Tilt and Turn Window Motorized Drive with Elastic Flexible Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tilt-and-turn windows with motorized drive devices are bulky, complex, and costly due to integrated flexible elements and pulleys, and they only allow tilting movement, not pivoting, limiting user control and aesthetics.

Innovation Solution

A tilt-and-turn window with a compact motorized drive device featuring an electromechanical actuator and an elastic flexible element that allows both tilting and pivoting movements, minimizing size and cost by using a flexible element that stretches elastically to facilitate movement without mechanical stress, enabling manual operation without electrical energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the flexible element and pulleys are integrated into the motorized drive device, then the window allows automatic tilting movement, but the motorized drive device generates large bulk and complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic tilting movementVSAvoidmotorized drive device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the flexible element and pulleys from the motorized drive device, making them separate components. The flexible element is now an independent component that extends between the sash and the fixed frame, while the motorized drive device only contains the electromechanical actuator. This separation reduces the bulk and complexity of the motorized drive device while maintaining the automatic tilting function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Extent of automation

If the flexible element and pulleys are integrated into the motorized drive device, then the window allows automatic tilting movement, but the cost of obtaining the window is expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic tilting movementVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By extracting the flexible element and pulleys from the motorized drive device, the patent simplifies the manufacturing process. The motorized drive device becomes a simpler assembly that only requires the electromechanical actuator, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost. The flexible element can be manufactured and installed as a separate, simpler component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Extent of automation

If the motorized drive device uses integrated flexible element and pulleys, then automatic tilting is achieved, but the device size is large and aesthetics are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic tilting movementVSAvoidmotorized drive device size
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the flexible element and pulleys from the motorized drive device volume. The electromechanical actuator can now be mounted more compactly on the fixed frame without requiring space for integrated pulleys and flexible element routing within the device housing, significantly reducing the overall size of the motorized drive device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Device complexity

If the window only allows tilting movement around one axis, then the motorized drive device is simpler, but the user control and versatility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotorized drive device simplicityVSAvoidmovement types
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the fitting system universal by enabling both tilting movement (around a first axis) and pivoting movement (around a second axis perpendicular to the first axis). The electromechanical actuator can control tilting movement automatically, while the fitting system allows manual pivoting operation, providing multi-functionality and versatile user control options.

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

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 a compact, cost-effective, and aesthetically pleasing window that allows both automatic and manual tilting and pivoting movements, extending the device's lifespan and user control while minimizing electrical energy usage.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible element, the flexible element being connected, on the one hand, to the opening and, on the other hand, to the electromechanical actuator. When closing the sash relative to the fixed frame by means of the motorized drive device, from an open position by tilting the sash relative to the fixed frame, the flexible element is driven by the electromechanical actuator.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3190253B1Tilt and turn window for a building and a home-automation installation comprising such a tilt and turn window
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
  • EP3190253B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3190253B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3190253B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tilt-and-turn window (2) comprises a sash (3), a fixed frame (4), a hardware system, and a motorized drive (5) for moving the sash (3) relative to the fixed frame (4). An actuator (6) is located on a fixed part. A flexible element (9) is connected, on one side, to the sash (3) and, on the other side, to the actuator (6). When the sash (3) is closed by the device (5) from a tilted open position, the flexible element (9) is driven by the actuator (6). The hardware system is of the pivot-tilt type, allowing the sash (3) to pivot around a first axis and to tilt around a second axis. The flexible element (9) extends between the opening (3) and the fixed frame (4) on the side of the window (2) having hinge elements (17b).The locking elements of the hardware system are configured to be manually placed in an unlocked state prior to opening the sash (3). The flexible element (9) includes at least one elastic portion. A tilting movement of the sash (3) towards an open position is initiated by applying force to the flexible element (9), thereby elastically extending its elastic portion.