Universal Barrier Seal for Upper and Lower Edge Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Movable barriers require different seals for their upper and lower edges due to varying contact surfaces, leading to increased manufacturing, servicing, and inventory costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A flexible seal that can be affixed to both the lower and upper edges of a movable barrier, utilizing protrusions that fit into corresponding grooves to adapt its configuration, allowing it to seal effectively along different surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If different seals are used for upper and lower edges of the movable barrier, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and inventory costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of unique components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seal member is designed with multiple protrusions that can be configured in different orientations to interface with grooves at both the upper and lower edges of the movable barrier. This universal design allows a single seal member to perform the sealing function at multiple locations, eliminating the need for separate upper and lower seal components while maintaining effective sealing at each interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If different seals are used for upper and lower edges, then sealing performance is improved, but manufacturing and servicing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing and servicing costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By designing a single seal member with multiple protrusions that can be oriented to match grooves at both upper and lower edges, the patent eliminates the need to manufacture, inventory, and service multiple different seal components. This universal seal design reduces manufacturing complexity and servicing costs while maintaining the sealing performance required at both interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If different seals are used for upper and lower edges, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but inventory costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidinventory complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The seal member is designed with multiple protrusions that can be configured to interface with grooves at both the upper and lower edges of the movable barrier. This universal design allows a single seal member to perform the sealing function at multiple locations, eliminating the need for separate upper and lower seal components and thereby reducing inventory complexity and costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12509938B2Universal seal for a movable barrier

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 OVERHEAD DOOR CORP

AI summary

A flexible seal may be attachable to a moveable barrier and usable to seal selectively along a horizontal lower surface adjacent the moveable barrier and along a vertical upper surface adjacent the moveable barrier. The flexible seal may assume a first orientation to be affixed to a lower edge of the movable barrier and may assume a second orientation to be affixed to an upper edge of the movable barrier. In the first orientation, a central region of the flexible seal contacts the horizonal lower surface. In the second orientation, a first or second end of the flexible seal contacts the vertical upper surface.