Curtain Wall Horizontal Seal EPDM Rubber Waterproofing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current curtain wall systems face issues with durability and water tightness due to the use of silicones, which are not durable and can tear off with temperature changes, leading to leaks and moisture infiltration, and require complex and time-consuming assembly processes with many parts and specialized tools.
Innovation Solution
A modular curtain wall system with telescopically sliding wall elements and a continuous horizontal seal made of EPDM rubber, applied after row installation, which eliminates the need for silicone seals and simplifies assembly by ensuring complete wind and water tightness without mechanical connections, allowing for automated production and easy installation without specialized tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If silicones are used to seal the curtain wall, then water tightness is achieved, but durability deteriorates because silicones can tear off with temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes silicones from the sealing system entirely, extracting the problematic material that causes durability issues while maintaining water tightness through an alternative mechanical sealing mechanism using profiled seals and compression elements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate sealing elements such as profiled seals, compression elements, and gaskets that act as mediators between the wall elements, providing reliable sealing without direct silicone application. These intermediaries include rubber or plastic sealing elements that can be mechanically secured
2Reliability
If silicones are applied on site, then sealing is achieved, but installation quality deteriorates due to unfavourable working conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary sealing actions by providing pre-profiled seals and compression elements that are prepared in advance with specific geometries (trapezoidal, triangular, or rectangular cross-sections) designed to ensure proper seating and adhesion when installed between wall elements, eliminating the need for on-site silicone application
3Strength
If screws are used to attach horizontal profiles, then structural connection is achieved, but water tightness deteriorates because screws create leakages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes screws and other penetrating fasteners from the sealing system, extracting the source of water infiltration. Instead, it uses compression elements and profiled seals that maintain structural connection without creating penetration points that would compromise water tightness
4Reliability
If traditional seal rubber assembly is used, then sealing is achieved, but device complexity increases due to many parts and specialized tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sealing functions into integrated profiled seal elements that combine sealing, structural connection, and alignment functions in a single component. This consolidation reduces the number of separate parts and eliminates the need for specialized assembly tools while maintaining reliable sealing performance
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 a durable, waterproof, and thermally efficient curtain wall with simplified assembly and reduced risk of leaks, as the continuous horizontal seal ensures perfect waterproofing and prevents moisture infiltration, while allowing for automated production and easy installation without the need for specialized tools or expertise.
Implementation Method 1
a continuous horizontal seal made of EPDM rubber
Implementation Method 2
the adhesion of the silicones on the profiles is more likely to be bad quality
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Curtain wall constructed from prefabricated connecting wall elements (2) mounted in rows next to and above each other with the wall elements (2) consisting of a frame (3) of assembled profiles (4) on the inside (5) of the curtain wall (1) and of one or more infill elements (6) on the outside (7) of the curtain wall (1), characterised in that the frame (3) contains mullions (9) and transoms (10) in the form of profiles (9a, 9b and 10a, 10b) which along the perimeter of the frame (3) have female coupling parts (12) and male coupling parts (13) which allow the adjacent mullions (9) and adjacent transoms (10) in an assembled condition in the curtain wall (1) to engage with their coupling parts (12-13) to form composite basic profiles (4), whereby between two rows of connecting wall elements (2) a horizontal seal (34) has been applied which extends continuously in a horizontal direction over the width of the underlying row.