Modular Empty Box with Exchangeable Adapter Liner for Concealed Window Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for integrating electronic components into windows and doors often result in visible security technology, lack flexibility for future upgrades, and require complex retrofitting processes, which compromise aesthetics and ease of installation.

Innovation Solution

A modular, multifunctional empty box system with an exchangeable adapter liner that allows for the secure and concealed installation of electronic components, enabling reversible and adaptable integration of various electronic components without destroying the housing, while maintaining a sleek design and future-proofing the window or door.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electronic components are integrated into windows and doors using existing solutions, then monitoring and security functions are achieved, but the security technology becomes visible and aesthetics are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity functionVSAvoidaesthetics
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter liner is inserted into the housing cavity of the window or door, creating a nested structure where the electronic component housing is concealed within the existing frame. This nesting approach allows security technology to be hidden while maintaining the original aesthetic appearance of the window or door.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter liner acts as an intermediary element between the electronic component and the window/door frame. It provides a concealed mounting structure that mediates between the need for visible security functionality and the desire to maintain aesthetic appearance, allowing components to be mounted without visible evidence of security technology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If electronic components are permanently fixed into the housing, then stable installation is achieved, but flexibility for future upgrades and reversibility is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation stabilityVSAvoidflexibility for upgrades
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter liner is designed with dynamic characteristics - it can be inserted and removed without destroying the housing. The press-fit design provides stable installation during use, but allows for future removal and replacement, enabling the system to adapt to different electronic components over time while maintaining installation stability when in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system is segmented into separate components: the housing, the adapter liner, and the electronic component. This segmentation allows the adapter liner to be independently inserted and removed, providing both stable installation when present and flexibility for future upgrades by simply replacing the adapter liner without damaging the housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If custom mounting solutions are created for each electronic component, then precise accommodation is achieved, but device complexity and retrofitting difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent accommodationVSAvoidretrofitting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter liner serves as a universal mounting solution that can accommodate different electronic components with standardized mounting interfaces. Rather than creating custom mounting solutions for each component, the standardized adapter liner provides precise accommodation for various components while simplifying the retrofitting process through its universal design.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3776499B1Multifunctional and modular empty box with exchangeable adapter liner and use of such an empty box with adapter liner for installation of additional components in windows and doors
Publication Date: 2021.12.01 OTTEN SARAH
  • EP3776499B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3776499B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3776499B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an apparatus for inserting and connecting at least one electronic component in a frame and/or a casement of a window, a door, a hatch or the like, having a housing which is insertable into the frame. According to the invention, the housing (5) is designed as a multifunctional and modular empty box (1) having at least one adapter liner (6) which is insertable into the housing (5), which is permanently inserted into the frame (31).