Cover Plate Sealing Window Frame Joints Against Rain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing window and door designs face sealing issues, particularly in the joint area between vertical frame members and the threshold, leading to water penetration due to wind-driven rain, with existing solutions being complex, aesthetically unsatisfactory, and requiring multiple components with suboptimal adhesion and optics.
Innovation Solution
A cover plate and cover profile system, preferably made of aluminum, designed to cover the gap between the threshold and window frame, adapting to thermal expansions, with a stepped shoulder for seamless integration and easy assembly, ensuring effective rainwater drainage and maintaining tightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple different components and materials are used to close gaps and connect frame members to the sill, then the connection is achieved, but the adhesion of sealant is not optimal and aesthetics are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (sealing strips, connecting elements, cover elements) into a single integrated cover element that performs all functions: sealing gaps, connecting frame members to the sill, and providing aesthetic coverage. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate components and their associated sealants, thereby improving adhesion reliability while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover element is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously serves as a sealing element, a connecting element, and a cover element. This universal design allows a single component to replace multiple specialized components, improving the overall sealing effectiveness while simplifying the assembly and reducing the number of interfaces that require sealant adhesion.
2Reliability
If sealing strips are attached to vertical section of sash frame and fixed panel, then sealing in closed position is achieved, but water penetration occurs in lower joint area under wind loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the sealing protection from the vertical dimension (sealing strips on vertical frame sections) to include the horizontal dimension at the lower joint area. The cover element projects horizontally to cover the lower joint area between the vertical frame member and the sill, creating a three-dimensional sealing system that protects against wind-driven rain from multiple directions, not just vertical sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover element is installed in advance to pre-cover and protect the vulnerable lower joint area before water exposure occurs. This preliminary protective action prevents water penetration at the critical lower joint area where vertical sealing strips alone are insufficient, addressing the harm from driving rain before it can occur.
3Ease of manufacture
If corner connectors extend over entire depth of base profile, then connections are provided, but visible impact areas form on outside exposed to elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the corner connector function with the cover element into a single integrated component. The cover element incorporates the connecting functionality at its ends while maintaining a continuous, smooth aesthetic appearance on the exterior surface. This eliminates the visible discontinuities and impact areas that would result from separate corner connectors extending over the base profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover element provides different qualities at different locations: at the ends, it incorporates connecting functionality, while along the main exterior surface, it provides a smooth, continuous aesthetic appearance. This local differentiation allows the component to fulfill both structural and aesthetic requirements without compromising either.
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 functionally reliable, aesthetically pleasing, and cost-effective sealing system that effectively prevents water ingress, maintaining tightness while accommodating thermal expansions and assembly inaccuracies.
Implementation Method 1
sealing the gap to the horizontal sill on the one hand
Implementation Method 2
rain striking the surface of the window or door is diverted over the cover device comprising the frames and the sill
Implementation Method 3
The design of the shaped cover plate adapts flexibly to thermal expansions occurring in the area of the lower profile components
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
Device for covering a joint area 13 of a first sash frame 8 movable on a track as a sliding sash 7, folding sliding sash or sliding lift-and-slide sash of a window or door 1, with a second sash positioned opposite the sliding sash 7 in a parallel, offset plane of a frame 2 and further towards the outside 23 of a building as a fixed sash frame 8' of a fixed sash 6 or also movable as a sliding sash, folding sliding sash or lift-and-slide sash in the frame 2, wherein the frame 2 is composed of two laterally vertical frame members 3, 3', also called jambs, an upper horizontal frame member 4 and a lower frame member 5 extending over the entire width of the window or door 1 including the connections of the jambs 3, 3', which is also called a sill,wherein the joint area 13 is formed at the respective lower ends 14, 14' at the transition circumferentially of the vertical frames 3, 3' to the horizontal sill 5, wherein a cover plate 16 with a flat surface is formed at the lower free ends of the frames 3, 3', which is arranged on the outside 23 or weather side of the window or door 1 for sealing against driving rain such that the cover plate 16 covers the joint area 13 between the frames 3, 3' and the sill 5 as well as the gap 18 between corner connecting elements 17 and/or profile components in vertical extension of the frames 3, 3' overlapping the sill 5 in a sealing manner.