Elastic Sealing Element for Fire-Fighting Vehicle Cab
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Solution Overview
Problem
Emergency vehicles face challenges in sealing the passage between the driver's cab and crew/equipment cab from environmental influences, such as smoke and water, while also needing to ensure access security and durability against relative movements during operation.
Innovation Solution
A sealing element with an elastic sealing tab, groove-shaped clamping section, and L-shaped leg is used, which compresses to form a double seal and diverts water, ensuring a reliable seal even during braking and movement, using an adhesive layer for easy attachment and a clamp for secure fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bellows sealing element with permanent magnets and holding element is used, then sealing reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the permanent magnets and holding element from the sealing structure, removing the complex components while maintaining sealing functionality through the elastic sealing flag alone
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive permanent magnets and complex holding mechanisms with a simple, inexpensive elastic sealing flag that achieves the same sealing purpose through material elasticity alone
2Ease of operation
If the driver's cab is movably connected to the chassis with suspension, then comfort is improved, but sealing reliability deteriorates due to relative movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a dynamic elastic sealing flag that can deform and adapt to the relative movements between the driver's cab and chassis, maintaining sealing contact throughout the range of motion
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing flag changes its shape and contact pressure parameters dynamically in response to relative movements, compressing when needed to maintain the seal while allowing the suspension to function
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sealing element must compensate for large relative movements, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible elastic sealing flag that naturally accommodates movements through its inherent elasticity, eliminating the need for precision-engineered adjustment mechanisms
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 sealing element effectively prevents environmental ingress and maintains access security by adapting to relative movements without deformation, ensuring a reliable and long-lasting seal.
Implementation Method 1
a base body (59), in particular a hollow profile, with an elastic sealing tab (60), a sealing profile (62)
Implementation Method 2
The sealing element (58) is connected to the fastening frame (69) by means of a connecting means (70), with the base body (59) having an outer surface with an adhesive layer (73)
Data Source
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AI summary
The vehicle has a personnel- and/or engine compartment (7) supported on a chassis frame. A passage (27) is formed by opposite openings in a rear wall (29) of a driver cabin and a transverse wall of the compartment. A sealing element (58) is attached at the transverse wall, and includes a sealing profile (62) lying at a ramp-like attaching section (77) in idle state of the vehicle such that reversible cross-section change of the profile is caused. The element comprises a sealing rim (60) with an end region (66) lying at a side piece (78) of a cover frame (75) during deceleration of the vehicle.