Door Wing Frame Clip Connection for Thermal Deformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aluminum door frames experience thermal deformation due to temperature differences, leading to poor sealing and locking issues, as the good thermal conductivity of aluminum causes the outer and inner profiles to expand and contract differently, resulting in stress and deformation.

Innovation Solution

A door leaf design featuring longitudinal frame elements with a clip connection allowing relative movement between inner and outer profiles, decoupling them to prevent stress and deformation, and using an L-shaped outer profile with clip arms interacting with undercuts in the inner profile, which can be made from different materials to minimize thermal expansion issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the thermal separator is firmly compressed between the outer profile and the inner profile, then thermal bridges are avoided, but induced stresses cause undefined elastic deformation of the inner profile

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transferVSAvoidshape stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is divided into separate outer profile and inner profile components that are not rigidly connected. The thermal separator is positioned between these segmented parts, allowing thermal insulation while preventing stress transmission that would cause deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection between outer and inner profiles is designed to accommodate dynamic thermal expansion and contraction. The profiles can move relative to each other within controlled limits, maintaining sealing contact while preventing stress accumulation that leads to deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the inner profile is designed with greater resistance to deformation, then shape stability is improved, but the complexity of the profile geometry increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape stabilityVSAvoidprofile geometry

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the inner profile itself more complex and rigid, the system segments the frame into outer and inner profiles with a thermal separator between them. This simpler segmented approach achieves shape stability without increasing profile geometry complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the thermal separator is designed with increased elasticity by reducing the cross section, then deformation is reduced, but the thermal insulation effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape stabilityVSAvoidheat transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a thermal separator with optimal cross-sectional dimensions positioned between segmented profile parts. This segmentation allows the separator to maintain sufficient elasticity for shape stability while preserving adequate thermal insulation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Strength

If the outer profile and inner profile are firmly connected, then structural strength is improved, but thermal-induced deformation occurs due to differential expansion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidshape stability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is segmented into outer and inner profiles that are not rigidly connected. The thermal separator positioned between them provides thermal insulation while allowing differential thermal expansion, preventing stress-induced deformation while maintaining adequate structural strength through the overall frame assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The thermal separator acts as an intermediary element between the outer and inner profiles. It provides thermal insulation and allows controlled movement, mediating between the need for structural strength and the need to prevent thermal-induced deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This design significantly reduces thermal-induced deformation, improves sealing, and enhances the locking mechanism, ensuring proper operation even with large temperature gradients, while allowing for reduced material usage and improved heat transfer.

Implementation Method 1

The good thermal conductivity of the frame elements made of aluminum leads to different changes in the length of the outer profiles to the length of the inner profiles when there is a difference between an outside temperature on one side of the frame and an inside temperature on the other side of the frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

The thermal separator serves to avoid thermal or cold bridges

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2933422B1Door wing

Publication Date: 2016.11.16 PAX AG

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AI summary

A door (1) or window frame comprises at least two frame elements (8) to which a panel (4) is assigned, each of the frame elements (8) comprising an inner profile (12) oriented towards a room side and an outer profile (13) oriented towards an outside. The inner profile (12) is connected to the outer profile (13) in such a way that the inner profile (12) is displaceable relative to the outer profile (13) in the direction of a longitudinal axis (double arrow 14).