Door Wing Seal System for Driving Rain Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door and window sealing systems fail to adequately protect against driving rain and high wind speeds, as they allow air to flow around the sealing units, potentially carrying water into the building.

Innovation Solution

A dual-sealing system is implemented, with a first sealing unit acting as a water barrier and a second unit as an air barrier, arranged in a specific configuration to prevent air from bypassing the water barrier, especially at high wind speeds, and reinforced by vertical and lock-side seals to create a continuous sealing line.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a single sealing unit is used, then the structure is simple, but protection against driving rain and wind is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against driving rain and windVSAvoidsealing system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing system is divided into two distinct sealing units: a first sealing unit that forms a water barrier and a second sealing unit that forms an air barrier. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for its specific function, with the water barrier preventing water penetration and the air barrier preventing wind-driven air infiltration, thereby achieving comprehensive protection against driving rain and wind while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through functional specialization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the sealing line is interrupted at the ends of the door leaf, then the sealing strips can be easily installed, but wind can bypass the seal in strong winds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewind penetration protectionVSAvoidsealing strip installation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing system extends the sealing line from a two-dimensional plane to a three-dimensional continuous barrier by wrapping the sealing strips around the edges of the door leaf. The first sealing unit's web and the second sealing unit are positioned to create overlapping sealing lines that continue around the door leaf edges, eliminating gaps and preventing wind from bypassing the seal, while the modular design maintains ease of installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a narrow sealing profile is used, then the device is compact, but it cannot provide adequate water and air barrier in all areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater and air barrier effectivenessVSAvoidsealing profile width
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing system uses two separate sealing units with distinct functions: the first sealing unit with a web forming a water barrier and the second sealing unit forming an air barrier. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for its specific protective function without requiring an excessively wide single sealing profile, achieving comprehensive water and air protection through functional division rather than increasing overall width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3728778B1Door wing with seal system
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 ASSA ABLOY (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP3728778B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3728778B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3728778B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a door leaf (1) having a sealing system for sealing a gap (9) between the door leaf (1) and a surface (2) which is opposite an end face of the door leaf (1). The sealing system comprises a first sealing unit (3) and a second sealing unit (4) which are arranged one behind the other in the direction (S) of flow through the gap (9) from one side of the door to an opposite side of the door. The first sealing unit (3) is intended for sealing against water (6) and the second sealing unit (4) is intended for sealing against air (7). The door leaf allows optimal protection against wind and water, in particular against heavy rain.