Rotatable Rib Joint Seal for Thermal Expansion and Vertical Shifts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current expansion joint seal systems fail to adequately address vertical shifts, lateral movements, and thermal expansion differences between cover plates and substrates, leading to attachment failures and increased pressure on one side of the joint, which can result in the joint being pulled away from the lower substrate, especially under vehicular traffic or impact.
Innovation Solution
An expansion joint system featuring a cover plate with rotatable ribs and a flexible member attached to both the cover plate and ribs, where at least one rib remains rotatable relative to the cover plate, combined with an elastically-compressible core and a force transfer plate that provides support and absorbs impact, allowing for multi-axis movement and improved durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid cover plate is used to provide structural support, then strength is improved, but adaptability to thermal expansion and vertical shifts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cover plate is transformed from a rigid static structure to a dynamic one by incorporating rotatable ribs that can pivot and rotate. This allows the cover plate to adapt to thermal expansion, contraction, and vertical shifts between substrates while maintaining structural integrity. The ribs act as mechanical hinges that enable controlled movement without compromising the overall strength of the assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the cover plate by introducing rotatable ribs with varying degrees of freedom. These ribs can rotate and pivot to different angles, allowing the cover plate to accommodate dimensional changes in the substrates. This parameter change enables the structure to maintain strength while adapting to environmental variations.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the cover plate is rigidly attached to substrates, then stability is improved, but reliability under thermal expansion and vertical shifts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system transitions from rigid fixed connections to dynamic rotatable connections. The ribs can pivot and rotate at attachment points, allowing the cover plate to move with the substrates during thermal expansion and vertical shifts. This dynamic attachment maintains stability while preventing attachment failure under dimensional changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment parameters are changed by introducing rotational degrees of freedom at the connection points. Instead of fixed rigid attachments, the ribs can rotate and pivot, changing the mechanical parameters from static to dynamic. This allows the system to maintain reliable attachment while accommodating substrate movement.
3Ease of manufacture
If pressure is concentrated on one side of the joint, then ease of installation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to attachment failure
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure distribution is dynamically balanced through the rotatable ribs that can pivot to equalize forces on both sides of the joint. Instead of concentrated pressure on one side, the system distributes loads evenly across both substrates through the mechanical advantage of the rotating rib structure, preventing attachment failure while maintaining installation simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the rotatable ribs as counterbalancing elements that distribute pressure evenly on both sides of the joint. The ribs act as leverage arms that balance the forces, preventing concentrated pressure on one side and ensuring equal load distribution, which improves reliability without complicating installation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible seal system is used to accommodate movement, then adaptability is improved, but strength deteriorates under vehicular traffic and impact
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines flexible seal materials with rigid structural elements (rotatable ribs and cover plate) to create a composite structure. The flexible portions accommodate movement and thermal expansion, while the rigid rib structure provides strength to resist vehicular traffic and impact loads. This composite approach achieves both adaptability and strength simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic rotatable ribs that can pivot and rotate to accommodate movement while maintaining structural strength. The ribs transition between flexible and rigid states, allowing movement when needed but providing structural support under impact and vehicular traffic loads, thus achieving both adaptability and strength.
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 system provides enhanced fire endurance, movement capabilities, and reduced damage from external impacts, maintaining a durable seal and preventing tripping hazards while accommodating thermal expansion and vertical shifts, thus extending the lifespan of the joint.
Implementation Method 1
elastically-compressible core
Implementation Method 2
flexible member attached to the cover plate and to each of the plurality of ribs, wherein at least one of the plurality of ribs remains rotatable in relation to the cover plate
Data Source
AI summary
A system which creates a durable seal between adjacent horizontal panels, including those that may be curved or subject to temperature expansion and contraction or mechanical shear. The durable seal system incorporates a plurality of ribs, a flexible member between the cover plate and the ribs and may incorporate a load transfer plate to provide support to the rib from below, and/or cores of differing compressibilities.