Multi-Finger Door Seal with Breakaway Perforations
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current door sealing systems fail to provide adequate security, particularly against unauthorized entry and fire safety standards, while also posing risks due to their potential misuse for harm. They often require additional security measures that can interfere with accessibility and may not effectively prevent smoke, noise, or toxic gas infiltration.
Innovation Solution
A multi-finger seal system is introduced, featuring flexible fingers with varying lengths and perforations along the seal, designed to break away upon attempted removal, enhancing security and safety by preventing misuse while maintaining effective sealing against smoke, noise, and toxic gases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional door seals are used, then basic sealing function is provided, but they can be misused for harm (strangulation, hanging) and do not provide adequate security
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into multiple fingers (typically 3-5 fingers) instead of a single continuous strip. This segmentation prevents the seal from being used for hanging or strangulation while maintaining the sealing function, as the separated fingers cannot form a continuous ligature
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful property (continuous length suitable for ligature formation) is extracted from the seal design by using segmented fingers with limited length, while retaining the essential sealing function through the flexible finger structure that can conform to door gaps
2Reliability
If rigid security seals are used, then security against unauthorized entry is improved, but they may interfere with accessibility and self-closing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The seal uses flexible fingers that can dynamically adjust their position and shape. The fingers bend and flex to accommodate door movement, self-closing mechanisms, and accessibility requirements, while maintaining security when the door is closed
Solution Approach 2:
The seal's physical parameters (flexibility, finger length, material properties) are optimized to balance security and accessibility. The flexible material allows the seal to yield during operation while providing resistance against forced entry
3Reliability
If continuous gasketing material is used for sealing, then sealing effectiveness is maintained, but it creates safety hazards by enabling strangulation and hanging
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous gasketing material is segmented into multiple discrete fingers spaced apart from each other. This maintains the sealing effectiveness by having multiple contact points while eliminating the continuous length required for ligature formation
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the seal have different properties - the fingers are flexible for sealing contact but separated to prevent misuse. The local segmentation creates zones of flexibility for sealing and zones of separation for safety
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 multi-finger seal system improves security and compliance with safety codes by preventing unauthorized access and reducing the risk of harm from seal misuse, while ensuring effective sealing against smoke, noise, and toxic gases, thus enhancing overall door security and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a first multi-finger seal portion... including a base affixed upon the rabbet on the lock jamb and a plurality of flexible fingers extending therefrom
Data Source
AI summary
Certain example embodiments relate to a sealing system for sealing the periphery of a door relative to a frame. The sealing system includes a multi point finger seal having at least three fingers of differing height and spacing so that a first finger may contact the door and contact of the first finger and second finger is precluded. A second finger is sized and spaced from a third finger so that a free edge of the second finger abuts the base of the third finger. A security seal is located at the bottom of the door and includes a security flap biased into the door, wherein a cam on the frame engages the flap upon closure of the door to urge the security flap toward the floor. The seal includes one or more perforations therein, causing the seal to breakaway and into pieces if removal is attempted.