Roof Window Glazing Positioning and Locking Integration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roof windows lack ease of installation and safety features, particularly in preventing uncontrolled glazing falls during installation or temperature-related stress.

Innovation Solution

A roof window design incorporating a positioning and securing device integrated into a single component, which provides fall protection by overlapping the glazing's side surface, allowing for quick and easy installation while ensuring the glazing is securely fastened, even if the connection between the glazing and sash frame becomes loose.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate positioning and locking devices are used, then the roof window can be securely assembled, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring of glazingVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the positioning device and locking device into a single integrated component mounted on the sash frame mullion. The positioning projection and locking device share the same mounting location and work together as one unit, eliminating the need for separate installation steps and reducing overall assembly time while maintaining both positioning accuracy and securing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated component serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides positioning guidance through the positioning projection, secures the glazing through the locking device, and offers fall protection through the securing device. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the installation process while ensuring comprehensive glazing security.

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

2Reliability

If the glazing is positioned close to the locking device for maximum security, then fall protection is improved, but temperature-induced dimensional changes create harmful stresses on the glazing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefall protectionVSAvoidthermal stress on glazing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device is designed to overlap only a portion of the glazing's side surface rather than the entire surface. This partial overlap provides sufficient fall protection and lateral support while leaving gaps that allow the glazing to expand and contract thermally without creating excessive stress concentrations across the entire glazing area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows for adjustable positioning of the locking device relative to the glazing, enabling optimization of the overlap distance. By changing the positional parameter, the system achieves a balance between providing adequate fall protection and minimizing thermal stress, accommodating temperature-induced dimensional changes of both the sash frame and glazing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If multiple separate components are used for positioning and locking, then each function can be optimized independently, but the device complexity and number of parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning and locking functionVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the positioning device and locking device into a single component structure mounted on the sash frame mullion. This component includes both the positioning projection for alignment and the locking device for securing, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining the functional reliability of both positioning and locking operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated component performs multiple functions simultaneously: positioning the glazing during installation, securing the glazing in place, and providing fall protection. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components for each function, simplifying the overall device structure while ensuring reliable operation of all critical functions.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3299534B1Skylight
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 ROTO FRANK DST MARKEN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3299534B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3299534B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3299534B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a roof window (1) with a frame (2) and a sash (3) that is movable relative to the frame (2) and carries a glazing, wherein the glazing is supported perpendicular to a glazing plane on a sash frame member (39) of the sash (3). It is provided that a positioning projection (17) is formed on the frame (2) for positioning the sash (3) relative to the frame (2) when the roof window (1) is closed by interaction with a positioning device (23) provided on the sash (3), wherein the positioning device (23) is attached to a sash frame member (39) of the sash (3) and is integrated with a locking device (53) that at least partially overlaps a side surface of the glazing to secure the glazing.