Spring-Loaded Sash Guide for Window Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hung window sashes often bind between balance jambs due to dimensional variations, leading to improper sealing when undersized sash guides are used to prevent binding.

Innovation Solution

A sash guide design featuring a guide cap with downward-extending legs and a locking tab that engages with a stile channel, allowing for secure attachment and self-adjustment to accommodate dimensional variations, ensuring a snug fit and improved sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If undersized sash guides are used to prevent binding, then the sash can move smoothly between balance jambs, but the sash does not seal properly with the window frame

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesash movement smoothnessVSAvoidsealing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sash guide incorporates a spring-loaded mechanism that dynamically adjusts the guide's position and contact pressure. The spring allows the guide to move and apply varying force to maintain proper sealing pressure against the window frame, adapting to dimensional variations in the balance jambs while ensuring consistent sealing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If standard-sized sash guides are used, then proper sealing with the window frame is achieved, but the sash binds between balance jambs due to dimensional variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidsash movement smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spring-loaded sash guide changes the physical parameters of the guide system by introducing elastic deformation and variable contact pressure. The spring mechanism allows the guide to accommodate dimensional variations in balance jambs through controlled deflection, maintaining both proper sealing pressure and smooth sash operation despite variations in jamb dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If sash guides are made adjustable to accommodate dimensional variations, then binding is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of dimensional variationsVSAvoidsash guide structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring-loaded sash guide is a self-adjusting mechanism that automatically adapts to dimensional variations in the balance jambs without requiring external adjustment or complex control systems. The spring force self-regulates to maintain proper contact pressure and positioning, providing adaptability through a simple elastic mechanism rather than complex adjustable components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11613921B2Spring-loaded sash guide

Publication Date: 2023.03.28 PGT INNOVATIONS INC

AI summary

A sash includes a stile, the stile defining a first flange and a second flange, a locking slot defined extending through the first flange; and a sash guide, the sash guide defining a first guide leg and a second guide leg, the first guide leg defining a locking tab, the locking tab extending through the locking slot.