Profiled Connection Rail Sealing Device for Joint Movement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing profile connection strips with sealing devices are not universally applicable, are rigid and costly to produce, and fail to maintain a secure seal during large relative movements between components, leading to issues with elasticity and appearance.

Innovation Solution

A profile connection strip with a sealing device that features a separate sealing tape and support body, allowing for flexible adaptation to relative movements while maintaining a secure seal, and is designed for cost-effective and space-efficient production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the sealing device and support body are integrated into the profile connection strip as a solid structural unit, then the sealing device is specifically designed for this plastering strip, but it cannot be universally applied to other plastering strips

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniversal applicabilityVSAvoidsealing device design
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing device is separated from the profile connection strip into an independent component. The sealing device consists of a sealing element and a support body that can be detached from the profile connection strip, allowing the same sealing device to be used with different plastering strip designs while maintaining effective sealing functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the profile connection strip is formed as a rigid extruded structural unit, then the structure is stable, but it cannot be rolled up or wound up for storage and transport

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverollabilityVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The profile connection strip is divided into separate components: the rigid profile section and the flexible sealing device with support body. The profile connection strip itself can be designed for stability, while the separate sealing device with its flexible support body can be rolled up for storage and transport, and then attached to the profile connection strip at the installation location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If a separate extrusion tool is made for each profile variant, then each profile can be precisely produced, but the production cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprofile production precisionVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing device is designed as a universal component that can be used with multiple variants of profile connection strips. Instead of creating specialized extrusion tools for each profile variant, the same sealing device design can accommodate different profile types, reducing the number of expensive specialized tools needed and lowering overall production costs.

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

4Reliability

If the foam strip sealing device is used to compensate for excessive relative movement, then the sealing property is improved, but the foam strip will tear due to lack of sufficient elasticity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing propertyVSAvoidelasticity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support body is constructed as a composite structure combining foam material with reinforcing elements such as fabric layers or mesh. This composite construction provides both the flexibility needed to accommodate large relative movements and the strength to prevent tearing, while the sealing element maintains effective sealing throughout the movement range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

5Adaptability or versatility

If two independent assembly devices are arranged one behind the other in the joint, then the adaptation to relative movements is improved, but the assembly becomes complex and requires larger installation space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation to relative movementsVSAvoidassembly device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element and support body are merged into a single integrated sealing device that performs both assembly positioning and sealing functions. The support body provides structural support during assembly while the sealing element ensures sealing, eliminating the need for two separate assembly devices and reducing installation space requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 ensures a permanent and secure seal during large relative movements, improves appearance, and eliminates the need for complex assembly and costly tooling, making it universally applicable and visually appealing.

Implementation Method 1

The support body is essentially or completely bonded to the component and/or to the profile connection strip by means of an adhesive layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The sealing tape can adapt to the relative movement through elastic deformation and continue to seal the joint

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2404010B1Profiled connection rail with sealing device for sealing a joint
Publication Date: 2022.06.29 LEHRHUBER KONRAD
  • EP2404010B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2404010B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2404010B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a sealing device for sealing a joint. An elongate supporting element (29) of the sealing device (22) has two opposite external surfaces which, by means of external connecting mechanisms, are to be connected to two building components (10, 17) forming a joint to be sealed therebetween. Said elongate supporting element (29) has a load-bearing stability that allows the two building components (10, 17) to be disposed relative to each other during assembly. According to the invention, a sealing tape (33) is provided that covers a front (35) of the supporting element (29) between the two external surfaces (36) of the supporting element (29) and keeps the joint (23) sealingly covered even when the two external surfaces (36) move relative to each other in the assembled position and the supporting element (29) undergoes changes as a result thereof. The sealing device or the sealing tape (33) and the supporting element (29) are made such that the same can be used with any building component.