Rodent-Proof Expansion Joint with Compressible Core
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing expansion joints made of flexible materials like foam and epoxy resin are vulnerable to rodent damage, allowing entry into gaps between building structures, and the process of curing foam takes a long time to fill the cavity.
Innovation Solution
An expansion joint with an elongate core of resiliently deformable material and a flexible sheath of woven metal wire is used, which compresses to fit into the gap and expands to secure itself with 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 for expansion joints, then the expansion joint can accommodate structural changes, but rodents can easily gnaw through and enter the gap
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion joint combines a resiliently deformable core material with a flexible sheath made of rodent-resistant material. This composite structure provides both the flexibility needed to accommodate structural changes and the durability to resist rodent damage, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
2Quantity of substance
If foam is used to fill the cavity, then the gap can be filled, but the curing process takes a relatively long amount of time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the filling function from the expansion joint itself, using the resiliently deformable core to provide the filling capability without requiring a separate curing process. The core is compressed for insertion and then expands to fill the gap, eliminating the time-consuming curing step while maintaining effective gap filling.
3Reliability
If the expansion joint is made rigid to prevent rodent entry, then rodent resistance improves, but the ability to accommodate expansion and contraction is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a flexible sheath made of rodent-resistant material that maintains its protective function while allowing the underlying resiliently deformable core to expand and contract. This flexible protective layer resolves the contradiction by providing rodent resistance without sacrificing adaptability.
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 while accommodating structural changes due to temperature and moisture, with quick installation and minimal preparation.
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, the expansion joint being compressed and inserted into the gap
Implementation Method 2
the elongate core will compress in order to fit in the gap. The expansive force of the elongate core will then act to keep the expansion joint in place within the gap
Implementation Method 3
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
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
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.