Espagnolette Fitting Opening Limiter With Movable Pin Guide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing opening limiting devices for windows face difficulties in easy insertion and removal of the guide pin due to precise alignment requirements, leading to potential operating errors and reduced reliability.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a guide web opposite the guide slot to facilitate easy insertion and removal of the guide pin by pivoting the pivot arm away from the guide bar, and includes a movable pin guide and pin lock to control the guide pin's movement, ensuring reliable operation and reduced friction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the guide pin and guide slot are positioned precisely one above the other for insertion, then the connection is secure, but the insertion and removal process becomes difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidpin insertion and removal ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide web is positioned to automatically guide the guide pin into the correct alignment with the guide slot before insertion occurs. This preliminary guiding action eliminates the need for precise manual positioning, allowing the pin to be easily inserted and removed while maintaining secure connection during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The guide web acts as an intermediary element between the guide pin and the guide slot. It provides a controlled path that facilitates easy insertion and removal of the pin while ensuring proper alignment, thereby resolving the contradiction between secure connection and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the guide slot is closed on one side to secure the guide pin, then the connection is stable, but the guide pin cannot be removed for inspection or maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidinspection and maintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The guide web is designed to be movable relative to the guide slot, allowing it to switch between blocking the slot (protruding position) and allowing access (retracted position). This dynamic design enables the system to maintain stability during operation while allowing inspection and maintenance when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The guide web blocks the guide slot only partially - enough to secure the guide pin during normal operation, but not completely, as it can be moved to a retracted position to allow the guide pin to be removed for inspection or maintenance purposes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of repair

If the guide pin is easily removable from the guide slot, then maintenance is simplified, but operating errors may occur due to accidental removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance easeVSAvoidoperational reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide web provides dynamic control over guide pin accessibility - it automatically blocks the guide slot during normal operation to prevent accidental removal, but can be moved to a retracted position when maintenance is intended, thus balancing ease of repair with operational reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback through the guide web's position - when the guide web is in its protruding position, it signals that the guide pin is secured and cannot be accidentally removed. When the guide web is retracted, it signals that maintenance mode is active and removal is permitted

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4628689A1Opening limiting device for an espagnolette fitting
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 AUG WINKHAUS SE
  • EP4628689A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4628689A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4628689A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An opening-limiting device (3) for a connecting rod fitting (5) of a leaf (2) pivotable against a frame (1) has a guide web (14) for guiding a guide pin (12) relative to a guide slot (11). A pin guide (20) can be moved between a position parallel to the guide web (14) and a retracted position via a drive of the connecting rod fitting (5), thus controlling the release of the guide pin (12) relative to the guide slot (11). This makes the opening-limiting device (3) particularly reliable.