Resilient-Core Expansion Joint for Rodent-Proof Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing expansion joints made of flexible materials like foam and epoxy resin are easily gnawed through by rodents, allowing them to enter gaps between building structures, and the process of curing foam in these joints is time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
An expansion joint with an elongate core of resiliently deformable material and a flexible sheath covering it, which compresses to fit into a gap and expands to be held in place by friction, providing a rodent-proof barrier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If flexible materials like foam and epoxy resin are used to seal gaps, then the expansion joint can accommodate changes in gap size due to expansion and contraction, but the materials can easily be gnawed through by rodents
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion joint combines a flexible sheath made of rodent-resistant material with a resiliently deformable core material. This composite structure provides both adaptability to gap size changes through the deformable core and resistance to rodent damage through the protective sheath, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and rodent resistance.
2Ease of manufacture
If foam is used to fill the gap, then the expansion joint can be installed, but the foam requires curing time which makes the process time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces curing foam with a pre-formed expansion joint that requires no curing time. The expansion joint is inserted in a compressed state and expands to fill the gap immediately, eliminating the time-consuming curing process while maintaining ease of installation.
3Reliability
If the expansion joint is made larger to better seal the gap, then the barrier effectiveness increases, but the friction required to hold it in place increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the expansion joint by using a resiliently deformable core that expands to fill the gap. This expansion creates friction between the expansion joint and the gap surfaces, holding the joint in place without requiring excessive size or friction force, thus maintaining barrier effectiveness while reducing the force requirement.
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 expansion joint effectively prevents rodent entry and damage by using a flexible sheath that withstands forces and changes in gap size due to environmental conditions, while being quick to install and adaptable.
Implementation Method 1
the elongate portion of the elongate core compressible in a direction perpendicular to a line between the first and second ends of the elongate core
Implementation Method 2
the expansion joint being arranged to be compressed and inserted into a gap between first and second building structures, and to expand after insertion into the gap so that the expansion joint is held in place by friction between the surface of the flexible sheath and the surfaces of the first and second building structures
Implementation Method 3
an elongate core formed of a resiliently deformable material, the elongate core comprising an elongate portion and first and second ends
Data Source
AI summary
An expansion joint for providing a rodent-proof barrier. The expansion joint comprises an elongate core formed of a resiliently deformable material, and a flexible sheath of a barrier material covering at least a part of the elongate portion of the elongate core. The elongate portion of the elongate core is compressible in a direction perpendicular to a line between the first and second ends of the elongate core, the elongate core being arranged to be compressed and inserted into a gap between first and second building structures, and to expand after insertion into the gap so that the expansion joint is held in place within the gap by friction between the surface of the flexible sheath and the surfaces of the first and second building structures.