Elastic Cover Element for Double Pitch Skylight Ridge Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for covering gaps between windows in double pitch skylights are not sufficiently vapor-tight, particularly in environments with high humidity and chlorine ions, such as swimming pool buildings, leading to potential corrosion of mounting brackets.
Innovation Solution
The edges of a cover element are inserted into grooves in the window frames, with the cover element being made of elastic material and bent to fit, ensuring a tight seal by returning to its original shape and pressing against the grooves, and optionally using elastic connecting parts or gaskets with high frictional resistance to maintain contact, along with support members and vapour barriers for enhanced tightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the cover element is pressed against the interior surfaces of the window frames using resilient insulating material, then the connection can be applied to a broad range of interior ridge angles, but the vapour tightness is insufficient to meet strict construction standards
Solution Approach 1:
The cover element is made from a flexible metal sheet (such as aluminium) that can be bent and shaped to conform to different interior ridge angles, while maintaining structural integrity and vapour tightness through the rigid material properties rather than relying on resilient compression
Solution Approach 2:
Mounting brackets serve as intermediary elements that mechanically connect the flexible metal cover element to the window frames, providing a secure fixed connection that ensures vapour tightness while allowing the cover element itself to adapt to various ridge angles through its flexibility
2Ease of manufacture
If bolts and clamping discs are used to connect the cover element to the window frames, then the connection can be easily installed, but the connection is not sufficiently vapour tight for swimming pool buildings with high humidity and chlorine ions
Solution Approach 1:
A continuous flexible metal cover element is formed to span across the ridge gap and connect to both window frames, creating an uninterrupted vapour barrier that prevents moisture and chlorine ingress, eliminating the need for discrete bolted connections that could leak or corrode
Solution Approach 2:
The solution combines a metal cover element (such as aluminium with natural corrosion resistance) with mounting brackets to create a composite connection system that provides both mechanical strength and vapour tightness, resistant to corrosion from chlorine ions and humidity
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 solution provides a tighter connection between the cover element and the windows, reducing the risk of vapour leakage and corrosion, facilitating quicker and less costly installation without the need for interior work, and effectively managing condensation and chlorine ions.
Implementation Method 1
The cover element is preferably made from an elastic material. The elasticity means that the cover element will return towards its original shape and thus press the edges into the grooves.
Implementation Method 2
The inwards convex shape may also help lead any condensation forming at the interior side away from the joints between the cover element and the window frames
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to covering a gap between windows at the ridge of a double pitch skylight including at least one pair of windows. Each window comprises a frame with a frame top member and the windows of a pair are interconnected by one or more mounting brackets at the ridge. A cover element is arranged so that it interconnects the two windows of the pair on the interior side and extends in parallel with the ridge length direction. One edge of the cover element is inserted in a groove in the top frame member of one window of the pair and another opposite edge is inserted in a corresponding groove in the other window. The cover element is preferably made from an airtight material, is preferably convex on the interior side in the mounted state, and is preferably provided with elastic connecting parts at the two opposite edges.