Modular Gear Rack Drive for Concealed Sliding Sash Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive systems for sliding sashes and lift-sliding sashes in windows and doors are costly, complex to assemble, and visually obstructive, posing safety and security risks while requiring significant space and structural modifications.
Innovation Solution
A drive device with a modular toothed rack element and a drive motor positioned on the wing side, using a threaded spindle driven around a toothed rack element on the window frame, allowing for concealed installation and easy assembly by pre-assembling components before installation, with a control unit for remote operation or manual actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If visible drive components are mounted on the window or door, then the drive function is achieved, but the optics are greatly impaired and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drive device is extracted from the visible exterior space and integrated into the concealed interior space of the window frame. The housing is received within the frame structure, with only minimal portions (such as the operating element) visible from the exterior, thereby removing the harmful visual obstruction and safety risks associated with visible drive components while preserving the drive function
Solution Approach 2:
The drive device housing is nested within the window frame structure. The housing fits into a recess or cavity in the frame, with the drive mechanism contained inside and only essential external interfaces (operating element, control unit) protruding slightly. This nesting approach conceals the drive components while maintaining functionality
2Object-affected harmful factors
If concealed drive arrangements are integrated into the window frame, then the optics are improved, but the milling effort and structural weakening increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drive device is designed as a separate, modular housing unit that can be installed in the window frame without requiring extensive milling or structural modification. The housing is a self-contained component that interfaces with the frame through standardized mounting points, segmenting the drive function from the frame structure and eliminating the need for complex frame modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The drive device housing is pre-assembled as a complete functional unit before installation in the window frame. All internal components (motor, rack element, gears) are pre-installed and configured in the housing, allowing for quick installation in the frame without requiring on-site assembly or extensive frame preparation work
3Ease of operation
If distributed control device components are arranged on the guide rail, then the drive function is achieved, but the assembly difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple control device components (motor, rack element, gears, housing) are merged into a single integrated drive device assembly. The housing contains and interconnects these components in a compact arrangement, transforming what would be multiple separate parts requiring complex assembly into one unified module that can be installed as a single unit in the window frame
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 solution provides a cost-effective, space-efficient, and safe drive system for sliding sashes and lift-sliding sashes that can be easily retrofitted, adjusted, and dismantled, offering secure and precise operation while minimizing visual obstructions and assembly complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a threaded spindle (6) driven thereon, which is positively guided around a toothed rack element (7)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a drive device (1) for a slidable leaf (2) in the form of a sliding leaf or a slidable lift-and-slide leaf of a window or a door (3), comprising a blind frame (4) in which the leaf (2) is held in a slidable manner. In order to slide the leaf (2), the drive device (1) comprises a leaf-side drive motor (5) with a threaded spindle (6) which is driven on the drive motor and is forcibly guided about a gear rack element (7) arranged on the blind frame (4). The gear rack element (7) can be secured in a surrounded manner by the guide rail (10) and is made of tooth segments (47) which can be connected together in a modular manner and form one integral unit.