Flexible Polymer Gasket With Captured Spring Clips for Secure Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing technologies for appliances and vehicles lack effective solutions for preventing moisture and thermal air transfers, particularly in applications requiring flexible and durable gaskets that can securely attach to various surfaces without complex installation processes.
Innovation Solution
An elongated flexible polymer gasket with individual spring clip fasteners made from hardened metal wire, featuring a planar base and transverse engagement portion, is designed to be securely captured within the gasket body, providing enhanced stability and ease of installation by using pinhole openings that can stretch to accommodate the clip's dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional sealing technologies are used, then moisture and thermal air transfers can be prevented to some extent, but the installation process becomes complex and secure attachment to various surfaces is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket is divided into multiple modular segments, each equipped with its own spring clip fastener. This segmentation allows each segment to be independently installed and secured to the surface, simplifying the overall installation process while ensuring reliable attachment through multiple discrete connection points along the gasket length
Solution Approach 2:
The spring clip fasteners are designed to be self-installing through pinhole openings in the gasket body. The clips utilize their spring tension to automatically secure themselves and the gasket to the surface without requiring additional fastening mechanisms or complex installation procedures, making the system self-sufficient during installation
2Stability of the object's composition
If spring clip fasteners with large base portions are used, then stable attachment is achieved, but the pinhole openings must be larger compromising the structural integrity of the gasket body
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket body exhibits non-uniform structural properties: the outer wall is engineered with specific thickness and reinforcement at locations corresponding to pinhole openings to maintain structural integrity, while the inner chamber provides sufficient space for the spring clip base portions. This local differentiation allows large-based clips to be accommodated without compromising overall gasket strength
Solution Approach 2:
The spring clip fasteners are nested within the hollow inner chamber of the gasket body. The base portions of the clips are received inside the chamber through pinhole openings, allowing the clips to be contained within the gasket structure rather than protruding externally. This nesting arrangement provides stable attachment while maintaining the external integrity and appearance of the gasket body
3Reliability
If elongated flexible polymer gaskets are used, then effective sealing against moisture and thermal air transfers is achieved, but the gaskets require complex fastening mechanisms for secure attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The spring clip fasteners are designed to be self-installing through pinhole openings in the gasket body. The clips utilize their spring tension to automatically secure themselves and the gasket to the surface without requiring additional fastening mechanisms or complex installation procedures, making the system self-sufficient during installation
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 effectively seals against moisture and thermal air transfers while simplifying the installation process, ensuring a secure attachment to surfaces and maintaining stability across a range of temperatures and applications.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of individual spring clip fasteners, each spring clip fastener being formed by a length of at least partially hardened metal wire
Implementation Method 2
an outer wall of the polymer material at least partially surrounding and at least partially defining a hollow chamber within the body extending uniformly the length of the body
Data Source
AI summary
An elongated, flexible polymer gasket includes a body formed by a length of tubular flexible polymer material, a hollow chamber within the body extending uniformly the length of the body, and a plurality of individual openings spaced apart from one another along the length of the body. The gasket further includes a plurality of individual spring clip fasteners, each formed of a metal wire, the length of wire being bent to form an elongated, generally planar base portion with opposing major sides and an elongated, engagement portion extending transversely away from one of the opposing major sides. The maximum width dimensions of the base and engagement portions being greater than a maximum nominal dimension of the opening whereby the each individual spring clip member is captured in a separate one of the openings with the base portion within the hollow chamber and the engagement portion projecting traversely away from the base portion and the body.