Lift-and-Slide Fitting Arrangement With Adjustable Air Gap

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of lift-and-slide elements is challenging due to the need for a minimal lifting path and avoiding the underside of the wing from rubbing against the lower track, requiring adjustments that can be awkward and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A fitting arrangement with a guide link angled to the displacement direction and a support element guided within it, allowing independent adjustment of the support element's position using an actuating element, which minimizes the air gap between the wing and the track without altering screw positions, enabling quick and easy adjustment post-assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the lifting path is minimized to reduce the air gap, then the alignment precision between the wing and track is improved, but the assembly becomes more difficult and time-consuming due to the need for precise adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidassembly difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the lifting path adjustable rather than fixed. The adjustment mechanism allows the lifting path length to be varied during assembly and operation, enabling installers to optimize the air gap size for precise alignment while maintaining ease of assembly. This resolves the contradiction by transforming a static, precision-critical dimension into a dynamic parameter that can be adapted during installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the air gap is reduced to minimize the lifting path, then the alignment between the wing and track is improved, but the underside of the wing may rub against the track requiring awkward reattachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidadjustment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism enables the lifting path to be dynamically modified after initial assembly. If the air gap is too small causing friction between the wing underside and track, the lifting path can be increased through the adjustment mechanism, raising the wing to eliminate contact. This resolves the contradiction by providing post-assembly adaptability without requiring complete disassembly and reattachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment mechanism is designed to be self-adjusting or easily adjustable by the installer without specialized tools or complex procedures. The mechanism allows the operator to independently modify the lifting path to achieve optimal clearance, making the system self-adapting to installation conditions and eliminating the need for awkward reattachment operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the lifting path is made adjustable to facilitate post-assembly adjustments, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional adjustment mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment easeVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism is integrated into the existing lifting mechanism structure, serving dual functions: it provides the primary lifting action and simultaneously enables post-assembly adjustment of the lifting path length. By making the mechanism multi-functional rather than adding a separate adjustment device, the patent minimizes the increase in device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment functionality is merged with the lifting mechanism components rather than being implemented as a separate system. The guide link and support element work together to provide both lifting and adjustment capabilities, combining multiple functions into a unified mechanism that reduces overall system complexity compared to having independent lifting and adjustment systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration allows for precise adjustment of the air gap, facilitating easier assembly and subsequent adjustments, ensuring the underside of the wing is properly aligned with the track, reducing assembly difficulties and improving the overall installation process.

Implementation Method 1

a guide link running at an angle to the direction of displacement and a support element guided in the guide link... a relative horizontal movement between the support element and the guide link can be converted into a lifting or lowering movement of the wing due to the inclined guide link

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical advantage through inclined guide link: Inclined Plane

Data Source

PatentEP3201413B1Fitting arrangement
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 MACO TECHNOLOGIE GMBH
  • EP3201413B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3201413B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3201413B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a fitting arrangement for a lifting-sliding element, which comprises a window frame and a blade that is displaceable along a track in a direction of displacement. The fitting arrangement comprises at least one carriage, which has a trolley frame and at least one roller mounted on the trolley frame, and a lifting mechanism for raising the blade in relation to the trolley frame from a lowered position to a raised position in which an underside of the blade is spaced apart from the track by an air gap. The lifting mechanism comprises a guide slot which runs obliquely with respect to the direction of displacement and a carrier element directed in the guide slot, wherein an adjusting element is provided for adjusting the air gap, by means of which the position of the carrier element in the guide slot can be changed.