Door Seal Holder Extension Mechanism for Gap Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic door seals fail to effectively seal gaps between door leaves and opposing surfaces like floors, lintels, or ceilings, allowing air, smoke, and sound to pass through, particularly at the main and secondary closing edges.

Innovation Solution

A seal design featuring a holder, extension, and sealing element, where the sealing element is connected to a movable sealing strip, allowing it to protrude into a space between the holder and extension, ensuring it rests against surfaces like ceilings, floors, or frames to seal gaps, and can be attached to the sealing strip of an automatic door seal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional automatic door seal is used, then the door can be closed, but gaps remain between the door leaf and opposing surfaces allowing air, smoke, and sound to pass through

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidair, smoke, and sound leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing system is divided into multiple components: a holder with connecting element attached to the sealing strip, an extension with holding element, and a separate sealing element. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the holder and extension provide structural support and movement, while the sealing element directly contacts the sealing surface to block gaps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing element is designed to be movable relative to the holder and sealing strip through the extension mechanism. This dynamic configuration allows the sealing element to adjust its position automatically - moving toward the sealing surface when the door closes and retracting when the door opens - ensuring continuous sealing contact without compromising the door's operational movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the sealing element is made movable to ensure consistent contact with the sealing surface, then sealing effectiveness improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing consistencyVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element is positioned within a space formed by the holder and extension, creating a nested arrangement where the sealing element resides in the space between these two components. This nesting allows the sealing element to move independently within a defined range while being supported by the holder and extension structure, achieving consistent sealing contact without requiring a completely separate complex mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The extension acts as an intermediary component between the holder (attached to the sealing strip) and the sealing element. It provides the necessary connection and movement freedom, allowing the sealing element to follow the sealing strip's movement while maintaining its own positioning capability for consistent contact with the sealing surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the sealing element protrudes beyond the holder and extension, then it can ensure contact with the sealing surface, but the risk of damage from door impacts increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing contact assuranceVSAvoidimpact resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element is designed as a flexible component that can protrude beyond the holder and extension to ensure contact with the sealing surface. Its flexibility allows it to deform under impact forces from door closure, absorbing the shock while maintaining sealing contact, rather than being a rigid structure that would be prone to damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The space between the holder and extension provides a buffer zone that allows the sealing element to protrude beforehand to ensure sealing contact. This pre-positioning and the inherent flexibility of the sealing element create a cushioning effect that protects it from damage during normal door operation and closure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP4047169B1Seal for a door, in particular for a double-wing door

Publication Date: 2023.05.10 ATHMER

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a seal (2) for a door of an automatic door seal (1) with a movable sealing strip (12, 13) - with a holder (211), a cantilever (212) and with at least one sealing element (22), - wherein the holder (211) has at least one connecting element (2111) for connecting the holder (211) to the movable sealing strip (12, 13), - wherein the cantilever (212) has a retaining element (2122) for holding the at least one sealing element (22), - wherein the holder (211) and the cantilever (212) are connected to each other, - wherein a space is provided between the retaining element (2122) and the holder (211), and - wherein the at least one sealing element (22) is arranged in one part of the space and a part of the movable sealing strip (12, 13) of the automatic door seal (1) is arranged in another part of the space, in particular a sealing profile (13) of the automatic door seal (1) can protrude into it.