Waterproof Sheet for Opening Sealing with Pressing Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waterproof devices for openings struggle to effectively prevent water ingress through gaps other than the shutter and guide member interface, particularly at corners where walls and floors intersect.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof device comprising a sheet that covers the opening/closing member and surrounding structure, with deformable pressing members to match the shape of the floor and corners, ensuring the sheet is held in a slack state to bend and contact the structure, thereby sealing gaps and preventing water ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a waterproof sheet is provided on the shutter with a seal member on the guide member, then water ingress through the gap between shutter and guide member is prevented, but water may enter through other routes such as corners where wall faces and floor intersect
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproofing system is divided into multiple functional segments: the sheet covers different areas (shutter, wall faces, floor), pressing members are distributed at specific locations (corners, edges), and each component addresses specific water ingress routes. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage of all potential water entry points while maintaining targeted effectiveness at each location.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet extends beyond the traditional two-dimensional shutter surface into the third dimension by draping over wall faces and floor areas. This dimensional extension transforms the waterproofing coverage from a flat surface to a three-dimensional configuration that envelops multiple structural surfaces and seals gaps at corners and intersections.
2Manufacturing precision
If the sheet is held in a slack state to bend and contact the structure, then gaps are sealed effectively, but the sheet may float away under water pressure
Solution Approach 1:
Pressing members with weight are positioned on the sheet to provide downward force that counteracts the upward buoyant force of water pressure. This weight-based counterbalance keeps the sheet pressed against the structure, preventing floating while maintaining the slack state necessary for effective sealing at gaps and corners.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet is pre-configured in a slack state before water pressure acts on it, allowing it to naturally bend and conform to the structure's contours. This preliminary configuration ensures that when water pressure occurs, the sheet is already positioned to make contact with sealing surfaces, and the pressing members are in place to maintain this contact under pressure.
3Reliability
If pressing members are used to press the sheet against the structure, then gaps are reduced and waterproofing is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing members are designed to utilize their own weight and the force of water pressure to perform the pressing function, rather than requiring external power sources or complex actuation mechanisms. The water pressure itself helps press the sheet against the structure, and the pressing members maintain this contact, creating a self-reinforcing system that enhances waterproofing without additional complexity.
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 prevents water ingress through the opening by covering the shutter, guide rails, and floor intersections, enhancing watertightness and reducing gaps between the sheet and the structure, even under varying water pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the sheet is held in a slack state to bend and contact the structure
Implementation Method 2
deformable pressing members to match the shape of the floor and corners
Implementation Method 3
the holding part is adapted to hold the sheet in a slack state, permitting the sheet to be bent closer to the opening/closing member
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A waterproof device for an opening includes: a sheet 10 placed over an opening 2, the opening making an interior and an exterior of a structure 1 communicate and being opened and closed by an opening/closing member 4; and a holding part 20 that holds the sheet for the structure at a position exterior of the opening/closing member, wherein the holding part holds the sheet so that the sheet covers a predetermined area which is a lower end part in a vertical direction of the opening/closing member and a part of the structure adjacent to the predetermined area together to close a lower end area in the vertical direction of the opening and so that a lower end part 13 in the vertical direction of the sheet extend along a floor toward the exterior.