Thermally Separated Window Sash with Plastic Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional window sashes face challenges in achieving low thermal conductivity, particularly due to cold bridges in the sash frame and air convection, leading to varying U-values depending on installation position, and are difficult to process with large construction depths.

Innovation Solution

A window sash design featuring an inner and outer shell thermally separated by a fine-pored plastic insulation with a low thermal conductivity value, connected using a glass fiber reinforced plastic profile, allowing for stable and manageable connection techniques, replacing conventional polyamide seals and enabling a small installation depth while maintaining low U-values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the construction depth of window profiles is increased to improve thermal insulation, then the thermal insulation performance is improved, but the processing difficulty and geometric problems increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation performanceVSAvoidprocessing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The window profile is divided into an inner shell and an outer shell that are thermally separated by insulation, creating distinct functional zones that reduce thermal bridging while maintaining manageable construction depth

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The window sash uses a composite structure combining metal profiles (inner and outer shells) with plastic insulation materials, creating a thermally separated composite that achieves low U-values without requiring excessive construction depth

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of energy

If the construction depth is increased to reduce thermal conductivity, then the thermal conductivity is reduced, but the required minimum radius for opening increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal conductivityVSAvoidopening operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the profile into inner and outer shells with insulation in between, the design achieves thermal separation without increasing the overall radius required for opening operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If conventional polyamide seals are used to connect inner and outer shells, then the connection is achieved, but thermal conductivity remains high due to cold bridges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidthermal conductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The seal material is changed from conventional polyamide to plastic profiles with lower thermal conductivity, fundamentally altering the thermal parameters of the connection elements to reduce cold bridges

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system uses composite construction combining plastic profiles with the inner and outer shells, creating a thermally separated composite structure that maintains connection strength while reducing thermal conductivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If sophisticated seals with several separate chambers are used, then sealing is improved, but air convection and heat exchange cannot be prevented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidheat exchange
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The plastic insulation material acts as an intermediary substance between the inner and outer shells, providing both sealing function and thermal insulation to prevent air convection and heat exchange

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution achieves a significant reduction in thermal conductivity, ensuring a consistent low U-value regardless of installation position and allowing for installation in renovations with a window sash depth of less than 85 mm, while maintaining structural stability and load-bearing capacity.

Implementation Method 1

The insulation, usually in the form of a plastic profile or web, connects the inner and outer shells. According to the invention, the inner shell has a profile, in particular a hollow profile, and the insulation is designed as a plastic body with a λ value

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2666949B1Window or door leaves
Publication Date: 2017.12.27 HOCHULI METALLBAU AG
  • EP2666949B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2666949B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2666949B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The window or door case has an inner shell (11), an outer shell (13), and a multiple glazing or panel (76) is provided between the inner shell and the outer shell. An insulation portion is provided on the side surfaces between the inner shell and the outer shell. The inner shell is provided with a profile. The insulation portion is connected to the profile of the inner shell by a plastic profile (78). The plastic profile has several projections (87) that are formed on base profile, and is made of glass-fiber reinforced polyamide.