Insect Screen Sash Automatic Closing Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insect screens with automatic return mechanisms often produce disturbing noise due to the impact of the grid frame when closing, which is not controlled and can be harsh.

Innovation Solution

An adjusting and locking mechanism is introduced, comprising an elongated holding element with a longitudinal guide, a sliding block, and a spring element, allowing for controlled, gentle closure and blocking of the sash, utilizing a closing unit that engages a driver to pivot or push the sash into a defined speed and position, minimizing noise and impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a mechanical actuating device with cable pull and counterweight is used for automatic return, then rapid closing of the mesh frame is achieved, but disturbing noise emissions occur due to uncontrolled impact with the fixed frame

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosing speedVSAvoidnoise emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A buffer element is introduced as an intermediary between the mesh frame and the fixed frame. This buffer absorbs the impact energy during closing, preventing direct contact and noise generation while maintaining the rapid closing function provided by the cable pull and counterweight mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer element is pre-positioned between the mesh frame and the fixed frame before closing occurs. This beforehand cushioning ensures that when the mesh frame closes rapidly, the impact is already cushioned, preventing noise emissions from the outset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If the mesh frame is allowed to close rapidly and automatically, then effective insect prevention is achieved, but the impact with the fixed frame causes disturbing noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsect prevention effectivenessVSAvoidnoise emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer element serves as a mediator that allows the mesh frame to maintain its rapid closing motion for effective insect prevention, while simultaneously absorbing the impact energy to prevent noise generation. It decouples the useful function from the harmful effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If a buffer element is introduced to reduce impact noise, then noise emissions are reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise emissionsVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer element is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily replaced if needed. This approach reduces device complexity by using a basic element rather than a complex active control system, while still achieving noise reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The noise reduction function is extracted as a separate, independent buffer element rather than being integrated into the existing cable pull and counterweight mechanism. This modular approach simplifies the overall device complexity while achieving the desired noise reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 mechanism enables a quiet, controlled, and efficient automatic closure of the insect screen, reducing noise emissions and ensuring a gentle impact, while allowing for adjustable displacement forces to suit different designs.

Implementation Method 1

a spring element (34), which is arranged along the holding element (31) and is attached at one end to the sliding block (33) adjustable in the longitudinal guide (32) and at the other end to the end area (31') of the holding element (31)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The actuating device has a cable pull (23) guided around a deflection pulley (22), at one end of which a counterweight (21) that is freely movable in the mesh frame (12) is suspended

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPulley: Pulley

Implementation Method 3

a counterweight (21) that is freely movable in the mesh frame (12) is suspended

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4411102A1Insect screen, in particular for a door, window or similar wall opening
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 VIPRINS AG
  • EP4411102A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4411102A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4411102A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An insect screen (50), particularly for a door, window, or similar wall opening, comprises a sash (51) pivotable between an open and a closed position and at least one upper guide rail (55) for the longitudinal guidance of a pivot bracket (57) for the pivotable sash (51). For the automatic closing of the sash (51) after manual opening, an adjustment device (60) with an adjustment and locking element (30) is provided, which is designed such that the sash (51) can be pivoted into the closed position by this adjustment and locking element (30) before reaching the closed position. Preferably, the adjustment device (60) is additionally provided with a closing unit (65) for automatically returning or closing the sash (51).This allows for a controlled, gentle impact and a simple blocking of the wing when closing, even if it is rapidly and automatically adjusted.