Adjustable Door Seal With Elastic Part For Rebate Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing first seals, typically made of solid elastomers, are less elastic than second seals, causing the ends of the sealing profiles to bend or collapse when in contact, leading to gaps and allowing drafts, sound, smoke, or water to pass through, especially when rebate clearance varies.

Innovation Solution

A first seal with an adjustable element that allows the distance and alignment of the sealing part to the fastening part to be adjusted, ensuring proper fit regardless of rebate clearance, using components like screws, wedges, or elastic parts like foam or leaf springs to maintain sealing contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a solid elastomer block is used as the first seal, then the seal structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the sealing profile ends bend or collapse when in contact, causing gaps and allowing drafts, sound, smoke, or water to pass through

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The first seal is divided into three functional parts: a fastening part for mounting to the frame, an elastic part that absorbs movement and deformation, and a sealing part with the sealing profile. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally - the elastic part prevents buckling while the sealing part maintains reliable sealing contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The seal uses composite construction with the elastic part made of elastomeric material that can deform elastically, while the sealing part has a rigid sealing profile. This combination of materials with different properties allows the seal to both absorb movement and maintain reliable sealing contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If the first seal is fixed to the frame, then the seal position is stable, but the sealing profile buckles when rebate clearance varies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseal position stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to rebate clearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic part is designed to be deformable, allowing it to absorb movements and deformations of the door leaf relative to the frame. This dynamic capability enables the seal to adapt to varying rebate clearances while the fastening part remains stable and fixed to the frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic part's ability to change its physical state (deform elastically) allows the seal to adapt to different rebate clearance conditions. When the door moves or clearance varies, the elastic part deforms to accommodate these changes while maintaining the sealing contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the sealing profile is pressed against the contact surface, then sealing contact is achieved, but the end of the sealing profile is not in sealing contact over its entire extent due to bending or indenting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing contactVSAvoidsealing profile shape
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic part acts as a cushioning element between the fastening part and the sealing part. It absorbs forces and movements before they reach the sealing profile, preventing the profile from bending or indenting and ensuring uniform sealing contact along its entire length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

Prevents buckling of the sealing profile and maintains effective sealing contact across the entire length, reducing drafts, sound, and water ingress by adapting to varying rebate clearances.

Implementation Method 1

the elastic part springs in when the door is closed, when the sealing profile of the second seal comes into contact with the sealing part of the first seal. This springing prevents the second seal from buckling.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the seal has at least one adjusting element with which the distance and/or the alignment of the sealing part to the fastening part can be adjusted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical deformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP4339413A1Adjustable seal for fixing in or on a door or gate opening, in particular on a frame of a door or gate
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 ATHMER
  • EP4339413A1 patent drawingFigure 1~1c
  • EP4339413A1 patent drawingFigure 2~2c
  • EP4339413A1 patent drawingFigure 3~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to a seal (1) for attachment in or to a door opening, in particular to a frame of a door or gate, hereinafter referred to as the first seal (1), and for interaction with a second seal which is installed in a door leaf or gate leaf, wherein the first seal (1) has: - a fastening part (11) for fastening the first seal to or in the door or gate opening, - a sealing part (13) for sealing contact with a sealing profile of the second seal, and - at least one elastic part (12) which enables movement of the sealing part (13) of the first seal (1) relative to the fastening part (11) of the first seal (1), - wherein the seal has at least one adjusting element with which the distance and/or the alignment of the sealing part to the fastening part can be adjusted.