Threshold-Free Door Seal with Multi-Directional Fillable Sections

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing closure devices for building openings and rooms have limitations in sealing variability across different sides, as the seal is typically aligned on the outside circumference of the door leaf, making it difficult to adjust sealing directions and requiring a threshold for effective sealing, especially when designed without one.

Innovation Solution

A closure device with a fillable sealing element featuring multiple coherent sections, where one section is aligned parallel to the door's plane for the bottom edge and others transverse to it for side edges, allowing independent alignment and sealing in different directions, including orthogonal to the plane, to accommodate various sealing requirements without a threshold.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single-plane circumferential seal is used on the door leaf, then the sealing structure is simple, but the sealing direction cannot be varied on different sides and a threshold is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing structureVSAvoidsealing direction adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element is divided into multiple independent sealing sections (first sealing section for bottom edge, second sealing section for first side edge, third sealing section for second side edge). Each section can be independently aligned and adjusted to achieve sealing in different directions, eliminating the need for a threshold while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each sealing section is assigned a specific function and orientation: the first sealing section aligns parallel to the door plane for bottom sealing, while the second and third sealing sections align transverse to the door plane for side sealing. This local differentiation allows the seal to adapt to different sealing requirements on different sides of the door.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If the seal is aligned along the outer perimeter of the door leaf, then the sealing structure is simple, but the seal cannot be manipulated from one side when the door is closed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseal alignmentVSAvoidseal accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element is configured to extend beyond the plane of the door leaf in certain sections. The second and third sealing sections are aligned transverse to the door plane, allowing them to be accessed and manipulated from one side when the door is closed, while the first sealing section remains parallel to the door plane for bottom sealing.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If a circumferential seal perpendicular to the door plane is used, then sealing without a threshold is possible, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethreshold-free sealingVSAvoidsealing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single circumferential seal perpendicular to the door plane, the sealing element is segmented into multiple sections with different orientations. The first sealing section aligns parallel to the door plane for bottom sealing, while the second and third sealing sections align transverse to the door plane for side sealing, achieving threshold-free sealing with reduced complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing element is designed to be flexible and adjustable, allowing it to adapt to different sealing requirements. The different orientations of the sealing sections enable the seal to dynamically adjust to the door and frame geometry, achieving effective sealing without a threshold while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 configuration enables a threshold-free, gas-tight connection between the door and frame, effectively sealing all peripheral sides, including areas inaccessible when closed, by using a pressure medium to press the seal against the floor and frame, enhancing sealing efficiency and adaptability.

Implementation Method 1

using a pressure medium to press the seal against the floor and frame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure medium expansion: Pressurisation

Data Source

PatentEP4108880B1Closure device for sealing off building openings or spaces
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 SOMMER FASSADENSYST STAHLBAU SICHERHEITSTECHN
  • EP4108880B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4108880B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4108880B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

The present invention relates to a closure device for sealing building openings or rooms, in particular a security door, comprising a planar structural element, in particular a door leaf, with a fillable sealing element connected to the planar structural element, wherein the fillable sealing element has at least three interconnected sealing sections, wherein a first sealing section is aligned along a bottom edge substantially parallel to a plane of the planar structural element, so that the first sealing section can make sealing contact with a bottom in a closed position of the closure device, and wherein a second sealing section and a third sealing section are each aligned along a side edge and substantially parallel to a plane of the planar structural element, so that the second sealing section and the third sealing section can make sealing contact with a frame element in the closed position.in particular a frame, in each case in the same direction essentially perpendicular to the plane of the planar structural element, they can be made to form a sealing contact.