Tubular Seal Strip Sewing for Strong Airtight End Joints

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for connecting seal strips in electric appliances, such as oven doors, lack sufficient strength and efficiency, particularly in the manual sewing process which is time-consuming and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

A tubular seal strip design with a double-deck structure connected by a sewing thread, combined with a device that automates the sewing process, ensuring high connection strength and efficiency through a specific method of inserting, rotating, and penetrating the sewing thread to secure the ends of the seal strip.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If clips are used to connect the ends of the seal strip, then the connection is simple to implement, but the connection strength is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of connectionVSAvoidconnection strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical clip connection system with a sewing system that uses a sewing needle and thread to penetrate and stitch the seal strip ends together. This substitution provides significantly stronger connection strength while maintaining ease of manufacture through automated sewing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the connection method from external clipping to internal stitching by penetrating the seal strip material itself. The sewing thread passes through the tubular structure multiple times, creating strong internal bonds that significantly increase connection strength compared to external clips.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If manual sewing is used to connect the ends of the seal strip, then the connection strength is improved, but the production efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidsewing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The sewing device is designed to automatically feed the seal strip, position the ends, perform the sewing operation, and advance to the next workpiece without manual intervention. The device serves itself by integrating all necessary functions into one automated system, dramatically improving productivity while maintaining strong connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The automated sewing device performs continuous sewing operations without interruption. The seal strip is fed continuously through the device, with the sewing needle penetrating and stitching the ends in a seamless process, eliminating the downtime and inefficiency associated with manual sewing between workpieces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If the seal strip ends are connected without folding, then the structure is simple, but the connection strength and airtightness are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural complexityVSAvoidconnection strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The seal strip end is pre-folded inward to create an overlapping double-layer structure before the sewing operation begins. This preliminary folding action prepares the material to receive the sewing thread, allowing the needle to penetrate both layers and create stronger bonds that enhance both connection strength and airtightness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The folding creates a composite structure where two layers of the seal strip material are overlapped and stitched together. This composite construction, with the sewing thread binding the layers, provides significantly enhanced connection strength and airtightness compared to connecting single-layer ends.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Productivity

If automated sewing device is implemented, then the productivity is greatly improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesewing efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated sewing device integrates multiple functions into a single system: it feeds the seal strip, positions the ends, clamps them together, performs the sewing operation with needle and thread, and advances to the next workpiece. This multi-functionality achieves high productivity while managing device complexity by combining operations rather than using separate machines for each step.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9482045B2Seal strip and method and device for sewing same

Publication Date: 2016.11.01 PANAN KELI HOSE CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a seal strip, comprising a tubular seal strip body with a first end (116) and a second end (117), wherein the first end (116) extends into the second end (117) and is securely connected to the second end (117) by a sewing thread (113). Further disclosed are a method and a device for sewing the seal strip, wherein the sewing device comprises a seal strip feeding machine (1), a device (2) for positioning the ends of the seal strip, a device for inwardly folding an edge of the seal strip, a device (3) for butt-joining the ends of the seal strip, a device (5) for threading a needle for the seal strip, and a device (4) for sewing the seal strip. The two ends of the seal strip are securely connected by the sewing thread, providing a high connection strength; and the method and device for sewing the seal strip can accomplish complete automation in sewing the seal strip, thus greatly improving efficiency during the production and processing of the seal strip.