Self-Aligning Sliding Door Seal for Quiet Gap Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sealing the upper gap of sliding doors is challenging due to their suspension and movement, and existing solutions often require movable sealing strips that increase friction and noise, are inflexible, and need complex adaptations.
Innovation Solution
A sliding door seal with self-aligning elements that form a barrier between stationary and movable parts, allowing for flexible adaptation to various door systems without movable strips, reducing noise and friction, and enabling easy installation and retrofitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If movable sealing strips are used to seal the upper gap, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but friction and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using movable sealing strips that slide against each other (causing friction and noise), the patent inverts the approach by using a barrier with self-aligning elements that passively adapt to the gap. The sealing is achieved through the barrier's ability to self-align rather than through active movement of sealing strips, thereby eliminating the harmful friction and noise while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier incorporates self-aligning elements that automatically adjust to the door gap without requiring external actuation or complex mechanisms. The self-aligning elements passively compensate for misalignments and adapt to the gap dimensions, enabling the sealing system to serve itself without additional moving parts that would generate friction or noise.
2Adaptability or versatility
If self-aligning elements are used, then adaptability to different door configurations is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier is divided into multiple self-aligning elements that can independently adjust to different positions and orientations. This segmentation allows each element to adapt to specific local conditions within the door gap, providing overall adaptability to various door configurations while keeping each individual element relatively simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The self-aligning elements are designed to change their geometric parameters (position, orientation, shape) in response to the door gap conditions. This parameter adaptability allows the barrier to accommodate different door configurations without requiring complex control systems or multiple specialized components for each configuration type.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a barrier with self-aligning elements is used, then noise is minimized, but sealing force may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The self-aligning elements are designed as simple, replaceable components that provide adequate sealing force through their geometric design and material properties rather than through complex mechanical advantage systems. While individual elements may wear over time, their simplicity and replaceability allow for easy maintenance while maintaining consistent sealing performance without generating noise.
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 seal provides optimal light protection, minimizes noise and user effort, and adapts to different door configurations, offering versatility and cost-effectiveness by using simple components that can be easily installed or retrofitted.
Implementation Method 1
The barrier has at least one self-aligning or self-compensating element that is movably guided in a bearing
Data Source
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AI summary
A sliding door seal for sealing a door gap comprises a first sealing part for attachment to a stationary element (A, E, S) of a sliding door and a second sealing part for attachment to a movable door leaf (F) of the sliding door. The first and second sealing parts run parallel to each other and define a longitudinal direction (L). Together, they form a barrier to close the door gap. The barrier defines a transverse direction (Q). The barrier has at least one self-aligning element that is movably guided in a bearing. The sliding door seal according to the invention can be used in a variety of applications and enables frictionless and quiet operation of the sliding door seal.