Elastomer Overload Spring for Compact Automatic Door Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of coil springs in automatic door seals limits design flexibility due to space requirements, particularly in narrow seals, as they need to accommodate the spring's diameter, restricting the construction of very narrow seals.
Innovation Solution
Replacing coil springs with elastomer-based springs, such as O-rings, which can be made narrow and used as both return and overload springs, allowing for a more compact design without relying on standardized coil springs, and incorporating a scissor mechanism with a bearing element and push rods to manage the sealing strip's movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coil springs are used as overload springs in automatic door seals, then the seal can provide reliable overload protection, but the seal width is increased due to the diameter requirement of coil springs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the spring from a circular coil configuration to a wave profile configuration. This parameter change allows the spring to achieve the same elastic function with a significantly reduced width, transforming the spring from a standardized cylindrical component to a custom-shaped elastic element that fits within narrow seal profiles while maintaining overload protection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a wave profile spring that functions as a flexible thin-walled elastic structure. This wave-shaped element can deform elastically under load while occupying minimal width space, effectively replacing the bulky coil spring with a thin, flexible elastic component that provides the same protective function without increasing seal width
2Ease of manufacture
If standardized coil springs are used, then the manufacturing is simplified and reliable, but the design flexibility for narrow seals is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing the spring with a specific wave profile geometry tailored to the narrow seal application. Instead of using a universal coil spring design, the spring is locally optimized with a wave shape that provides the required elasticity while fitting within the constrained width, allowing customization for specific seal narrowness requirements while maintaining manufacturability through standardized wave profile production methods
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
This solution enables the creation of more compact and flexible automatic door seals that can be used in narrower applications without risking damage from overloads, as the elastomer springs and scissor mechanism ensure smooth operation and protection against excessive force.
Implementation Method 1
the overload spring is a spring made of an elastomer
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an automatic seal - with a retaining means (8), - with a sealing strip (2, 3) having a sealing profile (3), - with a trigger (6) for introducing a force to move the sealing strip (2, 3) into the seal, - with a push rod (5) and with at least one mechanism (4) for transmitting a movement of the trigger (6) to the sealing strip (2, 3), which can be moved from a sealing position to a release position and vice versa by means of the movement mechanism (4), - with a return spring (7) and/or at least one overload spring (9), - wherein the push rod (5) is coupled to the trigger (6) to transmit the movement of the trigger (6) to the push rod (5), - wherein the push rod (5) is coupled to the movement mechanism (4), optionally via the overload spring (9), - wherein optionallythe push rod (5) is at least indirectly connected to the holding means (8) via a return spring (8) and - wherein the return spring (8) and/or the overload spring (9) is a spring made of an elastomer.