Window Frame Corner Joint With Rotary-Translational Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aligning brackets for joining sections, particularly in thermal break fixtures, face issues with stability and production complexity due to the transmission of force through a pin, leading to potential misalignment and high production costs.
Innovation Solution
An aligning bracket with a locking piece that performs a combined rotary and translational movement, featuring a mushroom-shaped head portion and a pin portion, which engages with a sliding surface to ensure axial force transmission and stable locking, eliminating the need for asymmetrical components and reducing production complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pin is used to transmit force in the locking mechanism, then the locking function is achieved, but stability deteriorates due to moment-induced extraction and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pin component from the locking mechanism. Instead of using a pin to transmit force, the invention uses a cam surface that directly engages with a locking surface on the bracket arm, eliminating the source of destabilizing moments while maintaining the locking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention inverts the traditional locking mechanism design by having the locking piece rotate within the bracket arm rather than having the bracket arm rotate around a pin. This reversal places the rotation axis within the arm itself, eliminating the need for a separate pin and preventing moment-induced extraction.
2Reliability
If asymmetrical cam parts are used for each arm, then the locking function is achieved, but device complexity increases due to multiple different components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry strategically by making the cam surface geometry tailored to each specific arm's requirements while keeping the overall locking piece design symmetrical and interchangeable. Each arm receives a customized cam surface profile that optimizes its locking action without requiring different locking pieces.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking piece is designed as a universal component that can be used on both arms of the bracket. By making the locking piece itself symmetrical and interchangeable, and customizing only the cam surfaces on the arms, the invention reduces the number of different components while maintaining optimized locking functionality for each arm.
3Reliability
If multiple asymmetrical components are used, then the locking function is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry strategically by making the cam surface geometry tailored to each specific arm's requirements while keeping the overall locking piece design symmetrical and interchangeable. Each arm receives a customized cam surface profile that optimizes its locking action without requiring different locking pieces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention promotes homogeneity by using identical locking pieces on both arms and standardizing the basic geometry and materials. This uniformity across components simplifies manufacturing and quality control, reducing the need for high precision tolerances on individual parts.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Aligning bracket for joining and moving together a first section (I) and a second section (II) of a window- or door-frame each provided with a longitudinal seat (S). The bracket (1) comprises an angle piece (2) having two arms (3a,3b), each of which is intended to be inserted inside a longitudinal seat (S) of the two sections (I,II) and four locking pieces mounted in seats (5) provided in pairs on each arm (3a,3b). The locking pieces (4) are operationally forced to move between a release position (A), where they do not intercept the corresponding section (I,II) leaving the arms (3a,3b) free to slide inside the associated longitudinal seat (S), and a locking position (B), where they act on the sections (I,II), forcing them to be joined together. Each locking piece (4) performs a rotary/translatory movement between the two positions, i.e. release position (A) and locking position (B).