Hinging Device for Modular Building Fenestration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modular building construction faces challenges in efficiently transporting and installing fenestration products like windows and doors, as they need to be securely stowed during transportation to prevent damage and minimize on-site labor, while also accommodating varying cavity depths and ensuring secure, robust installation.
Innovation Solution
A hinging device with a robust, L-shaped first fixing component and a planar second fixing component, featuring moveable arms and slots, allows for secure attachment and linear movement of fenestration products between stowed and installation positions, enabling them to be transported securely and easily extended to stand proud of the wall module, accommodating different cavity depths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fenestration products are installed in their final installation position during transportation, then they are ready for immediate use, but the module becomes vulnerable to damage and fewer modules can be contained in a single payload
Solution Approach 1:
The hinging device enables the fenestration product to be dynamically positioned between a stowed position (flush with the outer surface during transportation) and an installation position (protruding from the outer surface). This dynamic positioning capability allows the system to adapt its configuration based on whether it is being transported or installed, resolving the contradiction between readiness and vulnerability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinging device segments the fenestration product's position into distinct states (stowed and installation positions) that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows the fenestration product to be protected during transportation while maintaining the capability for quick installation when needed.
2Reliability
If fenestration products are stowed within the aperture during transportation, then damage risk is reduced, but on-site labor and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hinging device is pre-installed on the wall module during manufacturing, with the fenestration product already attached in a stowed position. This preliminary preparation allows the fenestration product to be protected during transportation while requiring minimal on-site effort—simply operating the hinging device moves the product to its installation position, dramatically reducing on-site labor.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinging device acts as an intermediary mechanism that bridges the stowed and installation positions. It enables the fenestration product to be easily transitioned from the protected stowed position to the installation position through a simple operating mechanism, resolving the contradiction between protection and installation efficiency.
3Strength
If a robust hinging mechanism is used to support heavy windows and doors, then structural strength is improved, but the number of mechanisms required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinging device combines multiple functions into a single integrated mechanism: it provides structural support for heavy fenestration products, enables movement between stowed and installation positions, and includes a locking capability. This merging of functions into one robust mechanism reduces the total number of components needed while maintaining high support capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinging device is designed as a universal mechanism that can support various types and weights of fenestration products while performing multiple functions (support, movement, locking). This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between strength and complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the hinging device accommodates different cavity depths, then versatility is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinging device accommodates different cavity depths by allowing adjustment of key parameters such as the arm lengths and slot positions. These parameter changes enable the mechanism to adapt to various cavity depths while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to modular building constructions, wall modules (90) for such constructions and to hinging devices (10) used to attach articles (80a, 80b) such as windows and doors to the wall modules. The wall modules may comprise one or more apertures (95, 97, 99) for a window or door and one or more hinging devices. The hinging devices comprise a first fixing component (66/24) for attaching the hinging device to the wall module. A second fixing component (20/21/23) is provided for attaching the hinging device to the window. First and second moveable arms (22a, 22b) are pivotally mounted to the first fixing component. The first and second moveable arms may each comprise a slot (54, 52) and may each be coupled to the first fixing component (66/24) and to one another, via said slot. The hinging device maintains a secure attachment of the window to the wall module and releasably secures the window to the wall module in a first position wherein the window is stowed entirely within the aperture. The window is permanently secured to the wall module in a second installation position wherein the window stands proud of an outer surface (90b) of the wall module. The second installation position is linearly spaced from the first position by a distance that may be proportional to the depth of a cavity provided between the wall module and an exterior skin ('B') of the modular building construction. The hinging device controls the linear movement of the window relative to the wall module from the first, stowed, position to the second installation position.