Elastic Spacer for Window Frame Gap Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing window frame spacers fail to maintain a consistent circumferential gap between the window frame and the wall, leading to misalignment and potential tilting, especially due to the weight of the window frame causing uneven gaps at the top and bottom.
Innovation Solution
An elastic spacer with parallel contact surfaces, connected by elastically deformable connectors, that can adapt to the gap width and prevent tilting, featuring a mechanical plug-in device for easy installation and a stop to prevent accidental displacement, made from plastic with a U-shaped spring clip for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If rigid spacers are used between the window frame and window frame, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the spacer cannot adapt to varying gap widths and causes misalignment due to window frame weight
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is designed with elastic properties, allowing it to deform dynamically under load. The elastic spacer can compress when the window frame is installed, adapting to the actual gap width while maintaining alignment. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by enabling adaptability without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer's physical state is changed from rigid to elastic, fundamentally altering its mechanical properties. This parameter change enables the spacer to deform and adapt to varying gap widths while maintaining structural simplicity. The elastic material allows the spacer to change its effective length and shape in response to applied forces.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the contact surfaces of the spacer are short, then the spacer structure is simpler, but the spacer tilts in the gap due to window frame weight
Solution Approach 1:
By providing sufficiently long contact surfaces on both sides of the spacer, the design creates a stable support condition where the spacer rests evenly on both the window frame and window frame. This equipotential support prevents tilting by ensuring equal distribution of contact forces, eliminating the need for complex anti-tilting mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If no mechanical plug-in device is used, then the spacer structure is simpler, but the installation and alignment of the window frame becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical plug-in device is pre-attached to the spacer, enabling preliminary positioning and alignment of the window frame before final fastening. This preliminary action facilitates easy installation by providing built-in alignment features that guide the window frame into correct position, eliminating the need for separate alignment tools or procedures.
4Reliability
If the spacer does not have a stop feature, then the structure is simpler, but the window frame may be accidentally displaced during or after installation
Solution Approach 1:
The stop feature on the spacer provides preliminary protection against displacement by physically blocking movement in the critical direction. This anti-action is built into the spacer structure, preventing accidental displacement before it can occur, and ensuring position stability without requiring additional locking mechanisms or procedures.
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 elastic spacer ensures a consistent gap width on all sides, prevents tilting, and allows for easy alignment and secure fastening of the window frame, maintaining stability and facilitating the filling of gaps with insulating materials.
Implementation Method 1
The spacer (1) according to the invention is elastic and has a first contact surface (4) for contact with a window frame (13) and a second contact surface (5) for contact with a window frame (14). Due to its elasticity, the spacer can be deformed in such a way that the distance between the two contact surfaces changes.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention proposes an elastic spacer (1) made of plastic with two parallel strips (2) held at a variable distance by S-shaped, elastic connectors (3) for mounting a window frame (13) in a window jamb (14). Several such spacers (1) are arranged on all sides in a gap (15) between the window frame (13) and the window jamb (14). A spring clamp in the form of an elastic, U-shaped bracket (10) allows the spacers (1) to be attached to a flange (16) of the window jamb (14) before the window frame (13) is inserted into the window jamb (14).