Threshold-Free Door Seal With Offset Fastening Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door seals for threshold-free doors require a significant amount of space and are not designed to be as narrow as possible, limiting design freedom for architects and manufacturers while aiming for a tight seal.
Innovation Solution
A seal design featuring a support rail with offset fastening points for a sealing strip, allowing for a narrow profile while ensuring secure attachment and easy assembly, utilizing recesses and fastening ribs for a snap connection, and a U-shaped housing rail for efficient lowering mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the sealing strip is attached to the support rail in multiple fastening points arranged opposite each other, then the attachment security is improved, but the width of the support rail increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by arranging the two fastening points offset from the central axis of the support rail rather than symmetrically opposite each other. This asymmetric arrangement allows both fastening points to be positioned within a narrower width of the support rail, thereby reducing the overall width while maintaining secure attachment of the sealing strip.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a symmetric one-dimensional arrangement (opposite fastening points) to an asymmetric two-dimensional arrangement (offset fastening points along the longitudinal axis). This dimensional change in the arrangement pattern enables the fastening points to be distributed more efficiently within the available space, reducing the required width while preserving attachment strength.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the seal is made as narrow as possible, then the design freedom is improved, but the attachment security of the sealing strip deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By using asymmetric offset fastening points, the patent achieves a narrow profile that enhances design freedom while the dual fastening point arrangement ensures adequate attachment security. The asymmetric positioning optimizes space utilization without compromising the mechanical connection between the sealing strip and support rail.
3Length of stationary object
If the fastening points are arranged offset from each other, then the width of the seal is reduced, but the complexity of the fastening structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric offset arrangement of fastening points simplifies the overall structure by eliminating the need for a wide symmetric configuration. The offset positions can be directly formed during molding or fabrication, reducing structural complexity compared to alternative designs that would require additional reinforcement elements or complex mounting mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
A seal for a threshold-free door comprises a support rail (1) and a sealing strip (2) held therein, the sealing strip (2) having two legs (20, 21) which are arranged on two opposite sides of the support rail (1) and each held on the support rail (1) at a fastening point (10, 11) on these sides. These two fastening points (10, 11) are arranged offset from each other along a transverse central axis (Q) of the support rail (1). This door seal can be designed to be narrow.