Bullet-Resistant Louvered Window Frame Inversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing louvre window designs fail to achieve a bullet-resistant, all-glass look on building facades as they either leave the window frame visible or lack effective bullet-resistant measures.

Innovation Solution

A bullet-resistant glass louvre window construction featuring laminated safety glass facade elements with reinforcement frames and profiles, a moving mechanism, and a mounting structure that covers the window frame when closed, ensuring a seamless integration into building facades while providing bullet resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If traditional rotating bearing mechanisms are used where part of the louver pivots inwards and part outwards of the window frame, then the louver mechanism can rotate within the window frame, but the window frame remains visible and cannot be covered by facade elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveall-glass appearanceVSAvoidrotating bearing mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional approach by having the louver pivot entirely outside the window frame rather than partially inside and partially outside. The pivot axis is positioned on the outer surface of the window frame, allowing the louver to rotate externally while the window frame remains covered by facade elements, achieving the all-glass appearance.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the spatial dimension of the pivot mechanism by moving it from an internal/external split configuration to an entirely external configuration. The pivot axis is disposed on the outer surface of the window frame, shifting the rotation mechanism to a different spatial location that allows facade elements to cover the frame while maintaining rotational functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Shape

If the louver frame is covered by facade elements to achieve an all-glass appearance, then the aesthetic requirement is met, but bullet resistance cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveall-glass appearanceVSAvoidbullet resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials by combining laminated safety glass (multiple glass layers with a plastic interlayer) and polycarbonate panels in the louver structure. This composite construction provides both the aesthetic all-glass appearance and the bullet resistance required, as the multiple layers and materials work together to withstand projectile impacts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates a plastic interlayer between the glass layers in the laminated safety glass construction. This interlayer acts as a cushioning element that prevents projectiles from penetrating through the glass, absorbing and distributing the impact energy before the bullet can reach the interior space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If laminated safety glass with multiple layers is used to achieve bullet resistance, then protection is provided, but the structural complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebullet resistanceVSAvoidlaminated glass construction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the louver structure into distinct functional components: the louver frame, the laminated safety glass panels, and the polycarbonate panels. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and prepared separately using standardized processes, then assembled together, reducing the overall manufacturing complexity despite the use of complex materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 achieves a clean, all-glass appearance on building facades while ensuring bullet resistance by using laminated safety glass and reinforcement profiles to cover the window frame, providing effective protection and a visually seamless integration.

Implementation Method 1

The facade elements are each made of laminated safety glass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLamination: Lamination

Implementation Method 2

featuring an inner viewing area and a surrounding edge area... providing effective protection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact resistance: Impact Force

Implementation Method 3

The edge area of the first facade element is completely covered on its inner surface by a first reinforcing frame. The edge area of the second facade element is completely covered on its inner surface by a second reinforcing frame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStructural reinforcement: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 4

The louvered frames are arranged horizontally in the window frame with their pivot axes, so that in a closed position... covering the window frame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3835537B1Penetration-proof glass panel window structure for building installations
Publication Date: 2023.05.24 HOMMER HEIDRUN
  • EP3835537B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3835537B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3835537B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a bullet-resistant glass louvered window construction for building installations, in particular for vertical facades with a closed, all-glass appearance on the building exterior (81). The invention is based on the objective of providing a means of ensuring bullet resistance in all-glass louvered windows. According to the invention, this objective is achieved by a bullet-resistant glass louvered window construction comprising a rectangular window frame (4), a first louver (1), and at least one further louver (2). The louvers (1, 2) each comprise a facade element (11, 21) and a rectangular louver frame (3) with an axis of rotation (A), wherein the facade elements (11, 21) are arranged on the louver frame (3), and the louver frames (3) with their axes of rotation (A) are arranged horizontally in the window frame (4).The facade elements (11, 21) are completely covered with reinforcement frames (12, 22) in an edge area (R) and have bullet-resistant laminated safety glass in a viewing area (S).