Balcony Glazing Hinge Pin Structure for Low-Deflection Sliding Windows

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing balcony glazing arrangements face issues with window deflection and strain on carriages and frame components due to weight when turned open, affecting functionality, appearance, and increasing material and assembly costs.

Innovation Solution

A continuous hinge pin system is used, with non-rotatably connected ends to the frame head and sill, allowing contraction onto a vertical side rail, minimizing play and eliminating the need for a vertical frame jamb, and utilizing bushings and fasteners to stabilize and reduce friction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a sturdy frame column is used to connect frame head and frame sill, then deflection is minimized, but glazed area is reduced and appearance is affected

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedeflectionVSAvoidglazed area
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the frame column from the window frame structure and relocates it to the window sash as a vertical side rail. This allows the frame head and frame sill to be connected directly through the hinge pin without requiring a protruding frame column, thereby maintaining stability while preserving the glazed area and improving appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adding a frame column to the window frame to provide stability, the patent inverts the approach by making the window sash (with vertical side rail) the load-bearing element that connects to the frame head and frame sill. This reverses the traditional structural arrangement and eliminates the need for a protruding frame column.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a vertical frame jamb is added to connect hinge side ends, then stability is improved, but material and assembly costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidmaterial and assembly costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the function of the vertical frame jamb with the vertical side rail of the window sash. The vertical side rail serves dual purposes: it provides structural connection between frame head and frame sill, and it forms part of the window sash assembly. This consolidation eliminates the need for a separate frame jamb, reducing material and assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If hinge pin allows rotation, then opening and closing is enabled, but play and imprecision occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopening and closingVSAvoidplay
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic hinge pin system that allows rotation during window operation but maintains precision through controlled constraints. The hinge pin rotates within the vertical side rail to enable opening and closing, while bushings and fasteners provide dynamic stabilization to minimize play and maintain manufacturing precision throughout the motion range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This design enhances the appearance, functionality, and reduces material and assembly costs by minimizing deflection and improving the feel of opening and closing operations.

Implementation Method 1

the hinge arrangement comprises a continuous hinge pin, which rotatably runs through said vertical side rail from the frame head to the frame sill

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a first one of the ends of the hinge pin is arranged to render application of a fastener possible, which, when tightened, contracts the frame head and the frame sill onto said vertical side rail

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP4176152B1A balcony glazing arrangement comprising a hinge arrangement
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 BALCO GRP AB
  • EP4176152B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4176152B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4176152B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A balcony glazing arrangement (1) comprising at least one horizontally slidable window (2), which comprises a sliding window frame (10) and a window sash (30), which is openable mounted on the window frame (10) by means of a vertically oriented hinge arrangement (40). The hinge arrangement (40) comprises a continuous hinge pin (41), which rotatably runs through a vertical side rail (33) of the window sash (30) from a window frame head (11) to a window frame sill (12). The hinge pin (41) comprises ends (41', 41''), which are non-rotably connected to the frame head (11) and the frame sill (12), wherein a first one (41') of the ends of the hinge pin (41) is arranged to render application of a fastener (42) possible, which, when tightened, contracts the window frame head (11) and the window frame sill (12) onto said vertical side rail (33).