittently rather than continuously. It is activated temporarily during installation or door operation phases, then deactivated during normal driving phases. This periodic activation allows the weather strip to alternate between soft and hard states as needed, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and sealing effectiveness.
3Reliability
If high compression load is applied to increase rubber hardness for better sealing, then the wind noise and water prevention is improved, but the reaction force increases causing noise when door panel is opened
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of permanently increasing compression load to raise hardness, the patent uses temperature-based parameter change. The heating element temporarily reduces rubber hardness through heat application, allowing door opening with minimal noise. When heating is deactivated, the rubber returns to its normal hard state with adequate sealing compression, thus resolving the contradiction without permanent high compression load.
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 solution enhances wind noise and water prevention at higher speeds while reducing door noise and maintaining rubber integrity in low temperatures by dynamically adjusting rubber hardness, thus addressing the dual functional challenges of conventional weather strips.
Implementation Method 1
the tube part applied with the coating agent increases in volume and pressure through heat generation by electrical conduction when a current is supplied to the conductive wire such that the hardness of the rubber increases
Implementation Method 2
a conductive wire inserted in the tube part; and an electric wire connected with the conductive wire. The conductive wire may be a copper wire that can secure stable resistance and current flow and is excellent in terms of thermal conductivity and heat generation
Data Source
AI summary
A body weather strip for a vehicle includes a carrier part coupled by being fitted in a car body panel and a tube part integrally formed with the carrier part and configured to perform a function when coming in contact with a door panel. A conductive coating agent is applied to the tube part and an external power is connected to the conductive coating agent.