Flat Metal Frame Window Sandwich Construction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing window and door elements with metal frames and insulating glass panes require complex manufacturing processes like cold forming or extrusion, making them costly and difficult to assemble.

Innovation Solution

The use of adhesive tapes and welding studs for assembling flat metal frames with an insulating body in a sandwich construction, allowing for easy manufacturing and assembly without the need for cold forming or extrusion, and enabling the creation of various configurations including lifting/sliding doors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If cold forming or extrusion processes are used to manufacture metal frame profiles, then the structural integrity and insulation performance are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is divided into separate flat metal frame elements that are assembled together using adhesive tapes and welding studs, rather than manufacturing complex extruded profiles as single pieces. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing while maintaining structural integrity through the assembly connection system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite construction combining flat metal frames with insulating bodies positioned between them in sandwich construction. This approach achieves thermal insulation performance without requiring complex extruded profiles, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining insulation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If complex extruded profiles are used, then the insulation performance is improved, but the assembly difficulty and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation performanceVSAvoidassembly difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The frame system is segmented into separate flat metal frame elements with insulating bodies, which are assembled using simple adhesive tapes and welding studs. This segmentation reduces assembly complexity compared to installing complex extruded profiles, while the insulating bodies maintain thermal insulation performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Adhesive tapes serve as intermediaries to simplify the connection between flat metal frame elements and insulating bodies, making assembly easier. The welding studs provide additional mechanical connection while maintaining simplicity in the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If standardized manufacturing processes are used, then the production efficiency is improved, but the design versatility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoiddesign versatility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The frame system uses standardized flat metal frame elements and insulating bodies that can be assembled in various configurations. This segmentation allows efficient standardized production of components while enabling versatile design adaptations by changing the arrangement and dimensions of the modular elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flat metal frame elements and insulating bodies serve multiple functions: structural support, thermal insulation, and adaptability to different window and door configurations. This universality allows the same basic components to be used in various designs, maintaining production efficiency while achieving design versatility.

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

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

This method simplifies the production and assembly of window and door elements, reducing costs and enabling versatile designs, while maintaining structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.

Implementation Method 1

The end faces of the insulating body are provided with adhesive and/or adhesive tapes for fixing the supporting metal flat frames

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

the attachment of the metal flat frames to the insulating body consists in the metal flat frames being equipped with welding studs and the insulating body being equipped with corresponding blind holes into which the welding studs can snap for fixation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Implementation Method 3

it is common practice to use so-called insulating profiles, so that the outer metal frame surface is thermally insulated from the inner metal frame surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2581537B1Window or door element
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 ARCADIA INC
  • EP2581537B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2581537B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2581537B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

For a window or door element (1) with a metal frame and an insulating glass unit (7) inserted in the frame (2), a solution is to be developed with which such window or door elements can be manufactured without the need for cold forming, extrusion of light metal profiles, or any other type of manufacturing of the frame elements. This is achieved by the outer and/or inner surface of the frame (2) being formed by a flat metal frame (4, 5), with an insulating body (3) positioned between the frame elements (4, 5) in a sandwich construction.