Active Door Sealing Using Constriction for Durable Rail Closures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing systems for vehicle doors and windows in public transport vehicles face challenges in maintaining consistent sealing over time due to decreased spring force and complex structures, leading to noise, thermal, and climatic issues, as well as instability during vehicle movement.
Innovation Solution
A sealing system comprising a moveable first sealing element driven by a tensioning element, such as a cable, which is activated to create a forceful contact with a second sealing element on the door or window leaf, ensuring a flush closure and enhanced sealing, with the option of using existing door drives and incorporating a spring element for restoring force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spring force is used for sealing, then sealing contact is achieved, but spring force decreases over time leading to sealing deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the sealing mechanism from active spring force to passive constriction force. The constricting element applies continuous sealing force through its geometric configuration and material properties rather than through depleting spring force, thereby eliminating the deterioration problem over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional spring-based mechanical sealing system with a constricting element system that uses different mechanical principles. Instead of elastic recovery forces, the sealing is achieved through the constricting action of an element with specific geometric constraints, substituting one mechanical mechanism for another.
2Reliability
If complex sealing structures are used, then sealing contact is improved, but manufacturing and maintenance become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential sealing function from complex multi-component structures and concentrates it into a single constricting element. By removing unnecessary components and focusing on the core constricting action, the design achieves effective sealing with simplified manufacturing and maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The constricting element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides sealing contact, maintains sealing force over time, and simplifies the overall structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby easing manufacturing and maintenance while maintaining sealing performance.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If uniform sealing is achieved, then noise and thermal issues are reduced, but sealing system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing the constricting element with specific geometric properties at the sealing interface. The element's cross-sectional shape and constriction characteristics are optimized locally to achieve uniform sealing contact, thereby reducing noise and thermal loss without requiring complex overall system architecture.
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 system provides improved and consistent sealing and locking of vehicle openings, reducing noise and thermal issues while maintaining structural stability during movement, suitable for high-speed trains and various public transport vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element (40), which exerts a restoring force on the first sealing element (30) towards the inner surface of the opening (24)
Implementation Method 2
a tensioning element (28), which constricts the door leaf (22) in the closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing system for an opening in a wall surfaceincludes a wall surface with an opening, having a circumferential inner surface,a leaf adapted to the geometry of the opening to be inserted into the opening and closed, wherein a circumferential outer surface of the leaf is arranged facing the inner surface of the opening in the closed state.A sealing device is formed bya first sealing element arranged in the inner surface and moved towards and away from the outer surface.The system includes,a drive element that drives the first sealing element in the opening plane towards the outer surface of the leaf into a sealing position and produces a force in the direction of the outer surface such that when the opening is in the closed state, the first sealing element comes into sealing contact with the outer surface when acted upon by force.