Frameless Supplemental Window with Bullnose Edging and Suction Cups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing supplemental window technologies face challenges in minimizing heat transfer while maintaining optical transparency, operability, and aesthetics, often requiring customization and inhibiting the use of reusable materials.
Innovation Solution
A frameless supplemental window design featuring a sheet material with an edging seal and corner braces that traps a volume of air between the window pane and the sheet, providing thermal insulation without obstructing the window's operation and allowing for easy installation and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If supplemental window elements are added to minimize heat transfer, then thermal insulation is improved, but the operability of the existing window is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The supplemental window is divided into separate components: a removable frameless structure with suction cup attachments. This segmentation allows the insulating element to be installed independently without permanently affixing to the window, enabling the window to remain operable while providing thermal insulation when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The supplemental window incorporates dynamic characteristics through its removable design and flexible sheet material. The suction cup attachments allow for easy installation and removal, transforming the static insulating barrier into a dynamic solution that can be deployed seasonally or situationally without permanent modification to the window system.
2Loss of energy
If window films are mounted to create an insulating layer, then thermal insulation is improved, but the dimension of the dead air space is constrained by existing window features
Solution Approach 1:
The frameless supplemental window with suction cup attachments serves multiple functions: it creates a customizable dead air space for insulation, adheres to various window types without modification, and can be easily installed or removed. This universal design allows the same structure to adapt to different window configurations and spacing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for adjustment of the dead air space dimension by varying the distance between the sheet material and the window pane. The suction cup attachment mechanism enables flexible positioning, allowing the optimal spacing for thermal insulation to be achieved without being constrained by fixed window frame features.
3Ease of operation
If frameless supplemental window with suction cup attachment is used, then ease of installation and removal is improved, but structural strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional mechanical fastening system (screws, nails, adhesives) is replaced with a suction cup attachment mechanism. This substitution provides sufficient holding strength for the application while dramatically improving ease of installation and removal, as the suction cups can be easily attached and detached without tools or permanent modification.
Solution Approach 2:
The supplemental window utilizes a flexible sheet material that can conform to the window surface while being held in place by suction cups. This flexible construction provides adequate structural strength for providing thermal insulation while maintaining ease of installation and removal, as the flexibility allows the structure to adapt to slight surface variations without requiring rigid fastening.
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 effectively reduces heat transfer, maintains transparency and operability, and is cost-effective, with the ability to be reused and easily installed, enhancing energy efficiency during both heating and cooling seasons.
Implementation Method 1
a suction cup attachment mechanism that utilizes vacuum to adhere to the window pane
Implementation Method 2
The edging functions to substantially enclose (i.e. trap) a volume of air between the window pane and the plastic sheet material
Data Source
AI summary
A novel and useful frame less supplemental window for fenestration suitable for use with existing windows. The supplemental window, in one embodiment, comprises plastic sheet material with bullnose edging around it. Corner braces add rigidity and strength to corners in several embodiments. An attachment mechanism secured either to the sheet material or the bullnose edge functions to fasten and/or seal the supplemental window to an existing window. The bullnose edging functions to substantially enclose (i.e. trap) a volume of air between the window pane and the plastic sheet material. The supplemental window is configured such that the layer of trapped air is of an optimum thickness within a preferred range of 0.15 to 0.75 inches to maximize thermal insulation properties of the supplemental window.