Invisible Window Frame with Embedded Mobile Casing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing window frames have aesthetic drawbacks and unsatisfactory heat insulation, with large overall dimensions and low heat efficiency, necessitating a solution that enhances appearance and thermal performance while being simple, affordable, and easy to use.

Innovation Solution

A window frame design featuring a polygon-shaped double glazing with a mobile casing housed within the glazing, made of pultruded materials, and profiled elements that are completely or partially embedded in the wall, providing structural and thermal efficiency, and featuring sealing gaskets for improved insulation and a clean appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional fixed and mobile casings are used to frame the double glazing, then structural support is provided, but the overall dimensions become large and aesthetic quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural supportVSAvoidaesthetic quality
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile casing is extracted from the traditional external framing position and placed inside the double glazing unit. Only profiled elements remain visible on the external surface, while the mobile casing performs its structural function hidden within the glass panes, resolving the conflict between structural support and aesthetic quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile casing is nested within the double glazing unit, with profiled elements positioned between the glass panes. This nesting arrangement allows the structural components to be contained within the aesthetic envelope of the glass, eliminating the need for large external casings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Strength

If traditional fixed and mobile casings are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but heat insulation performance is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidheat insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The frame structure uses composite construction with pultruded materials having thermal break properties. The profiled elements are designed as composite structures that maintain structural integrity while incorporating thermal insulation layers, reducing heat transfer through the frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The profiled elements are positioned in the third dimension within the double glazing unit rather than on the external surface. This spatial repositioning allows for thermal insulation layers to be integrated within the frame structure without increasing external dimensions, improving heat insulation while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If large dimensional fixed and mobile casings are used, then the double glazing is properly supported, but the window frame appears bulky and less appealing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport functionVSAvoidvisual appeal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile casing is extracted from the external visible framework and repositioned inside the double glazing unit. This extraction removes the bulky appearance from the external view while the mobile casing continues to provide proper support function within the glass panes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is moved from the two-dimensional external surface to the three-dimensional space within the double glazing unit. The profiled elements are positioned between the glass panes, providing structural support in the internal dimension while maintaining a clean external appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional frame designs are used, then manufacturing experience is available, but product differentiation from competition is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing experienceVSAvoidproduct differentiation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is segmented into distinct functional components: fixed casing, profiled elements, mobile casing, and sealing gaskets. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using conventional processes while enabling novel assembly configurations that differentiate the product from traditional competitive offerings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of placing the mobile casing outside the glass as in conventional designs, this invention inverts the arrangement by positioning it inside the double glazing unit. This inverted configuration creates a distinctive product appearance and performance characteristics that differentiate it from competitive products while relying on conventional manufacturing processes for each component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP3071775B1Invisible window frame
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 CIC COMPONENTI INNOVATIVI PER COSTRUIRE SRL
  • EP3071775B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3071775B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3071775B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The window frame (1, 2) comprises: a double glazing (3, 4, 5) which includes two transparent sheets (3, 4); a mobile casing (7, 8) coupled to the double glazing (3, 4, 5); and a fixed casing (13, 14) associable with a wall (16) in which a window is obtained; wherein the mobile casing (7, 8) is substantially housed in the double glazing (3, 4, 5) and is completely covered with at least one of the sheets (3, 4).