Pull-in Damper Fitting Segmented Coupling for Door Sash

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pull-in damper fittings for door or window arrangements require precise coordination and adjustment, which can be complex and limit the forces that can be transferred, making them difficult to assemble and adjust.

Innovation Solution

A pull-in damper fitting with a retraction device and release piece that includes a piston rod and receiving unit with clamping jaws, allowing for easy assembly and adjustment by positioning the release piece relative to the retraction device, enabling a damped movement of the sash without the need for orthogonal adjustment, and utilizing a gas pressure spring for efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If spring-mounted mounting is used for the follower or projection, then coupling between the projection and follower is facilitated, but the maximum forces that can be transmitted are limited and precise alignment is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling facilitationVSAvoidmaximum transmissible force
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism is divided into separate functional elements: the projection on the frame side and the follower on the sash side. These segmented elements can be independently positioned and adjusted, allowing the projection to engage with the follower without requiring precise pre-alignment of entire assemblies. This segmentation enables both easy coupling and high force transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The projection is pre-positioned on the frame side at a location that anticipates the follower's position when the sash is in the closed state. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the sash approaches the closed position, the projection and follower are already aligned for engagement, eliminating the need for complex spring-mounted adjustments during operation while maintaining high force capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If precise alignment is required for the projection and follower, then reliable operation is achieved, but the device complexity and adjustment requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidalignment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the coupling into a frame-side projection and a sash-side follower, each component can be independently mounted with tolerance for misalignment. The projection is fixed to the frame while the follower moves with the sash, allowing natural alignment during the closing motion without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The geometry of the projection and follower is designed so that they self-align during the sash's closing motion. The follower's movement path and the projection's position are coordinated such that engagement occurs automatically when the sash reaches the appropriate position, eliminating the need for manual alignment adjustments and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the receiving unit is held at the end of the guide channel with clamping jaws, then the receiving unit is prevented from being pulled into the retracted position, but the mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition holdingVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping jaws are positioned and dimensioned so that in the ready position, they naturally engage with the wall sections at a location that creates a balanced force distribution. The engagement point is designed such that the forces from the sash weight and damper are evenly distributed, allowing the holding function to be achieved without complex additional mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping jaws are designed to automatically engage and hold the wall sections through their own geometry and the natural forces present in the system. The jaws' positioning and the wall section engagement create a self-locking effect where the operational forces themselves maintain the holding position, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms or complex control systems.

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 structurally simple and robust design that is easy to assemble and adjust, allowing for reliable operation with lower opening forces and precise guidance of the damper, ensuring smooth movement of the sash while maintaining a compact space requirement.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing a gas pressure spring for efficient operation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas pressure spring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

damped movement of the sash

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscous damping: Viscous Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4446547A1Pull-in damper fitting and door or window arrangement
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 GRETSCH UNITAS GMBH BAUBESCHLAGFABRIK
  • EP4446547A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4446547A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4446547A1 patent drawingFigure 2c~2d

AI summary

The invention relates to a soft-close fitting (10) for a door or window assembly (100) comprising a frame (102) and a sliding sash (116), with a sash-side closing device (12) and a frame-side release element (14), wherein the closing device (12) has a housing (22) to which or in which a damper (24) is attached, wherein the damper (24) has a retractable piston rod (26) which is coupled at its free end to a receiving unit (36), wherein the housing (22) has a housing section (30) in which a base (31) and two wall sections (32) projecting from the base (31) and opposing each other define a guide channel (33), wherein the receiving unit (36) is guided in the guide channel (33) and is displaceable between a ready position and a closed position.wherein clamping jaws (40) are pivotably mounted on the receiving unit (36) and can be moved between a pivoted-out position and a pivoted-in position.