Window Latch Sidewall Design for Structural Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current window assemblies face challenges in maintaining structural integrity under extreme weather conditions, such as high winds and debris impact, due to flexing of plastic components and detachment of tilt latch assemblies from the side jamb, leading to potential failure points.
Innovation Solution
A latch mechanism with a main housing and bolt system that includes a sidewall extending along the top rail of the window sash, featuring a tension device to maintain engagement with the side jamb and an interlock element for additional support, enhancing the window's ability to withstand stress and prevent detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If plastic extruded top and bottom rails are used in window assemblies, then ease of manufacture is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates under extreme forces causing bowing and deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The window assembly is divided into multiple rigid components (top rail, bottom rail, side jambs, stiles) that are individually manufactured and then connected through rigid fastening systems. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for manufacturing while the assembled structure gains overall rigidity to resist bowing and deflection under extreme forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite construction by combining rigid materials (metal or reinforced plastic) for structural components like top and bottom rails with flexible sealing materials and plastic extruded jamb liners. This composite approach maintains ease of manufacture through modular assembly while the rigid components provide the necessary structural integrity to withstand extreme weather forces.
2Ease of operation
If tilt latch assemblies are attached to plastic rails, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates under extreme forces causing detachment from side jamb
Solution Approach 1:
The tilt latch assembly is pre-positioned and pre-fastened to the top rail at the correct orientation and tension before the window assembly is installed in the frame. This preliminary action ensures that the latch is already in the correct position to engage the side jamb reliably, preventing detachment during operation under extreme forces while maintaining ease of operation through proper initial setup.
Solution Approach 2:
A robust fastening system acts as an intermediary between the tilt latch assembly and the top rail, providing a reliable connection that can withstand extreme forces. This intermediary fastening mechanism transfers loads from the latch to the rail structure, preventing detachment while allowing the latch to operate smoothly. The side jamb serves as another intermediary element that the latch engages with to provide reliable locking.
3Strength
If window assembly is designed to withstand extreme weather forces, then strength is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional support structures
Solution Approach 1:
The top rail, bottom rail, and side jambs are designed as multi-functional components that simultaneously provide structural support, sealing, and attachment points for hardware. For example, the top rail not only provides structural integrity to resist bowing but also serves as the mounting point for the tilt latch assembly and contains channels for bolt travel. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the structural support function with the sealing function and the hardware attachment function into integrated components. The top and bottom rails are designed to incorporate both structural rigidity and sealing capabilities, while the side jambs integrate both sealing and latch attachment functions. This merging of functions reduces the total number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device complexity while achieving the necessary strength to withstand extreme weather.
4Strength
If bolt engages side jamb with perpendicular surface, then strength is improved, but ease of operation worsens requiring manual retraction
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt is designed with dynamic engagement characteristics, featuring an angled surface that allows automatic engagement with the side jamb when the window sash moves from tilted to non-tilted position. The bolt can deflect inward momentarily to clear obstacles and then locks into place. This dynamic design maintains strength through reliable engagement while improving ease of operation by eliminating the need for manual retraction in normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bolt geometry is designed with an angled surface that anticipates and counteracts the engagement force required to lock the window in the non-tilted position. The angled surface is positioned and oriented so that as the sash closes, the bolt automatically engages the side jamb at the correct angle, providing strength without requiring manual intervention to initiate the locking 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
The proposed latch mechanism provides enhanced support and resistance to detachment, ensuring the window assembly's structural integrity and preventing tilt motion failure under extreme forces, thus meeting stringent building code requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a tension device coupled to the bolt and the main housing for biasing the bolt toward a position where the bolt extends at least partially through the opening
Data Source
AI summary
A latch mechanism adapted for being coupled to a window sash, which travels within a window frame, is disclosed which includes a main housing having a sidewall including one or more sidewall sections. The sidewall including one or more sidewall sections extends around at least a portion of the housing and defines an interior space and includes an opening in said sidewall at one end of said housing. The sidewall further defines a channel within the interior space of the main housing, which has an end that coincides with said opening. At least one of the sidewall sections which is substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the bolt is adapted to extend down from the top of the top rail of the window sash along at least a portion of the external surface of a corresponding one of the front facing and the back facing of the top rail. The latch mechanism further includes a bolt, which is substantially located within said housing and travels along said channel. The bolt has a first end which is adapted for extending through the opening of said housing and extending into the side jamb of the window frame. The latch mechanism still further includes a tension device coupled to the bolt and the main housing for biasing the bolt toward a position where the bolt extends at least partially through the opening.