Window with Interchangeable Interface Means for Climate Regulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing windows lack flexibility in adapting to varying climate conditions and often suffer from thermal bridges and inadequate insulation, particularly at the joints between the sash and pane, which affect indoor climate stability and comfort.

Innovation Solution

The integration of interchangeable climate-regulating interface means, including a glass rim profile that overlaps the joint between the sash member and the pane, providing sound, thermal, and moisture insulation, and using an elastic material strip with a longitudinal bead for secure attachment, which breaks the thermal bridge and enhances sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the glass rim profile is directly attached to the sash member without interface means, then the structural connection is simple and direct, but a thermal bridge is created between the metal glass rim profile and the sash frame, reducing insulation performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation performanceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces interface means as an intermediary element between the glass rim profile and the sash member. This interface means comprises an insulating material that breaks the thermal bridge, preventing direct thermal contact between the metal glass rim profile and the sash frame while maintaining structural connection and sealing functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The interface means utilizes composite material construction, combining insulating material with sealing and attachment functions. This composite approach allows the interface means to simultaneously provide thermal insulation, moisture protection, and mechanical attachment, resolving the contradiction between insulation performance and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If fixed window properties are used, then manufacturing and inventory are simplified, but the window cannot adapt to varying climate conditions and user needs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclimate adaptation capabilityVSAvoidproduct range complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the window system into modular components: a base window structure and interchangeable interface means. This segmentation allows different interface means with varying insulation properties to be attached to the same window frame, enabling climate adaptation without requiring multiple complete window designs, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while enhancing versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The interface means are designed to be interchangeable and replaceable, introducing dynamic adaptability to an otherwise static window structure. Users can change the interface means according to seasonal climate variations or personal preferences, transforming a fixed product into a dynamically adaptable system without complicating the core window design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of energy

If the interface means extend over the entire width of the glass rim profile, then the thermal bridge is completely broken and insulation is maximized, but the amount of material and complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation performanceVSAvoidmaterial quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The interface means are applied selectively at critical locations where thermal bridges occur, such as at the joints between sash members and the glass rim profile, rather than uniformly across the entire width. This localized approach effectively breaks thermal bridges and improves insulation while minimizing material consumption and avoiding unnecessary complexity in non-critical areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution allows for customizable window performance, improving insulation properties and climate regulation, enabling the window to adapt to different environmental conditions while maintaining a lean product range for manufacturers and user flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

the interface means comprise climate regulating elements that provide sound insulation and/or thermal insulation and/or moisture insulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

a strip made from an elastic material is used as interface means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3404191B1A window having interchangeable interface means and a method of providing a window
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 VKR HOLDING AS
  • EP3404191B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3404191B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3404191B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a window, such as a roof window or skylight, and a method of providing such a window, comprising a frame (1), a sash (29), a cladding (20-25) and a pane (28), and also comprising interface means (5, 105; 15, 17, 18; 105; 205; 58) for positioning along a circumference of the window, the interface means being adapted to be positioned on the frame, the sash and/or the cladding, where the interface means comprise climate regulating elements that provide sound insulation and/or thermal insulation and/or moisture insulation, and the interface means are immediately interchangeable with other interface means.