Unitary RV Window Assembly for Drainage and Chatter Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional window assemblies for recreational vehicles and trailers are heavy, complex, and prone to water penetration due to the use of separate window panes and gaskets, increasing weight, fabrication, and installation costs, as well as water and condensation issues.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, unitary window assembly with a fixed window pane integrally molded into the frame, incorporating weep holes for water drainage and a sliding pane with contact pads and a latch mechanism to prevent chatter, reducing weight and complexity while eliminating water and condensation issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate fixed and sliding window panes are used with gaskets and seals, then water penetration prevention is achieved, but weight and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fixed window pane with the frame by integrally molding them as a single unitary structure. This eliminates the need for separate gaskets and seals between the fixed pane and frame, reducing component complexity while maintaining water penetration prevention through the integrated design and weep hole system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the water drainage function by incorporating weep holes that extend through the frame halves, allowing water to be channeled and evacuated separately from the main window assembly. This segmentation enables effective water penetration prevention without requiring complex sealing systems throughout the entire assembly.
2Reliability
If separate window panes and multiple gaskets are used, then water penetration prevention is achieved, but overall weight of the assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed window pane is integrally molded with the frame as a single unitary structure, eliminating the need for separate gaskets and sealing components. This merging significantly reduces the overall weight of the window assembly while maintaining effective water penetration prevention through the integrated design and weep hole drainage system.
3Ease of operation
If conventional separate pane design is used, then installation flexibility is maintained, but fabrication and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed window pane and frame are integrally molded as a single unitary structure, which simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the number of separate components that need to be fabricated and assembled. This merging reduces fabrication costs while the modular two-piece frame design maintains installation flexibility for different applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The unitary molded structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the frame structure, incorporates the fixed window pane, integrates the weep hole drainage system, and includes contact pads and latch mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, lowering fabrication costs while maintaining versatility for various installation scenarios.
4Ease of operation
If sliding pane is secured with conventional methods, then window closure is achieved, but window chatter occurs due to wind and vehicle movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates contact pads at specific locations where the sliding pane contacts the frame in the closed position. These localized contact points provide stable support and eliminate window chatter caused by wind and vehicle movement, while maintaining easy window closure operation. The contact pads are strategically positioned to ensure firm contact without interfering with the sliding motion.
Data Source
AI summary
A light-weight unitary window assembly for recreational vehicles and trailers. The window assembly uses a two piece design that seats within the wall or door opening and incorporates a fixed window pane integrally molded into one of the polymer frame halves. The window assembly also uses a plurality of weep holes that extend through the frame halves to vacate water from the window assembly to the exterior of the vehicle or trailer wall. In an exemplary embodiment, the window assembly also includes a sliding window pane that slides along a peripheral track and securely seats in a closed position using a plurality of contact pads to prevent window “chatter.” The window assembly also includes an integrated latch mechanism to secure the sliding pane.