Weather Strip Rib Joint for Crack Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional weather strips prone to crack formation at joined parts due to concentrated stress when bent, as they lack a structural reinforcement mechanism to distribute bending stress effectively.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a rib portion on the outer surfaces of the sealing bodies at the joint area, made of a resin material, which increases the joint area and allows bending stress to be distributed along the joined parts, reducing the likelihood of crack formation by enabling expansion in the direction of the joint rather than perpendicular to it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a weather strip is formed by joining two sealing bodies, then the weather strip can accommodate sharp direction changes and complex shapes, but cracks may form at the joined part when bent due to concentrated stress
Solution Approach 1:
The joint portion is segmented into a rib portion that protrudes from the joint area. This segmentation creates a structural reinforcement that distributes stress away from the critical joined interface, allowing the weather strip to bend without cracking while maintaining the ability to form sharp corners through the joining of sealing bodies
Solution Approach 2:
The rib portion adds a third dimension (protrusion) to the otherwise planar joint area. This dimensional change creates a stress-distributing structure that prevents crack propagation in the plane of bending, while the joining process remains effective for creating sharp directional changes in the weather strip profile
2Productivity
If the joint area between sealing bodies is small, then the joining process is simple and quick, but stress concentrates at the joined part causing cracks during bending
Solution Approach 1:
The rib portion is formed as an integral part of the joint portion during the joining process itself, rather than requiring a separate reinforcement step. This preliminary formation of the stress-distributing structure occurs simultaneously with the joining operation, maintaining productivity while enhancing bending resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The rib portion and joint portion are merged into a single integrated structure made of the same resin material. This merging ensures that the stress-distributing feature is created without adding separate components or complex assembly steps, preserving joining efficiency while improving structural strength
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 rib portion effectively suppresses crack formation at the joined parts by distributing bending stress along the joint area, enhancing the structural integrity and durability of the weather strip while maintaining sealing performance and appearance.
Implementation Method 1
the end faces of the sealing bodies and the surrounding parts are heated. This melts the joining sheet, so that the sealing bodies are joined to form an integral body
Implementation Method 2
This melts the joining sheet, so that the sealing bodies are joined to form an integral body
Data Source
AI summary
A weather strip is formed by joining a first sealing body, a second sealing body, and a resin joint portion, which is arranged between the sealing bodies, to each other. The resin joint portion includes a rib portion, which has a shape that bulges outward from between the opposed faces of the first sealing body and the second sealing body. The rib portion has a shape to be joined to the outer surface of the end of the first sealing body and the outer surface of the end of the second sealing body and to extend along the joined parts of the first sealing body and the second sealing body.