Weatherstrip Attachment Angle for Dual Back Door Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sealing structures for back door openings require different attachment angles for lifting and lateral opening systems, leading to increased manufacturing costs due to the need for distinct designs.
Innovation Solution
A sealing structure with a weatherstrip attachment angle of 35 degrees, intermediate between 0 and 70 degrees, which allows for commonality between lifting and lateral opening systems, utilizing a U-shaped base member with retaining ribs and a pantograph-shaped hollow seal member with an inclined protrusion, and a lying control rib to ensure effective sealing and water management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If different attachment angles are used for lifting and lateral opening systems, then sealing performance is optimized for each system, but manufacturing cost increases due to distinct designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single weatherstrip structure that can serve both lifting and lateral opening systems. The weatherstrip is configured with a specific attachment angle range (10 to 30 degrees) that provides effective sealing for both door opening types, eliminating the need for system-specific designs and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining sealing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by optimizing the attachment angle within a specific range (10 to 30 degrees) rather than using fixed angles for different systems. This parameter optimization allows the same weatherstrip design to achieve effective sealing contact with the back door inner surface for both lifting and lateral opening systems, resolving the contradiction between specialized performance and manufacturing simplicity.
2Ease of manufacture
If a common attachment angle is used for both systems, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but sealing performance may be compromised for either system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by identifying an optimal parameter range (attachment angle of 10 to 30 degrees) that satisfies sealing requirements for both lifting and lateral opening systems. This parameter optimization ensures that a single weatherstrip design achieves effective sealing contact without compromising performance, while enabling standardized manufacturing and cost reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The weatherstrip design achieves universality by being effective for both door opening systems within the specified attachment angle range. The structural configuration and attachment angle optimization enable the same component to perform the sealing function reliably for different door mechanisms, maintaining sealing performance while simplifying manufacturing.
3Reliability
If the weatherstrip is attached at 0 degrees for lateral opening system, then sealing is effective, but the design cannot be used for lifting system requiring 70 degree angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing the weatherstrip to function effectively for both lateral opening (0 degree) and lifting (70 degree) systems using a intermediate attachment angle of 10 to 30 degrees. This universal design allows the same weatherstrip structure to be applied across different door opening systems, enhancing design compatibility while maintaining sealing effectiveness through optimized geometric parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by selecting an intermediate attachment angle range (10 to 30 degrees) that bridges the requirements of different door systems. This parameter optimization enables the weatherstrip to achieve effective sealing contact for both lateral and lifting door configurations, resolving the adaptability issue while preserving sealing performance.
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
This solution reduces manufacturing costs by providing a unified sealing structure for both systems while maintaining effective sealing performance and preventing water ingress into the vehicle cabin.
Implementation Method 1
a pantograph-shaped hollow seal member (22) having an inclined protrusion (22a) brought into elastic contact with an inner surface (3a) of the back door (3)
Data Source
Figure 1A~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A sealing structure of a back door opening of the present invention has: a body panel with a flange formed along the back door opening; and a weatherstrip attached onto the flange. The weatherstrip has: a base member engaged with the flange; and a hollow seal member for ensuring sealing property between the body panel and a lifting system back door or a lateral opening system back door when the back door is closed. An attachment angle of the weatherstrip onto the flange on an upper edge of the back door opening is set at an inclination angle between a first angle and a second angle. The first angle is an angle in which the weatherstrip is attached so that the hollow seal member can abut perpendicularly on a back door inner surface when the lateral opening system back door is closed. The second angle is an angle in which the weatherstrip is attached so that the hollow seal member can abut perpendicularly on the back door inner surface when the lifting system back door is closed.