Compartment Sealing System with Segmented Seal and Gutter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sealing systems for recreational vehicle storage compartments often fail to prevent water and contaminants from entering, requiring excessive force to close the door, which can lead to damage and incomplete sealing.
Innovation Solution
A sealing system comprising a ring-shaped frame and seal connected by a removable strip with adhesive, where the seal circumscribes the compartment entrance, forming multiple seals to direct water and debris around the opening, preventing entry into the compartment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional rubber seal is used to seal the compartment opening, then the compartment is protected from contaminants, but the seal fails to prevent water and dust from breaching and entering the compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into multiple independent sealing members (first sealing member and second sealing member) positioned at different locations. The first sealing member engages with the wall surrounding the opening, while the second sealing member engages with the door, creating segmented sealing zones that collectively prevent contaminant entry more effectively than a single seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system transitions from a single-plane seal to a multi-dimensional sealing arrangement. The first sealing member operates in a first plane engaging the wall, while the second sealing member operates in a second plane engaging the door, creating overlapping sealing zones that block contaminant pathways from multiple angles.
2Reliability
If large force is applied to close the door to ensure proper latching, then the door may latch correctly, but the door becomes dented or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing members are pre-positioned and biased to engage with their respective surfaces (wall and door) before the door is fully closed. This preliminary engagement guides the door into proper alignment and distributes closing forces evenly, eliminating the need for excessive force to achieve correct latching while preventing door damage.
3Device complexity
If a single sealing member is used to seal the compartment, then the structure is simple, but the seal is breached by water and dust
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented into multiple independent sealing members, each responsible for a specific sealing zone. The first sealing member seals the interface between the wall and compartment opening, while the second sealing member seals the door interface, creating redundant sealing paths that maintain reliability even if one seal is compromised.
Solution Approach 2:
The first sealing member acts as an intermediary element between the wall and the second sealing member. It provides a intermediate sealing barrier that works in conjunction with the second sealing member to create a multi-layer defense against water and dust penetration.
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 effectively prevents water and contaminants from entering the compartment while reducing the force required to close the door, minimizing damage and ensuring a secure seal.
Implementation Method 1
a ring shaped seal having a body with a finger extension extending therefrom and contacting the body of the structure
Implementation Method 2
The method may further include the step of attaching the door to the vehicle so that when the door is closed a compartment of the vehicle is covered. The method may further include the step of exposing the adhesive on the outer surface of the seal, closing the door to press the outer surface of the seal having the adhesive against the vehicle resulting in the seal circumscribing an entrance to the compartment and the adhesive being between the vehicle and the outer surface of the seal
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary sealing system includes a frame having a generally ring shape with a body and a ledge extending from the body. The exemplary sealing system further includes a ring shaped seal having a body with a finger extension extending therefrom and contacting the body of the frame to create a seal. The ledge forms a gutter region allowing water and/or contaminated to flow around and out of the frame to prevent the same from entering a compartment of a vehicle.