Sill Assembly Snap-Fit Plinth Block Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sill assemblies face challenges in quick and accurate connection of plinth blocks to the sill, often resulting in cold bridges from screws or bolts, and inefficiencies in production due to solid material waste and higher costs.
Innovation Solution
The sill assembly features mutually cooperating connecting means, such as snap projections and recesses, allowing for easy and secure attachment of plinth blocks and additional sill parts without screws or bolts, providing a quick, accurate, and watertight connection while reducing material waste and production costs through modular design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If screws or bolts are used to attach plinth blocks to the sill, then a secure connection is achieved, but cold bridges are formed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical screw/bolt fastening system with a snap-fit connection system consisting of protrusions on the plinth block that engage with corresponding recesses in the sill. This substitution eliminates the need for penetrating fasteners that create cold bridges, while still providing secure mechanical connection through the interlocking geometry of the protrusion-recess pairing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary adhesive layer applied to the abutting surfaces between the plinth block and sill. This adhesive mediator enhances the connection strength and provides thermal bridging prevention by creating a continuous thermal barrier that complements the snap-fit mechanical connection, addressing both the strength requirement and cold bridge concern.
2Strength
If traditional attachment means are used, then connection strength is achieved, but connection speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The snap protrusions and recesses are pre-formed as integral features of the plinth block and sill components during manufacturing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for on-site drilling, screw insertion, and fastener tightening operations, enabling rapid assembly while maintaining connection strength through the pre-engineered interlocking geometry.
3Strength
If solid material is used for the sill, then structural integrity is achieved, but material waste and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sill assembly is segmented into separate components: the main sill body and the plinth blocks. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured efficiently from solid material with minimal waste, as the connecting features (protrusions and recesses) are formed as integral parts of each segment rather than requiring excessive material removal or complex monolithic construction.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a sill assembly, for example for a window or door, said sill assembly comprising a sill and at least one plinth block, characterized in that said sill and said plinth block comprise mutually cooperating connecting means for connecting the at least one plinth block to the sill. The invention further relates to a sill, comprising a basic sill part and a further sill part, for example a stop element or an extension element, wherein said basic sill part and said further sill part comprise mutually cooperating connecting means for connecting the further sill part to the basic sill part, and wherein said basic sill part and said further sill part are made of a solid plastic material.