Sealing Unit With Mechanical Groove Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing units for doors and windows, such as those described in EP 1 277 910 A1, are disadvantageous as they require glued or screw-connected sealing devices that cannot be easily removed or replaced, and the assembly process is time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A sealing unit with a sealing device that includes a holding profile rail and a fastening profile rail, where the fastening profile rail has a first groove with a fixation and an end stop, allowing the sealing device to be easily inserted and fixed without the need for glue or screws, and can be readily removed and reused.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sealing device is glued into the mounting profile rail, then the sealing device is securely fixed, but it cannot be removed or replaced and the installation is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing device is segmented from the mounting profile rail, allowing the sealing strip to be retained in the profile rail while the mounting profile rail itself can be removed from the door leaf. This segmentation enables the sealing device to remain fixed during normal use but be removable for replacement or relocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing system transitions from a static permanent bond (glue) to a dynamic reversible connection. The mounting profile rail can be inserted into and removed from the door leaf, providing temporary fixation during operation but allowing easy removal when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between secure fixation and removability.
2Reliability
If the sealing device is glued into the mounting profile rail, then the sealing device is securely fixed, but the installation process is time-consuming due to waiting for glue to dry
Solution Approach 1:
The chemical bonding process (glue) is replaced with a mechanical insertion system. The mounting profile rail is simply inserted into the door leaf and fixed mechanically, eliminating the need to wait for adhesive drying time and significantly speeding up the installation process while maintaining secure fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting profile rail is pre-formed with the necessary structural features (grooves, ledges, fixing elements) that enable immediate mechanical fixation upon insertion. This preliminary preparation allows the sealing device to be securely fixed without requiring subsequent drying or curing time, thus improving installation productivity.
3Reliability
If the sealing device is screwed into the mounting profile rail, then the sealing device is securely fixed, but screws are required and assembly is more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening function is extracted from the sealing device itself and transferred to the mounting profile rail. The profile rail incorporates integrated fixing elements (clamping cams, ledges, grooves) that provide secure fixation without requiring separate screws or additional fastening components, thus reducing assembly complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting profile rail and the fixing mechanism are merged into a single integrated component. The profile rail simultaneously provides structural support, positioning (via grooves and ledges), and fixation (via clamping cams), eliminating the need for separate fastening elements and simplifying the overall assembly.
4Reliability
If the sealing device cannot be removed from the mounting profile rail, then the sealing device is permanently fixed, but it cannot be replaced or reused
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into three separable components: the sealing strip retained in the mounting profile rail, the mounting profile rail attached to the door leaf, and the door leaf itself. This segmentation allows the sealing device to be permanently fixed during normal operation while enabling easy removal and reuse by simply detaching the mounting profile rail from the door leaf.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
A sealing unit for a door or window comprises a sealing device (2) with a retaining profile rail (20) and a sealing strip (21, 22), as well as a mounting profile rail (1) for attachment to a sash (T) of the door or window. The mounting profile rail (1) forms a first groove (10) for retaining the sealing device (2). The mounting profile rail (1) has a fixing (14) and an end stop (15) in the first groove (10). The sealing unit allows for easy installation and replacement of a sealing device, even for glass doors.