RV Slide-Out Corner Seal Device for Water and Light Leakage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing corner seals in recreational vehicles fail to effectively prevent leakage of water, wind, and light at the corners where wiper seals meet, due to the need for flexibility and the resulting gaps that allow entry of elements.
Innovation Solution
A corner seal device with a horizontal and vertical surface configuration, including an obliquely extending surface and flanges, designed to work in conjunction with wiper seals to prevent water and light ingress by directing water outward and blocking light entry through the corners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wiper seals are made flexible to accommodate movement of the slide out room, then the seal can follow the movement, but leakage of water, wind, and light occurs at the corners where seals meet
Solution Approach 1:
The corner seal device is divided into multiple surfaces (first horizontal surface, second vertical surface, and third oblique surface) that work together to segment the sealing function. Each surface addresses a specific aspect of the sealing problem, with the third oblique surface specifically designed to prevent water accumulation and leakage at the corner joint where seals meet.
Solution Approach 2:
The third oblique surface extends above the first horizontal surface, adding a vertical dimension to the corner seal structure. This dimensional addition creates an overhang that prevents water from reaching the corner joint, thereby addressing the leakage problem without restricting the flexibility of the wiper seals.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a corner seal device is added to prevent leakage, then water and light ingress is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The corner seal device merges multiple sealing functions into a single integrated component. The first horizontal surface, second vertical surface, and third oblique surface are combined into one piece that simultaneously provides structural support, water diversion, and light blocking at the corner, thereby preventing multiple harmful effects without requiring multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The corner seal device performs multiple functions: it provides structural support at the corner, diverts water away from the joint through the oblique surface, and blocks light from entering through the corner gap. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address several problems that would otherwise require separate solutions.
Data Source
AI summary
A corner seal device for use in combination with wiper seals used in slide-out rooms in recreational vehicles. The corner seal device has a first generally horizontal surface and a second generally vertical surface meeting to form a corner. A third surface extends obliquely from the first surface and has at least some portion that is above the first surface. An end wall may be used to connect the third surface to the second surface. The corner seal device may also be used with a wiper seal having an inner shelf that extends over the third surface of the corner seal device. The inner shelf may also have a C-channel at the end that covers the upper most portion of the third surface of the corner seal device.