Reversible Window Hinge Mechanism with Tensile Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reversible window designs face challenges in providing enhanced thermal insulation, protecting hinge mechanisms, and maintaining durability due to limitations in compressive force distribution and the inability to incorporate an outer peripheral rabbet flange for additional sealing.
Innovation Solution
A reversible window design featuring a sash with a laterally extending peripheral rabbet flange that overlaps the frame, combined with hinge mechanisms where the support member only sustains tensile strain, allowing for a hermetically sealed space and protection of components from environmental factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If an outer peripheral rabbet flange is added to provide additional sealing, then thermal insulation is improved, but the hinge mechanism becomes more complex and the sash cannot be fully reversed
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a pivot arm for rotation, a slide for linear movement, and a support member for structural support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling the rabbet flange to extend outward without interfering with the reversal mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
A slide component acts as an intermediary between the pivot arm and the frame, allowing the sash to move linearly while maintaining the sealing function of the rabbet flange. This intermediary mechanism resolves the conflict between having an extended flange for sealing and being able to reverse the sash fully.
2Reliability
If the pivot arms are positioned on the opposite half of the sash to the movable end, then the outer plane pivots cleanly without passing the pivot arm, but an outer peripheral rabbet flange cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism transitions from a single-plane rotation to a two-dimensional movement pattern combining linear sliding and rotational pivoting. This dimensional change allows the rabbet flange to extend in one direction while the sash can still reverse by moving along the slide and pivoting on the pivot arm.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism is made dynamic by allowing the pivot point to move along the slide during operation. This dynamic adjustment of the pivot position enables the sash to accommodate both the extended rabbet flange and the full reversal motion.
3Strength
If compressive forces are applied to short pivot arms in existing designs, then the hinge mechanism can support the sash, but the pivot arms deform under large compressive forces
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the pivot arm withstand compressive forces, the design inverts the force distribution by using a support member that primarily sustains tensile forces. This inversion of the force type prevents deformation and improves the durability of the hinge components.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressive force-bearing function is extracted from the pivot arm and transferred to the support member. This separation of functions allows the pivot arm to be optimized for rotation while the support member handles the structural loading, preventing deformation.
4Reliability
If supplements are added to reduce compressive forces on pivot arms, then deformation is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is merged with the existing hinge mechanism structure, combining the functions of structural support and hinge operation into a single integrated component. This merging eliminates the need for separate supplements while maintaining reduced compressive forces on the pivot arm.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A reversible and outwardly openable rabbeted window comprises a frame (10); a sash (20) with a laterally extending peripheral rabbet flange (25) which, in a closed position overlaps a portion of the frame; and two hinge mechanisms (30). Each hinge mechanism comprises; a pivot arm (36) with a first end being pivotally connected to the sash at a first pivot axis (36a) and a second end being pivotally connected to a first slide (35) at a second pivot axis (35b). The first slide is arranged linearly displaceable along a first guide (32) which is fixed to or made integral with the frame. A support member (37), with a first end is pivotally connected to the pivot arm (36) and a second end is pivotally connected to the frame. A second slide (34) is pivotally connected to an upper portion of the sash and arranged linearly displaceable along a second guide (31) which is fixed to or made integral with the frame. The support member (37) is pivotally connected to the pivot arm (36) by means of a distance member (38) such that the movement plane of the support member is laterally offset from the movement plane of the first pivot arm by a distance which is greater than the lateral extension of the rabbet flange (25). The pivot arm (36) is pivotally connected to the first slide (35) by means of a pivot mechanism (35b, 36b, 36c) which is arranged to allow the second end of the pivot arm (36) to move linearly relative to the second pivot axis (35b).