Window Ventilation Duct Center Seal Friction Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing window designs with ventilation ducts face complications such as complex structures, high actuation forces for closing the sash, poor sliding performance of the center seal on the insulating web, and limited opening width in the ventilation position due to the short insulating bar.

Innovation Solution

A window design featuring a frame and sash frame composed of multiple profiles with a circumferential rebate space, ventilation channels, and a center and contact seal that divides the rebate space into sections, allowing air exchange only through the ventilation duct, with a sealing plane formed by a pivotally attached sealing section that rests on the frame or sash, and optionally includes hollow chambers for stability and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a center seal slides on the insulating web of the sash frame, then the sash can be closed, but the sliding performance is poor and high operating forces are required

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveOperating force for closing sashVSAvoidSliding performance of center seal
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A Teflon® strip is introduced as an intermediary element between the center seal and the insulating web. This strip acts as a mediator that reduces friction and improves sliding performance, allowing the center seal to move smoothly along the insulating web during sash closing operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The coefficient of friction is changed by introducing a Teflon® strip with low-friction properties between the center seal and insulating web. This parameter change in surface friction characteristics enables smooth sliding operation and reduces the force required to close the sash.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the insulating web is kept short, then the structure is simpler, but the opening width in ventilation position is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveOpening width in ventilation positionVSAvoidStructure of sash frame
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating web is segmented into a first insulating web and a second insulating web that are arranged adjacently. This segmentation allows the insulating web system to extend further along the sash frame, enabling greater opening width in ventilation position while maintaining structural integrity through the modular configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating web configuration transitions from a single linear element to a multi-segment arrangement along the sash frame periphery. This dimensional extension allows the sealing function to cover a longer distance without requiring a single long insulating web, thus increasing ventilation opening width while managing structural complexity through distributed segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If the sash frame is moved to ventilation position, then air exchange is enabled, but sound insulation is compromised without proper sealing

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAir exchange rateVSAvoidSound transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A Teflon® strip is introduced as an intermediary sealing element between the center seal and the insulating web. This strip maintains continuous sealing contact during sash movement, ensuring that sound insulation is preserved even when the sash is in the ventilation position, while still allowing air exchange through the designated ventilation channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The Teflon® strip functions as a flexible sealing film that maintains contact between sealing surfaces during sash movement. This flexible element adapts to the relative motion between frame and sash, ensuring continuous acoustic sealing while permitting controlled ventilation through the ventilation duct.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 design reduces operating forces, enhances sound insulation, and increases the opening width in the ventilation position, achieving improved sealing and ventilation efficiency while minimizing resistance during opening and closing.

Implementation Method 1

rests at its free end against the sash or the frame with a sliding contact section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

at least one ventilation channel formed in at least one of the frame profiles of the frame or in at least one of the frame profiles of the sash frame, which has a first ventilation channel opening and a second ventilation channel opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3848550B1Window with a ventilation duct
Publication Date: 2023.07.12 SCHUECO INTERNATIONAL KG
  • EP3848550B1 patent drawingFigure 1a)
  • EP3848550B1 patent drawingFigure 1b)
  • EP3848550B1 patent drawingFigure 1c

AI summary

A window comprising at least the following features: a frame (1) composed of several frame profiles (1'), a sash (2) movable relative to the frame (1) at least between a closed position and a ventilation position, wherein a frame rebate space (F) is formed between the frame profiles (1', 2') of the frame (1) and the frame profiles (1', 2') of the sash (2), and at least one ventilation channel (8) formed in at least one of the frame profiles (1') of the frame (1) or in at least one of the frame profiles (2') of the sash (2), which has a first ventilation channel opening (9) and a second ventilation channel opening (10), wherein the sash (2) and the frame (1) are configured to close at least one of the ventilation channel openings (9, 10) in the closed position and to close both ventilation channel openings (9, 10) of the at least one ventilation channel (8) in the ventilation position. to releasewherein at least one sealing plane is formed between the frame (2) and the sash (1) in the area of ​​the frame rebate space in the open state, which is formed by at least one seal (18, 104, 105) which bears against the frame or the sash at least in the ventilation position, and which is designed as a central and contact seal (18) which has a sealing base (20) and at least one sealing section (22) pivotably attached to the sealing base (20), which is articulated to the sealing base (20), and which, at least in the area(s) in which a respective ventilation channel (8) is formed, bears against the sash or the frame at its free end with a sliding contact section (23).