Flexible Side Seal for Overhead Doors
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional side seals in overhead door systems face challenges such as environmental wear due to temperature sensitivity of PVC materials, high transportation costs, and compromised insulation when cut for transportation.
Innovation Solution
A flexible side sealing solution comprising a profile element with an attachment portion and a sealing portion, made from a flexible material like rubber, which can be rolled for efficient transportation and easily attached to the side frame or door blade using an adhesive.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rigid side seals made of PVC are used, then the side seal can be attached to the side frame, but the PVC material is sensitive to temperature changes and suffers from high environmental wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid PVC to flexible material, fundamentally altering the physical properties to resist environmental wear and temperature sensitivity while maintaining sealing functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure with a rigid attachment portion (for structural support and attachment) and a flexible sealing portion (for wear resistance and temperature tolerance), combining the advantages of both material types
2Reliability
If long side seal components are transported, then complete sealing is provided, but transportation costs are high and must be planned in advance
Solution Approach 1:
The side seal is divided into multiple modular sections that can be transported separately and assembled on-site, reducing transportation constraints and enabling just-in-time delivery without compromising the complete sealing function
3Ease of operation
If the side seal is cut into several parts for transportation, then transportation issues are overcome, but the insulation and waterproof properties are jeopardized
Solution Approach 1:
The side seal is designed with pre-defined segmentation points that allow clean division into transportable sections while maintaining the continuous sealing and insulation function when assembled, avoiding damage to insulation properties
Solution Approach 2:
The segmentation and connection design is pre-planned with built-in sealing mechanisms at the joints, so that when sections are assembled on-site, the insulation and waterproof properties are automatically restored without requiring additional sealing actions
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 flexible side sealing improves durability and reduces transportation costs by allowing the profile element to be rolled and easily transported, while maintaining effective insulation and waterproofing properties.
Implementation Method 1
The profile element is in a flexible material... rolling said profile element relative a lengthwise direction of said profile element to form at least part of a roll
Data Source
AI summary
A side sealing (100) is adapted to seal between a door blade (11) and a side frame (21) in an overhead door system. The side sealing (100) comprises a profile element (105). The profile element (105) comprises an attachment portion (120) adapted to be attached to one of the side frame (21) or door blade (11) and a sealing portion (110) adapted to come into sealing contact with the other of the side frame (21) or door blade (11). The profile element (105) is in a flexible material.