Formable Insulating Sealing Strip for Dynamic Construction Joints

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing firestopping and acoustic insulation methods for head-of-wall joints in building construction are labor-intensive, expensive, and ineffective in sealing dynamic joints between metal tracks and ceilings, particularly in scenarios with varying contour profiles, leading to gaps that compromise fire and sound insulation.

Innovation Solution

A band-shaped sealing strip with a self-adhesive, formable insulating material and a cover layer, designed to be applied between metal tracks and ceilings, providing mechanical strength and ensuring secure attachment without the need for customized designs, capable of expanding to fill gaps and maintaining position during structural movements, optionally incorporating intumescent materials for enhanced fire resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional firestopping and acoustic insulation methods are used for head-of-wall joints, then fire and sound insulation are provided, but the installation is labor-intensive, expensive, and ineffective in sealing dynamic joints with varying contour profiles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidinstallation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing strip utilizes a formable insulating material that changes its physical state from a flexible, moldable condition during installation to a stabilized, position-maintaining condition after installation. This parameter change allows the material to adapt to varying contour profiles and dynamic joint movements, providing effective sealing without requiring labor-intensive customization for each joint configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing strip employs a flexible, formable insulating material that can be easily shaped and conform to the contours of dynamic joints between metal tracks and ceilings. This flexible material accommodates structural movements and varying profile shapes while maintaining continuous sealing, eliminating the need for rigid, pre-formed insulation components that would require extensive installation labor

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If the sealing strip uses a formable insulating material, then it can expand to fill gaps and adapt to varying contour profiles, but the material needs mechanical support for secure attachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to contour profilesVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing strip combines a formable insulating material with a reinforcing cover layer to create a composite structure. The insulating material provides adaptability and sealing functionality, while the cover layer contributes mechanical strength and structural integrity. This composite construction allows the sealing strip to simultaneously conform to varying contour profiles and maintain secure attachment during structural movements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing strip is divided into functional segments: a formable insulating material portion for adaptation and sealing, and a separate cover or support layer for mechanical strength. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function optimally while working together as an integrated sealing system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If the sealing strip is designed as a standardized product, then it can be easily applied to various construction types, but it must work effectively without customized designs for each application

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestandardizationVSAvoidapplicability to different construction types
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing strip is designed as a universal product that can be effectively applied across various construction types and joint configurations without requiring customization. The formable insulating material and reinforcing cover layer combination provides a standardized solution that adapts to different contour profiles, metal track systems, and ceiling constructions, eliminating the need for custom-designed sealing components for each application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Stability of the object's composition

If the sealing strip allows structural movement, then it maintains joint integrity during deflection, but the seal must remain effective despite dynamic changes in joint geometry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoint integrityVSAvoidseal effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing strip is designed to accommodate dynamic changes in joint geometry that occur during structural movement. The formable insulating material can deform and adjust to changing joint configurations while maintaining continuous sealing contact, allowing the structure to deflect and move without compromising either joint integrity or seal effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 sealing strip effectively prevents the spread of smoke, fire, and noise by securely sealing joints, reducing maintenance costs and labor, while allowing for structural movement without compromising the integrity of the seal, and can be easily applied to various construction types without requiring customized designs.

Implementation Method 1

capable of expanding to fill gaps

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExpansion:

Implementation Method 2

optionally incorporating intumescent materials for enhanced fire resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIntumescent expansion: Intumescent Materials

Implementation Method 3

self-adhesive, formable insulating material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS9512614B2Insulating sealing element for construction joints
Publication Date: 2016.12.06 HILTI AG
  • US9512614B2 patent drawing
  • US9512614B2 patent drawing
  • US9512614B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A sealing element for sealing a gap or joint between a support structure and a track is disclosed. The track includes a web and legs that extend vertically from the web. The sealing element includes a cover layer and an insulating strip disposed on the cover layer. The insulating strip includes a portion with a round, an oval, or a triangular cross-section.