Expansion Joint Cover Plate Structure for Fire Sealing Movement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire protection sealing devices for building expansion joints are inflexible in their application given the available space, limiting their adaptability to varying environmental conditions and movements.

Innovation Solution

A fire-resistant sealing device with a cover plate made of sheet metal featuring domed embossing, allowing for a tighter bond with fire protection material, flexibility in installation, and ease of adaptation to existing joints, while providing structural rigidity and movement allowance through S-shaped folds and compression of embossing patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a cover plate is designed with a movement allowance to accommodate expansion joint movements, then the device can accommodate building component movements, but the device becomes less rigid and more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement accommodationVSAvoidcover plate structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover plate is divided into multiple sections that can move independently relative to each other. The first cover plate section and second cover plate section are separated by a movement allowance, allowing each section to respond independently to building expansion and compression forces while maintaining overall sealing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover plate incorporates dynamic movement allowances that enable it to adapt to changing dimensional conditions. The S-shaped folded section and the gap between sections create a dynamic structure that can expand and contract with the building components, transforming a static sealing element into a dynamic adaptive component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the cover plate is made thinner to improve adaptability to existing joints, then the device becomes easier to install and more flexible, but the structural rigidity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint adaptationVSAvoidcover plate rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cover plate features an S-shaped folded section with curved geometry that provides structural rigidity despite thin material thickness. The curved folds create arch-like structures that resist deformation and maintain stiffness, allowing the thin cover plate to effectively span movement allowances while remaining adaptable to existing joint configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover plate combines different material properties within a single component - the thin sheet metal provides adaptability and ease of installation, while the S-shaped folded structure creates a composite effect where the geometry itself contributes to structural strength, achieving both thinness and rigidity simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the cover plate is designed with domed embossing to reduce radiant heat transmission, then thermal protection improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiant heat transmissionVSAvoidcover plate fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cover plate surface is modified through domed embossing that changes the geometric parameters of the metal surface. The raised domed patterns create air gaps and increase surface area, which reduce radiant heat transmission through the cover plate. This parameter change in surface geometry achieves thermal protection without requiring additional material layers or complex multi-step manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enables the device to accommodate up to 100 mm of expansion and compression movement, minimize radiant heat transmission, and ensure effective sealing and thermal insulation, making it highly adaptable and efficient in various spatial configurations.

Implementation Method 1

The fire-resistant material can be an intumescent mat that expands in the event of a fire, thereby sealing the expansion joint

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIntumescent materials expansion: Intumescent Materials

Implementation Method 2

the cover plate made of sheet metal with the domed embossing transmits a smaller proportion of radiant heat to the underlying fire protection material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiant heat transmission reduction: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP4215684B1Fire-proof sealing device and fire-proof method for an expansion joint of a building

Publication Date: 2026.04.22 G H ISOLIERUNG

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

Fire protection sealing device (1) for a movement joint (F) of a building, comprising a fire protection material (10.1 - 10.3) for sealing a joint cavity (H) between two opposing components (2, 3) of the movement joint (F) in the event of a fire, and at least one cover plate (20) for attachment to the two opposing components (2, 3) of the movement joint (F) in order to cover the fire protection material (10.1 - 10.3) and the joint cavity (H), wherein the cover plate (20) is designed with a movement reserve (R) to allow movement of the movement joint (F), wherein the at least one cover plate (20) comprises a plate with a spherical embossing.