Curtain Wall Pre-Frame Sealing Module Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing curtain wall pre-frames face challenges in achieving airtightness and watertightness due to gaps at the ends of linear vertical joints, which allow air or water passage, and existing additional sealing devices are vulnerable to axial stress and less effective for short-length sealing elements.
Innovation Solution
Design of pre-frames with preformed edges that interlock and feature linear joint fixing grooves, including a transverse slot for an additional sealing element with a fixing and sealing module, which provides enhanced retention against axial and transverse stresses, and additional sealing elements at both ends with lamellae and increased width surfaces for improved sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If additional sealing devices are attached using the fixing groove of the linear seal, then the sealing coverage is extended and widened, but the additional sealing device becomes vulnerable to axial stress and may separate from its housing
Solution Approach 1:
The additional sealing device is divided into two distinct modules: a fixing module that attaches to the pre-frame projection and a sealing module that provides the actual sealing. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized for its specific function, with the fixing module designed to resist axial stresses independently of the sealing module.
Solution Approach 2:
A transverse slot is introduced as an intermediary structure between the linear seal fixing groove and the additional sealing device. This slot provides a dedicated attachment path that is separate from the linear seal's fixing groove, allowing the additional sealing device to be secured without compromising the linear seal's integrity or creating vulnerability to axial stress.
2Ease of operation
If the fixing groove of the linear seal is used for attaching additional sealing elements, then the installation is simplified, but the fixing is less effective for short-length sealing elements and produces vulnerability to axial stress
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using the same fixing groove for both linear seals and additional sealing devices, the invention creates a localized fixing structure (transverse slot) specifically designed for the additional sealing devices. This local quality approach allows the fixing mechanism to be optimized for short-length sealing elements while maintaining installation simplicity through the modular design.
3Productivity
If pre-frames are assembled with standard linear seals only, then the assembly process is straightforward, but gaps remain at the ends of vertical joints allowing air or water passage
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-frames are pre-formed with projections that include both the linear seal fixing groove and the transverse slot for the additional sealing device. This preliminary action during manufacturing allows for quick assembly on-site while ensuring that both the linear seal and additional sealing device can be installed without complex procedures, maintaining productivity while eliminating gaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The additional sealing device is nested within the structure formed by the pre-frame projection and transverse slot, creating a multi-layered sealing system where the linear seal and additional sealing device work together. This nesting approach allows both sealing elements to be integrated into the assembly without significantly increasing assembly complexity while providing comprehensive gap coverage.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The wall has two preframes (100a') whose edges fit into one another, where the preframes are arranged with linear seals. Pre-forming processes of the preframes, slots (112a') and a set of sealing elements (400) are preformed to have a fixing module and a sealing module. The sealing module is installed in the slots by utilizing the fixing module. The sealing module is arranged with an enlargement portion in relation to width of a surface given by the linear seals.