Fixed Window Frame Bonded to Structure Using UV Shielding Trim
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing window solutions for vehicles and heavy equipment are prone to failure due to corrosion and leakage, especially at the junction between dissimilar materials, and are often expensive or require complex and time-consuming installation processes.
Innovation Solution
A fixed window frame system featuring a glazing material bonded directly to the exterior surface of a supporting structure with a spigot and exterior trim member, allowing for easy adaptation to various thicknesses and providing a robust seal using a unitary blank extruded from materials like polyvinyl chloride, which can be adjusted to fit different openings and accommodate various sealants, including those sensitive to UV radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional window frames with dissimilar materials are used, then corrosion resistance is improved, but cost increases and reliability deteriorates due to junction failure
Solution Approach 1:
The window frame is constructed entirely from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material, creating a homogeneous structure that eliminates galvanic corrosion between dissimilar materials. The frame includes a head, stile, and rail all made from the same corrosion-resistant PVC, with no metal fasteners or joints that could corrode.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite construction techniques within the PVC material, incorporating reinforcing elements and multi-layer structures to maintain strength and rigidity while using a single non-corrosive material system. The frame integrates multiple functional components into a unified PVC structure.
2Device complexity
If frameless window design with direct glazing to cabin wall is used, then device complexity is reduced, but installation difficulty increases due to required modifications to supporting structure
Solution Approach 1:
The window assembly is segmented into modular components: a pre-fabricated PVC frame, separate glazing elements, and distinct trim pieces. This allows the frame to be manufactured independently and installed as a complete unit, eliminating the need to modify the supporting structure during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The PVC frame acts as an intermediary element between the glazing material and the supporting structure. Instead of directly attaching glass to the wall (which requires drilling and modification), the frame provides a pre-formed interface that simplifies installation while maintaining structural integrity.
3Reliability
If silicone based sealants are used for UV resistance, then durability is improved, but bonding strength deteriorates compared to polyurethane sealants
Solution Approach 1:
The design accepts that sealants will degrade over time due to UV exposure, but this is mitigated by the protective exterior trim that shields the sealant. The sealant is treated as a replaceable component that provides adequate service life under protected conditions, prioritizing overall system durability over maximizing sealant strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful UV exposure is extracted from the sealant's environment by positioning it in a protected location behind the exterior trim member. This removes the primary degrading factor, allowing the use of sealants that would otherwise be too weak for exterior applications.
4Reliability
If aluminum or stainless steel window frames are used, then corrosion resistance is improved, but cost increases for recreational and small commercial applications
Solution Approach 1:
The PVC frame provides adequate corrosion resistance for the intended application lifetime at a fraction of the cost of metal alternatives. The material is selected to provide sufficient durability for recreational and small commercial vessels without the premium price tag of aluminum or stainless steel frames.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter from expensive metals to economical PVC, while compensating for any perceived strength deficiencies through appropriate structural design, thickness selection, and reinforcement techniques specific to plastic materials.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, durable, and easily installable window frame that withstands harsh environmental conditions, reduces the risk of leakage, and maintains a watertight seal, while allowing for customization without the need for custom blanks or extensive modifications to the supporting structure.
Implementation Method 1
The glazing material is sealed directly to the exterior surface of the supporting structure using a sealant
Data Source
AI summary
A fixed window for use in an opening in a supporting structure. The window comprises a glazing material, a spigot, an interior trim ring and an exterior trim member. The glazing material is bonded directly to the supporting structure, which provides a window that is less likely to be pushed through the opening in the supporting structure when exposed to harsh environmental conditions and is less likely to leak when compared to framed windows. The exterior trim member is dimensioned to substantially shield the sealant used to bond the various components together from ultraviolet radiation, thus permitting use of stronger, ultraviolet radiation sensitive sealants. The components that comprise the window frame that holds the glazing material are produced from a unitary blank that can accommodate glazing materials of various thickness and can be installed on supporting structures having various thickness.