Movable Cover for Wing Sash Lever Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional door closers and door drives have visible components that disrupt the spatial image and require multiple color variants for a more appealing appearance, leading to increased manufacturing and stocking efforts.

Innovation Solution

A cover element is movably mounted on the wall-side or sash-side component to cover the lever arrangement, allowing it to be hidden when the door is closed, eliminating the need for different color variants and creating a flush transition for a more integrated and attractive appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the lever arrangement is made visible to show the mechanical structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates and multiple color variants are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidcomponent visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the lever arrangement from the visible field of view by introducing a cover element that shields it. The cover element is movably mounted and positioned to obscure the lever arrangement when the door is closed, removing it from the aesthetic field while preserving its functional presence in the mechanical system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover element is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. It moves out of the way when the door opens to expose the lever arrangement for its mechanical function, and moves into position when the door closes to provide aesthetic coverage, thus adapting between functional and aesthetic requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple color variants are manufactured to match different room decors, then the adaptability improves, but the manufacturing complexity and inventory requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor variant optionsVSAvoidmanufacturing and stocking effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cover element serves multiple functions: it provides aesthetic coverage when the door is closed, moves out of the way when the door opens to allow lever arrangement operation, and can be configured in different positions to accommodate various door configurations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple color variants while maintaining adaptability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of manufacturing multiple color variants of different components, the patent uses a single cover element that can be positioned to either expose or conceal the lever arrangement. The visual appearance is controlled by the position and coverage of this single element rather than by multiple colored components, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining aesthetic flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Shape

If a fixed cover element is used to hide the lever arrangement, then the aesthetic appearance improves, but the lever movement is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual integrationVSAvoidlever movement freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cover element is mounted to move dynamically with door operation. When the door closes, the cover element positions itself to provide aesthetic coverage of the lever arrangement. When the door opens, the cover element moves automatically (via spring or cam mechanism) to clear the path of the lever arrangement, ensuring unimpeded mechanical operation while maintaining visual integration during the closed state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3067498B1Device for opening and/or closing a wing
Publication Date: 2017.09.20 GEZE GMBH
  • EP3067498B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3067498B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3067498B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

A device (17, 17') for automatically opening and/or closing a rotatable sash (15) comprises a sash-side component (19), a wall-side component (21), and a movable lever assembly (23) by which the sash-side component (19) and the wall-side component (21) are coupled to each other such that they can be moved apart or towards each other by a lever movement in order to open or close the sash (15). A cover element (30, 30, 30'') is movably mounted on the wall-side component (21) or on the sash-side component (19). In a first position, the cover element at least partially covers a visible side of the lever assembly (23) and/or the sash (15), and in a second position, it is moved out of the path of movement of the lever assembly of the sash.