Flush Glazing Fire Closure Concealed Latching Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building closure elements with flush glazing for fire protection are complex to manufacture and assemble, and they often require additional retaining strips that complicate the construction and create thermal bridges.

Innovation Solution

A fire protection closure element with a latching device that is completely concealed between the pane and frame arrangements, eliminating the need for external retaining strips, and featuring a simple assembly process with a stop for limiting latching movement, using elastically movable engagement elements made of metal for secure fastening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a latching device with external retaining strips is used to secure the pane arrangement, then the pane arrangement can be firmly fastened in the frame arrangement, but the construction becomes more complex and thermal bridges are created

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening reliabilityVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the latching device from the external retaining strip configuration and relocates it completely inside the reveal area. This eliminates the need for external retaining strips while maintaining the fastening function, thereby reducing construction complexity and preventing thermal bridges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The latching device operates in a different spatial dimension by utilizing the reveal area depth. Instead of extending outward from the frame face, the latching mechanism functions within the recessed reveal space, allowing secure fastening without external protrusions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If external retaining strips are used to hold the pane arrangement, then the pane can be securely retained, but thermal bridges are created and flush glazing is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepane retentionVSAvoidthermal bridging
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining function is extracted from external strips and relocated to an internal latching mechanism within the reveal area, eliminating the thermal bridge pathway while maintaining secure pane retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If a complex assembly process with multiple components is used to achieve flush glazing, then fire protection requirements are met, but manufacturing and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire protection performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the latching device with the frame arrangement structure itself, using the reveal area as part of the fastening system. This integration reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining fire protection performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 easy and efficient assembly of flush glazing suitable for fire protection constructions, reducing manufacturing complexity and preventing thermal bridging by integrating the latching device within the frame and pane interface.

Implementation Method 1

using elastically movable engagement elements made of metal for secure fastening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2348184B1Building closure element with glazing and method for producing same
Publication Date: 2017.07.26 HORMANN KG FREISEN
  • EP2348184B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2348184B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2348184B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6

AI summary

The element (10) has a flush-fitting glazing including a disc arrangement (20) that is covered in a frame arrangement (16). A rest device (22) fastens the disc arrangement in the frame arrangement. The rest device is accommodated between an outer contour front side (26) of the disc arrangement and a turned soffit front side (28) of a glazing opening (18). The rest device includes a block (52) for limiting engaging movement after locking. Isolation filters (36) are connected with box and cover metal sheets (32, 34) through a large surface of a bonded joint i.e. poly-urethane adhesive (38). An independent claim is also included for a method for manufacturing a building closure element.