Parallel Sliding Window Fitting with Energy Storage Spring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing window fittings that allow for parallel sliding and tilting of sashes are difficult for users to close and maintain in a sealed position, requiring significant force and effort to press the sash into the sealing closed position and maintain parallelism with the window frame.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an energy storage unit, such as a compression spring, that absorbs energy during the parking movement and stores it for release when the sash is closed, facilitating the closing process and maintaining parallelism by providing additional force to overcome the sealing resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sash is made heavy to provide stability and sealing pressure, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as users struggle to press the sash into the closed position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidease of closing operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The energy storage unit (spring) is pre-loaded during the opening movement to store energy, which is then released during the closing movement to assist the user in pressing the sash into the closed position, thereby resolving the contradiction between heavy sash weight for sealing and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The heavy weight of the sash, which initially appears as a disadvantage making it difficult to operate, is converted into a benefit through the energy storage mechanism. The spring captures the potential energy from the sash's weight during opening and releases it during closing to provide the necessary sealing pressure, transforming the operational difficulty into sealing reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Ease of operation

If the sash is moved into a parallel parked position away from the frame, then the ease of operation for opening is improved, but the sealing reliability deteriorates due to the transitional movement away from the sealed position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of opening operationVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The energy storage unit is pre-loaded during the initial phase of opening movement, storing energy that will be used to ensure the sash returns firmly to the closed sealed position, thereby maintaining sealing reliability while enabling the parallel parked opening position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 energy storage unit reduces the user's effort required to close the sash by releasing stored energy to assist in the pitching movement and maintaining parallelism, allowing the sash to be easily guided into the closed position, even when heavy, by providing the necessary force to overcome the sealing resistance.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating an energy storage unit, such as a compression spring, that absorbs energy during the parking movement and stores it for release when the sash is closed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy storage: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2649260B2Operator-friendly fitting and method for a slide(-tilt) window that can be displaced in parallel
Publication Date: 2019.11.27 HAUTAU
  • EP2649260B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2649260B2 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2649260B2 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to an operator-friendly fitting for a sliding sash that can be displaced in parallel and which, in order to facilitate the closing process, comprises two lower carriages (4a, 4b) which can be displaced on a running rail, are retained at a distance and coupled to each other by a connecting rod (16). Upper sliding elements (5a, 5b) are provided, which can be displaced jointly in a guide rail (27) and are coupled to each other at a distance by a second connecting rod (26). A swivelable extension arm (10a, 10b; 20a, 20b) is associated with each of the two carriages and with each of the two sliding elements. An energy accumulator unit (E) in the form of a traction or pressure spring (15, 25) is coupled to one (10a) of the extension arms of the carriages (4a, 4b) or to one (20a) of the extension arms of the sliding elements (5a, 5b). When all extension arms (10a, 20a, 10b, 20b) execute a swiveling storing movement, the energy accumulator unit (E) absorbs energy from a closing position during the storing movement of the extension arms and stores said energy when at least one (10b) of the extension arms of the carriages (4a, 4b) or one (20b) of the extension arms of the sliding elements (5a, 5b) has reached a latched position.