Rotatable Window Opener Housing Reduces Bending Moment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical window openers are too large and require strong, stiff housings due to a long force arm and bending moment, making them difficult to integrate into window frames or smaller structures.
Innovation Solution
A compact electrical window opener design with a shorter force arm, allowing the housing to be rotated and constructed from less stiff materials like plastic, featuring a DC or AC motor with a flexible shaft and a gear assembly to reduce vibrations and noise, and modular connections for easy integration into window frames or sashes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the housing length is reduced to make the window opener smaller, then the device size is reduced, but the bending moment increases due to the shorter force arm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the housing rotatable about its longitudinal axis through frame brackets, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one. This rotation capability allows the housing to self-adjust its orientation, reducing the bending moment by aligning the force arm perpendicular to the chain force direction, thereby enabling smaller housing dimensions without compromising structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of the housing by enabling rotation about the longitudinal axis. This parameter change optimizes the force arm configuration, reducing the bending moment acting on the housing structure and allowing for reduced housing volume while maintaining sufficient strength.
2Ease of manufacture
If the housing is made less stiff to reduce material requirements, then material usage is reduced, but the housing cannot support the bending moment
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing rotational capability through frame brackets, the housing transforms from a static rigid structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. This allows lighter, easier-to-manufacture materials to be used since the housing can rotate to optimize load distribution, reducing the bending moment and thus the strength requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational degree of freedom changes the structural parameter of the housing, allowing it to adapt its orientation to minimize bending moments. This enables the use of materials with lower stiffness and strength requirements while maintaining adequate load-bearing capacity through dynamic adjustment.
3Length of stationary object
If the force arm is shortened to reduce housing size, then the device becomes more compact, but the bending moment on the housing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces rotational capability to the housing about its longitudinal axis, transforming the static force arm configuration into a dynamic one. This allows the housing to rotate and reorient the force arm perpendicular to the chain force, minimizing the bending moment even with a shorter force arm length, thus enabling compact design without compromising structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
By enabling rotation, the patent changes the orientation parameter of the force arm relative to the chain force. This parameter change optimizes the moment arm configuration, reducing the bending moment to a minimum value when the force arm is perpendicular to the force direction, allowing shorter force arm lengths while maintaining housing strength.
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 results in a smaller, lighter, and quieter window opener that can be easily integrated into window frames or sashes, reducing material stiffness requirements and enabling more design flexibility while maintaining functionality.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical motor arranged in the housing; a chain having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to a window bracket and the second end is attached to an attachment structure arranged in the housing
Implementation Method 2
the frame bracket is configured for rotatably attaching the housing to the window frame in order to allow the housing to be rotated with respect to its longitudinal axis
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
An electrical window opener (2) for opening and closing a window (12) that moveably arranged to a window frame (14) is disclosed. The window opener (2) comprises; a housing (4) having a length (L) and a longitudinal axis (X); an electrical motor (34) arranged in the housing (4); a chain (8) having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to a window bracket (10) and the second end is attached to an attachment structure arranged in the housing (4), a frame bracket (16) for rotatably attaching the housing (4) to the window frame (14) in order to allow the housing (4) to be rotated with respect to its longitudinal axis (X). The frame bracket (16) is attached to the housing (4) in two attachment points, wherein the distance between the two attachment points is smaller than the length (L) of the housing (4).