Window Frame Groove Tool for Post-Assembly Mitre Opening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for machining the mitred corners of window or door frames to accommodate sliding fittings are inefficient, often requiring pre-machining of profiles, which can lead to issues like incomplete punching, glue residue, and misalignment, causing obstacles and time loss during assembly.

Innovation Solution

A hand tool with a housing and rotatively mounted machining implement allows for simultaneous opening and cleaning of the fitting groove after frame assembly, capable of removing inwardly oriented ribs and aligning shifted mitres, reducing the need for pre-machining and addressing assembly errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If pre-machining of profiles is done before frame assembly, then the fitting groove opening is prepared in advance, but incomplete punching, glue residue, and misalignment occur causing obstacles and time loss during assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefitting groove opening preparationVSAvoidassembly quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tool performs preliminary action by removing ribs and opening the fitting groove after frame assembly rather than before. The mobile part is positioned in advance on the base piece, and the machining operation is executed after the frame is assembled, ensuring that any misalignment or glue residue issues are addressed at the final assembly stage rather than propagating from pre-machining

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The tool incorporates feedback by allowing inspection and adjustment after frame assembly. The mobile part can be repositioned on the base piece to accommodate slight misalignments in the mitred corners, and the machining operation can be performed after observing the actual assembly condition, thereby correcting issues that would have been problematic with fixed pre-machining

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of manufacture

If pre-machining of profiles is done before frame assembly, then the fitting groove is prepared in advance, but time is lost during assembly due to adjusting and cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefitting groove preparationVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The tool merges multiple operations into a single integrated device: the base piece provides positioning and support, the mobile part enables movement to the mitre corner, and the machining implement performs rib removal and groove opening. This combination eliminates the need for separate pre-machining, cleaning, and adjustment operations that would otherwise be required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tool performs self-service by automatically positioning and machining the fitting groove after frame assembly. The mobile part moves to the correct position on the base piece, and the machining operation is executed directly on the assembled frame, eliminating the need for separate cleaning and adjustment steps that would increase assembly time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 tool enables quicker opening of the fitting groove by allowing four operations in one motion, reducing the number of corners to be machined from eight to four, thus minimizing time loss and ensuring smooth sliding functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a machining implement that is rotatively mounted in the housing with bearings... the implement is movable in the direction of the corner for removing the ribs and/or the upright edges of the mitre in the corner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical cutting:

Data Source

PatentEP3964313A1Hand tool for machining the leaf of a window or door and use thereof and combination of a hand tool and a leaf
Publication Date: 2022.03.09 SOBINCO NV
  • EP3964313A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3964313A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3964313A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Tool (11) for machining a frame (2) of a window or door, whereby the frame (2) is composed of profiles (3) mitred together and which are provided with a fitting groove (5) that is delimited by two upright legs (7) which on the sides facing each other are provided with ribs (8) for mounting a fitting (9) which slideably fits in the fitting groove (5), characterised in that it contains a housing (13) with a base piece (13a) for attachment on the frame (2) and a mobile part (13b) movably mounted thereon in which a tool (14) is mounted with bearings and which from a resting position is movable in the direction of the corner to an end position in which parts of the fitting groove (5) are sufficiently removed with a rotating tool (14) to sufficiently open the fitting groove (5) in the corner to slide in a fitting (9) from the outside of the frame (2) in an axial direction.