Thermally Insulated Hinge Arrangement for Thermal Bridge Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinge arrangements in metal joinery form thermal bridges and fail to provide effective thermal insulation, leading to untightness and noise transmission.
Innovation Solution
A hinge arrangement with a C-shaped plastic sealing element between hinge members and thermal insulating profile elements, where the sealing element's height exceeds the gap width, ensuring it is pressed in the closed position to prevent air leakage and condensation, using elastomer materials like rubber or neoprene foam for enhanced sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hinge arrangement is used in metal joinery, then the door or window can be hinged and opened/closed, but thermal bridges are formed and thermal insulation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing element made of thermally insulating material is introduced as an intermediary between the metal hinge member and the thermal insulating profile element. This sealing element acts as a thermal break, preventing direct thermal contact while still allowing the hinge to perform its mechanical function of opening and closing the door or window.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge arrangement combines different materials with complementary properties: the metal hinge member provides mechanical strength and movement, while the sealing element made of thermally insulating material (such as plastic or elastomer) provides thermal insulation. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between mechanical functionality and thermal insulation.
2Ease of operation
If a hinge arrangement is used in metal joinery, then the door or window can be hinged, but thermal bridges are formed leading to untightness
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element serves as a mediator that fills the gap between the hinge member and the profile element, ensuring continuous sealing while allowing the hinge to move. This prevents air leakage and maintains the tightness of the door or window assembly throughout its operational cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is made of flexible material such as elastomer or rubber that can deform to accommodate the movement of the hinge while maintaining continuous contact and sealing. This flexibility ensures reliable sealing performance during opening and closing operations.
3Ease of operation
If a hinge arrangement is used in metal joinery, then the door or window can be hinged, but noise transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element acts as an acoustic barrier between the interior and exterior, absorbing and dampening noise transmission through the hinge arrangement. While allowing mechanical movement, it reduces the transmission of sound waves, thereby decreasing noise transmission to the interior space.
4Ease of operation
If a hinge arrangement is used in metal joinery, then the door or window can be hinged, but condensation forms on the interior side
Solution Approach 1:
The thermally insulating sealing element interrupts the thermal bridge that would otherwise conduct cold temperatures from the exterior to the interior side of the door or window. By maintaining a higher temperature on the interior side, it prevents the temperature from dropping to the dew point, thereby preventing condensation formation.
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
Minimizes thermal bridges, reduces untightness, enhances noise attenuation, and shifts condensation points to the exterior, providing improved thermal insulation and soundproofing.
Implementation Method 1
The sealing element is preferably made of an elastomer plastic... made in a process of an injection or extrusion moulding from an elastomer material, such as rubber or neoprene foam
Implementation Method 2
features an increased noise attenuation coefficient
Implementation Method 3
shifts the water condensation point to the exterior side of a building partition in a result of a temperature difference
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a thermally insulated hinge arrangement (1) and in particular a door or window hinge arrangement, comprising at least two hinge members (2) connected to each other in an articulated manner by means of a common hinge pin (8) and fastened to thermal insulating profile element (3) of a frame (4) and a sash (5), wherein the frame (4) defines an interior side (W) and an exterior side (Z) of the hinge arrangement (1) and in the closed position of the hinge arrangement (1) a gap of a non-zero width (h) is defined between adjacent thermal insulating profile elements (3). In order to increase a thermal insulation of such a hinge arrangement (1) and to prevent a formation of a thermal bridge in the area thereof, the hinge arrangement (1) comprises at least one sealing element (6) made of plastic and arranged between at least one hinge member (2b) and a thermal insulating profile element (3) corresponding to the at least one hinge member (2b) and surrounding this hinge member (2b) from the interior side (W) and from the sides by which the straight lines parallel to the axis (z) of the hinge pin (8) are passed through, wherein the height (H) of the at least one sealing element (6) is greater that the width (h) of the gap, and wherein an edge (61) of the at least one sealing element (6) that is distant from the hinge member (2b) is pressed in the closed position of the hinge arrangement (1).