Window Sash Centering via Tolerance-Independent Reference Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windows and doors, such as roof windows, face issues with inconsistent gap dimensions due to insufficient fitting accuracy and manufacturing tolerances, making it challenging to maintain uniform gap dimensions when replacing components.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an inlet centering system with frame and sash inlet elements that have reference surfaces, which are positioned to maintain defined distances independent of manufacturing tolerances, ensuring consistent gap dimensions and tolerance compensation, even when parts are replaced.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If standard manufacturing processes are used for window frames and sash frames, then production efficiency is maintained, but manufacturing tolerances cause unequal gap dimensions and play between components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces inlet centering elements as intermediary components between the window frame and sash frame. These elements include reference surfaces that mediate the connection, ensuring consistent gap dimensions while allowing standard manufacturing processes. The intermediary elements absorb the tolerance variations without requiring high-precision manufacturing of the main frame components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the critical parameters from the dimensions of the frame components themselves to the positions of the reference surfaces on the inlet centering elements. By controlling the position parameters of these reference surfaces rather than the overall frame dimensions, the system achieves consistent gap dimensions despite variations in manufacturing tolerances of the frame components.
2Reliability
If one component is replaced to fix fitting issues, then the defective part is corrected, but manufacturing tolerances of the new component create changes in gap dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet centering elements serve as mediators that remain in place during component replacements. When a sash frame is replaced, the inlet centering elements with their precisely positioned reference surfaces ensure that the new component achieves the correct alignment and gap dimensions, eliminating the need to replace the centering elements themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet centering elements are pre-installed on the window frame with their reference surfaces precisely positioned before the sash frame is installed or replaced. This preliminary action establishes the correct gap dimensions in advance, so that any subsequent sash frame replacement automatically achieves proper alignment without requiring adjustment.
3Manufacturing precision
If reference surfaces are made independent of frame tolerances, then gap dimension consistency is achieved, but the inlet centering system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the window assembly into distinct functional components: the window frame, the inlet centering elements with reference surfaces, and the sash frame. This segmentation allows the reference surfaces to be independently positioned and controlled, achieving consistent gap dimensions without requiring the entire assembly to be manufactured with high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses identical reference surfaces on multiple inlet centering elements (e.g., top and bottom elements have the same reference surface geometry). This copying of the reference surface design ensures consistent gap dimensions across all sides of the window while using a standardized, relatively simple component design that can be easily manufactured and replaced.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a window, door or the like, in particular a roof window (1), with a frame (2) and a sash (3), and with a guide-centering element (19), wherein the guide-centering element (19) has frame guide elements (15, 16) on the frame (2) and sash guide elements (17, 18) on the sash (3), and in the closed position of the sash (3) reference surfaces (20, 21) of the frame guide elements (15, 16) interact with reference surfaces (22, 23) of the sash guide elements (17, 18) for aligning the sash (3) relative to the frame (2), wherein at least one frame guide element (15, 16) is dimensionally designed and/or positioned on at least two opposite sides of the frame (2) such that its reference surfaces (20, 21) provide each other with a defined reference surface independent of tolerances, in particular manufacturing tolerances, of the frame (2). have first distance (A1),and on at least two opposite sides of the sash frame (3) at least one sash guide element (17, 18) is dimensionally designed and/or positioned such that its reference surfaces (22, 23) have a defined second distance (A2) from each other that is independent of tolerances, in particular manufacturing tolerances, of the sash frame (3).