Window Frame Lintel Channel Conceals Ventilation Grille
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Solution Overview
Problem
Municipalities often restrict the use of ventilation grilles and silencers in old homes due to aesthetic concerns, while also requiring improved insulation and ventilation to maintain a comfortable internal climate.
Innovation Solution
A window frame design featuring a channel in the lintel with a grille on the outer side, which conceals the ventilation grille from view, and an optional silencer on the inner side for noise reduction, allowing for both adequate ventilation and insulation without compromising the home's appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a ventilation grille is arranged along the upper edge of the insulating glass and window frame, then sufficient ventilation is achieved, but the appearance of the home is harmed too much
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation function is extracted from the visible window frame area and relocated to a hidden channel within the lintel structure. The grille is positioned in the access opening of the channel on the outer side of the lintel, effectively removing the visual impact from the home's facade while preserving ventilation capability through the concealed passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation channel is nested within the lintel structure itself, utilizing the existing architectural element as a housing for the ventilation system. This integration allows the ventilation infrastructure to be concealed within the window frame's lintel, eliminating the need for external ventilation grilles that would compromise the home's aesthetic appearance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a silencer is placed on the grille on the outside of the home, then noise impact is reduced, but the appearance of the home is affected too much
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the silencer on the external grille as in conventional solutions, the silencer is inverted and positioned on the inner side of the window frame within the channel. This reversal of placement eliminates the need for external noise-reduction devices that would affect the home's appearance, while still achieving sound insulation through the same channel structure.
3Loss of energy
If plastic frames with insulating glass are used, then insulation values are improved, but ventilation requirements increase to maintain internal climate
Solution Approach 1:
The channel within the lintel acts as an intermediary structure that reconciles the conflicting requirements of insulation and ventilation. It provides a dedicated pathway for air flow that operates independently from the insulating glass units, allowing the window frame to maintain high thermal performance while the channel facilitates necessary ventilation without compromising either function.
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 enables old homes to meet current insulation and ventilation standards while preserving their aesthetic integrity, as the ventilation system is largely concealed and does not visibly impact the home's appearance.
Implementation Method 1
The additional noise-proofing of a silencer is obtained by guiding the air along absorbing materials, which absorb part of the sound energy.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a window frame comprising: - two parallel jambs arranged at a distance from each other; - a sill arranged between and at a first end of the two jambs; - a lintel arranged between and at a second end of the two jambs; - a rail arranged between the two jambs and parallel to the sill and the lintel; - an upper windowpane arranged between the two jambs, the lintel and the rail; wherein arranged in the lintel is a channel which extends from the outer side of the window frame to the inner side of the window frame, and a grille is arranged on the outer side in the access opening of the channel.