U-Shaped Foam Sealing Member for Membrane Penetrations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing methods for construction membranes, such as using adhesive tape, are unreliable and difficult to implement in hard-to-reach areas, often leading to tension-induced failures and compromised air and moisture tightness.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece U-shaped sealing member with a resilient sealing section and adhesive edges, designed to be easily installed by cutting an aperture in the membrane matching the construction member's cross-section, ensuring a tension-free and reliable seal without requiring counterforces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If adhesive tape is used to seal the membrane onto the construction member, then the seal can be applied relatively easily, but the seal reliability deteriorates due to tension-induced failure and adhesive connection lapse
Solution Approach 1:
A foam sealing element is introduced as an intermediary component between the membrane and the construction member. This foam element acts as a mediator that absorbs dimensional variations and movement, preventing tension from being transmitted to the adhesive connection, thereby maintaining seal reliability while preserving ease of installation
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system transitions from a rigid tape-based approach to a flexible foam-based approach. The foam material's ability to change its physical parameters (compression, expansion, deformation) allows it to accommodate dimensional variations and movement, preventing adhesive failure while maintaining the sealing function
2Ease of manufacture
If the membrane is pulled to create overlap with adhesive tape, then the seal can be applied, but the membrane tension increases causing adhesive connection to lapse over time
Solution Approach 1:
The foam sealing element is installed beforehand to cushion and absorb potential dimensional variations and movements before they can cause tension in the membrane. This pre-cushioning prevents the membrane from being pulled or tensioned during installation and over time, ensuring long-term seal durability
Solution Approach 2:
The foam element serves as a mediator between the membrane and construction member, absorbing dimensional changes and preventing these changes from being transmitted as tension to the membrane-adhesive system, thereby extending the seal's service life
3Productivity
If constructional members penetrate the membrane in hard-to-reach areas, then the building structure can be completed, but the sealing difficulty increases making reliable sealing nearly impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The foam sealing element is designed to be self-adjusting and self-sealing. It automatically adapts to the construction member's dimensions and shape without requiring precise manual adjustment or complex installation procedures, making it equally easy to install in both accessible and hard-to-reach areas
Solution Approach 2:
The foam material's ability to change its physical parameters (expand, compress, deform) allows it to adapt to various construction member geometries and installation conditions without requiring complex tools or techniques, thereby maintaining ease of operation even in difficult-to-access locations
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 provides a high-certainty, easy-to-install, and reliable air and moisture tight seal, even in inaccessible areas, with the resilient section compressing to maintain firm contact and the adhesive edges ensuring a secure connection, reducing the risk of seal failure over time.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient sealing section is arranged along said inside edge
Implementation Method 2
wherein the member has an adhesive on at least one side
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
Sealing member (2), particularly for use in connection with constructional members (1) penetrating membranes, wherein the sealing member (2) is in one piece and has a general U-shape when seen in a first plane view, such that two legs (5,6) are integral with a bridge (7) forming the U, where the width of the legs (5,6) and the bridge (7) in the first plane is substantially larger than the thickness of the sealing member (2) in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane, where the bridge (7) and legs (5,6) have an outside and an inside edge, and along said inside edge a resilient sealing section (8) is arranged.