Segmented Foam Sealing Strip for Building Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing strips for building joints are difficult to handle, expensive to manufacture, and have limitations in movement recording and leakage prevention, particularly in fire-resistant applications.
Innovation Solution
A sealing strip composed of a foil material with compressible foam, featuring two separate sealing portions connected by a flexible sheet and a desired bending point, allowing for easy adaptation to joint cross-sections and complete closure without weak points, using a manufacturing process that involves forming a film tube with a mold die to minimize foam usage and create chambers for the foam to cure in.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealing strips are made with multiple layers and complex structures to improve sealing performance, then reliability of sealing is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing strip is divided into multiple sealing sections (first, second, third sealing sections) with different cross-sectional profiles along its length. Each section can independently adapt to different gap widths and movement conditions, providing reliable sealing across varying joint conditions without requiring a complex multi-layer structure throughout the entire strip.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing strip incorporates a predetermined bending point that allows it to flex and adapt dynamically to joint movements and varying gap widths. This dynamic capability enables the strip to maintain effective sealing contact under different conditions without requiring additional rigid structural elements or complex adjustment mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sealing strips are designed to accommodate various gap widths and movements, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation and installation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the sealing strip into distinct sections with different profiles, each section can be optimized for specific functions (sealing, movement absorption, fire resistance) while the overall segmented structure remains flexible and easy to install. The segmentation allows the strip to conform to different joint configurations without requiring complex adjustment during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing strip utilizes a foam material that provides flexibility and elastic recovery, allowing it to adapt to various gap widths and joint movements. This flexible foam core, combined with the segmented structure, enables easy handling and installation while maintaining high adaptability to different sealing conditions.
3Reliability
If more foam material is used to improve movement absorption and sealing, then reliability is improved, but loss of substance and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the sealing strip have different foam cross-sectional profiles optimized for their specific functions. The first sealing section has a profile optimized for initial sealing, the second for movement absorption, and the third for fire resistance. This local optimization ensures foam material is used efficiently in each section rather than uniformly throughout, reducing overall material consumption while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam material's elastic properties and the strip's dynamic bending capability allow it to absorb movements and maintain sealing contact without requiring excessive foam volume. The predetermined bending point enables the strip to flex and recover, providing sustained sealing performance with optimized foam material distribution.
4Adaptability or versatility
If sealing sections are separated to improve movement absorption, then adaptability is improved, but reliability may deteriorate due to potential weak points
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing strip is segmented into multiple sections with different profiles, but these sections are arranged adjacent to each other along the longitudinal axis, creating a continuous sealing front. This segmentation allows each section to specialize in different functions (sealing, movement absorption, fire resistance) while maintaining continuous coverage across the joint, preventing leakage paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam sections have rounded, curved cross-sectional profiles that allow them to flex and conform to the joint geometry. This curvature, combined with the segmented structure, enables the sealing sections to adapt to varying joint widths and movements while maintaining continuous contact and preventing leakage through the segmented interfaces.
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 provides an easy-to-handle, cost-effective sealing strip that effectively records movements and prevents leakage across a wide range of gap widths, ensuring a reliable and fire-resistant seal by using a foam material with elastic properties and structural reinforcement.
Implementation Method 1
the chamber is filled with the compressible foam
Implementation Method 2
a sealing strip made entirely or partially of an intumescent material... To prevent the passage of combustion gases or flames through the gap in the event of a fire
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The invention relates to a sealing strip (1) for sealing a joint (11) between two elements (12), in particular between building components, wherein the sealing strip (1) extends in a longitudinal direction (L) and has, in cross-sectional profile, two fastening portions (2) between which there are provided two separate adjacent sealing portions (3) which are separated from one another by a predetermined bending point (4) which runs in the longitudinal direction (L), wherein the sealing portions (3) each have a chamber (6) which is filled with a compressible foam, wherein the sealing strip (1) is formed from a sheet material (9).