Window Water-Guidance Element for Hinge Seal Interruptions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing outward-opening doors and windows with roller hinges experience water penetration due to design-related interruptions in the rebate seal, allowing water to run uncontrollably down the frame and overcome the threshold seal, particularly in the presence of roller hinges attached in the door rebate.

Innovation Solution

A door or window assembly with a water-directing element on the frame below the lower hinge, featuring a water-collecting area and a sloping slope to direct water into a drainage area, combined with sealing guide elements to prevent water ingress at the roller hinge interruptions, and an intermediate seal to enhance sealing effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If roller hinges are attached in the door rebate to enable outward-opening doors, then the door can open outward, but the rebate seal is interrupted allowing water to penetrate into the door rebate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutward-opening functionVSAvoidsealing performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A water guidance element is introduced as an intermediary component between the interrupted rebate seal and the threshold seal. This element includes a water collection area, slope, and drainage area that actively directs water away from the door rebate, compensating for the seal interruption caused by the roller hinge attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful effect of water penetration at the hinge location into a controlled drainage process. The water guidance element captures water that would otherwise infiltrate the door rebate and channels it through a controlled path to the outside, transforming the sealing problem into a managed water diversion system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If the rebate seal is continuous to prevent water penetration, then water tightness is improved, but the roller hinge cannot be attached in the door rebate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater tightnessVSAvoidroller hinge attachment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing system is segmented into multiple functional zones: the rebate seal, the water guidance element with its collection area, slope, and drainage area, and the threshold seal. This segmentation allows the roller hinge to be attached in one location while other segments compensate for the seal interruption and maintain overall water tightness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If water is allowed to run down the frame to the threshold seal, then the threshold seal can drain water, but water can run uncontrollably and overcome the threshold seal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimple drainage pathVSAvoidthreshold seal performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The water guidance element performs preliminary water collection and direction before water reaches the threshold seal. By capturing water in the collection area and directing it through the slope to the drainage area, the system prevents water from accumulating and overwhelming the threshold seal, ensuring controlled drainage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary 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 solution effectively channels water away from the frame, preventing uncontrollable ingress and enhancing the sealing performance by directing water to the outside, thus improving the tightness and resistance to driving rain.

Implementation Method 1

a slope sloping outwards adjoins, designed to direct water from the rebate groove into a drainage area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

water running downwards from the top of the stop seal to reach the upper surface of the band flap at its end and from there, through capillary action, run inwards into the door rebate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP4442952B1Door or window assembly with water guidance element
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 HYDRO EXTRUDED SOLUTIONS AS
  • EP4442952B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4442952B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4442952B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A door or window assembly (1000), in particular a door or window assembly opening to the outside, comprising a frame (1100) and a door or window sash rotatably attached thereto by means of a lower hinge (500) and an upper hinge, wherein a water-guiding element (100) is arranged on the frame (1100) below the lower hinge (500), wherein the water-guiding element has a water-collecting area (110) which tightly seals a rebate groove (1125) formed on an inside of the door or window assembly of the frame (1100) and to which a slope (120) sloping towards the outside adjoins, which is designed to direct water from the rebate groove (1125) into a drainage area, wherein the water-guiding element (100) further comprises at least one spacer (150) facing the frame (1100) and a passage (140) between the water-guiding element (100) and the frame (1100) emerging water.