Window Frame Gear Groove for Reduced Profile Height

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional window systems face challenges in meeting modern design and technological requirements, particularly in terms of space efficiency, visual aesthetics, and integration of electric drives, due to the need for a large cross-sectional area and visible wiring, which limits the reduction of profile height and increases installation complexity.

Innovation Solution

The window design shifts the drive mechanism to the window frame, allowing the gear groove to be formed on the frame instead of the sash, enabling a reduced profile height and concealed wiring, with optional motorized or manual operation and emergency actuation via a socket wrench.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the drive mechanism is integrated into the window sash, then the window can be operated manually or motorized, but the profile height must be increased to accommodate the drive components and wiring

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotorized operationVSAvoidprofile height
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The drive mechanism is extracted from the window sash and relocated to the window frame. The gear groove is formed on the frame instead of the sash, and the drive components are mounted on the frame side, eliminating the need to increase sash profile height while maintaining motorized operation capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The drive system is repositioned from a vertical integration within the sash profile to a horizontal arrangement on the frame. The gear groove extends along the frame's rebate surface, and the connecting rod moves horizontally rather than vertically, allowing motorized operation without increasing the sash's vertical profile dimension

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Extent of automation

If the drive mechanism is integrated into the window sash, then the window can be motorized, but visible wiring from the frame to the sash disturbs the visual appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotorized operationVSAvoidvisual appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The wiring is extracted from the visible path between frame and sash. Electrical cables are routed through the window frame's internal cavities and reinforcement profiles, connecting the motor in the frame directly to the gear mechanism without external visible wiring, thus maintaining clean visual appearance while enabling motorized operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Length of stationary object

If the profile height is reduced to increase glazed area, then the aesthetic appearance and space efficiency improve, but the gear groove and drive mechanism cannot be integrated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprofile heightVSAvoiddrive mechanism integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The gear groove is extracted from the sash profile and relocated to the frame structure. The connecting rod engages with locking elements on the sash's outer peripheral side, allowing the drive mechanism to function with minimal interference with the sash profile dimensions, enabling reduced profile height while maintaining drive functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of integrating the drive into the sash (traditional approach), the invention inverts the arrangement by placing the drive on the frame and having it act upon the sash from the outside. The gear groove is on the frame, and the connecting rod extends to engage locking elements on the sash, reversing the conventional integration approach

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Length of stationary object

If the gear groove is formed on the window frame, then the profile height can be reduced and wiring can be concealed, but the connecting rods must be slightly longer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprofile heightVSAvoidconnecting rod length
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting rods are made slightly longer than the minimum required, extending beyond the gear groove engagement point to reach the locking elements on the sash's outer peripheral side. This excessive length is necessary to bridge the distance from the frame-mounted gear groove to the sash locking elements, but the extension is minimal and does not significantly impact the overall system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3521539B1Window with drive groove
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 VEKA AG
  • EP3521539B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3521539B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3521539B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A window (100) with a gear groove (12) comprises at least: - a frame (10) to be connected to a building component, with a stop bar (11.1) facing an exterior side of the building and a window sash (20) movably connected thereto, which can be opened to an interior side of the building and which is to be sealed against an interior visible surface (11.3) of the frame (10) with an overlap (21.3); - a gear unit (33) via which at least one locking element (31) can be displaced by means of a sliding element (32) and brought into engagement with at least one locking receiving element (35) fixedly attached to a rebate surface, wherein the sliding element (32) is mounted in a gear groove (12) which is recessed relative to the rebate surface (11.4). The gear unit (30) and the push element (32) with the locking element (31) are arranged in the frame (10), wherein the gear groove (12) is formed on the inner circumference of the frame (10).The locking element (35) is arranged on the outer perimeter side of the window sash (20) facing a window rebate (11.4, 21.4).