Segmented Seal with Connector Collar for Gapless Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-segment seals face issues with maintaining a firm and resilient connection between adjacent segments, leading to potential gaps and force transmission limitations due to the design of retaining strips and sealing profiles.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a collar between the plug-in sections of the connectors, which protrudes beyond the plug-in sections in the main direction of the sealing strip, allowing for effective connection and force transfer between adjacent segments, and enabling the sealing profiles to rest against the collar for a gapless seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the retaining strip is set back behind the door leaf to avoid hitting the door frame, then the risk of door frame contact is avoided, but the connection and force transmission between adjacent segments is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The collar acts as an intermediary element between adjacent retaining strips. It protrudes beyond the plug-in sections and provides a surface for the sealing profile to rest against, while also serving as a force transmission interface between segments, thus mediating between the setback position and force transmission requirements
2Reliability
If the sealing strip is designed to fill the gap at the end of the seal, then complete sealing is achieved, but the sealing strip protrudes very far beyond the holding means in the non-lowered state, causing potential contact with the door frame
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into multiple segments connected by connectors with collars. Each segment's sealing profile can rest against the collar of its connector, allowing the sealing function to be distributed across segments rather than requiring a single long protruding strip, thus achieving complete sealing without excessive overall protrusion
3Stability of the object's composition
If the retaining strips of adjacent segments are to be firmly connected, then a resilient connection is achieved, but the design becomes more complex with additional connector elements
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed with multiple functions: the plug-in sections provide mechanical connection between retaining strips, the collar provides a rest surface for the sealing profile, and the collar also serves as a force transmission interface between segments. This multi-functionality achieves firm resilient connection without proportionally increasing complexity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2a
AI summary
A seal (D) with several segments (1, 2), wherein each segment (1, 2) comprises: - at least one retaining means (21), - a sealing strip (22, 23) comprising a retaining strip (23) and a sealing profile (22), and - a mechanism (24), wherein the mechanism (24) connects the at least one retaining means (21) and the sealing strip (22, 23) of each of the segments (1, 2) to each other, the sealing strip (22, 23) being displaceable relative to the at least one retaining means (21) transversely to its main extent by means of the mechanism (24), wherein the seal (D) comprises connectors (3) which connect the retaining strips (23) of the sealing strips (22, 23) of adjacent segments (1, 2) to each other, the connectors (3) being located in the ends of the retaining strips (23) of the sealing strips (22, 23) of adjacent segments (1, 2). segments (1, 2) are inserted, and wherein each connector (3) has two insertion sections (31) which are inserted into each end of the retaining strips (23),wherein each connector (3) has a collar (31) arranged in the main extension direction of the sealing strip (22, 23) between the insertion sections (32), the collar (31) projecting at least partially beyond the insertion sections (32) in a plane perpendicular to the main extension direction of the sealing strip (22, 23).