L-Shaped Window Frame with Insulation Nesting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing window and door systems face challenges in achieving significant thermal insulation, protecting against weather effects, and maintaining an aesthetic appearance while minimizing material usage and visibility of frames, as they often rely on large cross-section frames and neglect issues like condensation and rainwater ingress.

Innovation Solution

The use of frames with an L-shaped cross-section, filled with insulating material, which allows for precise installation and plastering, reduces profile thickness, and features a design where the sash frame is completely covered, ensuring thermal insulation and aesthetic appeal by using the frame's edges as reference points and integrating a seal for water drainage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If large cross-section frames are used to achieve thermal insulation, then thermal insulation is improved, but material usage and aesthetic appearance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulationVSAvoidmaterial usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The window frame is nested within the wall opening, with the frame's outer surface aligned with the wall's inner surface. This nesting arrangement allows the frame to be concealed within the wall structure, reducing its visible cross-section while maintaining thermal insulation through the integrated insulation layers between the frame and wall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The frame system incorporates composite construction combining the frame material with thermal insulation materials (such as foam or mineral wool) in the space between the frame and the wall. This composite approach provides thermal insulation without requiring large cross-section frames, as the insulation is integrated into the wall-frame assembly rather than relying solely on frame thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of energy

If large cross-section frames are used to achieve thermal insulation, then thermal insulation is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to visible frames

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulationVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is nested within the wall opening such that the outer surface of the frame aligns with the inner surface of the wall. This nesting conceals the frame within the wall structure, making it invisible from the exterior while preserving thermal insulation performance through the integrated insulation layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The visible portion of the frame is extracted or removed from the exterior view by aligning the frame's outer surface with the wall's inner surface. The frame is effectively 'taken out' from the visible exterior appearance, leaving only the functional elements visible from the interior while maintaining insulation performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Quantity of substance

If frame profiles are reduced to save material, then material usage is reduced, but thermal insulation and protection against weather deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial usageVSAvoidthermal insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The frame system uses composite construction where the frame is combined with thermal insulation materials (foam, mineral wool) in the space between the frame and the wall. This allows reduced frame cross-section while maintaining thermal insulation through the integrated insulation layers that compensate for the smaller frame size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Thermal insulation material acts as an intermediary between the frame and the wall, providing the thermal insulation function that would otherwise require large frame cross-sections. This intermediary insulation layer compensates for the reduced frame size, maintaining thermal performance without requiring thick frames.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Quantity of substance

If frame profiles are reduced to save material, then material usage is reduced, but protection against weather effects deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial usageVSAvoidprotection against weather
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The frame system incorporates weather-resistant composite construction where the frame is combined with protective sealing elements and insulation materials. This composite approach provides protection against weather effects without requiring large frame cross-sections, as the protective functions are integrated into the wall-frame assembly rather than relying solely on frame thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Sealing elements and insulation materials act as intermediaries between the frame and the external environment, providing protection against weather effects. These intermediary elements compensate for the reduced frame size by creating effective barriers against water, air, and thermal transfer at the interface between the frame and the wall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution achieves improved thermal insulation, reduced material usage, and enhanced aesthetic appeal by minimizing frame visibility, while also reducing stress on hinge fittings and ensuring effective water management, thus addressing the limitations of previous systems.

Implementation Method 1

a heat-insulating material, e.g. of the foaming type, is provided between the frame and the material of the wall, in order to interrupt the thermal bridges to the wall in the peripheral area and at the front

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2354409B1Window with high thermal insulation coefficient
Publication Date: 2013.02.13 ALPI FENSTER GMBH SRL
  • EP2354409B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2354409B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The window has high thermal insulation coefficient which is inserted under intermediate layer of a door frame (4). One or multiple impellers are provided with insulating disks that are glued on a window sash. The disks are fitted at the outer side of a body stop with a closed impeller. The door frame has L-shaped cross-section and forms the front-sided body stop for an inserted block frame (6) with an axle stub that lies in a vertical plane.