Integrated Façade Sun and Fall Protection Guide Rail

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sun protection and fall protection systems for building facades and windows are difficult to adapt to architectural conditions and often require separate installations, leading to space competition during assembly and inefficiencies in component integration.

Innovation Solution

A sun protection system with integrated fall protection, utilizing support rails that serve as holders for fall protection devices, allowing for adjustable width receptacles on guide rails to accommodate different fall protection elements, enabling a combined construction that adapts to window layouts and reduces assembly complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate sun protection and fall protection systems are installed, then each system can be optimized for its specific function, but installation complexity increases and space competition occurs during assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional performanceVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines sun protection and fall protection systems into a single integrated structure where the guide rail serves dual purposes: guiding the sun protection curtain and supporting the fall protection device. This merging eliminates the need for separate installations, reduces assembly complexity, and prevents space competition between the two systems while maintaining the functional reliability of both protections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If guide rails are made massive with deep opening cross-sections to accommodate additional functional elements, then functional elements can be mounted, but installation is complicated and the guide rail covers a large area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional element mountingVSAvoidguide rail area
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The fall protection device is nested within the guide rail structure, specifically utilizing the existing guide cross-section and undercut area. The fall protection device is inserted into the guide rail after installation, nesting it within the available space rather than requiring additional external space. This allows functional element mounting without increasing the guide rail's external dimensions or covering area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If guide rails are divided to simplify access to undercut areas, then guided elements can be inserted after installation, but additional functional elements cannot be mounted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidfunctional element mounting
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The guide rail is segmented into functional zones: the guide cross-section with undercut area for guiding sun protection elements, and the guide rail body with mounting capabilities for fall protection devices. This segmentation allows the undercut area to remain accessible for inserting guided elements while simultaneously providing mounting surfaces on the guide rail body for attaching additional functional elements like fall protection devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If fall protection devices are integrated into sun protection systems, then space is saved and assembly is simplified, but adaptation to existing facade structures becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to existing structures
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The guide rail is designed as a universal component with multi-functionality: it guides the sun protection curtain, supports fall protection devices, and can be adapted to various window and facade configurations. The standardized guide rail design with universal mounting features allows the integrated system to be adapted to existing facade structures while maintaining assembly simplicity and space efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3401495B2Façade/window construction and sun protection device designed for same
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 WAREMA RENKHOFF SE
  • EP3401495B2 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3401495B2 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3401495B2 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A facade or window construction has several window elements (102, 106) arranged side by side, each bounded by frame elements (624, 625), with guide rails (10, 108) of a sun protection system (1000) provided on two outer frame elements (625). In order to flexibly adapt the sun protection and fall protection to architectural conditions, it is proposed that at least one support rail (610, 611) be provided between the guide rails (10, 108), which is attached to a central frame element and to which a fall protection device is fixed on one or both sides, the fall protection device being fixed on its side opposite this support rail (610, 611) to one of the two guide rails (10) or to another support rail (610, 611).