Window Thermal Spacer System for Modular Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing window structures lack versatility in thermal insulation options, limiting their ability to meet varying user requirements while maintaining low production costs and maintaining security and watertightness.

Innovation Solution

The window design incorporates a modular thermal spacer system with different insulation variants, including empty chambers, cross-pieces dividing air chambers, and highly insulating fillings, allowing for multiple thermal insulation grades without altering the basic window frame and casement profiles, and integrates anti-burglary features through closed glazing skirting-strips and specialized gaskets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single window structure design is used, then production costs are reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but the ability to meet varying user requirements for thermal insulation is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation optionsVSAvoidwindow structure variants
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The window frame is divided into outer and inner shaped sections connected by thermal spacers, creating distinct modular components. The thermal spacers themselves are segmented into wall and cross-piece elements that can be configured in different arrangements (with or without cross-pieces, with different insulation fillings) to provide multiple insulation levels while using the same basic profile structures, thus achieving versatility without proportionally increasing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The basic window frame and casement profiles serve multiple functions across different insulation variants. The same outer and inner shaped sections are used in all four insulation levels, while only the thermal spacer configurations vary. This universal application of core components allows the system to meet varying user requirements for thermal insulation while maintaining efficient production of standardized parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of energy

If thermal insulation is enhanced through additional components or structures, then insulation performance improves, but production costs and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation performanceVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Different levels of thermal insulation are achieved by modifying only the thermal spacer components locally, while the main window frame and casement profiles remain standardized. The thermal spacers can be produced in different configurations (empty chamber, cross-pieces, insulation filling) allowing customers to select the required insulation level without affecting the manufacturing of the primary structural components, thus controlling production costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The thermal spacers utilize composite construction with walls, cross-pieces, and optional insulation fillings (such as foam or air gaps) to achieve enhanced thermal insulation performance. This composite approach allows progressive improvement of insulation characteristics by adding or modifying specific elements within the thermal spacer assembly rather than redesigning the entire window structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If the window structure is simplified for cost-effective production, then manufacturing efficiency improves, but the ability to provide high-grade thermal insulation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidthermal insulation grade
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The segmentation of the window into standardized outer/inner shaped sections and separate thermal spacers enables efficient mass production of core components. The thermal spacers can then be manufactured in different insulation configurations using the same basic production processes and tooling, maintaining high productivity while offering varied insulation performance levels to meet different customer requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If modular thermal spacer systems with multiple insulation variants are implemented, then versatility in thermal insulation options is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation variantsVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The modular thermal spacer system achieves four distinct insulation variants using the same basic outer and inner shaped section profiles. The universality of these primary components means that while the thermal spacers vary in configuration (affecting insulation performance), the core structural elements remain identical across all variants, thus providing versatility without proportionally increasing the complexity of the overall window assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 approach enables four distinct thermal insulation levels, optimizing user satisfaction with cost-effective production and enhanced security and insulation performance, while maintaining the structural integrity of the window components.

Implementation Method 1

The outer shaped section 1 and inner shaped section 2 are connected by thermal spacers 3

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

shaped gaskets 4 and 5 touching them

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2374978B1Window
Publication Date: 2016.11.16 ALUPROF SPOLKA AKCYJNA
  • EP2374978B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2374978B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP2374978B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The window according to the invention consists of the window frame and casement, whereas the window frame consists of the outer section (1) and inner section (2), connected each other by thermal spacers (3), inside there are seated the shaped gaskets (4 and 5) and touching them, and the outer shaped section (1) is a shell-type rectangle (6), having on its longer side the clamping seats (7), whilst its opposite longer side is extended at its one side with the wall (8) ended with the mounting slot (9), and the other edge of the longer side (10) has the angle ridge (1), whereas the inner shaped section (2) of the shell-type rectangular cross-section has at its edges the angle ridges (11), and at its longer side the clamping seats (7), whereas the thermal spacer (3) is composed of two parallel walls (12 and 12') connected each other by the cross-pieces (13 and 13').