Sliding Window Drive Shuttle Wedge Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motorized drive devices for sliding windows face issues with the flexible element slipping relative to the shuttle, leading to wear and potential breakage, and require precise control of fixing screws to maintain accurate positioning.

Innovation Solution

The motorized drive device incorporates a shuttle design with a projecting element and housing that immobilizes the flexible element, preventing slippage and wear by wedging it between these components, eliminating the need for screws and ensuring repeatable assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fixing screws are used to attach the flexible element to the shuttle, then the flexible element can be secured, but slippage and wear occur leading to breakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexible element retentionVSAvoidflexible element durability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the fixing screws from the system entirely. Instead of using screws to attach the flexible element to the shuttle, the design integrates the flexible element directly into the shuttle structure, eliminating the source of slippage and wear problems associated with screw-based fastening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible element and shuttle are merged into a single integrated component. The flexible element is embedded within the shuttle body, creating a unified structure that eliminates relative movement between separate parts, thereby preventing wear and slippage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If fixing screws are used to attach the flexible element to the shuttle, then connection is achieved, but precise control of clamping force is required to maintain positioning accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidshuttle positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated design allows the flexible element to be automatically positioned and secured within the shuttle structure during manufacturing, without requiring external operators to precisely control clamping forces. The structure itself provides the positioning function, eliminating the need for skilled manual adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If fixing screws are used to attach the flexible element to the shuttle, then the flexible element can be secured, but the assembly process becomes more complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By removing the fixing screws and associated fastening mechanisms, the invention significantly simplifies the assembly process. The flexible element is integrated into the shuttle in a single operation, eliminating multiple steps required for screw attachment, tightening, and verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 slippage and wear of the flexible element, maintains accurate positioning, and simplifies assembly, reducing costs and enhancing reliability.

Implementation Method 1

The flexible element is wedged between a projecting element of the first part and a housing of the second part, following the insertion of the projecting element of the first part into the housing of the second part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWedge: Wedge

Data Source

PatentEP3722547B1Motorised drive device, sliding window for a building and associated home automation installation
Publication Date: 2022.07.20 SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
  • EP3722547B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3722547B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3722547B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A motorized drive device for a sliding window in a building comprises an electromechanical actuator, a flexible element (9), a shuttle (45), and a drive arm. The arm is configured to be connected, on one side, to a frame of a sash and, on the other side, to the flexible element (9), by means of the shuttle (45). The arm (18) and the flexible element (9) are configured to move the sash relative to a fixed frame when the actuator is electrically activated. The shuttle (45) is attached to the flexible element (9). The shuttle (45) comprises a first part (57), including a projecting element (59), and a second part (58), including a housing (60). The projecting element (59) is inserted into the housing (60) in an assembled configuration of the shuttle (45).In addition, the flexible element (9) is immobilized between the projecting element (59) and the housing (60), following the insertion of the projecting element (59) of the first part (57) into the housing (60) of the second part (58).