Skylight Rotation Angle Limiter for Roof Window

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roof windows lack a mechanism for safe and comfortable operation, particularly in preventing damage from excessive rotational movement of the sash frame, which can lead to material fatigue and unpleasant user experiences due to abrupt stopping.

Innovation Solution

A roof window design featuring a rotation angle limit for the limiting arm, which is mounted linearly on a guide rail and rotatably on the frame, limits the rotational movement of the sash frame to a specific range, preventing it from being opened beyond a defined angle, thus avoiding abrupt stops and ensuring gentle operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the sash frame is allowed to rotate freely without restriction, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to risk of damage from excessive rotation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The opening limiting device applies preliminary anti-action by using a limiting arm that engages with the sash frame to prevent excessive rotation before damage can occur. The limiting arm is positioned to contact the sash frame at a predetermined rotation angle, creating a counteracting force that stops further rotation and protects the roller shutter mechanism and sash frame from damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Reliability

If an opening limiting device is added to prevent excessive rotation, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The opening limiting device is merged with the existing guide rail structure of the roller shutter mechanism. The limiting arm utilizes the guide rail as its movement path, and the limiting mechanism is integrated into the frame structure. This merging approach allows the limiting function to be added without requiring completely separate components, thereby reducing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a rigid limiting mechanism is used to stop sash rotation, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to abrupt stopping

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The limiting arm is designed with elastic elements that provide beforehand cushioning during the limiting process. When the sash frame approaches the maximum rotation angle, the elastic elements in the limiting arm engage and provide a gradual, cushioned stopping action rather than an abrupt rigid stop. This cushioning effect reduces冲击 forces and improves the comfort of operation while still reliably preventing excessive rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP3527740B1Skylight
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 ROTO FRANK DST MARKEN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3527740B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3527740B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3527740B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a roof window (1), in particular a residential roof window, with a frame (2) and a sash (3) rotatably mounted about at least one sash rotation axis relative to the frame (2), and with an opening limiting device (6) for limiting the rotational movement of the sash (3) relative to the frame (2) to a specific sash rotation angle range, wherein the opening limiting device (6) has a limiting arm (7) which is linearly movable on a guide rail (8) serving to limit the opening of the roof window (1) and rotatably mounted about a limiting arm rotation axis (9) relative to the frame (2). A rotation angle limiter (14) for the limiting arm (7) is provided to limit the rotational movement of the limiting arm (7) about the limiting arm rotation axis (9) to a specific limiting arm rotation angle range.