Automatic Door Gap Seal with Rigid Locking Profile

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic door gap seals are vulnerable to break-ins as they rely solely on rubber-elastic sealing profiles, which can be easily compromised by push-through tools.

Innovation Solution

A rigid locking device is integrated between the door gap, featuring a sealing profile that moves straightly from top to bottom, engaging with a profiled door sill to create a secure, form-fitting lock, preventing tools from being pushed through, and combining with an elastic profile for additional sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rubber-elastic sealing profile is used to seal the door gap, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but security against break-ins deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidvulnerability to break-ins
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing profile is divided into two distinct parts: a rigid engagement profile for security locking and a flexible sealing profile for sealing. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing profile combines rigid and flexible materials in a single integrated component. The rigid engagement profile provides structural strength for burglar protection, while the flexible sealing profile ensures effective sealing, creating a composite structure that addresses both security and sealing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a rigid locking device is added to the door gap seal, then security against break-ins is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against break-insVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking function and sealing function are merged into a single integrated sealing profile. The engagement profile and sealing profile form one continuous component that performs both security locking and sealing, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing profile serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides burglar protection through the rigid engagement profile that locks into the door threshold, maintains sealing through the flexible profile that contacts the door sill, and bridges the door gap. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If the engagement profile is angled obliquely to form an undercut, then locking strength is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking strengthVSAvoidangular precision
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement profile is designed with a predetermined oblique angle that automatically engages with the corresponding profile in the door threshold when the door closes. The geometry is pre-configured to ensure proper alignment and locking action, reducing the need for high-precision adjustment during installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution provides enhanced security by preventing break-ins and maintaining effective sealing, ensuring the door gap remains secure both when closed and during closure, with adjustable components for optimal positioning.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic profile, which adjoins the engagement profile and with which it forms a bridge over the door gap, made of rubber or an elastomer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

This locking takes place from top to bottom by a straight movement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3431694B1Automatic door gap seal
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 ATHMER
  • EP3431694B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3431694B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An automatic door gap seal is provided on, under or in a receiving profile (1) in the area of ​​a door bottom (2) of a door (3), with a sealing housing (4), a movable sealing profile (5) and a door threshold (6), which provides increased protection against break-ins, which is achieved by equipping the automatic door gap seal with a break-in protection mechanism consisting of an engagement profile (7) and a corresponding profile engagement (8) and both of which are assigned either to the sealing profile (5) or door threshold (6).