Movable Window Sill Assembly for Cavity Wall Access and Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional window sills lack the functionality to provide access to cavity walls while maintaining effective drainage and preventing moisture and dirt penetration.

Innovation Solution

A window sill assembly with a movable window sill and a frame comprising a rear segment and two side segments, where the window sill is compatible with the frame to ensure drainage towards the outside wall in a closed position, and can be moved to provide access to the cavity wall, with seals and channels for enhanced watertightness and drainage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the window sill is made fixed and traditional, then drainage and moisture prevention are ensured, but access to cavity wall components is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccess to cavity wallVSAvoidDrainage and moisture prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The window sill is designed to be movable relative to the frame, allowing it to be opened for access to cavity wall components and closed for normal drainage function. This dynamic design enables the sill to transition between fixed and accessible states, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The frame is divided into separate segments (front segment, rear segment, side segments) that allow the window sill to be independently movable. This segmentation enables the sill to be accessed and moved without affecting the overall structural integrity and drainage pathways of the frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the window sill is made movable to access cavity wall, then versatility is improved, but drainage functionality may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveFunctionalityVSAvoidDrainage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The movable window sill design allows the assembly to adapt between two functional states: closed for drainage and open for access. This dynamic capability directly improves versatility while the frame structure ensures drainage reliability is maintained in the closed state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The window sill assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides drainage when closed and provides access to cavity wall components when opened. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the same structure serve both protective and accessible purposes at different times.

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

3Reliability

If seals and channels are added to enhance watertightness, then moisture prevention is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveWatertightnessVSAvoidStructure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing channels are integrated into the frame structure itself rather than being separate components. The frame segments include built-in channels that guide water and incorporate sealing surfaces, merging the drainage pathway and sealing function into a single integrated structure, thereby improving watertightness without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3258050B1Window sill
Publication Date: 2018.11.21 WILMS ERIK
  • EP3258050B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3258050B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3258050B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Window sill assembly comprising a frame and a window sill, wherein the assembly is provided so as to extend over an outside wall and at least a part of a cavity wall, wherein the window sill is movable relative to the frame in order to provide access to the cavity wall in a first position of the window sill, wherein the frame comprises at least a rear segment and two side segments which are each compatible with the window sill in a manner such that in a second position of the window sill connections between frame and window sill bring about draining of the window sill assembly in the direction of an outer side of the outside wall.