Corner Joint Seal for Adhesive-Free Window Frame Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing corner joint systems for fixing sections, such as window and door frames, rely on adhesives for sealing, which lead to uneven distribution, material waste, potential misalignment issues, and operational inefficiencies due to the need for injection machines and risk of contamination.

Innovation Solution

A corner joint design that eliminates the need for adhesives by using a seal with a central annular rib and lateral ribs made of elastic material, compressed between section ends to create a hermetic seal, allowing for easy alignment and installation without the use of adhesives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If adhesive is injected in higher quantity to ensure uniform distribution along the slot, then sealing reliability is improved, but material waste increases and injection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidadhesive waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the sealing function from the adhesive and transfers it to a dedicated sealing element (gasket or seal ring) that is integrated into the corner joint. This sealing element is compressed between the two sections to create the seal, eliminating the need for adhesive injection and ensuring consistent sealing without material waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a sealing element as an intermediary component between the two sections. This sealing element serves as a mediator that performs the sealing function mechanically through compression, replacing the chemical adhesive bonding process and providing reliable sealing with controlled material usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If adhesive is used to fix and seal the sections, then sealing is achieved, but the risk of contamination increases and ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidcontamination risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the chemical adhesive system with a mechanical sealing system. The sealing element is compressed between the two sections to create a hermetic seal through mechanical pressure, eliminating the need for liquid adhesive that could cause contamination and simplifying the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If adhesive injection holes and channels are provided on the corner joint, then adhesive distribution is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoidcorner joint complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the sealing function from the corner joint structure itself and implements it through a separate sealing element. This eliminates the need for complex internal channels and injection holes in the corner joint, simplifying its design while maintaining effective sealing capability through the compressed seal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 provides a simple, cost-effective, and efficient method for fixing sections with perfect sealing and alignment, eliminating the drawbacks of adhesive-based systems by using a compressed seal that ensures uniform contact and secure bonding without the need for additional sealing materials.

Implementation Method 1

a seal (5) made of an elastic material, compressed between said ends (21, 21') of the two sections (2, 2'), said seal hermetically sealing the junction (25) between said two ends (21, 21')

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

a seal (5) made of an elastic material, compressed between said ends (21, 21') of the two sections (2, 2')

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3680441B1Improved corner joint for fixing two sections
Publication Date: 2021.12.22 L M DEI F LLI MONTICELLI SPA
  • EP3680441B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3680441B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3680441B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A corner joint (1) for fixing two sections (2, 2') is disclosed; the corner joint (1) comprises a first wing (3) and a second wing (4); each wing (3, 4) is suitable for being inserted in a longitudinal channel (20, 20') of one of the two sections (2, 2'); the corner joint (1) comprises a corner body (P) that connects the two wings (3, 4); the peculiarity of the corner joint (1) according to the invention consists in the fact that it comprises a seal (5) disposed on the corner body (P) of the corner joint (1).