Sliding Window Sash Low Emissivity Cavity Surface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sliding window and door sashes with composite profiles face challenges in reducing heat transfer through thermal radiation and convection, as the cavities within these profiles often promote heat transfer due to their design.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a sash design featuring a low emissivity surface, either an untreated aluminum surface or a low emissivity foil, on one side of the cavity between metallic members, significantly reduces heat transfer by thermal radiation. This surface has an emissivity of less than or equal to 0.3, and is typically integrated with insulating strips and plastic profiles to maintain thermal insulation while allowing space for hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a cavity is provided in the composite profile to accommodate hardware, then hardware can be installed for locking the sliding window or door, but heat transfer caused by thermal radiation and convection is promoted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehardware installationVSAvoidheat transfer
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

An insulating member is introduced as an intermediary substance within the cavity to block heat transfer pathways. This insulating member fills the space between the inner and outer metallic members, preventing direct thermal contact while still allowing the cavity to accommodate the necessary locking hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking hardware is nested within the cavity structure, with the insulating member surrounding the hardware components. This nesting arrangement allows the hardware to be housed within the profile while the insulating material maintains thermal barriers around the hardware, minimizing its impact on thermal performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the cavity is made large enough to accommodate hardware, then locking mechanism can be installed, but thermal insulation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehardware accommodationVSAvoidthermal radiation and convection
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating member is applied locally within the cavity regions where heat transfer occurs, rather than requiring the entire cavity to be filled. This allows selective insulation of critical thermal pathways while maintaining adequate space for hardware installation in less critical areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The profile structure becomes a composite system combining metallic members for structural strength, insulating materials for thermal performance, and hardware components for functionality. This composite approach allows each material to perform its optimal function while working together as an integrated system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If conventional surface treatments are applied to metallic members, then aesthetic appearance and corrosion resistance are improved, but emissivity increases and thermal insulation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidthermal radiation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Different surface treatments are applied to different portions of the metallic members. The outer surfaces exposed to aesthetics and corrosion requirements receive conventional treatments, while the inner surfaces facing the cavity maintain untreated or low-emissivity surfaces to minimize thermal radiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The metallic members are segmented into different functional zones: outer surfaces for aesthetic and corrosion protection, and inner cavity-facing surfaces for thermal performance. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each surface for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This configuration effectively minimizes heat transfer caused by thermal radiation, maintaining good thermal properties while accommodating hardware within the cavity, thus enhancing the energy efficiency of sliding windows and doors.

Implementation Method 1

low heat transfer caused by thermal radiation can be achieved

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

one or more insulating members connecting the metallic members

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

heat transfer caused by thermal radiation and convection is promoted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal convection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3256679B1Sash for a sliding window or a sliding door and method for providing an untreated metal surface in such a sash
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 TECHNOFORM BAUTEC HLDG
  • EP3256679B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3256679B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3256679B1 patent drawingFigure 2C

AI summary

A sash (2) for a sliding window (1) or a sliding door includes at least two aluminium members (4, 5) connected by one or more insulating strips (7, 8). The two aluminium members (4, 5) and one of the insulating strips (7) at least partially confine a cavity (9) having a first side (10) in a direction (y) perpendicular to a plane (x-z) in which the sash (2) extends and a second side (11) opposite to the first side (10). A low emissivity surface (6a) is disposed along the first side (10) or the second side (11) and has an emissivity ε of less than or equal to 0.3.