Frame Seal With Movable Inner Profile For Deformation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door frame seals are inadequate in bridging large gaps and accommodating torsion or deformation of door leaves due to their rigid design, which leads to unreliable sealing, especially during thermal expansion.
Innovation Solution
A frame seal design featuring a separate inner profile that is prestressed and guided within a receiving profile, allowing for significant deformation and using elastic spring elements to maintain a defined seal compression, thereby accommodating larger gaps and deformations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid sealing profile is used to bridge gaps, then the sealing structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate large gaps or door deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into two separate profiles: an inner profile containing the sealing element and an outer receiving profile. The inner profile can move independently within the receiving profile, allowing it to adapt to gap variations while the outer profile provides structural support. This segmentation enables the sealing function to be decoupled from the structural function, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner profile is designed to be movable relative to the outer receiving profile, transforming the rigid sealing system into a dynamic one. The inner profile can shift position to accommodate different gap sizes and door deformations, while the spring element provides the necessary force to maintain sealing contact. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to varying conditions without increasing overall structural complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a larger sealing profile is used to bridge large gaps, then the gap bridging capability is improved, but the seal wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the gap-bridging function (performed by the movable inner profile) from the sealing contact function (performed by the smaller sealing element). This allows a compact sealing profile to achieve effective sealing by leveraging the movement capability of the inner profile, rather than requiring a large sealing element that would wear more quickly.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element provides controlled elastic deformation to maintain optimal sealing contact pressure. By dynamically adjusting the compression force based on gap conditions, the system maintains effective sealing with a smaller sealing profile, reducing wear while accommodating various gap sizes through parameter adjustment rather than size increase.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If a smaller sealing profile is used to reduce wear, then the seal service life is improved, but the gap bridging capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The inner profile's ability to move relative to the outer profile compensates for the smaller sealing profile size. As the door moves or deforms, the inner profile shifts position to maintain proper sealing contact, allowing a compact sealing element to effectively bridge larger gaps that would otherwise require a much larger stationary sealing profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element acts as an intermediary that transfers and regulates the force between the movable inner profile and the sealing element. It ensures that the smaller sealing profile maintains sufficient contact pressure with the door surface despite its reduced size, enabling effective sealing while preserving service life through optimized force distribution.
4Device complexity
If a rigid sealing system is used, then the structure is simple, but it reacts insufficiently to torsion or deformation
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the sealing system into movable inner profile and stationary outer profile, the design allows the inner profile to independently respond to door torsion and deformation. This segmentation enables differential movement that accommodates complex door movements while maintaining sealing integrity, achieving reliability without requiring an overly complex rigid structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element introduces elastic compliance to the system, allowing it to dynamically adjust to torsional and deformation forces. This parameter change from rigid to elastic connection enables the sealing system to absorb and accommodate door movements, maintaining reliable sealing under varying operational conditions without excessive structural complexity.
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 design ensures durable and reliable sealing of larger gaps and deformations, reducing wear and maintaining a defined bearing surface, while allowing for efficient use of existing sealing profiles and minimizing mechanical stress on spring elements.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elastic spring element is arranged between the receiving profile and the inner profile, with such a spring element preferably being designed as a leaf spring-like spring assembly
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
A frame seal is provided for sealing a door gap between a frame (1) and a door, comprising a receiving profile (2) in a metal, plastic or wooden frame, a receiving groove (3) for a sealing profile (4) and the sealing profile (4) consisting of a retaining profile (5) and a sealing profile (6), which permanently and reliably seals a gap between the door leaf and the frame as completely as possible and independently of any torsion or concave or convex deformation of the door leaf, which is achieved by the sealing profile (4) with its retaining profile (5) being mounted in the receiving groove (3) of an inner profile (9), which is permanently pre-tensioned outwards and projecting in the receiving profile (2) in the closing direction of a door, abutting its closing surface, and is arranged to be slidably parallel into the receiving profile (2).