Concealed Hinge Scissor Arm Inversion for Window Seal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Concealed hinges for turn-tilt and tilt-turn windows face challenges with bending due to the weight of the glass, limiting space for additional locking points, which affects the window's seal against wind and water.

Innovation Solution

A concealed hinge design with a scissor mechanism where the main arm is positioned between two scissor arms, reducing the need for a pronounced double kink, allowing for a more stable structure and enabling an additional locking point by using a longitudinally protruding finger on the first scissor arm to engage with a locking peg.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the main arm is positioned below the scissor arms to provide space for the guide with carriage on the leaf, then the guide can be accommodated, but the main arm experiences relatively large bending due to the weight of the glass

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace for guide with carriageVSAvoidbending of main arm
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The main arm is inverted from its conventional position below the scissor arms to a position above the scissor arms. This inversion resolves the bending problem by placing the main arm in a more favorable structural position that reduces bending moments from the glass weight, while still accommodating the guide with carriage through the double kink configuration.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The double kink in the main arm introduces a dimensional change by creating two distinct sections at different heights. The first section extends above the guide while the second section connects to the scissor hinge, allowing the guide to be accommodated in the vertical space between the two sections without compromising the structural integrity of the main arm.

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

2Strength

If the main arm is strengthened to reduce bending, then the bending resistance improves, but the limited clear space between the leaf and the fixed frame is further reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebending resistance of main armVSAvoidclear space between leaf and fixed frame
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of strengthening the main arm in its conventional below-scissor-arms position which would consume valuable clearance space, the main arm is inverted to position above the scissor arms. This structural reconfiguration provides inherent bending resistance through its position rather than through added material, preserving the limited clear space between the leaf and fixed frame.

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

3Reliability

If an extra locking point is added at the location of the scissor hinge, then the seal against wind and water improves, but the complexity and cost of the solution increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseal against wind and waterVSAvoidcomplexity of locking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first scissor arm is designed with a longitudinally protruding finger that serves dual functions: it provides the structural connection for the scissor hinge mechanism and simultaneously acts as a locking element that engages with a locking peg on the mounting slat. This multi-functionality adds the extra locking point needed for improved sealing without requiring a separate, complex locking mechanism.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The locking function is merged with the scissor arm structure itself. The longitudinally protruding finger of the first scissor arm is integrated into the arm's geometry and combines the hinge connection function with the locking function, eliminating the need for separate locking components and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3190251B1Concealed hinge for a turn-tilt window and tilt-turn window and window equipped therewith
Publication Date: 2022.10.26 SOBINCO NV
  • EP3190251B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3190251B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3190251B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Concealed hinge for a turn-tilt window (1) with a fixed frame (2) and a leaf (3), whereby the concealed hinge (4) is provided with a scissor mechanism (22) with a main arm (24) that is provided at a first end (25) with a hinge for fastening the concealed hinge (4) to the top of the leaf (3), and is hingeably connected at a second end (32) to a scissor hinge (33) that is intended for the connection to the frame (2), whereby this scissor hinge (33) is composed of two scissor arms (34,35) that are hingeable with respect to one another in such a way that the concealed hinge (4) can be folded up, whereby the main arm (24) and the scissor arms (34,35) extend above one another and parallel to one another in a horizontal direction, characterised in that in the folded-up situation of the concealed hinge (4), when viewed vertically the main arm (24), with a section at the second end (32), is located between the two scissor arms (34, 35).