Lowerable Seal Device for Tilted Doors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatically lowerable sealing devices for doors and windows lack flexibility in triggering mechanisms and are not effective when the door or window is tilted, allowing water ingress during rain.

Innovation Solution

A lowerable sealing device with a profiled guide rail, a sealing strip, and a force transmission rod that can be displaced longitudinally, featuring a lowering spring and a release mechanism allowing the sealing strip to be lowered and raised by pulling or pressing, with optional double-stroke triggering, enabling sealing in various positions including when the door or window is tilted.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional actuating button is used to lower the seal, then the seal can be actuated on one side, but it cannot be effectively triggered when the door or window is tilted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing capability in tilted positionVSAvoidtriggering mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic triggering mechanism where the actuating rod can be displaced in multiple directions (pushing and pulling) to engage the force transmission rod at different positions. This allows the seal to be lowered regardless of whether the door or window is in a vertical or tilted position, providing adaptability without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The force transmission rod serves multiple functions: it transmits force from the actuating rod, engages with the lowering element, and maintains the seal in different positions. The dual-stroke mechanism (pushing and pulling) provides universal triggering capability for various door/window positions, making the system versatile

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

2Ease of operation

If the actuating rod is pushed to lower the seal, then the seal lowers effectively, but pulling the actuating rod does not raise the seal in conventional designs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseal actuation easeVSAvoiddouble-stroke triggering capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic force transmission system where the actuating rod can be pushed or pulled to engage the force transmission rod at different positions. When pushed, the seal lowers; when pulled back, the seal raises. This dual-directional operation simplifies user interaction and provides versatile triggering capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The double-stroke mechanism creates a periodic action pattern where the actuating rod alternates between pushing (lowering seal) and pulling (raising seal) movements. This periodic bidirectional operation enhances ease of use and provides adaptable triggering for different operational scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If a low threshold is used for accessibility, then accessibility is improved, but sealing effectiveness against driving rain is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidsealing effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic lowering seal mechanism that can be actuated to extend downward from a low threshold position. This allows the threshold to remain low for accessibility while the seal can dynamically lower to provide effective sealing against driving rain when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The seal is positioned in a raised state during normal conditions, maintaining a low threshold for accessibility. When driving rain is anticipated or detected, the seal is preliminarily lowered to the sealed position before the rain occurs, ensuring sealing effectiveness is prepared in advance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution provides enhanced flexibility in sealing mechanisms, ensuring effective sealing against rain and driving rain even when doors or windows are tilted, while maintaining a low threshold suitable for accessibility and thermal separation.

Implementation Method 1

at least one lowering spring, which is connected to the sealing strip and which can be actuated by means of the first force transmission rod in order to lower the sealing strip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3165703B1Lowerable seal device
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 ASSA ABLOY (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP3165703B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3165703B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP3165703B1 patent drawingFigure 2d~2e

AI summary

A retractable sealing device comprises a guide profile rail (1), a retractable and raising sealing strip (2, 3) held in the guide profile rail (1), a first force transmission rod (5, 9) extending longitudinally along the guide profile rail (1) and displaceable in its longitudinal direction, and at least one lowering element (6) comprising a spring, which is arranged in the guide profile rail (1), connected to the sealing strip (2, 3), and actuated by means of the first force transmission rod (5, 9) to lower the sealing strip (2, 3). The sealing strip (2, 3) can be lowered by pulling the first force transmission rod (5, 9).