Window Fitting Safety Device with Segmented Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fail-safe devices for windows and patio doors are complex to assemble and require tight tolerances when the driving rod is not covered, leading to potential misalignment and assembly errors.

Innovation Solution

A fail-safe device design where a bearing block, pawl, and locking element are connected via a mounting bracket with a predetermined breaking point, allowing for easy assembly and operation, with the locking element attachable at any accessible point on the connecting rod, and featuring a foot for press or snap fit with the drive rod, and optional pin arrangement for secure part retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the blocking element is integrated with the bearing block and pawl as a single unit, then assembly precision and alignment are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional modules: the bearing block with pawl forms one unit, while the blocking element is a separate component that attaches to the connecting rod. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled independently, reducing overall complexity while maintaining alignment precision through the mounting bracket interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting bracket serves as an intermediary component that connects the bearing block assembly to the blocking element. It provides a standardized interface that simplifies assembly while ensuring proper alignment, acting as a mediator between the two main components without requiring tight tolerances between them.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If tight tolerances are required between the cover rail and drive rod, then positioning accuracy is improved, but ease of assembly and tolerance to manufacturing variations deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The design changes the tolerance parameters by allowing the blocking element to be positioned at any accessible point on the connecting rod rather than requiring a specific location with tight tolerances. The mounting bracket compensates for position variations, making the system insensitive to manufacturing tolerances while maintaining proper alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting bracket is designed as a universal component that can accommodate the blocking element at various positions on the connecting rod. This multi-position capability provides universality in installation locations, eliminating the need for precise tolerance control while ensuring proper alignment through the bracket's geometry.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2096247B1Safety device against wrong operation for the fitting of a window or a door
Publication Date: 2010.09.01 WINKHAUS
  • EP2096247B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2096247B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2096247B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The device (11) has a locking element (19) attached to a driving rod (6) of a driving rod fitting. A catch (15) is movable against a frame based on a position of a wing and is pivotably mounted adjacent to the driving rod. The catch is locked with the locking element in one position and the locking element can be moved away from the catch in another position. A bearing block and the locking element are connected by an assembly holder (21) comprising predetermined breaking points (32, 33). The locking element comprises a base (24) fitted with a recess (25) of the driving rod.