Bidirectional Pivoting Flap for Ventilation Windows

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ventilation window and door systems for inclined roofs face issues with high costs, complex manufacturing processes, noise, wear and tear, limited ventilation efficiency, and security concerns due to complex locking mechanisms and ergonomic difficulties, leading to reliability and operational challenges.

Innovation Solution

A ventilation window or door system featuring a bidirectional pivoting flap with a simplified locking mechanism, utilizing a pivoting flap that can pivot around two stationary axes, an articulation device with elastic supporting elements, and a torsional spring for resilience, reducing noise and wear while enhancing operability and security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex locking mechanism with multiple pivot points and control members is used, then the window can be locked securely, but the manufacturing cost increases and the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking securityVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the locking function and ventilation control function into a single integrated mechanism. The stay device serves dual purposes: it locks the window sash to the frame while simultaneously controlling the pivot member that opens/closes the ventilation passage. This merging eliminates the need for separate locking and ventilation control mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The stay device is designed as a multi-functional component that performs multiple operations: securing the window in closed position, enabling bidirectional pivoting for ventilation, and controlling the pivot member for air passage regulation. By making the stay device universal, the patent reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby simplifying the overall mechanism while preserving reliable locking functionality.

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

2Strength

If metal components are used in the locking mechanism, then the structure is strong, but noise is generated during actuation due to clashing components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a polymeric element within the locking mechanism that acts as a flexible buffer between metal components. This polymeric component absorbs the clashing and impact between metal parts during actuation, significantly reducing noise generation while maintaining the structural strength provided by the metal framework. The flexible polymer element deformable under load prevents direct metal-to-metal contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If the pivot is arranged under the cover member to facilitate usage, then the operation is easier, but the ventilation angle is limited and air exchange efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational convenienceVSAvoidventilation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the pivot point above the cover member instead of below it. This inversion allows the cover member to pivot through a larger angular range, enabling the ventilation opening to achieve a greater opening angle. The reversed pivot arrangement removes the geometric constraint that previously limited ventilation efficiency while maintaining ease of operation through the ergonomic handle design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Productivity

If the ventilation cover member controls the air passage opening, then ventilation is enabled, but security is compromised as the window can be opened from the interior using thin elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation efficiencyVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control mechanism into two independent parts: the stay device for locking/security control and the pivot member for ventilation control. The stay device includes a locking element that engages with a locking surface on the pivot member. This segmentation ensures that ventilation can only occur when the locking element is properly engaged, preventing unauthorized opening from the interior while maintaining efficient ventilation when authorized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking element acts as an intermediary between the stay device and the pivot member, mediating the connection between security control and ventilation control. This intermediary component ensures that the pivot member can only be actuated when the locking mechanism is properly engaged, thereby preventing security breaches while allowing legitimate ventilation operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

5Reliability

If manual activation of self-lock function is required, then the mechanism can be controlled, but convenience is reduced and activation may be forgotten

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveself-locking reliabilityVSAvoidoperational convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the stay device to automatically engage the locking element with the locking surface on the pivot member through the natural motion of operating the ventilation control. When the user moves the handle to activate ventilation, the mechanism self-activates the locking engagement without requiring separate manual intervention. This self-service approach maintains reliable self-locking while greatly improving convenience by eliminating the need for separate activation steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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, low-noise, and reliable ventilation system with improved operability, reducing the risk of accidental failure and enhancing ventilation efficiency by allowing bidirectional airflow and automatic resilience, thus addressing the limitations of prior systems.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic supporting device (56) disposed on a middle part of one of the two connected arms, so that the connected arm on which the elastic supporting device is disposed can elastically pivot around the second axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The pivoting flap is adapted to pivot around a second axis which is stationary relative to the sash and parallel to the first axis, between the closed position of the flap and a second opened position in which the flap is pivoted to open the ventilation passage while keeping the locking mechanism in the locked position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorsional spring: Torsion Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3392442B1Ventilation window/door with an articulation apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 NINGBO HAISHU SONJIN IND & TRADING CO LTD
  • EP3392442B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3392442B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3392442B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

The present invention relates to a ventilation window or door having a main frame, a glass-supporting sash that is arranged to tilt within the main frame, a ventilation passage provided in the sash that extends between an interior opening and an exterior opening of the window, with a locking fitting adapted to lock the sash to the main frame in a closed position, with the lock having a locking mechanism mounted on the sash inside the ventilation passage. According to the invention, the window or door has a pivoting flap mounted on the sash and connected to the locking mechanism, where the pivoting flap is adapted to pivot around a first axis which is stationary relative to the sash, between a closed position in which the flap shuts the interior opening while setting the locking mechanism in a locked position and a first opened position in which the flap is pivoted to open the ventilation passage while setting the locking mechanism in an unlocked position. Further, the present invention includes the pivoting flap adapted to pivot around a second axis which is stationary relative to the sash and parallel to the first axis, between the closed position of the flap and a second opened position in which the flap is pivoted to open the ventilation passage while keeping the locking mechanism in the locked position.