Sliding Window Guides for Roof Thermal Bridge Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sliding windows for roofs experience thermal bridging due to metallic sliding guides, which compromise thermal insulation, especially under higher loads and larger window areas, as these guides protrude and act as heat conductors even with thermal separation.
Innovation Solution
The sliding guides are designed to vary in length according to the displacement paths of individual sliding leaves, ensuring they do not protrude beyond the closed sash, thus eliminating thermal bridges by integrating a thermal separation that encompasses the sliding guides, typically using foam insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If sliding guides are made of metallic material to handle higher loads, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but thermal insulation deteriorates due to thermal bridging
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful thermal conduction function is extracted from the sliding guide by limiting its length, while the useful mechanical support function is preserved. The sliding guide is truncated so it performs only the necessary support function without extending into the thermal bridge path.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding guide has different lengths at different positions along the frame, creating local variations in thermal conductivity. The guide is shortened in specific locations where it would otherwise create thermal bridges, while maintaining full length where mechanical support is needed.
2Stability of the object's composition
If sliding guides run along the full length of frame pieces, then structural stability is improved, but thermal bridges are formed compromising thermal insulation
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding guide is truncated to remove only the portions that create thermal bridges, while preserving the sections needed for structural stability and sliding function.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding guide is divided into segments of different lengths, with each segment optimized for its specific function - full length for structural support, shortened portions to eliminate thermal bridging.
3Ease of operation
If sliding guides protrude beyond the sliding sash in closed position, then ease of operation is improved, but thermal bridging increases reducing thermal insulation
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding portions of the sliding guide that extend beyond the sliding sash in closed position are removed, eliminating the thermal bridge while preserving the guide's function during the sliding operation.
4Ease of manufacture
If uniform length sliding guides are used in stick frame, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but thermal insulation deteriorates due to unavoidable thermal bridges
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding guides are segmented into different length sections, with each section cut to a specific length based on its position and function requirements, allowing thermal bridge elimination while maintaining manufacturability.
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 effectively prevents thermal bridging, enhancing thermal insulation by keeping the sliding guides within the thermal separation, regardless of the sash's movement direction, and allows for modular construction with profile sections cut to specific lengths for optimal adaptation.
Implementation Method 1
thermal bridges can be excluded by the sliding guides... with a corresponding thermal separation of the stick frame from it receiving building opening... thermal insulation made of foam
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
The window has a stick frame for sticking two sliding wings (4) and held in a building opening by a thermal insulation part (8). The sliding wings are supported vertically to a wing plane. Shift guides (5) are displaced against each other and cover each other in an open position. The shift guides are formed such that the individual sliding wings exhibit different lengths according to different shift paths. The frame exhibits a length that corresponds to that of the shift guides in a displacement direction of the sliding wings. The frame is formed from longitudinal sections of a profile.