EP1764469A1

EP1764469A1 - Motor-driven window unit with hinged opening

Info

Publication number: EP1764469A1
Application number: EP06119322A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marco Lambertini
Original assignee: GSG International SpA
Current assignee: GSG International SpA
Priority date: 2005-09-16
Filing date: 2006-08-22
Publication date: 2007-03-21
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-22
Also published as: ATE402313T1; EP1764469B1; ITBO20050568A1; DE602006001911D1; ES2309911T3

Abstract

A motor-driven window unit with hinged opening (1) comprises: a movable frame (2) and a fixed frame (3) hinged to one another along a relative first side (4); the movable and fixed frames (2, 3) each have a relative outer channel (C2, C3) for the connection of operating accessories; motor-driven control parts (5) designed to allow an open configuration, with the movable second side (6a) distanced from the fixed second side (6b), and a window unit (1) stable closed configuration, with the movable second side (6a) in contact with the fixed second side (6b); an operating rod (7), slidably positioned in the channel (C2) of the movable frame (2), and having at least one element (8a) for closing the movable frame (2) on the fixed frame (3), operating at a relative contact element (9a) positioned on the fixed frame (3); means (10) for moving the rod (7) controlled by the control parts (5), positioned on the movable frame (2) and inserted between the rod (7) and the motor-driven control parts (5), to move the rod (7) from a locked position to a released condition when the control parts (5) are activated, and, respectively, from the released configuration to the locked configuration, when control part (5) activation ends.

Description

The present invention relates to a window unit with hinged opening which has a motor for opening and closing movements.
At present, in the door and window frame sector, window units with hinged opening (for example, standard side-hung or bottom-hung wings) may be fitted with a motor-driven opening and closing device.
In practice, for the movement of two parts which are movable relative to one another (that is to say, a fixed frame and a movable frame hinged to one another on one side) motor-driven operating actuators are used.
The known technique has for some time now involved this type of movement being provided by actuators using, in a first solution, a flexible element, in particular a chain, or, in other solutions, an actuator using a rigid rod or a rack rod.
The actuator is housed in or supported by a body (usually connected to the fixed frame) and its movements in and out of said body are controlled by relative electric motor means.
The free end of the actuator is connected to the movable frame in such a way as to allow, when activated, thrust - gravity opening of the movable frame away from the fixed frame and, respectively, closing of the movable frame by traction towards the fixed frame.
The angle of opening of the window unit is therefore determined by the outward stroke of the actuator, controlled by mechanical or electronic devices on the actuator (directly or indirectly).
Such motor-driven devices provide reliable operation, but, for some types of window units, may have a possible limitation due to the fact that they usually have a single closing point for the movable frame, defined by the actuator (locked in that configuration by clutch-control or irreversibility of the motor) connected to the relative side of the movable frame.
For example, on bottom-hung window units (used as the non-limiting example of the solution described below), this single closing or retaining point is usually centred relative to the width of the window unit.
This central single closing point may not allow acceptable window unit closing, especially if the window unit has irregular proportions (very wide and low, or very narrow and tall, depending on requirements).
Moreover, the single closing point provides low resistance to attempts to break in from the outside and insufficient pressure on the seals, above all in the corner zones furthest from it, meaning that water and/or wind may enter (and general noise if present).
To overcome these problems, in some cases two actuators are used with a space between them and operating simultaneously in parallel: however, this gives the window unit a high final cost.
The aim of the present invention is therefore to overcome these disadvantages by providing a motor-driven window unit with hinged opening which has highly manoeuvrable and reliable opening and closing, is extremely versatile, and has increased guarantees in terms of security and the weather seal, at the same time keeping final costs low.
Accordingly, the invention achieves this aim with a motor-driven window unit with hinged opening comprising: a movable frame and a fixed frame hinged to one another along a relative first side; the movable and fixed frames each have a relative outer channel for the connection of operating accessories; motor-driven control parts designed to allow an open configuration, with the movable second side distanced from the fixed second side, and a window unit stable closed configuration, with the movable second side in contact with the fixed second side; an operating rod, slidably positioned in the channel of the movable frame, and having at least one element for closing the movable frame on the fixed frame, operating at a contact element positioned on the fixed frame; rod movement means controlled by the control parts, positioned on the movable frame and inserted between the rod and the motor-driven control parts, to move the rod from a locked condition to a released condition when the control parts are activated, and, respectively, from the released configuration to the locked configuration when control part activation ends.
The technical characteristics of the invention, in accordance with the afore-said aims, are clear from the claims herein, and the advantages are more apparent in the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred, non-limiting embodiment and in which:

Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of a motor-driven window unit with hinged opening, made in accordance with the present invention, in two different configurations, respectively open and closed;
Figures 3 and 4 are respectively a perspective view from above and a perspective view from below with some parts cut away to better illustrate others, of a detail of the window unit from the previous Figures, in particular an operating rod and movement means;
Figures 5 and 6 are top plan views with some parts cut away and other parts in cross-section of the movement means from Figures 3 and 4, in two different configurations, respectively open and closed;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the window unit from Figure 1, with some parts cut away to better illustrate other details of the window unit.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, and in particular with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 7, the window unit 1 is of the type with hinged opening, having a motor for its opening and closing movements.
In this text and in the accompanying drawings, a bottom-hung window unit is illustrated, by way of example only and without limiting the invention which can also apply to wings or types of window units with hinged opening (the standard side-hung type).
The window unit 1 basically comprises: a movable frame 2 and a fixed frame 3; motor-driven operating parts 5 for opening and closing the movable frame 2; an operating rod 7 for moving one or more elements 8a, 8b, 8c for closing the window unit 1 on corresponding contact elements 9a, 9b, 9c; and, finally, means 10 for moving the rod 7 with the control parts 5 so that the movable frame 2 can be locked on and respectively the movable frame 2 can be released from the fixed frame 3, by releasing and locking the closing elements 8a, 8b, 8c.
More precisely (again see Figures 1 and 2) the movable frame 2 and the fixed frame 3 are hinged to one another along a relative first side 4. Both frames, movable and fixed 2 and 3, each have a profile forming a relative outer channel C2, C3 for the connection of operating accessories.
The motor-driven control parts 5 comprise, in this preferred, non-limiting embodiment, a box-shaped body 5a housing a flexible element 5b (for example a chain) which is wound inside the body 5a and can be moved by a relative motor (for example electric, of the known type and not illustrated), designed to control the unwinding and rewinding of the flexible element 5b.
In Figures 1 and 2, the box-shaped body 5a can be connected to the fixed frame 3, whilst one end of the flexible element 5a can be connected to the movable frame 2, to allow:

an open configuration, with a second side of the movable frame 2 distanced from the relative second side of the fixed frame 3 (see Figure 1 and arrow F), and
a window unit 1 stable closed configuration, with the movable second side 6a in contact with the fixed second side 6b.

The operating rod 7 is slidably positioned in the channel C2 of the movable frame 2 and, as already indicated, has one or more elements 8a, 8b, 8c for closing the movable frame 2 on the fixed frame 3, operating at relative contact elements 9a, 9b, 9c positioned on the fixed frame 3 (the closing elements and contact elements are of the known type and only partly illustrated). The term contact elements may be understood as units forming seats designed to receive the locking element, simple holes, etc., without limiting the invention.
As already indicated, the means 10 for moving the rod 7 are controlled by the motor-driven control parts 5 and are positioned on the movable frame 2.
More precisely, these movement means 10 are inserted between the rod 7 and the motor-driven control parts 5, to move the rod 7, with the movable and fixed sides 6a and 6b in contact, from a window unit 1 locked condition to a released condition when the flexible element 5a is activated (see arrow F1 in Figure 5), and, respectively, from the window unit 1 released condition to the locked condition when rewinding of the flexible element 5b (see arrow F2 in Figure 6) ends.
In order to synchronise this movement of the rod 7 to release and lock the movable frame 2 when movement of the flexible element 5b is activated and deactivated, there are auxiliary operating means 11, inserted between the movement means 10 and the control parts 5.
These auxiliary operating means 11 operate on the movement means 10 together or synchronously with the control parts 5 to allow the operating rod 7 to move from the locked condition to the released condition before the movable frame 2 moves away, and, respectively, movement of the rod 7 from the released condition to the locked condition after stable contact between the two second sides 6a and 6b.
Figure 7 illustrates, by way of example only, three of the closing elements 8a, 8b, 8c. The first two 8a and 8b are positioned along the movable second side 6a with corresponding contact elements 9a and 9b positioned on the fixed second side 6b.
These two elements 8a, 8b are separated from one another by a gap and in a position away from the zone in which the movement means 10 are located on the movable side 6a.
The third closing element 8c may be positioned along a third side 2a of the movable frame 2 transversal to the movable second side 6a and operating on a relative third contact element 9c positioned on a third side 3a of the fixed frame 3, transversal to the fixed second side 6b.
As Figures 5 and 6 clearly show, the auxiliary operating means 11 comprise:

a control actuator 12 connected, at its first end, to the movement means 10 by a second pin 13 and, at its other end, exiting the movable second side 6a via a through-hole 14 in the movable second side 6a, connected to the end of the flexible element 5b;
a tubular body 15 fixed to the movable second side 6a, projecting transversally from the second side 6a outwards, and positioned at the through-hole 14 in such a way that the control actuator 12 is partly and slidably housed in it;
spring means 16 inserted between the actuator 12 and an internal narrowing of the tubular body 15, operating on the outer end of the actuator 12 and interacting with the operating parts 5 in such a way as to generate an actuator 12 stroke in both directions (see arrows F3 in Figures 5 and 6) along the tubular body 15, in the position in which the movable frame 2 and the fixed frame 3 are close to one another, and designed to allow movement of the rod 7 to said released condition, when the flexible element 5b is activated (unwinding), and respectively movement of the rod 7 to the locked condition, when rewinding of the flexible element 5b ends.

In other words, the spring means 16 allow an "overstroke" to move the rod 7 to the released condition before the flexible element 5b begins actually moving the movable frame 2, using the first forward release movement of the flexible element 5b on the actuator 12 and, in the opposite direction, allows the rod 7 to be returned to the locked condition with the movable frame 2 already in contact with the fixed frame 3.
In more detail, the actuator 12 is divided into two separate parts which can be connected by screwing together in the tubular body 15.
The first part 12 forms the actual actuator, slidably housed in the tubular body 15 and on which the spring means 16 operate, and exiting the body 15 with one end which can be connected to the end of the flexible element 5b.
The second part consists of a rod 17 connected, at its free end, to the movement means 10 by the second pin 13, whilst the other end is connected to the actuator 12 in the tubular body 15.
The first part 12 of the actuator has a circular swelling 18 designed to form a contact zone for the end of the spring means 16.
In addition, this first part 12 has a fork-shaped end 19 for stable connection to the end of the flexible element 5b (see also Figures 3 and 4).
As illustrated in Figures 3 to 6, the above-mentioned movement means 10 comprise a carriage 20 slidably positioned in a box-shaped container body 21 connected to the movable side 6a and above the operating rod 7 sliding channel C2.
The carriage 20 has a corresponding seat 22, open underneath, in which a connecting element or pin 23 connected to the operating rod 7 can engage, so as to allow rod 7 movement from the window unit 1 locked condition to the released condition, and vice versa, when the carriage 20 performs a parallel movement along the box-shaped body 21 controlled by the auxiliary operating means 11.
On its lower wall, this box-shaped body 21 has a through-slot 24, designed to allow the passage of the connecting pin 23 and its connection in the carriage 20 seat 22 and their relative sliding in both directions.
In addition, the movement means 10 comprise a kinematic toggle drive unit 25, inserted between the auxiliary operating means 1 and the carriage 20 and designed to allow, controlled by the auxiliary operating means 11, carriage 20 sliding in both directions, respectively allowing the window unit 1 released and locked conditions.
The kinematic unit 25 is located in the box-shaped body 21 and comprises:

a first arm 26 hinged at its first end, and at A, to the carriage 20 and, at its opposite end, at B, hinged to
a first end of a second drive arm 27, the opposite end of which is hinged, at D, to the box-shaped body 21.

This second arm 27 has a second through-slot 28, in its central zone, in which the second pin 13 connected to the rod 17 of the auxiliary operating means 11 engages, so that, when the auxiliary operating means 11 push or pull the second arm 27 along a trajectory perpendicular to the rod 7, there is corresponding pushing or pulling on the carriage 20 to allow the operating rod 7 movements. The first arm 26 has a first pin 29 for hinged connection, at the first end connected to the carriage 20, engaged in a first slot 30 extending in a straight line made in the box-shaped body 21, to allow a guided linear movement of the carriage 20 in both directions.
Similarly, the first and second arms 26 and 27 are hinged to one another at the respective ends by a third pin 31, the bottom of which engages in a third slot 32 extending in an arc, made in the box-shaped body 21, and designed to allow a guided articulated movement of the two arms 26 and 27 according to a predetermined reciprocal angle.
The bottom of the second pin 13, which is connected to the rod 17, engages in a fourth slot 33 extending in a straight line, designed to guide the second pin 13 along a straight trajectory, in both directions, perpendicular to the movement of the rod 7 and the carriage 20.
A window unit structured in this way therefore achieves the preset aims, thanks to a rational and simple structure with which it is possible to obtain multi-point closure on motor-driven window units of any type and above all with many possibilities for fitting accessories for traditional window units.
This allows the achievement of a high level of security and practicality in window unit closing without affecting the structure of the window unit and the types of motors to be used.
The invention described has evident industrial applications and may be modified and adapted without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Moreover, all details of the invention may be substituted by technically equivalent elements.

Claims

A motor-driven window unit with hinged opening, the window unit (1) being of the type comprising at least:
- a movable frame (2) and a fixed frame (3) hinged to one another along a relative first side (4); the movable frame (2) and the fixed frame (3) each have a profile forming a relative outer channel (C2, C3) for the connection of operating accessories;

- motor-driven control parts (5), operating between the two frames (2, 3) to allow an open configuration, with at least a second side (6a) of the movable frame (2) distanced from the relative second side (6b) of the fixed frame (3), and window unit (1) stable closed configuration, with the movable second side (6a) in contact with the fixed second side (6b); the window unit (1) comprising at least:

- an operating rod (7), slidably positioned in the channel (C2) of the movable frame (2), and having at least one element (8a) for closing the movable frame (2) on the fixed frame (3), operating at least at a relative contact element (9a) positioned on the fixed frame (3);

- means (10) for moving the rod (7) controlled by the motor-driven control parts (5), positioned on the movable frame (2) and inserted between the rod (7) and the motor-driven control parts (5), being designed to move the rod (7), with the movable second side (6a) and the fixed second side (6b) in contact, from a window unit (1) locked condition to a released condition when the control parts (5) are activated, and, respectively, from the released condition to the locked condition when activation of the control parts (5) ends.
The window unit according to claim 1, characterised in that it also comprises auxiliary operating means (11), inserted between the movement means (10) and the control parts (5), operating on the movement means (10) in synchrony with the control parts (5) so as to allow movement of the operating rod (7) from the locked condition to the released condition before the movable frame (2) is moved away, and, respectively, movement of the rod (7) from the released configuration to the locked configuration after stable contact between the two sides (6a, 6b).
The window unit according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises at least two closing element (8a, 8b) positioned along the movable second side (6a) and at least two corresponding contact elements (9a, 9b); the two elements (8a, 8b) being separated from one another by a gap and in a position away from the zone in which the movement means (10) are located on the movable second side (6a).
The window unit according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises at least three closing elements (8a, 8b, 8c) and of them at least one (8c) is positioned along a third side (2a) of the movable frame (2) transversal to the second side (6a) and operating on a relative third contact element (9c) positioned on a third side (3a) of the fixed frame (3), transversal to the second side (6b).
The window unit according to claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the auxiliary operating means (11) comprise:
- a control actuator (12) connected, at its first end, to the movement means (10) by a second pin (13) and, at its other end, exiting the movable second side (6a) via a through-hole (14) in the movable second side (6a), being connected to the control parts (5);

- a tubular body (15) fixed to the movable second side (6a), projecting transversally from the second side (6a) outwards, and positioned at the through-hole (14) so that the control actuator (12) is partly and slidably housed in it;

- spring means (16) inserted between the actuator (12) and an internal narrowing of the tubular body (15), operating on the outer end of the actuator (12) and interacting with the operating parts (5) in such a way as to generate an actuator (12) stroke in both directions along the tubular body (15), in the position in which the movable frame (2) and the fixed frame (3) are close to one another, being designed to allow movement of the rod (7) to said released condition, when the control parts (5) are activated, and respectively movement of the rod (7) to the locked condition, when activation of the control parts (5) ends.
The window unit according to claim 5, characterised in that the actuator (12) is divided into two separate parts which can be screwed together in the tubular body (15); the first part (12) forming the actual actuator, slidably housed in the tubular body (15) and on which the spring means (16) operate, and exiting the body (15) with one end which can be connected to the control parts (5); the second part consisting of a rod (17) connected at its free end to the movement means (10) by the second pin (13) and connected at its other end to the actuator (12) in the tubular body (15).
The window unit according to claims 5 and 6, characterised in that the first part (12) of the actuator has a circular swelling (18) designed to form a contact zone for the end of the spring means (16).
The window unit according to claims 5 and 6, characterised in that the first part (12) of the actuator has a fork-shaped end (19) for stable connection to the control parts (5).
The window unit according to claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the movement means (10) comprise a carriage (20) slidably positioned in a box-shaped container body (21) connected to the movable second side (6a) and above the operating rod (7) sliding channel (C2); the carriage (20) having a corresponding seat (22), open underneath, in which a connecting element or pin (23) may engage, the latter being connected to the operating rod (7) and projecting at the top to allow said rod (7) movement from the window unit (1) locked condition to the released condition, and vice versa, when the carriage (20) performs a parallel movement along the box-shaped body (21) controlled by the auxiliary operating means (11).
The window unit according to claim 9, characterised in that on its lower wall the box-shaped body (21) has a through-slot (24) designed to allow the passage of the connecting pin (23) and its connection in the carriage (20) seat (22) and their relative sliding in both directions.
The window unit according to claim 9, characterised in that the movement means (10) also comprise a kinematic toggle drive unit (25), inserted between the auxiliary operating means (11) and the carriage (20) and designed to allow, controlled by the auxiliary operating means (11), carriage (20) sliding in both directions, thus allowing the window unit (1) open and respectively closed configurations.
The window unit according to claims 9 to 11, characterised in that the kinematic toggle drive unit (25) is positioned in the box-shaped body (21) and comprises:
- a first arm (26) hinged at its first end, and at (A), to the carriage (20) and hinged at its opposite end, at (B), to

- a first end of a second drive arm (27) which is hinged, at its opposite end and at (D), to the box-shaped body (21); the second arm (27) having a second through-slot (28), in its central zone, in which a second pin (13) connected to the auxiliary operating means (11) engages, so that, when the auxiliary operating means (11) push or pull the second arm (27) along a trajectory perpendicular to the rod (7), there is corresponding pushing or pulling on the carriage (20) to allow the operating rod (7) movements.
The window unit according to claim 12, characterised in that the first arm (26) has a first pin (29) for hinged connection, at the first end connected to the carriage (20), engaged in a relative first slot (30) extending in a straight line, made in the box-shaped body (21), allowing a carriage (20) guided linear movement in both directions.
The window unit according to claim 12, characterised in that the first and second arms (26, 27) are hinged to one another at the respective ends by a third pin (31) the bottom of which engages in a third slot (32) extending in an arc, being made in the box-shaped body (21) and designed to allow a guided articulated movement of the two arms (26, 27) according to a predetermined reciprocal angle.
The window unit according to claim 12, characterised in that the bottom of the second pin (13), which is connected to the auxiliary operating means (11), engages in a fourth slot (33) extending in a straight line and designed to guide the second pin (13) along a straight trajectory, in both directions, perpendicular to the movement of the rod (7) and the carriage (20).
The window unit according to claim 1, characterised in that the control parts (5) comprise a box-shaped container body (5a) for a flexible element (5b) which is wound in the body (5a) and can be moved by a relative motor designed to control flexible element (5b) unwinding and rewinding; it being possible to connect the box-shaped body (5a) to the fixed frame (3) and to connect one end of the flexible element (5a) to the movable frame (2).