Mounting Bracket Flange Geometry for Window Frame Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing window and door mounting brackets face challenges such as difficulty in mounting due to the need to hold the bracket with one hand while fastening it, incompatibility with frames lacking co-planar flanges, damage to frames during installation, and instability over time, especially with composite and wooden materials.
Innovation Solution
A mounting bracket design with flanges that form a contact path at an angle less than 40° to the plane of the window or door structure, distributing force over a larger area and allowing for use with softer materials like wood and fibreglass, featuring protrusions that securely engage with the groove without damaging it, and capable of supporting large loads without requiring wide grooves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mounting bracket is designed to engage with co-planar flanges, then it can securely fasten to metal frames, but it cannot be used with wooden or composite frames that lack such flanges
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is designed with flanges that can engage with grooves in various frame materials including wood, composite materials, and metal frames. The bracket serves multiple functions by accommodating different frame types through a universal groove engagement mechanism, eliminating the need for material-specific bracket designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket design allows for parameter changes in the groove geometry to accommodate different frame materials. The groove can be configured with different dimensions and orientations depending on the frame material, enabling the same bracket type to work with wood, composite, and metal frames through adjustable geometric parameters.
2Reliability
If a tooth is used to engage with the groove, then the bracket can be secured to the frame, but the tooth causes damage to the frame over time
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement elements use curved or rounded geometries that allow the bracket to be inserted into the groove with minimal resistance. The curved shape distributes the insertion force over a larger area and prevents stress concentration that would cause frame damage, while still achieving secure engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket engagement mechanism transitions from a single-point contact (tooth) to a multi-point contact system. The flanges engage with the groove at multiple locations, distributing the securing force across several contact points rather than concentrating it at a single tooth interface, thereby preventing frame damage.
3Device complexity
If the flanges are made thin and strong, then the bracket can be compact, but it becomes difficult to manufacture and install
Solution Approach 1:
The flanges are pre-formed with engagement features that match the groove geometry before installation. The flanges are designed with built-in alignment features and engagement protrusions that automatically position themselves correctly during installation, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures and reducing installation difficulty.
4Device complexity
If the contact area between flange and groove is minimized, then the bracket can be more compact, but the force distribution is insufficient for large loads
Solution Approach 1:
The flange-groove contact interface is extended into the third dimension by creating multiple contact points along the groove length. Instead of a single contact area, the flanges engage with the groove at multiple discrete contact points distributed along the engagement length, effectively increasing the total contact area and improving force distribution for large loads.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A window or door structure which is suitable for being mounted in an opening in a wall, said window or door structure comprising a fixed frame (50;170) being of the type with a groove (51;171) arranged along at least a portion of the outer periphery of the fixed frame (50;170) and where said window or door structure comprises at least one mounting bracket (1;20;60;70;150) suitable for connecting said fixed frame (50;170) to said opening. The mounting bracket comprising a first area (4) which is fastened to the fixed frame (50;170) and a second area (5) which is arranged to be fastened to said opening. The first area comprises at least a first flange (6) and a second flange (7) which protrude from the first area (4), said flanges (6,7) are arranged one on each side of a first plane (A) which is parallel to the plane of the window or door structure and where the first flange (6) is in contact with at least a portion of a first inner side of said groove (51;171) and the second flange (7) is in contact with at least a portion of a second inner side of said groove (51;171) which is opposite the first inner side of said groove (51;171) and where the bracket (1;20;60;70;150) is arranged such that the contact area between the first flange (6) and the first inner side of said groove (51;171) and the contact area between the second flange (7) and the second inner side of said groove (51;171) are arranged exclusively one on each side of a first axis (C) which is perpendicular to the plane of the window or door structure. The contact between the first flange (6) and the first inner side of the groove (51;171) and the contact between the second flange (7) and the second inner side of the groove (51;171), forms a path of contact, the angle between the average tangent of the path of contact and the plane of the window or door structure being less than 40°.