Sealing Arrangement With Electromagnets For Sliding Windows

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a sealing arrangement for building openings that enables automatic sealing with standard contact pressure while maintaining an attractive design and flush installation, particularly for sliding windows or doors, which current technologies fail to achieve effectively.

Innovation Solution

A sealing arrangement featuring a sealing strip with permanent magnets mounted on a stationary frame part, interacting with permanent magnets on the opening element to ensure tight contact in the closed position, and electromagnets to move the sealing strip away from contact when current flows, allowing for a slim, visually appealing design without visible technical components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sealing strip with permanent magnets is used to achieve automatic sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional magnetic components and alignment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing strip is equipped with permanent magnets that automatically generate the necessary contact pressure when the opening element is closed, eliminating the need for external actuators or complex control mechanisms. The system serves itself by using the closing motion to activate the sealing function through magnetic attraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Traditional mechanical sealing systems with springs, actuators, or complex linkage mechanisms are replaced by a magnetic field-based system. The permanent magnets create the sealing force field that replaces mechanical pressure-generating components, simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Extent of automation

If electromagnets are added to move the sealing strip away from contact, then automation capability is improved, but energy consumption increases due to continuous or frequent electromagnetic actuation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electromagnets are activated only periodically when ventilation is required, rather than continuously. The control unit switches between sealing mode (electromagnets off) and ventilation mode (electromagnets on), reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining automation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The electromagnetic actuation function is extracted as a separate, optional feature rather than being integrated into the basic sealing mechanism. This allows the system to operate in a low-energy state (sealing mode) by default, with energy-intensive electromagnetic activation only when needed for ventilation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the sealing strip is made movable perpendicular to the sliding direction, then sealing adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional movement constraints and guiding mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing adaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding mechanisms for the sealing strip's perpendicular movement are merged with the existing frame structure and receptacles. The frame parts and receptacles serve dual functions: structural support and guidance for the sealing strip's bidirectional movement, eliminating the need for separate guiding components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The frame parts and receptacles are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as structural elements and as guiding mechanisms for the sealing strip. This universal design reduces the total number of components while enabling the sealing strip to move in multiple directions as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Shape

If a slim design with flush installation is implemented, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase to ensure proper alignment and sealing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The permanent magnets in the sealing strip and opening element automatically self-align through magnetic attraction when the element is closed, compensating for minor manufacturing tolerances. This self-alignment mechanism reduces the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining the slim, flush design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic field strength and distribution are optimized to provide sufficient contact pressure across the sealing interface, compensating for variations in positioning caused by manufacturing tolerances. By adjusting magnetic parameters rather than tightening mechanical tolerances, the system achieves reliable sealing with a slim profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution provides automatic sealing with standard contact pressure, maintains an attractive and flush installation, and allows for controlled movement of the sealing strip and opening element, reducing energy requirements and enabling automated ventilation.

Implementation Method 1

the opening element has permanent magnets that interact with the permanent magnets of the sealing strip, with which the sealing strip can be brought into a tight seal with the opening element in the closed position of the opening element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic interaction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

the stationary frame part is provided with at least one electromagnet with which, when current flows through it, the sealing strip can be moved from the sealed system to a position spaced away from the opening element in the closed position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentEP3623563B1Sealing arrangement with electromagnets for sliding wings
Publication Date: 2021.11.10 GUNTER BOSCH
  • EP3623563B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2b
  • EP3623563B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4a
  • EP3623563B1 patent drawingFigure 4b~5

AI summary

Sealing arrangement for an opening element (1) such as a window or door, which is movable in a sliding movement from an open position, in which the building opening is released, to a closed position, in which the opening element (1) covers the building opening, in which it is proposed that a sealing strip (3) equipped with permanent magnets is provided, which is movably mounted on a stationary frame part (2a) in a direction (R) perpendicular to the sliding direction (S) of the sliding movement of the opening element (1), and the opening element (1) has permanent magnets that interact with the permanent magnets of the sealing strip (3), with which the sealing strip (3) can be brought into a tight seal with the opening element (1) in the closed position of the opening element (1), wherein the stationary frame part (2a) is equipped with at least one electromagnet (4.i; i=1,2,...N) is provided with which, when current flows, the sealing strip (3) in the closed position of the opening element (1) can be moved from the sealed system to a position spaced away from the opening element (1).