Concealed U-Profile Frameless Glazing for Structural Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current frameless window and door casement solutions fail to meet standard requirements for durability, structural stability, thermal insulation, and air/water tightness, while also compromising natural light illumination and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
An openable frameless door or window casement arrangement with a gas-tightly inserted spacer and a U-shaped profile that is completely concealed between the glass plates, receiving window hardware and actuating elements, which maintains thermal insulation and gas/water tightness while providing a larger transparent surface and a 'glassy' appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a U-shaped profile is used to receive window hardware in frameless casement arrangements, then structural stability and hardware integration are improved, but the profile becomes visible and compromises the aesthetic appeal and transparent surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The U-shaped profile is nested between the glass plates, with the profile positioned in the gap between the inner and outer glass plates. This nesting approach allows the profile to be structurally functional while remaining concealed within the glazing assembly, preserving the frameless aesthetic and maximizing transparent surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The profile is positioned in the third dimension (between glass plates) rather than on the surface plane. By utilizing the depth dimension of the glazing assembly, the profile achieves structural functionality without occupying visible surface area, thus maintaining aesthetic appeal and transparent surface area.
2Area of stationary object
If the profile is positioned close to the glass edge to maximize transparent surface, then transparency is improved, but stress concentration on the glass edge increases
Solution Approach 1:
The U-shaped profile acts as an intermediary element between the glass plates, providing mechanical support and hardware mounting functionality. By positioning the profile between the glass plates rather than directly on the glass edge, it mediates the stress distribution, reducing stress concentration on the glass edge while still enabling hardware integration.
3Shape
If the profile is concealed between glass plates to improve aesthetics, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but access to window hardware becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The U-shaped profile is pre-positioned between the glass plates during manufacturing, with openings strategically designed to provide access to hardware components. This preliminary positioning ensures that the profile is concealed for aesthetic purposes while maintaining functional accessibility, as the openings allow users to operate hardware without removing or relocating the profile.
4Ease of operation
If traditional frame structures with openable casement frames are used, then hardware integration and operability are improved, but the frame size reduces the transparent surface area and compromises aesthetic appeal
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional visible casement frame is extracted and replaced by a concealed U-shaped profile positioned between the glass plates. This extraction removes the visually prominent frame structure that reduced transparent surface area, while the functional hardware integration capabilities are preserved through the concealed profile that provides mounting points and operational interfaces.
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 enhances aesthetic appeal, structural stability, and thermal performance by concealing the profile between the glass plates, reducing stress on the glass, and maintaining high levels of transparency and tightness, addressing the limitations of previous solutions.
Implementation Method 1
a spacer which is gas-tightly inserted generally along the edge between the first and second glass plates creating a plate interspace
Implementation Method 2
a cordon of sealant securing said glass plates together
Implementation Method 3
an outwardly opening generally U-shaped profile, which along the edge encompasses the spacer and is positioned between said glass plates for receiving window hardware
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3i~3ii
AI summary
An openable frameless door or window casement arrangement (100) with insulating glass unit, including at least a first (1) glass plate and a second (2) glass plate, a spacer (11) which is gas-tightly inserted generally along the edge between the first (1) and second (2) glass plates creating a plate interspace (16), a cordon of sealant (13) securing said glass plates together, and an outwardly opening generally U-shaped profile (10), which along the edge encompasses the spacer (11) and is positioned between said glass plates for receiving window hardware, whereby actuating elements pass through one of the glass plate through openings and facilitate access to the hardware. According to the invention, the profile (10) is separated from the spacer (11) and it is concealed completely between the first (1) and the second (2) glass plates, the outermost edges of the profile being positioned inside the periphery of said glass plates.