Installation Spacer With Inclined Guide Tube for Frame Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for installing windows and doors require complex and time-consuming adjustment processes to align and secure them to walls, particularly in pre-wall installations, as they often necessitate multiple iterations of loosening and tightening screws to achieve precise positioning.

Innovation Solution

An installation spacer comprising a flat mounting base, a guiding tube with an inclined wedge element, and a central through hole, allowing for simplified adjustment and secure fastening of building components by guiding fasteners and preventing movement, with customizable inner dimensions and fastener types to enhance stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional mounting elements with elongated holes or adjustment elements are used, then adjustability in all three spatial axes is achieved, but the adjustment process becomes complex and time-consuming requiring multiple iterations of loosening and tightening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment processVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment process is segmented into two distinct phases: a rough adjustment phase using the mounting base's inherent adjustability, followed by a precise positioning phase using the installation spacer. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without requiring iterative adjustments of multiple components simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting base is designed with inherent adjustability features that allow for preliminary rough positioning of the window frame before the installation spacer is applied. This preliminary action establishes a approximate position that is then refined by the spacer, eliminating the need for repeated loosening and tightening operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If multiple fasteners are used to secure the window frame, then stable fixation is achieved, but the window frame may move during the mounting process requiring repeated adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation stabilityVSAvoidpositioning ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The installation spacer incorporates a blocking function that prevents the window frame from moving during the fastening process. By physically blocking movement in the critical direction, the spacer eliminates the need for repeated adjustments and allows fasteners to be installed without causing frame displacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The installation spacer acts as an intermediary element between the mounting base and the wall fasteners. It mediates the interaction by providing a stable reference surface and blocking mechanism that decouples the fastening operation from the positioning operation, allowing them to be performed independently and sequentially.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If distance adjustment is performed at several positions of the frame, then precise positioning relative to the wall opening is achieved, but the process requires loosening and tightening screws at each position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidmounting process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning function is segmented between the mounting base (rough positioning) and the installation spacer (precise positioning). The spacer is applied at a single critical location to establish the precise distance, eliminating the need to perform adjustment operations at multiple frame positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The installation spacer combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides precise distance regulation, serves as a blocking element to prevent movement, and acts as a reference surface for fastener installation. This merging of functions into one component simplifies the overall mounting process compared to using separate adjustment elements at multiple positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3945194B1Installation spacer and use of such a device
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 SFS GROUP INTERNATIONAL AG
  • EP3945194B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3945194B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3945194B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

An installation spacer (20) for guiding a fastener (50) when fixing a building component (40) such as a door or a window frame to a wall (45) comprises an essentially flat mounting base (22) defining a base plane (21), a guiding tube (26) with a central through hole (29) around its longitudinal axis (25) and a first end (27) and a second end (28) and a wedge element (24) fixedly connecting said guide tube (26) with the mounting base (22). The wedge element is construed to define an acute angle α between the axis (25) and the base plane (21) such that the first end (28) is located closer to the base plane (21) than the second end (28). α is being chosen from a value between 5° to 30°, preferably α is being chosen to be 6°. A respective method for installing a building component (40) such as a door or a window to a wall (45) includes providing a building component (40) with an outer, frame-like structure which a plurality of installation spacers (20) mounted to the outer frame surface, placing the building component (40) adjacent to a wall opening, aligning the building component (40) in its target position and screwing in a screw (50) through the installation spacer's (20) guiding tube (26) into a section to the wall.