Drainage Channel Sealing System with Orthogonal Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drainage channel connections lack an automatic and efficient sealing mechanism, requiring additional sealing measures or elements, which are costly and rarely implemented due to the absence of regulations in DIN and EN standards for the connection between channel sections.
Innovation Solution
A sealing system that incorporates additional locking elements and recesses on the tongue and groove sides of drainage channels, ensuring a secure connection in all three axes, with optional use of a sealing profile and plastic inlays for enhanced sealing, allowing for automatic formation of a tight butt joint without additional sealing elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional sealing elements or connection elements are used to seal drainage channel joints, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element and sealing element are merged into a single integrated component. The locking element features a sealing profile with a compressible sealing element that is integrated into the locking structure, allowing it to perform both locking and sealing functions simultaneously. This eliminates the need for separate sealing elements and connection elements, reducing device complexity while maintaining sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system is designed to create its own seal automatically during the connection process. When the locking element engages with the complementary recess, the integrated sealing profile is compressed between the locking element and the groove side, automatically forming a tight seal without requiring additional sealing measures or external sealing elements.
2Reliability
If additional sealing measures are implemented, then sealing reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element and sealing element are merged into a single integrated component. The locking element features a sealing profile with a compressible sealing element that is integrated into the locking structure, allowing it to perform both locking and sealing functions simultaneously. This eliminates the need for separate sealing elements and connection elements, reducing device complexity while maintaining sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system is designed to create its own seal automatically during the connection process. When the locking element engages with the complementary recess, the integrated sealing profile is compressed between the locking element and the groove side, automatically forming a tight seal without requiring additional sealing measures or external sealing elements.
3Ease of operation
If tongue-and-groove connection is used, then ease of installation is improved, but connection stability in vertical direction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into functional components: the tongue side with locking elements, the groove side with complementary recesses, and the intermediate sealing profile. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the locking elements provide vertical stability while the sealing profile provides sealing, all within the context of the easy tongue-and-groove installation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element and sealing element are merged into a single integrated component. The locking element features a sealing profile with a compressible sealing element that is integrated into the locking structure, allowing it to perform both locking and sealing functions simultaneously. This eliminates the need for separate sealing elements and connection elements, reducing device complexity while maintaining sealing reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
In the prior art, butt joints between drainage channels are either inadequately sealed or require considerable additional production or installation effort. Based on this prior art, the invention proposes an improved design of the butt joint, in which the connection is secured against each other by additional connecting elements in all three mutually orthogonal spatial axes. This creates increased contact pressure between the drainage channels to be joined in the joint area, which, with or without suitable sealing elements, ensures sufficient sealing of the butt joint.