Pre-assembled Grooved Sliding Closure with Elastic Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional grooved sliding closure systems for window sills and parapets require complex and time-consuming pre-assembly, precise alignment, and can be incompatible with sun protection systems where guide rails protrude over the sill, limiting installation flexibility and mobility.

Innovation Solution

A pre-assembled grooved sliding closure system where flexible adhesive connections are used to attach the grooved sliding ends to the window sill, allowing for easier alignment and installation under sun protection guide rails, with elastic sealing strips and reversible adhesive bonding to accommodate thermal expansion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If grooved sliding closures are installed individually with precise alignment, then the closure function is achieved, but the installation time and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple grooved sliding closures into a single pre-assembled unit that includes the window sill, closures, and sealing elements as an integrated construction. This merging eliminates the need for individual installation and alignment of separate components, thereby reducing installation time while maintaining the required closure function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The grooved sliding closures are pre-assembled and pre-aligned with the window sill and sealing elements before delivery to the installation site. This preliminary action of assembling and aligning components in advance eliminates the time-consuming alignment process during actual installation, while ensuring precise positioning is achieved.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If grooved sliding closures are pre-assembled, then installation time is reduced, but the adaptability to different installation conditions (such as sun protection guide rails) is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation timeVSAvoidinstallation flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-assembled unit incorporates a sealing strip with elastic properties that can deform and adapt to different installation conditions. This dynamic characteristic allows the unit to accommodate variations in installation environments, such as the presence of sun protection guide rails, while maintaining the time-saving benefits of pre-assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing elements in the pre-assembled unit are designed with variable properties (such as elastic deformation capability) that allow the construction to adapt to different installation parameters and conditions. This enables the same pre-assembled unit to be installed in various configurations without requiring custom fabrication for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If rigid connection methods are used for grooved sliding closures, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to accommodate thermal expansion and maintain mobility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidwindow sill mobility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs sealing strips made of elastic materials that act as flexible elements between the rigid grooved sliding closures and the window sill. These flexible sealing elements provide structural stability through their sealing function while simultaneously allowing the window sill to expand and contract thermally without compromising the connection integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The pre-assembled unit combines rigid components (grooved sliding closures, window sill structure) with flexible materials (elastic sealing strips). This composite construction achieves both structural stability from the rigid elements and thermal accommodation through the flexible sealing elements, allowing the window sill to maintain its mobility while securely connected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

Simplifies and accelerates the assembly process, enables installation under sun protection guide rails, and maintains mobility of the window sill while decoupling it from thermal changes, ensuring proper alignment and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

The grooved sliding end (1) is bondable to the window sill (2) by means of a flexible adhesive connection, in that the sealing strip (3) is elastic and adhesive on its base and cover surfaces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

the sealing strip (3) is elastic and adhesive on its base and cover surfaces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3121359B1Pre-assembled groove floating-point termination system
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 LOTTMANN HLDG GMBH
  • EP3121359B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3121359B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4c
  • EP3121359B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~5d

AI summary

The invention relates to a pre-assembled groove sliding end cap system for window sills and other parapet, sill and wall coverings, consisting of two lateral groove sliding end caps (1), a cover element (2) and at least two sealing strips (3), wherein at least one sealing strip (3) is located between a support leg (1.1) of each groove sliding end cap (1) and the cover element (2), and the groove sliding end caps (1) are attached to the cover element (2) with an adhesive connection.