Water Ingress Sealing Device with Kinematic Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for sealing building openings against water ingress during flooding are inadequate, particularly in corner areas, and often require complex manual adjustments or restricted usage of doors and windows.
Innovation Solution
A device with a force transmission element connected to lateral profile elements via a kinematic coupling element featuring a link guide with inclined surfaces, which ensures a uniform force distribution and adjustable preload, allowing for reliable sealing without restricting the use of doors or windows, and can be easily retrofitted or installed by non-experts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sandbags are placed in wall openings to seal against water ingress, then some protection is achieved, but the protection is insufficient during prolonged flooding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible sealing element that can be pressed against the door or window opening to create a water-tight seal. This flexible membrane approach provides reliable sealing during prolonged flooding without the complexity of rigid multi-component systems like sandbags
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a intermediate sealing system that acts as a mediator between the building opening and the external water environment. This sealing element with profile elements provides a reliable barrier that sandbags cannot achieve, while remaining simpler than complex engineered barriers
2Reliability
If sealing profiles are designed to move diagonally and sequentially to corners, then corner sealing is improved, but the assembly is not reliably sealed if contact occurs before compression is complete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the corner sealing function into the main sealing element itself, which extends continuously around the opening including corner sections. This eliminates the need for separate corner profiles and sequential diagonal movement, allowing the entire seal to be engaged simultaneously when the profile element is pressed against the opening
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is pre-configured with corner sections that are already positioned to engage corner surfaces. When the profile element is pressed against the door or window opening, the corner sections automatically contact corner surfaces first, ensuring reliable corner sealing before the rest of the seal is compressed
3Reliability
If a device obstructs the passage to create a seal, then water ingress is prevented, but the device must be completely removed when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic sealing system where the profile element can be positioned in an operating state that creates a water-tight seal or a non-operating state that allows free door or window movement. The sealing element flexes and adjusts automatically, providing reliable water protection when engaged while requiring no removal when retracted
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is nested within or adjacent to the door or window structure, allowing it to be stored in a compact form when not in use. The profile element can be retracted into a recess or positioned alongside the opening without obstructing passage, eliminating the need for complete removal while maintaining reliable sealing when activated
4Force
If struts are splayed at acute angles to transfer vertical preload to horizontal force, then sealing force is improved, but the device requires complex manual positioning for different opening sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs adjustable profile elements that can be configured to match different opening dimensions. The profile element includes adjustable sections that allow the sealing system to adapt to various door and window sizes without requiring complex manual positioning of struts or support structures
Solution Approach 2:
The profile element is designed as a universal component that can be installed on different door and window openings without requiring custom positioning. The single integrated profile element provides both structural support and sealing function across various opening sizes, eliminating the need for adjustable struts and complex manual configuration
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 device provides a reliable, adjustable, and easy-to-implement sealing solution that maintains the functionality of doors and windows in both use and non-use positions, effectively preventing water ingress and meeting insurance requirements, while also offering improved burglary protection.
Implementation Method 1
the coupling element has a cam guide with an inclined surface and at least one sliding/rolling element rolling or sliding along this inclined surface for displacing the lateral profile elements in a transverse direction relative to the translational movement of the force transmission element
Implementation Method 2
at least one sliding/rolling element rolling or sliding along this inclined surface for displacing the lateral profile elements
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) designed for installation on a door (2) or window of a building to protect against the ingress of surface water, which is permanently fixed to the outside (4) of the door (2). To move from the non-operating position to the sealing operating position, an actuating force (F) is transmitted by means of an actuating element (5) to a force transmission element (6) that is translationally movable in the direction of actuation and thus to a lower profile element (8). This compresses a lower section (9) of the circumferential sealing element (10) between a floor surface and the lower profile element (8), thereby achieving the desired seal. At the same time, the actuating force (F) is also transmitted to two lateral profile elements (12) and the associated lateral sections (13) of the sealing element (10) are pressed against a contact surface of the building.The necessary, opposing displacement of the lateral profile elements (12) in the transverse direction (18) is achieved by a coupling element (15). For this purpose, the lateral profile elements (12) are each equipped with two parallel inclined surfaces (16) against which a rolling element (17) connected to the translationally movable force transmission element (6) bears, so that, due to the applied actuating force (F), a transverse displacement of the lateral profile elements (12) occurs relative to the translational movement of the force transmission element (6).