Combined Sealing System for Sliding Doors with Interlocking Anchors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sealing systems for panels and frames, such as doors and windows, fail to effectively prevent the transfer of environmental elements like noise, weather, water, and insects due to inadequate sealing between meeting stiles and between panels and frames, and are sensitive to misalignment, leading to compromised seal integrity.
Innovation Solution
A combined sealing system with two interconnected sealing systems that transition between unlocked and locked configurations, utilizing T-shaped anchors and docking collars to ensure symmetrical forces and maintain positional relationships, preventing movement between panels and frames while allowing sliding motion in the unlocked state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional brush seals are used between meeting stiles, then the structure is simple, but the seal integrity is insufficient to prevent environmental elements from breaching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sealing mechanisms (brush seals, weather stripping, and interlocking extensions) into a unified sealing system that integrates both meeting stile sealing and panel-to-frame sealing functions, creating a more reliable composite seal that prevents environmental elements from breaching through either path
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system employs composite sealing structures combining different materials and mechanisms - brush seals for one interface, weather stripping for another, and rigid interlocking extensions for structural alignment - creating a multi-material sealing solution that addresses the limitations of single-material seals
2Reliability
If conventional weather stripping is used between panels and frame, then the installation is simple, but the seal fails to act as a sufficient barrier against environmental elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges weather stripping with additional sealing components (brush seals, interlocking extensions, and positioning mechanisms) to create a hybrid sealing system that maintains the installation simplicity of weather stripping while adding the barrier effectiveness of multiple sealing mechanisms working together
3Reliability
If brush seals are used at interlocking extensions, then the structure is straightforward, but the seals cannot prevent misalignment from degrading seal quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary alignment features (interlocking extensions with guide surfaces and positioning mechanisms) that pre-establish the correct positional relationship between panels and frame before the sealing elements engage, preventing misalignment from degrading seal quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary positioning mechanisms and guide structures that mediate between the rigid interlocking extensions and the flexible sealing elements, ensuring proper alignment is maintained throughout the sealing process and preventing misalignment-related seal degradation
4Reliability
If rollers are used for sliding panels, then the sliding function is achieved, but gaps exist between rollers and rail that prevent effective sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sliding roller mechanism with continuous sealing elements (weather stripping and brush seals) positioned to cover the gaps between rollers and the bottom rail, creating a hybrid system that maintains the sliding function while eliminating sealing discontinuities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible weather stripping and brush seal elements that can conform to the gaps and irregular spaces between the rigid roller assemblies and the bottom rail, creating continuous flexible seals that adapt to the moving roller positions while maintaining seal continuity
Data Source
AI summary
A combined sealing system for connecting a panel to a frame includes a first sealing system and a second sealing system. The first sealing system connects a first surface of the panel to a first surface of the frame, and the second sealing system connects a second surface of the panel to a second surface of the frame. The combined sealing system has an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration. In the unlocked configuration, the panel moves relative to the frame along a plane substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first or second surfaces of the frame. In the locked configuration, each of the first and second sealing systems separately prevent movement of the panel relative to the frame along the plane.