Adjustable Draught Excluder with Sliding Profiles for Variable Door Widths

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing draught excluder devices are limited in their ability to adapt to doors of varying sizes without damaging the actuation mechanism and require manufacturers to maintain a range of sizes in stock, making them inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A draught excluder device with an outer and inner profile, both with U-shaped cross-sections, where the inner profile is slidingly housed in the outer and can be adjusted by cutting an end portion to fit different door widths, using guide elements and connection means to secure the actuation mechanism safely during adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the draught excluder device is made with a fixed length, then the actuation mechanism is protected from damage, but the device cannot adapt to doors of varying sizes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to door sizesVSAvoidprotection of actuation mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The draught excluder device is divided into an outer profile and an inner profile that can slide relative to each other. The inner profile contains the actuation mechanism and can be independently positioned within the outer profile, allowing the device to be adjusted in length without moving the actuation mechanism, thus preventing damage while adapting to different door sizes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates a sliding mechanism that allows the inner profile to move along the outer profile. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the device to adapt to varying door widths while keeping the actuation mechanism protected in a fixed position within the inner profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the device length is adjusted by cutting an end portion, then the device can fit different door widths, but the actuation mechanism may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment to door widthsVSAvoidintegrity of actuation mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into an outer profile and an inner profile, where the inner profile containing the actuation mechanism can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows the outer profile to be cut to the required length while the inner profile with the actuation mechanism remains intact and protected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The actuation mechanism is extracted from the end portion of the device and positioned within the inner profile. This extraction allows the end portion to be cut or adjusted without affecting the actuation mechanism, as it is protected within the inner profile's confines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If manufacturers keep devices of varying lengths in stock, then doors of different sizes can be supplied, but the cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupply capability for different door sizesVSAvoidinventory management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The draught excluder device is designed with a universal structure where the inner profile can slide within the outer profile to accommodate different door widths. This multi-functionality allows a single device design to serve multiple door sizes, eliminating the need for manufacturers to maintain varied inventory sizes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic sliding mechanism enables the device to be adjusted to different lengths as needed. This dynamic adaptability replaces the static approach of maintaining multiple fixed-length inventory items, simplifying inventory management while providing versatility across different door sizes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3372772B1Adaptable draught excluder for a door or a window
Publication Date: 2020.02.19 C C E CONSTR CHIUSURE ERMETICHE SRL
  • EP3372772B1 patent drawingFigure 1~7
  • EP3372772B1 patent drawingFigure 8~9
  • EP3372772B1 patent drawingFigure 10~14

AI summary

An adaptable draught-excluder (1) for a fixture hinged to a frame having a jamb (S), that can be automatically actuated by interaction with the jamb (S) and comprises an outer profile (2) adapted to be secured to a bottom edge of the fixture, a movable inner profile (3) slidingly housed in the outer profile (2) and having a sealing member (6) designed to interact with a sill, actuation means (7) for the inner profile (3), which are designed to displace the sealing member (6) between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the sill, at least two guide elements (8, 8') interposed between the profiles (2, 3) for keeping them parallel as they move. The profiles (2, 3) have the same length (l), encompassing all door widths, such length (l) being susceptible of being reduced by cutting an end portion, for the profiles (2, 3) to fit the actual width of the fixture upon which the device (1) is mounted. Connection means (9) are provided for securing one of the guide elements (8) to the profiles (2, 3) in an end position proximate to the jamb (S) and the other (8') in a safe position, at a distance from the end portion to be cut, to prevent the guide element (8') from being damaged upon cutting. A method of adapting and mounting a draught excluder device (1).