Profiled Glazing Seal Structure for Rounded Corner Fitting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing glazing units with profiled seals face challenges in adapting to rounded corners, particularly when using prefabricated seals, leading to increased costs and installation time due to the need for reworking at each corner.

Innovation Solution

A profiled seal design with transverse cutouts and slots in the base, allowing it to deform and adapt to corner curvature, while maintaining a regular appearance without material removal at cutouts and incisions through the base for slots, ensuring surface continuity with the glazed element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a profiled seal with base and lateral bead is produced by extrusion in situ against one face of the glazed element, then the seal can be produced, but additional costs are generated as the seal must be reworked in each corner and the installation time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The profiled seal is pre-formed with a neutral axis positioned at a specific distance from the outer face of the base, allowing it to be prefabricated before attachment to the glazed element. This preliminary shaping enables the seal to be prepared in advance with the correct geometry for corner adaptation, eliminating the need for time-consuming rework during installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The neutral axis is positioned at a specific distance from the outer face of the base, which is a critical parameter change that enables the seal to bend and adapt to corner curvature. This parameter optimization allows the seal to deform elastically at corners while maintaining its structural integrity and regular appearance, solving both manufacturing ease and installation speed requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If a prefabricated profile seal is used, then production is simplified, but it is very difficult to apply to rounded corners without reworking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidadaptability to corner curvature

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The neutral axis is positioned at a specific distance from the outer face of the base, enabling the seal to bend and adapt to corner curvature. This parameter optimization allows the seal to deform elastically at corners while maintaining its structural integrity and regular appearance, solving both manufacturing ease and installation speed requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The seal is designed with a curved neutral axis positioned at a specific distance from the outer face, allowing it to naturally conform to the curvature of rounded corners. This geometric design enables the prefabricated seal to adapt to corner geometry without requiring post-manufacturing rework, maintaining both ease of manufacture and corner adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If the profiled seal is attached only by the base to the inner face, then the installation is simplified, but the seal must adapt to corner curvature without additional attachment points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidstability of seal attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design facilitates easier and less expensive installation by allowing the seal to conform to rounded corners without distortion or blistering, maintaining a seamless appearance and reducing internal stresses.

Implementation Method 1

the cutouts allow the base to be deformed to suit the curvature of the glazed element, and the slot(s) reduce internal stresses in the plastic material of said profiled seal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250368017A1Glazing unit comprising in a corner a profiled seal with cutouts and slot(s), seal and method of manufacturing such glazing unit

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 SAINT GOBAIN SEKURIT FRANCE

AI summary

A glazing unit includes a glazed element and a profiled seal, the profiled seal having a rounded corner a number x≥2 of transverse, recessed, material-removing cutouts and has a number y of curved slot(s) passing through the thickness of a base and located closer to the edge of said glazed element than the cutouts.