Sealing Device with Segmented Strip for Rain Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional door seals fail to effectively prevent driving rain and flooding, especially when subjected to wind-driven rain and backwater, as they lack adequate sealing mechanisms on both sides and are not designed to handle increased moisture exposure.
Innovation Solution
A sealing device with a housing rail, actuation mechanism, and sealing strip that can be raised and lowered, featuring a side seal that enhances the sealing effect by sealing on both sides of the longitudinal axis, including a support rail with adjustable pressure plates to ensure a watertight seal, and can be operated manually or automatically through a mechanically triggered mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional door seal is used, then the structure remains simple and slim, but it fails to provide adequate protection against driving rain and flooding
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing device is divided into multiple functional segments: a housing rail, a movable sealing strip with sealing elements, and an actuating mechanism. The sealing strip itself is segmented with multiple sealing elements that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability against driving rain and flooding.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing strip is designed to be movable relative to the housing rail through an actuating mechanism, transitioning between a raised position (when door is open) and a lowered position (when door is closed). This dynamic capability allows the seal to adapt to different door positions and provide reliable sealing only when needed, without requiring a permanently complex structure.
2Reliability
If the sealing strip is made slim and small, then the design variety of door or window is hardly restricted, but the sealing effect against moisture is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing strip incorporates multiple sealing elements at specific locations along its length, rather than uniformly increasing its size. The sealing elements are concentrated at critical sealing points where moisture penetration is most likely, allowing the overall strip to remain slim while providing effective sealing where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing elements are nested within or integrated into the slim profile of the sealing strip. The sealing strip houses multiple sealing elements in a compact arrangement, allowing effective sealing functionality to be contained within a minimal external dimension, thus maintaining design freedom while ensuring moisture protection.
3Reliability
If multiple sealing elements and support rails are added, then the sealing effectiveness is enhanced, but the number of parts and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sealing elements are combined into a single integrated sealing strip that moves as one unit. The support rail structure is merged with the housing rail, and the actuating mechanism is integrated into the existing door seal assembly. This merging reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining enhanced sealing effectiveness through the coordinated action of multiple sealing elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing strip serves multiple functions: it provides sealing contact with the door frame, houses multiple sealing elements for enhanced sealing, and is actuated by a single mechanism that controls its movement between raised and lowered positions. The housing rail also serves as both a structural support and a guide for the sealing strip movement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components.
Data Source
Figure 1a~2b
Figure 3a~4b
Figure 5~7
AI summary
A sealing device for a door or window leaf comprises a housing rail (1), an actuating mechanism and a sealing strip that is retained in the housing rail (1) and can be moved relative to the housing rail (1) by the actuating mechanism. In the actuated state of the sealing device, the sealing strip seals at the end faces in both directions of a longitudinal axis (L) of the sealing device. Said seal can be used as resistance to the penetration of heavy rain and floodwater.