Modular Drive Device Segmentation for Window Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electromotive drive devices for windows and doors often compromise thermal insulation and structural integrity due to their design, requiring significant modifications to the frame and being difficult to repair or maintain, especially when multiple units are needed for larger or differently designed openings.

Innovation Solution

A modular drive device comprising separate units such as an actuator unit and a transmission unit, each with its own housing, allowing for independent installation and maintenance, and a flexible arrangement that avoids direct interference with thermal insulation and structural integrity, with the motor and gearbox arranged in a profile chamber and the actuator unit outside, enabling tool-free coupling and easy replacement of components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a concealed drive device is installed within the frame, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the thermal insulation and structural integrity are compromised due to modifications in the isothermal zone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidthermal insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The drive device is divided into two separate units: a gear unit with motor and gearbox housed in a gear housing, and an actuator unit with actuating elements housed in an actuator housing. This segmentation allows the motor components to be positioned in the profile chamber away from the isothermal zone, while the actuator unit operates in the rebate area, thus preserving thermal insulation while achieving concealed installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A coupling mechanism serves as an intermediary to transmit drive torque from the gear unit to the actuator unit. This allows the motor and actuator to be spatially separated, enabling the motor housing to be positioned in the profile chamber without interfering with the isothermal zone, while maintaining functional connection through the coupling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Shape

If a concealed drive device is installed within the frame, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the structural integrity is weakened due to milling out recesses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The drive device is segmented into a gear unit housed in a gear housing and an actuator unit housed in an actuator housing. The gear housing can be mounted in the profile chamber using existing mounting points without requiring extensive milling, while the actuator unit is mounted externally in the rebate area, minimizing structural modifications and preserving frame integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the drive device is designed as a single integrated unit, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of repair and maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidmaintainability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The drive device is divided into a gear unit with motor and gearbox in a gear housing, and an actuator unit with actuating elements in an actuator housing. This segmentation enables independent removal and replacement of each unit, allowing maintenance of the actuator unit without disturbing the motor, thus improving ease of repair while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling between the gear unit and actuator unit is designed to be dynamically adjustable and removable, allowing the actuator unit to be detached for maintenance or replacement without permanently fixing it to the gear unit. This dynamic connection facilitates easy maintenance while keeping the overall system structure manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple drive devices are installed on a window or door, then the functionality is improved, but the synchronization control becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidcontrol synchronization
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator unit is designed as a universal module that can be coupled to different sash elements (wing, transom, lights) and can perform multiple functions (opening, closing, locking). This standardization allows multiple drive devices to be installed on different parts of a window or door system without requiring complex individual control, as each actuator unit responds to standardized control signals.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3710657B1Modular drive device
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 GEZE GMBH
  • EP3710657B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a drive device for opening and closing and/or locking and unlocking a window, door or similar via an electric motor, comprising: an actuating unit which has an actuator and an actuator housing in which the actuator is mounted, and which is designed to receive a drive torque and to divert same via the actuator in order to open or close and/or to lock or unlock the window or door; and a transmission unit having a motor, a transmission and a transmission housing, in which the motor and the transmission are accommodated, in particular encapsulated, wherein an output element is provided on the transmission, which is designed to be drivingly coupled to the actuating unit in order to transmit a drive torque of the motor to the actuating unit via the transmission. In addition, the transmission unit is designed to be arranged and secured independently of the actuating unit in an edge-side profile chamber of a frame, preferably an inner profile chamber of the fixed frame, of the window or the door. Furthermore, the actuating unit is designed to be arranged and secured outside of the profile chamber, preferably in the fold between the fixed frame and a casement frame of the window or the door.