Two-Part Corner Seal With Sliding Resilient Limbs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seals for perpendicular surfaces are complex to install and tend to lose resilience over time, compromising their integrity and effectiveness in providing a watertight barrier.
Innovation Solution
A two-part seal design featuring a first profile with a base and upstand, and a second profile with inner and outer depending limbs that engage slidably with the upstand, utilizing resilient materials to maintain a watertight seal while allowing for movement between surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex multi-component seal structure is used, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but installation difficulty increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into two functional profiles: a first profile with base and upstand that provides structural support and positioning, and a second profile with depending limbs that provides the resilient sealing function. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the overall installation process compared to integrated complex designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The second profile includes resilient depending limbs made of flexible material that can deform to accommodate surface irregularities and maintain continuous sealing contact. This flexibility ensures reliable sealing without requiring complex rigid adjustment mechanisms, thereby improving sealing effectiveness while maintaining relative simplicity.
2Reliability
If resilient materials are used in the seal, then long-term integrity is improved, but the seal becomes more difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The seal employs composite construction with the first profile providing rigid structural support and the second profile incorporating resilient material for sealing. This composite approach allows each material to be selected for its optimal properties while being manufactured as separate extrudable profiles that are then assembled, balancing manufacturing ease with long-term integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient depending limbs of the second profile serve multiple functions: they provide the primary sealing contact, accommodate differential movement between surfaces, and compensate for installation tolerances. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and complex manufacturing processes while ensuring long-term reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the seal accommodates movement between surfaces, then adaptability is improved, but the seal structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The seal incorporates dynamic elements through the resilient depending limbs of the second profile that can flex and deform in response to movement between the first and second surfaces. This dynamic capability allows the seal to maintain effectiveness under varying conditions without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, achieving adaptability with relatively simple structure.
4Ease of operation
If a simple seal structure is used, then ease of installation is improved, but sealing reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into two functional profiles: a first profile with base and upstand that provides structural support and positioning, and a second profile with depending limbs that provides the resilient sealing function. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the overall installation process compared to integrated complex designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The second profile includes resilient depending limbs made of flexible material that can deform to accommodate surface irregularities and maintain continuous sealing contact. This flexibility ensures reliable sealing without requiring complex rigid adjustment mechanisms, thereby improving sealing effectiveness while maintaining relative simplicity.
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 seal effectively maintains a watertight barrier between perpendicular surfaces, accommodating movement and reducing installation complexity, with resilient components ensuring long-term integrity.
Implementation Method 1
both of the inner and outer depending limbs of the second profile bear resiliently against the respective engagable surfaces of the upstand of the first profile (2) in sliding engagement therewith
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A seal (1) for sealing between two surfaces lying generally perpendicular to each other, the seal (1) comprising a first profile (2) which has a base (21) adapted to be fixed sealingly to a first surface and an upstand (24) which projects from the base (21) and which defines respective inner and outer opposed surfaces (27,28) , and a second profile (3) which overlies the upstand (24) of the first profile (2) and which, when viewed in section, comprises inner and outer depending limbs (31,32) which engage slidably respective ones of the opposed inner and outer surfaces (27,28) of the upstand (24) of the first profile (2) , wherein at least one of the inner and outer depending limbs (31,32) of the second profile (3) bears resiliently against the respective surface (s) (27,28) of the upstand (24) of the first profile (2) in sliding engagement therewith.