Sliding Door Drive Device Integrated into Window Frame

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sliding elements with motorized drive devices are bulky and conspicuous, making it difficult to achieve narrow, visually appealing window frames, as the drive devices protrude and require additional space, compromising the slim appearance and ease of operation.

Innovation Solution

The drive device is integrated into the window frame, with an electric motor and deflection gear housed within a vertical section, allowing the motor to be concealed and the drive mechanism to be oriented perpendicular to the window frame, enabling a slim, unobtrusive design without protruding beyond the frame's dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the drive device is placed on the window frame from the outside, then the drive device can be installed and function properly, but the window frame thickness increases and the drive device becomes conspicuous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive device installationVSAvoidwindow frame visible width
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The drive device is nested within the window frame structure itself. The electric motor is positioned in the corner region where vertical and horizontal frame parts meet, and the drive mechanism extends along the horizontal frame part inside the frame thickness, allowing the drive device to be contained within the existing frame boundaries without increasing visible width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The drive device is repositioned from an external arrangement to an internal arrangement within the window frame's three-dimensional space. By utilizing the corner region and extending along the horizontal frame part inside the frame, the drive device transitions from protruding outward to being concealed within the frame's thickness dimension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Shape

If the drive device is integrated into the window frame, then the visible width is reduced and appearance is improved, but the drive device requires precise integration into the frame structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewindow frame visible widthVSAvoiddrive device integration
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The drive device is segmented into distinct functional components: the electric motor positioned in the corner region, the drive mechanism extending along the horizontal frame part, and the connection to the sash. This segmentation allows each component to be precisely positioned and integrated into specific regions of the window frame structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The drive device utilizes the specific geometric characteristics of the corner region where vertical and horizontal frame parts meet. The electric motor is positioned in this corner region, and the drive mechanism extends along the horizontal frame part, taking advantage of the local structural qualities to achieve precise integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the electric motor is completely accommodated in a receptacle in the window frame, then the motor is protected from external influences, but the receptacle requires additional space within the frame

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor protectionVSAvoidreceptacle space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The receptacle for the electric motor is merged with the corner region of the window frame where the vertical and horizontal frame parts meet. This integration allows the receptacle to be formed as part of the existing frame structure rather than as a separate additional component, providing motor protection while utilizing already-available space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electric motor is nested within the receptacle that is formed in the corner region of the window frame. This nesting arrangement protects the motor from external influences while containing it within the existing frame boundaries, preventing any increase in visible width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3526432B1Sliding element
Publication Date: 2021.11.17 MACO TECHNOLOGIE GMBH
  • EP3526432B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a sliding element, in particular a sliding door or a lift and slide door, comprising a frame, a leaf, which can be slid relative to the frame, and a drive device for the motorized sliding of the leaf between an open position and a closed position, wherein the drive device is integrated into the frame.