Bathing Surround Panel Joint With Foam-Compressed Leak Seal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Paneled bathing surrounds face challenges in sealing interfaces between panels, leading to potential moisture leakage, and existing solutions like fasteners or mechanical interlocking connectors are either costly or complex to manufacture and implement.
Innovation Solution
The use of a slot flange and hook flange system with a foam seal, where a hook-like projection on one panel extends into a slot on another, and a tapered end helps secure the panels together, eliminating the need for additional fasteners by compressing the foam seal between the flanges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fasteners are used to seal panel interfaces, then moisture leakage is prevented, but cost and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sealing function and the structural connection function into a single integrated flange system. The first and second flanges work together as one unified component to both connect panels and seal interfaces, eliminating the need for separate fasteners and reducing installation complexity while maintaining leak prevention
2Strength
If mechanical interlocking connectors are used to join panels, then panel connection is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into two distinct flange components (first flange and second flange) with complementary features. The first flange has a protrusion that fits into a recess on the second flange, creating an interlocking connection that is both strong and simple to manufacture using standard molding or fabrication processes
3Reliability
If multiple fasteners are added to secure panels, then leakage prevention is improved, but overall cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sealing function into the flange structure itself through the interlocking protrusion-recess design. This integration eliminates the need for additional fasteners or separate sealing components, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining effective leakage prevention at the panel interfaces
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
This design achieves a substantially leak-proof bathing surround without added fasteners, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing installation complexity while effectively preventing moisture escape.
Implementation Method 1
The foam seal may be compressed
Implementation Method 2
The seal may comprise foam. The foam may be compressed
Data Source
AI summary
An example bathing area surround includes panels having a slot flange and a hook flange. A hook-like projection on the hook flange of a first panel is extendable into a slot on the slot flange of a second panel. Another example bathing area surround includes the slot flange on a first bathing panel and the hook flange on a second bathing panel, and a seal located on at least one of the slot flange or the hook flange. The seal may comprise foam. The foam may be compressed.