Self-articulating threshold cap for water leakage prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing entryway systems face challenges in preventing water leakage, particularly between the threshold cap and the door panel or door sweep, due to settlement of buildings and differential thermal expansion, leading to inefficient sealing and potential rot in the subfloor.
Innovation Solution
A self-articulating threshold cap and door sweep system that biases towards each other to form a sealing barrier, combined with a threshold assembly featuring drain holes and separate air inlets for effective water management, allowing non-incidental water to enter and be directed out while maintaining a sealing interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a manually adjustable threshold cap is used to compensate for building settlement, then the sealing capability can be corrected, but the operation becomes difficult and cap plugs interfere with the sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The threshold cap is designed with a biasing mechanism that enables self-adjustment. The resilient top portion automatically biases against the door sweep to maintain sealing contact, eliminating the need for manual adjustment by homeowners while preserving the sealing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment hardware and cap plugs are removed from the design. The threshold cap uses integrated biasing mechanisms rather than removable plugs, eliminating the interference that plugs caused with the sealing between the threshold cap and door sweep
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the threshold assembly is sealed completely to prevent water leakage, then water protection is improved, but air pressure equalization during door operation becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The threshold assembly is segmented into separate water management functions. Drain holes provide a dedicated water drainage path while the biasing threshold cap maintains the sealing barrier, separating water drainage from air pressure equalization pathways
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing threshold cap acts as an intermediary that maintains the sealing barrier while allowing controlled water drainage through drain holes. The resilient top portion seals against the door sweep to prevent water leakage while the integrated drain system manages incidental water separately
3Object-affected harmful factors
If flexible seals are used to seal the gap between threshold cap and channel, then water leakage is reduced, but the seals harden, shrink and crack over time
Solution Approach 1:
Flexible bellows-type seals and flexible fin seals are removed from the design. The gap between the threshold cap and channel is left open without flexible sealing elements, eliminating the problem of seals hardening, shrinking, and cracking over time
Solution Approach 2:
The open gap design converts the potential harm of water leakage into a controlled drainage system. Instead of trying to seal the gap and risking seal failure, the design allows water to enter through the gap but directs it out through drain holes, making the system more reliable long-term
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 system effectively manages water entry and exit, reducing leakage and preventing subfloor damage by allowing non-incidental water to be drained while maintaining a consistent sealing interaction between the threshold cap and door sweep, regardless of building settlement or thermal changes.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing mechanism disposed within a cavity defined by the threshold cap and configured to push the top portion of the threshold cap toward the door sweep
Implementation Method 2
The forward end can include at least one drain hole configured to allow water to exit the threshold substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A threshold includes a substantially vertically upstanding nosing extending along a longitudinal axis of the threshold and a substantially vertically upstanding dam spaced from and substantially parallel to the upstanding nosing. A threshold cap is disposed at least partially across a gap between the upstanding nosing and the upstanding dam. A support, which supports the threshold cap, is located at least partially within the gap. The threshold cap is adjustable between at least a raised position and a lowered position. The threshold cap is biased toward the raised position when the door panel of the entryway is in an open position. The threshold cap pivots about a pivot axis parallel with the longitudinal axis. The pivot axis is not a central axis of the threshold cap.