Sliding Sash Sealing Structure for Leak-Tight Room Openings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sliding sash devices for closing room openings suffer from leaks due to gaps between the sash and guide, leading to air infiltration, and existing sealing methods like brushes are unsatisfactory, while lever mechanisms are complex and impractical for large doors, also reducing the viewing area.

Innovation Solution

A closing device with a frame embedded in the reveal of the room opening, featuring a sliding sash that moves between two end positions, using a sealing system with U-shaped sealing members and holders to seal gaps between the sash and frame, allowing for fluid-tight operation without protruding guides, thus maintaining the viewing area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a gap is left between the sliding sash and guide to enable movement, then the sliding sash can move smoothly, but air leaks occur through the gap

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmooth movement of sliding sashVSAvoidair leaks
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible sealing element (brush or lip seal) that can deform to maintain contact with the guide surface while allowing the sliding sash to move. The flexible material adapts to the gap variations during movement, sealing the opening effectively without restricting the sliding motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Object-affected harmful factors

If brushes are used to seal the gap, then air leakage is reduced, but sealing effectiveness is insufficient as air flows between bristles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair leakage reductionVSAvoidsealing effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a lip seal or flexible sealing element that forms a continuous barrier without gaps, unlike brush seals with spaces between bristles. The flexible lip conforms to the guide surface and maintains effective sealing contact throughout the sliding motion, preventing air leakage reliably.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a lever mechanism is used to press the wing against the guide wall for sealing, then sealing is improved, but the mechanism becomes complicated and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing qualityVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the inherent friction and elastic deformation of the flexible sealing element to maintain sealing contact during sliding motion. The sealing element naturally conforms to the guide surface and self-adjusts during movement, eliminating the need for external lever mechanisms to apply pressure for sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Object-affected harmful factors

If mechanical displacement of a heavy sliding leaf is implemented, then sealing contact is maintained, but displacement becomes almost impossible for large door leaves

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing contact maintenanceVSAvoiddisplacement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible sealing element attached to the sliding sash can deform and conform to the guide surface without requiring significant mechanical force for displacement. This flexibility allows even heavy large door leaves to be moved easily while maintaining effective sealing contact throughout the sliding range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 effectively seals gaps between the sliding sash and frame, preventing air infiltration while allowing smooth operation of the sliding sash, even for large doors, without compromising the viewing area.

Implementation Method 1

sealing mechanism using deformable sealing members and holders to seal gaps between the sliding leaf and frame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP1936295A2Device for closing an opening in a room
Publication Date: 2008.06.25 KRAPF METALLBAU
  • EP1936295A2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1936295A2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1936295A2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The device for closing a room opening has at least one panel (15) that can be movably arranged relative to a frame (2) in the reveal (3) of the room opening. It has a gap (33) between the sliding panel and the frame in the reveal that can be sealed with a hose-like sealing element (46).