Lift-and-Slide Window Damping Device for Heavy Leaf Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lift-and-slide windows or doors with heavy leaves face difficulties in smooth movement due to inertia, leading to collisions with the frame, noise, and potential injuries, as well as rapid deterioration.

Innovation Solution

A damping device comprising a containment body connected to the leaf with a cursor and abutting elements that engage a striker element on the frame, utilizing a cam profile and elastic means to control movement speed, and a pneumatic damper to slow down the leaf's movement, ensuring safe and durable operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the leaf is made with considerable dimensions and weight to ensure structural integrity and security, then the strength and reliability of the window or door is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to inertia making movement difficult and dangerous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidease of movement
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A damping device is introduced as an intermediary element between the heavy leaf and the frame. This device includes a damping element (pneumatic or hydraulic) that mediates the interaction between the leaf's inertia and the frame, controlling the leaf's movement speed during opening and closing operations without requiring changes to the leaf's structural design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the leaf is made heavy to ensure security and durability, then the reliability is improved, but harmful factors increase due to collisions with the frame causing noise and rapid deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidcollisions and noise
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The damping device provides beforehand cushioning by actively controlling the leaf's movement speed before collisions can occur. The damping element slows down the leaf during opening and closing operations, preventing impact collisions with the frame that would generate noise and cause deterioration, while allowing the leaf to maintain its heavy construction for security purposes.

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

3Productivity

If the leaf moves quickly to improve operational efficiency, then the productivity is improved, but safety deteriorates due to difficulty in braking causing crushing injuries

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The damping device implements a feedback mechanism where the damping element continuously responds to the leaf's movement state. As the leaf moves during opening or closing, the damping element generates resistive force proportional to the movement speed, automatically slowing down the leaf as it approaches the fully open or closed position, thereby preventing unsafe rapid movements and potential crushing injuries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 damping device ensures secure, easy, and reliable movement of heavy leaves, reducing the risk of collisions and injuries while maintaining durability and safety by controlling the speed of the leaf during opening and closing.

Implementation Method 1

a pneumatic damper to slow down the leaf's movement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

a pneumatic damper

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas compression: Compression

Implementation Method 3

elastic means to control movement speed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4283083B1Damping device for a leaf of a lift-and-slide window or door, damping kit for a leaf of a lift-and-slide window or door and lift-and-slide window or door
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 ALBAN GIACOMO SPA
  • EP4283083B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4283083B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4283083B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Damping device (1) for a leaf (A) of a lift-and-slide window or door, configured to damp the opening and/or closing movement of the leaf (A) and comprising a containment body (2) that is solidly connectable to the leaf (A) and a cursor (3) reversibly slidable in the containment body (2) along a direction that is substantially parallel to a movement direction (X) of the leaf (A) between at least one first and a second position. In particular, the cursor (3) comprises a first abutting element (4) and a second abutting element (5) that are each adapted to engage a striker element (R) present on the fixed frame (T) and each is reversibly switchable between a raised condition, in which it protrudes at least partially from the cursor (3) to abut on the striker element (R), and a lowered condition, in which it is at least partially housed inside said cursor (3) to permit a relative motion between the cursor (3) and the striker element (R). The damping device 1 further comprises a cam profile (9) operationally active on the abutting elements to activate switching thereof from the raised condition to the lowered condition and vice versa following movement of the cursor (3) between the first and the second position, and damping means (16) interposed between the containment body (2) and the cursor (3).