Window Frame Plug Design for Moisture Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional frame structures for windows and doors face issues with moisture penetration through fastening members, leading to deterioration of core materials, and existing solutions either require additional components or complicate the moulding process.

Innovation Solution

A frame structure design where the fastening member projects into a reception section formed by the cover layer, creating a plug that fills a hole or recess in the core member, allowing for secure attachment without perforating the outer moisture shield, and the fastening member penetration depth is limited to prevent moisture ingress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If screws or like fastening members penetrating through the frame structure are used for attachment of additional elements, then easy interconnection is achieved, but moisture penetration occurs along the sides of the fastening member causing deterioration of core materials

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeasy interconnectionVSAvoidmoisture penetration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a fastening member reception section as an intermediary structure between the frame piece and the fastening member. This reception section includes a hole or recess in the core member that is filled with cover layer material to form a plug, creating a moisture barrier while still allowing the fastening member to pass through and secure additional elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The hole or recess in the core member is pre-filled with cover layer material to form a plug before the fastening member is inserted. This preliminary action creates a moisture barrier in advance, preventing moisture from penetrating along the sides of the fastening member while still allowing easy interconnection when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If rubber sleeves or liners are arranged around the fastening member to prevent moisture penetration, then moisture resistance is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture penetrationVSAvoidadditional components
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the moisture barrier function with the existing frame structure by filling the hole or recess in the core member with cover layer material to form an integrated plug. This eliminates the need for separate rubber sleeves or liners, reducing device complexity while maintaining moisture resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover layer material itself serves dual purposes: it provides the structural cover layer and simultaneously forms the moisture barrier plug when it fills the hole or recess in the core member. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional moisture protection components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the cover layer is made thin or left out on the exterior side to allow moisture escape, then moisture management is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to complicated moulding process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture managementVSAvoidmoulding process
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a specific hole or recess in the core member that is filled with cover layer material to form a plug only at the locations where fastening members need to pass through. This allows the cover layer to maintain its protective thickness everywhere else while providing moisture management at specific localized points, simplifying the overall moulding process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Strength

If fastening member penetration depth is not limited, then secure attachment is achieved, but risk of cover layer perforation and material deterioration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidcover layer perforation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hole or recess in the core member is pre-filled with cover layer material to form a plug that extends into the recess, creating a stopper effect. This preliminary action limits the penetration depth of the fastening member before it is inserted, ensuring secure attachment while preventing the fastening member from perforating the cover layer and causing material deterioration.

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

This design enhances moisture resistance and simplifies manufacturing by embedding the plug from the cover layer material, providing a stable attachment point for fastening members while minimizing the risk of cover layer perforation and material deterioration.

Implementation Method 1

applying a cover layer (26) to the core (25) by moulding and encasing the core (25), wherein at least one core member (25) is provided with a hole or recess (25a) which is filled substantially entirely with the material used for the cover layer (26) to form a fastening member reception section (27)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMoulding:

Implementation Method 2

allowing the cover layer material to set so that the core members are fixated in relation to each other and a frame structure is formed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSetting:

Implementation Method 3

injecting a cover layer material in the mould so that is encases the core members, wherein, before placing the core in the mould, at least one core member is provided with a hole or recess adapted for being filled substantially entirely with cover layer material during the moulding process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInjection:

Data Source

PatentEP3037618B1A frame structure, such as a sash or a stationary frame for a window or door, and a method for manufacturing a frame structure
Publication Date: 2021.12.08 VKR HOLDING AS
  • EP3037618B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3037618B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3037618B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a frame structure, such as a sash or a stationary frame for a window or door, comprising a core (25) and a cover layer (26) encasing the core, said cover layer being applied to the core by moulding, said frame structure further including a fastening member reception section formed by the material used for the cover layer forming a plug (27) extending into a hole or recess in at least one core member. The plug of cover layer material fills the hole or recess substantially entirely and extends from a surface of the core member facing a surface of a frame piece. The distance Dend in the length direction from the surface of the frame piece to the end of the plug defines a maximum allowable fastening member penetration depth Dpen, where Dend-Dpen ≥ 1 mm. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a frame structure.