Flood Barrier Shield With Adjustable Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flood protection devices for building openings are either expensive, time-consuming to install, do not provide true seals, and can interfere with normal door use or leave visible mounting holes, while existing solutions like inflatable panels are heavy and fail to completely seal misaligned doorways.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight flood barrier system with a main shield panel and adjustable seal housings featuring flexible neoprene seals that can be easily installed and removed, accommodating variations in door alignment and providing a watertight seal without permanent installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional flood protection devices (sand bags, permanent channels) are used, then flood protection is provided, but installation is time-consuming and may interfere with normal door use or leave visible mounting holes
Solution Approach 1:
The flood barrier is divided into modular panels that can be quickly assembled and disassembled. Each panel contains integrated sealing channels and adjustable seals, allowing rapid installation without permanent mounting structures, thus reducing installation time while maintaining reliable flood protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal channels and sealing elements are pre-assembled into the panels during manufacturing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for on-site assembly of sealing components, significantly reducing installation time while ensuring reliable sealing performance from the first installation.
2Reliability
If permanently installed channels are used, then flood protection is provided, but normal door use is interfered with and mounting holes remain visible
Solution Approach 1:
The flood barrier system transitions from a permanent static installation to a dynamic removable system. The panels can be easily installed and removed, allowing normal door functionality when not in use, while providing reliable flood protection when deployed. The adjustable seals adapt to various door configurations without requiring permanent modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The flood barrier panels are designed to be temporarily deployed and then removed after use. This allows the building opening to return to its normal state without permanent modifications or visible mounting holes, while still providing reliable flood protection when needed.
3Reliability
If rigid panels with inflatable tubes are used, then flood protection is provided, but the panels are heavy and do not allow seal adjustment for misaligned doorways
Solution Approach 1:
The flood barrier uses flexible sealing elements within integrated channels rather than rigid inflatable tubes. This provides reliable sealing for misaligned doorways through flexibility and adjustability, while significantly reducing the overall weight of the panels compared to inflatable tube systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system allows for parameter adjustment of the seal position and contact pressure to accommodate misaligned doorways and jambs. The adjustable seals can be positioned to compensate for alignment variations, providing reliable flood protection without requiring heavy rigid structures.
4Manufacturing precision
If adjustable seal bars are used, then sealing accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism for the seals is integrated into the panel structure itself, merging the sealing function with the structural framework. This reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to adjust seal position and achieve precise alignment for reliable flood protection.
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 system offers quick, effective, and adjustable flood protection that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain, ensuring minimal disruption to door functionality and complete sealing of building openings.
Implementation Method 1
having a flexible seal element mounted in each seal housing and facing out of the seal housing to contact the sides and bottom of a building opening
Data Source
AI summary
A flood barrier shield system for installation in a building opening such as a door frame includes a water impervious panel having a base edge and at least two side edges generally complementary in shape to the base and side edges of the opening into which it is to be installed. Channel shaped seal housings are mounted on the panels adjacent its base and side edges which contain seal bars including a relatively rigid bar having a flexible seal mounted thereon and extending the length of the housing. The seal is located to face the opposing surface of the opening and the bar is connected to the housing by selectively operable devices which move the bar and seal between retracted and extended positions for ease of positioning the flood barrier in the opening and then forming a water tight seal along the base and sides of the system.