Sliding Faceplate Window Fitting for Reliable Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing window and door fitting arrangements are difficult to clean and can be affected by manufacturing tolerances, leading to unreliable closure and a less aesthetically pleasing appearance due to protruding parts and gaps.

Innovation Solution

A sliding faceplate and closure element design where the closure element moves with the faceplate along the fitting groove, eliminating the need for screws and allowing for a smooth, flush surface when open, with a control mechanism that ensures reliable closure and is less affected by tolerance issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the locking element protrudes through the strike plate for reliable engagement, then the closure reliability is improved, but the cleaning ease deteriorates and the appearance worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosure reliabilityVSAvoidcleaning ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The locking element is designed to be movable relative to the strike plate, transitioning between a retracted position (for cleaning and aesthetic purposes) and an extended position (for reliable closure engagement). This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt its state based on operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking element is extended from the strike plate immediately before closure occurs, ensuring that protruding parts are present only when needed for engagement. This preliminary action of extending the locking element resolves the contradiction by having the protruding feature appear just in time for its functional purpose.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the locking element is fixed on the strike plate, then the structure is simpler, but the closure reliability deteriorates due to manufacturing tolerances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidclosure reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking element is designed to be movable relative to the strike plate, transitioning between a retracted position (for cleaning and aesthetic purposes) and an extended position (for reliable closure engagement). This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt its state based on operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The position of the locking element relative to the strike plate is changed as a parameter, allowing it to extend beyond the strike plate during closure to compensate for manufacturing tolerances in the rebate clearance, thereby ensuring reliable engagement despite variations in manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If the strike plate is fixed in the hardware groove, then the installation is simpler, but the appearance worsens due to visible protruding parts and gaps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidappearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The locking element is designed to be movable relative to the strike plate, transitioning between a retracted position (for cleaning and aesthetic purposes) and an extended position (for reliable closure engagement). This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt its state based on operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking element is extended from the strike plate immediately before closure occurs, ensuring that protruding parts are present only when needed for engagement. This preliminary action of extending the locking element resolves the contradiction by having the protruding feature appear just in time for its functional purpose.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3194697B1Fitting arrangement
Publication Date: 2019.06.05 MACO TECHNOLOGIE GMBH
  • EP3194697B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3194697B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3194697B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A fitting arrangement for windows or doors comprises a cover rail for covering a fitting groove which is formed in a casement or sash of the window or of the door, a closure element, which can be moved along a longitudinal extension of the fitting groove between a release position and a locking position, and a gearing which can be actuated for moving the closure element. The cover rail is designed for mounting in a displaceable manner along the longitudinal extension in the fitting groove. The at least one closure element is mounted on the cover rail in a displaceable manner in and towards an extension direction extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal extension, wherein a control mechanism ensures that when the drive section is activated the closure element is displaced initially in the extension direction from a position retracted into the cover rail into a position extended from the cover rail and subsequently in the extended state together with the cover rail along the longitudinal extension of the fitting groove, in order to come into the locking position from the release position.