Windshield Cowl Louver Molding with Elastic Lip Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connecting structure between a windshield glass and a cowl louver in vehicles is prone to water ingress due to dimensional and geometrical tolerances and changes over time, leading to ineffective water prevention.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a molding with first and second elastic lips that press on the engagement rib from opposite directions, preventing water entry and maintaining contact even with geometrical changes, while the slip-out prevention projections only serve to prevent the engagement rib from slipping out.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a sealing member is interposed between the windshield glass and cowl louver to prevent water entry, then water prevention function is improved, but clearance formation due to dimensional tolerances and geometrical changes over time still allows water entry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the engagement rib from rigid to elastically deformable, allowing it to dynamically adjust its shape to maintain contact with the fitting portion despite dimensional tolerances and geometrical changes over time, ensuring continuous water prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement rib is designed with elastic deformability, transforming it from a static rigid component to a dynamic component that can adapt its shape in response to clearance variations, maintaining effective sealing under changing conditions
2Stability of the object's composition
If both engagement means (projections) are made rigid to ensure stable connection, then connection stability is improved, but fitting difficulty increases due to less elastic deformability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the mechanical properties of the engagement rib by introducing elastic deformability, enabling it to temporarily deform during fitting to overcome interference from rigid projections, then recover its shape to provide stable connection
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic deformability of the engagement rib acts as a cushioning mechanism that absorbs fitting interference in advance, allowing smooth assembly by temporarily yielding to rigid projections and then providing stable engagement
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
Effectively prevents water entry into the vehicle interior by maintaining close contact with the engagement rib through elastic lips, enhancing the water preventive function and durability, and simplifying the assembly and disassembly process.
Implementation Method 1
a molding having a fixed portion that is fixed on an inner surface of a lower edge of the windshield glass, and a fitting portion that receives an engagement rib
Data Source
AI summary
A connecting structure includes: a molding having a fixed portion that is fixed on an inner surface of a lower edge of a windshield glass, and a fitting portion that receives an engagement rib that protrudes downward from a location near an upper edge of a cowl louver, wherein the engagement rib and the fitting portion include slip-out prevention projections that prevent the engagement rib from slipping out. On both sides of the engagement rib are provided elastic lips and that are supported by the fitting portion, and these elastic lips extend in the extending direction of the engagement rib and press on the engagement rib at a side closer to a tip of the engagement rib than the slip-out prevention projections, these elastic lips press each other in opposite directions.