Pivotable Threshold Cap for Automatic Weather Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing threshold systems in residential and commercial buildings face challenges in maintaining a weather-tight seal due to house settlement, which causes movement of mating components, leading to air and water infiltration, as homeowners rarely adjust manually adjustable threshold caps.
Innovation Solution
A self-adjusting threshold system with a pivotable threshold cap and holder assembly that allows the cap to rotate between raised and lowered positions, utilizing a spring bias to maintain a seal and adjust with door movement, ensuring effective sealing without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a manually adjustable threshold cap is used, then the threshold can be adjusted to compensate for house settlement, but homeowners rarely use the adjustment features, resulting in poor sealing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The threshold cap automatically adjusts itself through door operation without requiring manual intervention. The cap pivots on a hinge axis, using the door's movement to self-adjust the sealing position, eliminating the need for homeowners to perform adjustment operations while maintaining reliable sealing performance
Solution Approach 2:
The threshold cap transitions from a static manual adjustment mechanism to a dynamic automatic adjustment mechanism. The cap is configured to pivot relative to the holder, allowing it to dynamically adapt its position based on door movement and wear, thereby maintaining effective sealing without manual intervention
2Reliability
If the threshold cap is made stationary, then the structure is simple, but the seal deteriorates due to house settlement and component movement
Solution Approach 1:
The threshold cap is configured to pivot on a hinge axis relative to the holder, transforming it from a stationary component to a dynamic one. This allows the cap to automatically compensate for house settlement and component movement, maintaining reliable weather sealing while adding minimal complexity through the pivot mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The threshold cap's position parameter changes automatically through pivoting motion. By allowing the cap to rotate between different angular positions, the system adapts to changes in the door assembly's position caused by house settlement, maintaining effective sealing without complex adjustment mechanisms
3Reliability
If the primary sealing location is positioned closer to the interior, then the installation is easier, but air and water infiltration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The threshold cap pivots to position the primary sealing location farthest from the interior, using gravitational and operational forces to automatically achieve the optimal sealing position. This dynamic positioning ensures superior weather resistance while the pivot mechanism simplifies the manufacturing and installation process compared to precision-positioned fixed seals
Data Source
AI summary
A threshold has a substrate, a sill deck, an upstanding nosing, and an upstanding dam. An upwardly open sill channel is defined between the upstanding nosing and the upstanding dam. A threshold cap extends along and at least partially overlies the upwardly open sill channel. At least one holder is formed separate from the threshold cap and is located in the upwardly open sill channel between the upstanding dam and the upstanding nosing, the at least one holder at least partially supporting the threshold cap. The holder is removably disposed within the sill channel. The threshold cap is pivotably attached to the holder. The threshold cap is capable of rotating between a raised position and a lowered position. In at least the raised position, a highest point of the threshold cap is closer to the upstanding dam than the upstanding nosing.