Vehicle Window Post Assembly Sealing Gap Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle window post assemblies face a risk of the cover part being accidentally released due to wind catching in gaps between the window and the cover part, particularly at the windscreen, as the sealing strip is often fixed to the base part rather than the cover part, leading to inadequate sealing.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle window post assembly with a separate mounting part for the sealing strip, which is fixed to the cover part using complementary sliding or interlocking elements, ensuring a tighter seal and minimizing gaps, and additional resilient fixing elements for enhanced fixation between the cover and base parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the sealing strip is fixed to the base part, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but gaps remain between the sealing strip and cover part allowing wind to catch and release the cover part
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly is divided into separate functional parts: the sealing strip is attached to the mounting part rather than being integrated with the base part. This segmentation allows the sealing strip to be positioned optimally on the mounting part while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through separate attachment processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting part serves as an intermediary component between the base part and the sealing strip. By providing a dedicated mounting part with integrated sealing strip, the design achieves better sealing effectiveness without significantly complicating the overall manufacturing process, as the mounting part can be separately manufactured and then attached to the base part.
2Reliability
If the sealing strip is moulded onto the cover part, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the exterior surface of the cover part may be damaged or appear unpleasant
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing strip is separated from the cover part and instead attached to the mounting part. This segmentation prevents the sealing strip from interfering with the exterior surface of the cover part, maintaining its aesthetic appearance while achieving effective sealing through the mounting part's positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting part acts as an intermediary that carries the sealing strip to the correct position without requiring modification of the cover part's exterior surface. This approach preserves the cover part's appearance while still achieving the sealing function through the mounting part's structure and positioning.
3Reliability
If a separate mounting part is used for the sealing strip, then the sealing effectiveness is improved by minimizing gaps, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting part combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural support, positions the sealing strip accurately, and attaches to both the base part and the sealing strip. This merging reduces the need for separate components and attachment mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved sealing effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
Vehicle window post assembly, in particular a windscreen post assembly, comprising a base part arranged to be fixed to a vehicle chassis along a side of a window of the vehicle, and a cover part arranged to be fixed to the base part and in use covering the base part. A sealing strip is provided for sealing a gap between the side of the window and the cover part. The sealing strip is provided on a mounting part which is a separate part from the base and cover parts, and the cover part and the mounting part are together provided with complementary fixing elements by means of which the mounting part is mountable on the cover part in a position suitable for sealing the gap.