Window Weatherstrip Seal With Closed Channel Ends for Water Overflow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle window seals collect and direct rainwater into the vehicle door, leading to aerodynamic noise and visibility issues due to water accumulation, as they are not effectively designed to manage water flow and air circulation.
Innovation Solution
A window seal with a closing element at each end of the channel, which can be a narrow wall or part of the seal itself, to prevent water from entering the door and reduce air noise by directing water overflow onto the exterior panel, and an evacuation hole to manage water flow during low-intensity rain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the weatherstrip is fixed along the edge of the body panel with an open channel between two lips to allow water drainage, then water can flow off the window, but water accumulates in the channel and flows into the door
Solution Approach 1:
The channel is divided into multiple sections by transverse sealing elements positioned at strategic locations. These sealing elements segment the continuous channel into isolated compartments, preventing water from flowing freely into the door while maintaining drainage capability in each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
Transverse sealing elements act as intermediary barriers within the channel. These elements mediate between the water flow and the door structure, allowing controlled water management while blocking harmful water entry into the door interior.
2Illumination intensity
If the weatherstrip is positioned to be hidden behind the body panel for aesthetic purposes, then visibility is improved, but water collected in the channel flows into the door
Solution Approach 1:
The channel is divided into multiple sections by transverse sealing elements positioned at strategic locations. These sealing elements segment the continuous channel into isolated compartments, preventing water from flowing freely into the door while maintaining drainage capability in each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
Transverse sealing elements act as intermediary barriers within the channel. These elements mediate between the water flow and the door structure, allowing controlled water management while blocking harmful water entry into the door interior.
3Ease of operation
If the channel is left open at both ends to allow water drainage, then water can escape the channel, but aerodynamic noise is generated by air rushing into the channel
Solution Approach 1:
The channel is divided into multiple sections by transverse sealing elements positioned at strategic locations. These sealing elements segment the continuous channel into isolated compartments, preventing water from flowing freely into the door while maintaining drainage capability in each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
Transverse sealing elements act as intermediary barriers within the channel. These elements mediate between the water flow and the door structure, allowing controlled water management while blocking harmful water entry into the door interior.
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 significantly reduces water entry into the vehicle door, minimizes aerodynamic noise, and maintains visibility by controlling water flow and preventing water from reaching electrical components.
Implementation Method 1
the contact lip rests against the window and the sealing lip rests against the body panel on the side of the panel facing the window
Implementation Method 2
water accumulates in the channel as it runs off the window and is then limited at the end of the channel by this sealing element
Implementation Method 3
the water level within the channel can rise to the point of overflowing the body panel and running down the outer surface of the body panel facing the vehicle's exterior
Implementation Method 4
the sealing element limits the amount of air that hits structural elements of the vehicle located opposite the end of the channel, and/or the amount of air that enters behind the body panel through the channel
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A weatherstrip seal (201) for a window comprising a body (204) extending in a longitudinal direction and comprising attachment means (209) for attachment to a body panel (21), two lips (202, 203), a contact lip (202) and a sealing lip (203) made from elastic material, linked to the body (204), and extending substantially along the length of said body (204), the contact lip (202) and the sealing lip (203) facing each other so as to form the edges of a channel (205) open along its length and extending substantially along the length of the body (204), characterised in that the weatherstrip seal (201, 301) comprises a closing element (206) at one of the ends of the channel (205) so as to at least partially close said end of the channel (205).