Sliding Closure Threshold with Heat Shield and Hidden Drain

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sliding frame thresholds face challenges in combining effective thermal insulation with discreet and efficient water drainage, as conventional solutions either compromise thermal insulation or are aesthetically unsightly and offer minimal resistance to wind pressure.

Innovation Solution

A threshold design featuring a support profile with a U-shaped thermal break and a heat shield profile, where a runoff profile forms a cover for the heat shield, creating a continuous and discreet longitudinal opening for water drainage, and additional drainage openings are made in the insulating profile and support section to prevent visibility and enhance water evacuation resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If water drainage openings are provided in the insulating profile and support section, then water drainage efficiency is improved, but thermal insulation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater drainage efficiencyVSAvoidthermal insulation performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage system is segmented into multiple components: drainage openings in the insulating profile, additional openings in the support section, and a longitudinal opening formed by the runoff profile edge. This segmentation allows distributed drainage throughout the threshold structure, improving overall drainage efficiency while distributing thermal impact across multiple small openings rather than few large ones

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The runoff profile creates a longitudinal opening that extends along the length of the threshold, adding a dimensional aspect to drainage. This longitudinal dimension allows water to be evacuated along the entire length of the threshold rather than at discrete points, enhancing drainage efficiency without requiring large openings that would compromise thermal insulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the runoff profile extends at a distance from the support profile to form a longitudinal opening, then water drainage is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to visible openings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater drainageVSAvoidaesthetic appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The runoff profile is extracted as a separate component that covers the drainage openings in the insulating profile. By positioning the runoff profile to extend at a certain distance from the support profile, the system creates a longitudinal opening that is aesthetically pleasing while still allowing effective water drainage through the extracted and separated drainage path

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If conventional drainage openings are used in the threshold, then water evacuation is achieved, but resistance to wind pressure is minimal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater evacuationVSAvoidwind pressure resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The longitudinal opening created by the runoff profile extends water evacuation paths before water reaches the main drainage openings. This preliminary action of extending the opening allows water to be gradually directed toward drainage points, creating a more distributed pressure distribution that increases resistance to wind pressure while maintaining effective water evacuation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 design maintains thermal insulation while providing a discreet and efficient water drainage system that reduces wind pressure resistance and allows for the storage of runoff water without stagnation, offering both aesthetic harmony and functional effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

a profile with thermal break, comprising at least two metal rails, these two rails being assembled by means of a complete connection by two intermediate strips of insulating material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

the profile forming the heat shield being made of insulating material, and mounted between the two rails

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2284350B1Threshold of sliding closure frame comprising a heat shield and a hidden drain

Publication Date: 2014.12.17 SAPA AS

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AI summary

The device has a runoff profile (7) mounted on a U-shaped heat shield forming profile (5) so as to form a cover for the heat shield forming profile. A longitudinal edge of the cover extends to certain distance from the heat shield forming profile for forming a longitudinal evacuation opening (9) for evacuation of runoff water. The runoff profile has a T-shaped section whose vertical part assures connection with the heat shield forming profile.