Rotating Securing Element for Thermal-Break Casings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing closing systems for thermal-break casings face challenges in mounting flexibility, mechanical strength during housebreaking attempts, and thermal insulation due to the need for multiple screws through weak plastic material and the formation of thermal bridges with metal anchoring plates.

Innovation Solution

A closing system with rotatable securing elements made of thermally insulating material, featuring a metal body and screw mechanism that rotates from a longitudinal to a transverse position within a groove, ensuring secure anchoring without compromising thermal insulation, and allowing easy mounting without pre-inserting anchoring plates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If metal anchoring plates are used to secure the closing system to the wing, then mechanical strength is improved, but thermal insulation deteriorates due to thermal bridges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidthermal insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The securing element uses a composite structure combining a metal body (for mechanical strength and anchoring) with a thermally insulating material block (for thermal insulation). This composite design allows the metal body to provide the necessary anchoring strength while the insulating material prevents thermal bridge formation between the metal section members.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If multiple screw mounting holes are required along the section member, then anchoring strength is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanchoring strengthVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring function is segmented between the insulating material block (which engages with the groove undercut to provide anchoring) and the metal body (which is screwed to the fixed part). This segmentation allows the insulating block to provide anchoring through groove engagement rather than requiring multiple screw holes, simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If anchoring plates are pre-inserted into the groove during workshop assembly, then mechanical strength is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The metal body and insulating material block are merged into a single integrated securing element. The insulating block provides groove engagement and anchoring, while the metal body provides screw mounting capability. This merging eliminates the need for separate pre-inserted anchoring plates and reduces assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Strength

If the securing element is made entirely of metal, then mechanical strength is improved, but thermal insulation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidthermal insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

Different parts of the securing element have different material properties: the metal body provides localized strength for screw anchoring, while the insulating material block provides thermal insulation where it contacts the thermal-break section member. This local differentiation of material quality optimizes both strength and thermal insulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 system provides a simple and flexible mounting process, maintains high mechanical strength, and ensures effective thermal insulation by avoiding thermal bridges, thus addressing the limitations of previous solutions.

Implementation Method 1

the screw being frictionally engaged in a thread of the at least one securing element in such a manner that rotation of the screw involves rotation of the at least one securing element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the block being made of thermally insulating material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2029842B1Closing system for door and window casings and casing comprising this closing system
Publication Date: 2010.04.28 MASTER LAB SRL
  • EP2029842B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2029842B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP2029842B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

A closing system (14) of a door and window casing comprises a fixed part (15) to be anchored to a wing (12) of the casing and at least one movable part (16, 17) drivable in use between an open position and a closed position of the casing, the fixed part being suitable for anchoring to the wing along a longitudinal groove (38) formed in an edge section member (12a) of the wing (12) and the at least one movable part having a plurality of closing elements spaced apart from each other. Mounted on said fixed part is at least one securing element (21-24) for fastening to the wing, said securing element being movable between a mounting position at which it can be frontally inserted into said groove when the fixed part is brought to the mounting position on the wing and an operating position at which it is in engagement with an undercut (39, 40) formed in the groove so that a link is created between the closing system and wing.