Flexible Sealing Membrane with Integral Projection for Window Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional window sealing systems fail to effectively seal the gaps between window frame members, allowing air and moisture penetration, which can lead to significant issues over time.
Innovation Solution
A modified barrier assembly featuring an elongated adaptor and a flexible sealing membrane with integral projections, where the inner membrane portion spans the frame gap and the outer membrane portion spans the building gap, providing a comprehensive air and moisture-proof seal by extending over the window frame and building structural members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional flexible sealing membrane is used to seal the building gap between the window frame and rough opening, then the building gap is sealed, but the frame gap between window frame members remains unsealed allowing air and moisture penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sealing membrane is divided into multiple sections: an outer membrane portion for sealing the building gap and an inner membrane portion for sealing the frame gap. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific sealing function, with the inner portion specifically designed to span and seal the frame gap between window frame members that the conventional single-membrane design failed to address.
2Reliability
If the flexible sheet is made wide enough to seal both the frame gap and building gap, then comprehensive sealing is achieved, but the membrane requires more material and becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane design incorporates a projection (dart) extending from the flexible sheet, creating a three-dimensional structure that allows the membrane to span gaps in both the building gap direction and frame gap direction. This dimensional addition enables comprehensive sealing without requiring an excessively wide flat sheet, as the projection provides the additional reach needed to bridge the frame gap between members.
3Area of stationary object
If a single wide flexible sheet is used to seal both gaps, then sealing coverage is improved, but installation becomes difficult due to puckering and multiple overlaps
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is segmented into distinct functional portions (outer and inner) separated by the projection structure. This segmentation allows the membrane to be installed in a more manageable way, with each portion naturally positioning itself to seal its specific gap without excessive overlapping or puckering that would occur with a single wide sheet approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The projection acts as an intermediary element between the outer and inner membrane portions, providing a structured transition zone that facilitates proper installation positioning. This intermediary structure helps distribute the membrane material evenly and prevents the puckering and multiple overlaps that complicate installation of conventional single-sheet designs.
Data Source
AI summary
A modified flexible sealing membrane is provided for sealing the gap between the frame of an industrial window and the rough opening in which the window is received (“building gap”). The membrane is formed from a flexible sheet defining an integral projection for receipt in an adaptor connected to the window frame. On one side of this projection, the flexible sheet defines an outer membrane portion which is wide enough to seal the building gap. On the other side of this projection, the flexible sheet defines an inner membrane portion which is wide enough to seal the gap that is often found between the different structural members which combine to form the window frame (“frame gap”).