AUTOMATIC SEAL WITH A GUIDE ELEMENT FOR GUIDING A PUSH ROD AND METHOD FOR POSITIONING THE GUIDE ELEMENT IN A HOUSING OF THE SEAL

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a second scissor element for a lowering mechanism for lowering a sealing strip of a seal and such a seal with a lowerable sealing strip which can be lowered by means of a lowering mechanism actuated by a trigger, wherein the lowering mechanism comprises a first scissor element and the aforementioned second scissor element, wherein the first scissor element is directly or indirectly pivotally connected to a holding means via a first bearing and the second scissor element is pivotally connected to the sealing strip via a second bearing, and the scissor elements are pivotally connected to one another via a third bearing.

[0002] EP 3 284 896 A1, DE 60 2004 009 845 T2, and CH 465 830 disclose seals with lowering mechanisms comprising a first and a second scissor element. An advantage of these seals is that they allow the sealing strip to be lowered parallel to the retaining means—usually the outer profile or housing—and without lateral offset of the sealing strip. GB 2 304 776 A discloses a second scissor element according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] The seals known to date usually have a minimum retaining element width of approximately 12 mm. There are only a few seals that have a smaller width, for example, 8 mm. However, many applications require seals with a smaller width, for example, only 8 mm. There is a need for various models of narrow seals.

[0004] This is where the present group of inventions comes into play.

[0005] The inventions are based on the object of proposing automatic seals of the type mentioned above, which have a small width and a lowering mechanism with scissor elements, as well as a scissor element particularly suitable for such a seal.

[0006] This problem is solved by the group of inventions. Each invention contributes to a narrow seal, for example, with a width of only 8 mm.

[0007] The second scissor element according to the invention according to claim 1 makes a first contribution here. The second scissor element according to the invention is provided for a lowering mechanism comprising a first scissor element and the second scissor element according to the invention, wherein the lowering mechanism is provided for a seal with a lowerable sealing strip. According to the invention, the second scissor element can be pivotally connected to an inner profile of the sealing strip in a second bearing, wherein the second bearing has a pivot axis lying in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the seal, and the second scissor element has a bearing pin to form the second bearing. The second scissor element and the first scissor element can be pivotally mounted on one another in a third bearing, wherein the second scissor element has a recess for the third bearing, into which a bearing pin of the first scissor element can engage.The second and third bearings are pivot bearings. The second scissor element has an end located beyond the third bearing, as viewed from the second bearing, which end can be connected to a rod of the seal via a fourth bearing. The fourth bearing is a bearing with two degrees of freedom that allow rotation and displacement of the end of the second scissor element relative to the rod. The end of the second scissor element and a section between the end and the third bearing have a window through which the rod can be guided. Circular segment-like structures are provided at the end of the second scissor element. These structures rest against the inside of a web of a housing of the seal or can be arranged at only a small distance from the inside of this web. When the seal is actuated, they can move, possibly at a distance, along the inside of the housing.

[0008] According to the invention (claim 2), a narrow seal can be created if the second bearing is formed by a single pin on the second scissor element and a channel in the sealing strip in which the pin is pivotally arranged.

[0009] For this purpose, the channel in the sealing strip can have a base, two spaced-apart side walls, and a web extending from the first of the two side walls toward the second of the two side walls. A slot can then remain between a free end of the web and the second side wall, through which the second scissor element extends. The pin of the second bearing can engage behind this web.

[0010] A narrow seal can also be created if, in a seal with scissor elements, the first scissor element has an end that is located beyond the third bearing, viewed from the first bearing, and is movable relative to the sealing strip. This end is spaced from the third bearing by at least 50% of the distance between the second bearing and the third bearing. This creates a section of the first scissor element between the third bearing and the movable end, which can be used to guide the first scissor element through the sealing strip and / or a movable part of the lowering mechanism. The sealing strip has a guide channel for guiding the movable end of the first scissor element through the sealing strip.

[0011] For guidance on the sliding part of the lowering mechanism, the section of the first scissor element located between the third bearing and the sliding end can have a slot on a side facing the retaining means. Particularly when the seal is not actuated, the sliding part can engage in the slot and guide the first scissor element, particularly both at the beginning of a lowering movement of the sealing strip and at the end of an upward movement of the sealing strip.

[0012] It is possible that the third bearing is formed by a single pin of one of the two scissor elements and a recess in the other of the two scissor elements into which the pin is inserted.

[0013] A narrow seal can also be created according to the invention (claim 6), in particular, in that the third bearing is formed by a single pin of one of the two scissor elements and a recess in the other of the two scissor elements, into which the pin is inserted. In contrast to other seal designs, in which rivets (see CH 465 830) or snap-in connections (see EP 3 284 896 A1) are used to connect the scissor elements, which can also absorb forces or moments acting transversely to the longitudinal direction of the seal, in the bearing according to the invention, only the effect of forces and moments transverse to the longitudinal direction of the seal can be absorbed in the third bearing.

[0014] To prevent the connection in the third bearing from coming loose during use of the scissor elements, it is advantageous if the scissor elements are not only supported in the first and second bearings, but are also guided at the movable ends in the longitudinal direction of the seal, advantageously in such a way that the scissor elements can move little or no transversely to the longitudinal direction of the seal. In particular, the plug-in connection created by the recess in one scissor element and the pin in the other scissor element can then be sufficient to form a bearing suitable for transmitting forces between the scissor elements.

[0015] The second scissor element can have an end that is movable parallel to the sealing strip, located beyond the third bearing as viewed from the second bearing. The aforementioned sliding part, which is moved parallel to the longitudinal direction of the seal upon actuation of the seal, can be coupled to the movable end of the second scissor element in order to transfer the movement of the sliding part performed upon actuation of the seal to the scissor elements and ultimately to the sealing strip.

[0016] A secure fixation of the first scissor element of a seal according to the invention in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the seal can be achieved by forking the first scissor element between the first and third bearings or by having a window. Outwardly projecting pins can be provided on the fork legs of the first scissor element or on the lateral frame sections of a window in the first scissor element, which engage in recesses in the holding part or in recesses in a part connected to the holding part.

[0017] A good fixing of the second scissor element of a seal according to the invention in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the seal can be achieved in that the second scissor element is forked or has a window between the displaceable end and the third bearing.

[0018] The sliding part can then engage between the fork legs of the forked section of the first and / or second scissor element and / or through the window of the first and / or second scissor element. This allows for fixation in the transverse direction to the longitudinal direction of the seal.

[0019] Preferably, the sliding part is guided by means of one or more guide parts which are fastened in the holding element.

[0020] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of a seal according to the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these drawings: Fig. 1 a perspective view of the seal in the non-actuated state, Fig. 2 a perspective view of the seal in the actuated state, Fig. 3 a perspective view of guide parts, the trigger and the lowering mechanism in the non-actuated state of the seal, Fig. 3a a perspective view of guide parts, the trigger and the lowering mechanism in the non-actuated state of a variant of the seal, Fig. 4 a perspective view of guide parts, the trigger and the lowering mechanism in the actuated state of the seal, Fig. 4a a perspective view of guide parts, the trigger and the lowering mechanism in the actuated state of the variant of the seal, Fig. 5 an enlarged section of Fig. 3 , Fig. 5a an enlarged section of Fig. 3a , Fig. 6 an enlarged section of Fig. 4 , Fig. 6a an enlarged section of Fig. 4a, Fig. 7 the trigger of the seal in perspective view, Fig. 7 the trigger of the variant of the seal in perspective view, Fig. 8 a head of the trigger from Fig. 7 in perspective view, Fig. 8a a head of the trigger from Fig. 7a in perspective view, Fig. 9 a coupling element of the trigger made of Fig. 7 in perspective view, Fig. 9a a coupling element of the trigger made of Fig. 7a in perspective view, Fig. 10 a section through the trigger Fig. 7 , Fig. 10a a section through the trigger Fig. 7a , Fig. 11 a perspective view of guide parts and parts of the lowering mechanism in the non-actuated state of the seal, Fig. 12 the view according to Fig. 11, but without guide parts, Fig. 13 a perspective view of a sliding part of the lowering mechanism, Fig. 14 a perspective view of a first scissor element of the lowering mechanism, Fig. 15 a top view of the first scissor element, Fig. 16 a perspective view of a second scissor element of the lowering mechanism, Fig. 17 a top view of the second scissor element, Fig. 18 a perspective view of guide parts and parts of the lowering mechanism in the actuated state of the seal, Fig. 19 the view according to Fig. 18 , but without guide parts, Fig. 20 a perspective view of elements for resetting an actuated seal, Fig. 21 a guide element which accommodates a return spring, Fig. 22 a side view of a part of the seal, Fig. 23 a section through the Fig. 22 shown part of the seal according to the line XXIII-XXIII in Fig. 22 , Fig. 24 a section through the Fig. 22shown part of the seal according to the line XXIV-XXIV in Fig. 22 and Fig. 25 a section through the Fig. 22 shown part of the seal according to the line XXV-XXV in Fig. 22 .

[0021] The automatically lowerable door seal according to the invention shown in the figures comprises a holding means 2 having a housing 20. This can be fastened using mounting brackets 1, for example, in a groove of a door. Using other fastening means, fastening to the outside of a door is also possible. The housing 20 has a uniform profile extending in a longitudinal direction. The housing is preferably an extruded aluminum profile.

[0022] A lowering mechanism 4 is attached to the housing 20 via guide parts 21, 22, 23. With this lowering mechanism 4, a sealing strip 5 can be moved from a raised position to a lowered position. The sealing strip 5 is two-part and comprises an inner rail 50 and a sealing profile 51, which can be sealingly applied to a surface, for example, the floor. The lowering mechanism 4 is coupled to a trigger 3, via which the force required to actuate the seal can be introduced into the lowering mechanism 4. The trigger 3 of the seal according to the invention has a two-part construction. It has a head 31 and a coupling element 32. The relative position of the head 31 and the coupling element 32 to one another can be changed. This makes it possible to adjust the length of the trigger in the longitudinal direction. A length adjustment of a trigger can be used to adjust the stroke of a seal.

[0023] The head 31 of the trigger 3 has a stop surface 310, via which an external force can be introduced into the trigger 3 or the lowering mechanism 4. The head 31 has a support body 311 on which the stop surface 310 is provided. A guide structure 312 is provided on an upper side of the support body 311. This is formed by two laterally projecting webs that are slidably arranged in complementary guide structures of the outer profile. The head also has a threaded rod 313, which adjoins the support body 311 on a side facing away from the stop surface 310. The threaded rod 313 serves to connect the head 31 to the coupling element 32 of the trigger 3.

[0024] The coupling element 32 of the trigger 3 also has a support body, namely the support body 320. This support body 320 initially carries guide structures 321, which are designed exactly like the guide structures 312 of the head 31. The coupling element 32 is forked on a side facing the head 31. The fork legs 322, 323 thus formed delimit a receptacle 324, in which the threaded rod 313 of the head 31 is at least partially received. The mutually facing inner sides of the fork legs 322, 323 are concavely curved. On the inner sides, thread sections are provided, into which the threaded rod 313 is screwed. The thread sections form an incomplete thread that is open on the sides. The threaded rod 313 is held in this incomplete thread by the thread sections on the inner sides of the fork legs 322, 323 in the longitudinal direction of the seal.In the transverse direction, the threaded rod 313 is held by the concave curvature of the thread sections. Unlike a complete thread, which can absorb transverse forces very well, the incomplete thread can only absorb small transverse forces. However, because the guide structures 312 and 321 are provided on both the head 31 and the coupling element 32, respectively, and because the head 31 and the coupling element 32 are fixed in the transverse direction of the seal, hardly any transverse forces occur that could cause the threaded rod 313 to slip out of the incomplete thread formed by the fork legs 322, 323.

[0025] Instead of the thread, the rod 313 could be serrated. Similarly, the inner sides of the fork legs 322, 323 could be serrated, allowing the rod 313 to be locked between the fork legs.

[0026] At the end of the support body opposite the forks, a connecting structure 325 is provided which serves to connect the trigger to the lowering mechanism 4.

[0027] The guide parts 21, 22, 23 are molded parts with an outer contour adapted to the housing 20, so that the guide parts 21, 22, 23 can be inserted into the housing 20 and secured there. For this purpose, the housing 20 has inwardly projecting webs 200, which are engaged behind by complementary connecting structures of the guide parts 21, 22, 23 as well as by the guide structures 312, 321 of the head 3.

[0028] First guide parts 21 and second guide parts 22 of the guide parts 21, 22, 23 have a channel through which a rod 40 is guided. This rod is multi-part and has several consecutive sections that are connected to one another. One of these sections is a sliding part 401, which has a special function for the lowering mechanism 4 and will be described in more detail below. Another section of the rod 40 is connected to the trigger. This section has a connecting structure 49, which is coupled to the connecting structure 325 of the trigger 3.

[0029] A third guide part 23 of the guide parts 21, 22, 23 is provided at the end of the rod 40. This third guide part 23 has a receptacle into which the end of the rod 40 is inserted. A return spring 44 of the lowering mechanism is arranged on a mandrel 230 in the receptacle. This return spring 44 causes the seal to transition from the actuated to the deactuated state after the trigger 3 is released. For this purpose, the return spring presses on the end of the rod 40, which is arranged in the receptacle of the third guide part 22.

[0030] The rod 40 is coupled to two identical scissor mechanisms comprising a first scissor element 41 and a second scissor element 42. The first scissor element is pivotally mounted on the second guide part 22 via a first bearing L1. The second scissor element 42 is pivotally connected to an inner profile 50 of the sealing strip 5 in a second bearing L2. The first bearing L1 and the second bearing L2 have pivot axes that lie in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the seal. The first scissor element 41 and the second scissor element 42 are pivotally mounted relative to one another in a third bearing L3. The first, second, and third bearings L1, L2, and L3 are rotary bearings.

[0031] The first scissor element 41 is forked at the end supported in the first bearing L1. The fork legs 413 created by the forked section have outwardly projecting bearing pins 410, which are supported in recesses 220 in the second bearing part 22. The pins 410 and the recesses 220 form the first bearing L1. The two fork legs 413 are spaced apart such that the rod 40 can be guided between the two fork legs.

[0032] The first scissor element 41 has a further bearing pin 411, which together with a recess 421 provided in the second scissor element 42 and into which the bearing pin 411 is inserted, forms the third bearing L3.

[0033] The first scissor element has an end 413 located beyond the third bearing L3, as viewed from the second bearing L2. A section 412 of the first scissor element extends between this end 413 and the third bearing L3. The end 413 is guided in a channel of the inner rail 50, which is defined by side walls 501, 502 and a web 503 projecting from the side wall 502 toward the first side wall 501. The channel forms a linear bearing in which the end 413 is guided. On its side facing the rod 40, the section 412 has a slot that is approximately as wide as the rod 40. When the seal is not actuated, the rod 40 engages in the slot. The position of the first scissor element is maintained in the transverse direction by the engagement of the rod 50 in the slot and, in particular, by the guidance in the channel.

[0034] The second bearing L2, in which the second scissor element 42 and the inner rail 50 are mounted against each other, is formed by a bearing pin 420 and a channel formed by the base 500, the side walls 501, 502, and the web 503 projecting from the side wall 502 toward the first side wall 501. The web 503 is engaged behind the bearing pin 420.

[0035] The second scissor element has an end 423 located beyond the third bearing, as viewed from the second bearing L2. This end 423 is connected to the rod 40 via a fourth bearing L4. The fourth bearing L2 is a bearing with two degrees of freedom, which allow rotation and displacement of the end of the second scissor element 42 relative to the rod 40.

[0036] In the transverse direction, the second scissor element cannot be moved in either the second or fourth bearing. As a result, the second scissor element cannot be moved in the transverse direction, or only to a limited extent.

[0037] Because neither the first scissor element 41 nor the second scissor element 42 can be displaced to a significant extent in the transverse direction, the bearing pin 411 cannot become detached from the recess 421.

[0038] Normally, the end of the second scissor element 42 is prevented from moving relative to the rod 40 by a spring 43, which pulls the end 423 of the second scissor element 42 against an edge of a recess 4011 of the sliding part 401. For this purpose, the spring 43 is hooked onto the end 423 of the second scissor element 42 and onto a hook 4010 of the rod 40. Only in special cases do the end 423 of the second scissor element and the edge of the recess 4011 separate from each other against the pull of the spring 43.

[0039] If the rod 40 is now displaced by actuating the trigger 3, the end 423 of the second scissor element moves relative to the first bearing L1, which is firmly connected to the housing 20 via the second guide part 22. The second bearing L2, which connects the second scissor element 42 to the inner profile 50, is lowered linearly downward due to the connection of the first and second scissor elements 41, 42 in the third bearing. The sealing strip 5 is thereby lowered transversely to the longitudinal direction of the seal and pressed against the floor, so that the sealing profile 51 rests against the floor. Because two identical scissor mechanisms are provided and these are actuated synchronously by the rod 40, the sealing strip 5 is lowered parallel to the housing 2.

[0040] If the sealing strip 5 now rests on the floor, it cannot be moved any further downwards. The second bearing L2 can then also not be moved any further downwards, which prevents the end 423 of the second scissor element from moving further with the rod 40. However, if further pressure is then exerted on the rod 40 via the trigger and this pressure exceeds the force of the spring 43, the end 423 of the second scissor element 42 detaches from the edge of the recess 4011 and the end 423 moves in the recess 4011 because the rod 40 is displaced relative to the end 423. This interaction of the recess 4011, the end 423 of the second scissor element 42, and the spring 43 prevents overloading of the lowering mechanism 4, which could lead to damage to the seal.

[0041] The end 423 of the second scissor element and a section 422 between the end 423 and the third bearing L3 have a window through which the rod 40 is guided.

[0042] Circular segment-like structures are provided at the second end 423 of the second scissor element. These rest against the inside of a web 201 of the housing 20 or are arranged at only a small distance from the inside of this web 201 and move, possibly at a distance, along the inside of the housing 20 when the seal is actuated.

[0043] The Figures 3a to 10a The variant of the seal shown differs only in the trigger 3 from the seal according to the Figures 3 to 10 . The variant of the seal is identical to the seal according to the Figures 3 to 10 , which is why the Figures 1 to 2 and 11 to 25 also apply to the variant of the seal.

[0044] In this variant, the trigger 3 is also designed in two parts. It has a head 31 and a coupling element 32. The relative position of the head 31 and the coupling element 32 can be adjusted. This makes it possible to adjust the length of the trigger in the longitudinal direction. A length adjustment of a trigger can be used to adjust the stroke of a seal.

[0045] The head 31 of the trigger 3 of the variant also has a stop surface 310, via which an external force can be introduced into the trigger 3 or the lowering mechanism 4. The head 31 also has a support body 311 on which the stop surface 310 is provided. A guide structure 312 is also provided on an upper side of the support body 311. This is in turn formed by two laterally projecting webs that are slidably arranged in complementary guide structures of the outer profile. The head also has a receptacle 314 with an internal thread.

[0046] The coupling element 32 of the trigger 3 of the variant also has a support body, namely the support body 320. This support body 320 also carries guide structures 321, which are designed exactly like the guide structures 312 of the head 31. The coupling element 32 has a threaded rod 326 on a side facing the head 31. This threaded rod is flattened and smooth on the sides. Only an upper side and a lower side of the rod are rounded and have sections of the thread pitch of a conventional thread. The threaded rod 326 carries an incomplete thread that is screwed into the receptacle 314.

[0047] At the end of the support body 320 opposite the threaded rod 326, a connecting structure 325 is provided which serves to connect the trigger to the lowering mechanism 4.

Claims

1. Second scissor element (42) for a lowering mechanism (4) comprising a first scissor element (41) and the second scissor element (42), wherein the lowering mechanism is provided for a seal with a lowerable sealing strip (5), - wherein the second scissor element (42) can be pivotably connected in a second bearing (L2) with an inner profile (50) of the sealing strip (5), wherein the second bearing (L2) has a pivot axis, which lies in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the seal, and the scissor element has a bearing pin (420) for forming the second bearing (L2), - wherein the second scissor element (42) and the first scissor element (41) can be mounted pivotably relative to one another in a third bearing (L3), - wherein the second and third bearings (L2, L3) are pivot bearings, - wherein the second scissor element (42) has an end (423) located beyond the third bearing when viewed from the second bearing (L2), which can be connected to a rod (40) of the seal via a fourth bearing (L4), wherein the fourth bearing (L4) is a bearing with two degrees of freedom, which permit a rotation and a displacement of the end of the second scissor element (42) relative to the rod (40), characterized in that - the second scissor element (42) for the third bearing (L3) has a recess (421), in which a bearing pin (411) of the first scissor element (41) can engage - the end (423) of the second scissor element (42) and a section (422) between the end (423) and the third bearing (L3) have a window, through which the rod (40) can be guided, - circular segment-like structures are provided at the end (423) of the second scissor element (42), which rest against an inner side of a web (201) of a housing (20) of the seal or can be arranged at only a small distance from the inner side of the web (201) and can move along the inner side of the housing (20) when the seal is actuated, if necessary at a distance.

2. Seal (D) with a lowerable sealing strip (5), which can be lowered by means of a lowering mechanism (4), which can be actuated by a trigger (3), - wherein the lowering mechanism (4) has a first scissor element (41) and a second scissor element (42) according to claim 1, - wherein the first scissor element (41) is directly or indirectly pivotably connected to a retaining means (2) via a first bearing (L1) and the second scissor element (42) is pivotably connected to the sealing strip (5) via a second bearing (L2), and the scissor elements (41, 42) are pivotably connected to one another via a third bearing (L3), characterized in that the second bearing (L2) is formed by a single pin (420) on the second scissor element (42) and a channel in the sealing strip (5), in which the pin (420) is pivotably arranged.

3. Seal (D) with a lowerable sealing strip (5), which can be lowered by means of a lowering mechanism (4), which can be actuated by a trigger (3), - wherein the lowering mechanism (4) has a first scissor element (41) and a second scissor element (42) according to claim 1, - wherein the first scissor element (41) is directly or indirectly pivotably connected to a retaining means (2) via a first bearing (L1) and the second scissor element (42) is pivotably connected to the sealing strip (5) via a second bearing (L2), and the scissor elements (41, 42) are pivotably connected to one another via a third bearing (L3), characterized in that the first scissor element (41) has an end (413), which can be displaced toward the sealing strip (5), located beyond the third bearing (L3) when viewed from the first bearing (L1), which has a distance from the third bearing (L3), which is at least 50% of the distance of the second bearing (L2) from the third bearing (L3) and in that a displaceable end (413) of the first scissor element (41) is guided in a guide channel of the sealing strip (5).

4. Seal (D) according to claim 3, characterized in that the first scissor element (41) has a section (412) between the third bearing (L3) and the displaceable end (413), which has a slot on a side facing the retaining means (2).

5. Seal (D) according to claim 4, characterized in that the lowering mechanism (4) has a displaceable part (401), which engages in the slot when the seal is not actuated.

6. Seal (D) according to the preamble of claim 2, characterized in that the third bearing (L3) is formed by a single pin (411) of one of the two scissor elements (41) and a recess (421) in the other of the two scissor elements (42), in which the pin (411) is inserted.

7. Seal (D) according to any of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the channel in the sealing strip (5) has a base (500), two spaced side walls (501, 502) and a web (503) protruding from a first of the two side walls (501, 502) in the direction of the second of the two side walls (501, 502), wherein a slot remains between a free end of the web (503) and the second side wall (502), through which the second scissor element (42) engages and wherein the pin (420) of the second bearing (L2) engages behind the web (503).

8. Seal (D) according to any of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the second scissor element (42) has a displaceable end (423) located beyond the third bearing (L3) when viewed from the second bearing (L2), which can be displaced parallel to the longitudinal direction of the sealing strip (5).

9. Seal (D) according to claim 5, characterized in that the displaceable part (401) can be displaced parallel to the longitudinal direction of the sealing strip (5) and is coupled to the displaceable end (423) of the second scissor element (42).

10. Seal (D) according to any of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the first scissor element (41) is forked or has a window between the first bearing (L1) and the third bearing (L3).

11. Seal (D) according to any of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the second scissor element (42) is forked or has a window between the displaceable end (423) and the third bearing (L3).

12. Seal (D) according to claims 9, 10 and 11, characterized in that the displaceable part (401) engages between fork legs of the forked section of the first scissor element (41) and / or second scissor element (42) and / or through the window of the first scissor element (41) and / or the second scissor element (42).