Expandable Casement Cap Clamping for Window Profile Tolerance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for producing French casement windows or doors face challenges in securely attaching the casement cap to the casement profile without special screw channels, particularly when dealing with varying wall thicknesses and dimensions, as traditional clamping methods require tight tolerances or additional effort.

Innovation Solution

A system featuring a casement cap with clamping elements, including a spreading element designed like a dowel, which is expanded by an actuating means such as a screw or pin, allowing secure attachment to the casement profile without the need for special screw channels, and is preferably made from PVC with a planar base surface for sealing with adhesive.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional clamping projections are used to attach the casement cap to the casement profile, then the attachment can be achieved without special screw channels, but the attachment is insufficient when dealing with varying wall thicknesses and dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to varying wall thicknessesVSAvoidattachment reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping element transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic expandable structure. When the actuating means is inserted, the clamping element expands radially to press against the inner walls of the hollow chamber, adapting to different wall thicknesses while maintaining reliable attachment through adjustable clamping force

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping element's dimensions change from a compact inserted state to an expanded clamped state. This parameter change allows the same element to accommodate varying wall thicknesses (improving adaptability) while achieving sufficient contact pressure for reliable attachment in all cases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If screws are used for assembly with special screw channels, then secure attachment can be achieved, but the extrusion process requires considerable additional effort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidextrusion effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The special screw channels are extracted/removed from the extrusion process. Instead of incorporating complex screw channels during extrusion, the patent uses a simplified hollow chamber that can be extruded conventionally, then achieves secure attachment through the expandable clamping element inserted afterward

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The hollow chamber is prepared in advance with a simple geometry suitable for conventional extrusion, without pre-formed screw channels. The attachment function is achieved later through the insertable expandable clamping element, separating the extrusion simplicity from the attachment security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If clamping projections with spring action are used, then attachment can be achieved without special screw channels, but narrow tolerances of internal dimensions must be complied with

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of attachment without screw channelsVSAvoidtolerance requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The expandable clamping element serves itself by expanding to match the actual dimensions of the hollow chamber. Rather than requiring the hollow chamber to match precise predetermined dimensions, the clamping element adapts to the hollow chamber's actual size, eliminating tight tolerance requirements while maintaining ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables secure and efficient attachment of the casement cap to the casement profile, ensuring a reliable seal and stability until the adhesive hardens, without the need for special screw channels or precise tolerances, accommodating variations in profile dimensions.

Implementation Method 1

pressed like a dowel against the walls of the forend profile during expansion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The cuff cap is preferably glued to the end of the cuff profile in a sealing manner, for example by means of a PVC adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2689086B1System for producing a double leaf window and mullion cap for same
Publication Date: 2014.10.08 PROFINE GMBH
  • EP2689086B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2689086B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2689086B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a system for producing a double leaf window or a double leaf door, comprising a leaf profiled section (15) and a leaf end cap (10) for closing the open end of the leaf profiled section (15). The leaf end cap is to be securely held even in the case of unfavorable tolerances of the inner dimensions of the hollow chambers of the double leaf window. This is achieved in that the leaf end cap (10) has a base surface (18), which is adapted to the contour of the open end of the leaf profiled section (15), and multiple clamping elements (11-16), which project out of the base surface (18) and which can be inserted into the open hollow chambers (9) of the leaf profiled section (15). At least one of the clamping elements (11-16) is designed as an expanding element (13) that can be expanded by the relative movement of an actuating means. In particular, the actuating means (2) is a screw (20).