Compact Corner Drive for Window Fitting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing corner drives for window sash or French door connecting rod fittings are bulky due to large guide housings required for rigid drive rod sections and spring strips, necessitating large pockets in the wing for accommodation.

Innovation Solution

A compact corner guide design where the spring strip is held by a fixing element with planned force expenditure in a predetermined position, allowing the guide housing to be minimized, with the straight sections of the deflection element easily protruding and the guide housing extending only over the curved section, enabling a small pocket and easy assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid connecting rod sections are guided on long straight sections in the guide housing, then the connecting rod sections can be properly guided, but the corner drive has particularly large dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguiding of connecting rod sectionsVSAvoiddimensions of corner drive

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The deflection element is segmented into a flexible spring band and rigid connecting rod sections. The spring band absorbs guidance functions within a compact curved section, while rigid sections are minimized and only extend where absolutely necessary for connection purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spring band serves as a flexible element that provides the necessary guidance and deflection functions through its curved section, eliminating the need for long rigid straight sections in the guide housing while maintaining reliable guiding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If the guide housing extends over long straight sections, then rigid connecting rod sections can be guided, but large pockets in the wing are required for accommodation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguiding functionVSAvoidpocket area in wing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The guide housing is redesigned to extend only over the curved section of the spring band rather than over long straight sections. The rigid connecting rod sections are minimized and connect only where absolutely necessary, dramatically reducing the pocket area required in the wing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guiding function is transitioned from a linear extension along straight sections to a compact curved path in the spring band, changing the dimensional arrangement from extended linear space to compact curved space within the guide housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If coupling elements with positive locking surfaces are used, then connecting rod sections can be securely connected, but the corner bearing requires a large recess in the sash

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidrecess volume in sash

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The spring band provides a compact curved section that achieves secure connection through its elastic properties and integrated coupling elements, eliminating the need for large recesses while maintaining connection strength through the flexible-to-rigid transition mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Reliability

If two legs with linear guides and carriages are used, then the deflection mechanism can be implemented, but a very large pocket in the wing is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeflection mechanism functionVSAvoidpocket area in wing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The two separate legs with linear guides and carriages are merged into a single integrated spring band that provides both deflection and guiding functions in one compact curved section, eliminating the need for large pockets to accommodate separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible spring band replaces the rigid two-leg structure with linear guides, providing the same deflection mechanism function in a compact curved form that requires minimal pocket space while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 design results in a compact, lightweight, and cost-effective corner drive with reduced material usage, allowing for closer arrangement of functional elements and easy installation, while maintaining structural stability and tolerance compensation.

Implementation Method 1

The spring band is held in a predetermined mounting position by a fixing element with a specified force... the spring band can be released upon initial actuation of the drive rod fitting

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3354833B1Corner deviation for a fitting on a connecting rod

Publication Date: 2020.04.22 WINKHAUS

Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5

AI summary

A corner drive (4, 5) for a window's drive rod fitting (3) has a guide housing (10) for receiving a curved section (12) of a drive element (11). The guide housing (10) is made of plastic and has a guide (28) for a fixing element (19). A functional housing (6) of the drive rod fitting (3) can be positioned particularly close to the corner areas. A pocket in the window for receiving the guide housing (10) can be made particularly small.