Sealing Element With Density Gradient Foam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing elements for structures and vehicles are costly due to expensive materials and manufacturing processes, and they often fail to maintain optimal sealing performance across varying temperatures, leading to moisture buildup and mold growth.
Innovation Solution
A sealing element with a foam body impregnated unevenly with an impregnating agent, resulting in a density gradient that increases from the outside to the inside, providing tighter sealing towards the interior while allowing sufficient vapor diffusion, achieved through differential compression and distribution of the impregnating agent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multi-layered seals with different permeability films are used to achieve differential sealing, then sealing performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (sealing, vapor barrier, and differential density control) into a single foam body through impregnation with a liquid agent. Instead of assembling multiple separate layers, the liquid impregnation creates varying densities within one component, achieving the same effect as multi-layer construction but with simpler manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the foam body by impregnating it with a liquid agent that has different densities in different sections. This creates a density gradient within the foam, allowing differential sealing properties without adding structural complexity or multiple layers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If thermoexpandable substances are used to create temperature-dependent sealing, then sealing adaptability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the natural thermal expansion and contraction properties of foam material in response to temperature changes. The impregnated foam body changes its density and sealing characteristics automatically with temperature fluctuations, providing adaptive sealing without requiring complex manufacturing processes or additional components.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform impregnation is applied to the foam body, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but differential sealing performance cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different impregnation densities in different sections of the foam body. The liquid impregnating agent is applied with varying concentration or saturation levels in different zones, giving each section tailored properties for its specific function (higher density for vapor barrier, lower density for sealing).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the impregnation parameters (concentration, saturation level, or distribution) across different sections of the foam body. This creates a gradient or zoned structure where the liquid content varies spatially, enabling differential sealing performance while maintaining a relatively simple single-step impregnation process.
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 solution enables cost-effective production of sealing elements that maintain better interior sealing and allow vapor diffusion, reducing moisture buildup and mold growth, while ensuring uniform sealing properties along the joint.
Implementation Method 1
the impregnating agent is unevenly distributed in the foam body and, due to the uneven distribution of the impregnating agent in the foam body, the impregnated foam body has a lower density in a first section than in a second section
Implementation Method 2
the outer part of the seal should be more permeable to air and especially vapor, allowing any moisture contained within the seal to diffuse outwards
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
Sealing element, in particular joint sealing tape, for sealing a gap between an interior of a building, vehicle or the like and the environment, comprising a foam body (20) impregnated with an impregnating agent, characterized in that the impregnating agent is unevenly distributed in the foam body (20) and that, due to the uneven distribution of the impregnating agent in the foam body (20), the impregnated foam body (20) has a lower density in a first section (22) than in a second section (24).