IT202100021788A1 - ANTISEISMIC COUNTERFRAME WITH CONTROLLED DEFORMATION FOR WINDOWS FRAMES - Google Patents

Description

Description of the invention entitled:

?ANTISEISMIC COUNTERFRAME WITH CONTROLLED DEFORMATION FOR WINDOWS FRAMES?

Description

field of technique

The invention refers to a counter frame for door and window frames, more specifically, the present invention guarantees, in the event of seismic events, thanks to its deformability, the stability? shape of the frames and therefore the correct functioning of doors, gates or fixtures, or their correct opening and closing as well as? the correct alignment of the locks. even more advantageously, this invention includes strain sensors that can be connected in mode? wirelessly to a local and/or remote alarm system.

Known art

The subframe, also known as the casematta or false frame, is a fundamental architectural element for the correct assembly and operation of internal and external doors and windows. ? consisting of a frame generally in wood or metal and has numerous functions:

? regularizes the margins of the opening, which are almost always very irregular: in existing buildings, in case of modification of the openings, ? in fact obtained simply by chiselling the masonry;

? drastically reduces drafts and water infiltrations, improving internal environmental well-being and reducing heat loss;

? allows the frame of the fixture to be assembled in a workmanlike manner, guaranteeing solid and non-deformable anchoring points;

? delimits the boundaries of the opening, making it possible to plaster and paint the wall with precision without dirtying or damaging the fixture.

Some international patents, for example the patent WO2017201634A1, have tackled the theme of wooden frames for doors only designed for seismic and alluvial events, inserting in the same small elastic dissipators of various shapes and materials, inserted internally in the frame and fixed around it to the in order to guarantee a? cushioning that can ensure the correct functioning of the relative door in case of telluric events or deformations due to the humidity gradient? environmental. At present n? the invention above, n? other rights, due to their characteristics, effectively resolve the problems connected to possible strong telluric movements.

Purpose of this patent? therefore that of proposing an anti-seismic subframe for fixtures that is capable of deforming in a controlled manner in order to safeguard stability? in shape to the housing of the door frame and consequently its operation as well as? the correct alignment of the locks and, simultaneously, through piezoresistive devices, to send feedback in mode? wireless of this deformation to a dedicated software.

Description of the invention

According to the present invention , a controlled deformation anodized aluminum counter-frame is provided for window and door frames which effectively solves the above problems.

The choice of aluminum as the production material of the invention derives from its physical characteristics: its elastic deformation under a given load? in fact greater than in? steel. If an aluminum component replaces a steel one of the same size, with the same dimensions? of applied force, its elastic deformation ? greater than that of steel while its breaking load is lower. Compared to wood, the choice of aluminum is better for its mechanical performance both in terms of elastic deformation and in terms of breaking loads on equal terms. in size and applied force. Furthermore, thanks to the anodizing process, an irreversible electrochemical treatment by which a protective layer of oxide is artificially created on the treated metal surface, aluminum is not afraid of humidity. and other atmospheric agents, unlike iron, steel and wood. The choice of? Aluminum also appears to be ecologically appropriate since? the aluminum? a 100% recyclable material.

Specifically, said subframe comprises two U-shaped anodized aluminum sections of equal thickness but different section widths, positioned opposite each other along their open side and coupled together by means of a series of eccentric bracing structures, with deformation loads and predetermined break.

These eccentric bracing structures are made using at least 4 rectangular anodized aluminum plates of equal width and thickness where a lower plate is joined by welding on its short sides to two anodized aluminum plates of equal width and inclined at a predetermined angle. These inclined plates are defined as ?bracings?. The extremities? free from welding of the ?bracings? they are subsequently welded to a further rectangular plate in anodized aluminum which constitutes the upper plate, with a length equal to the lower plate and a width equal to the bracings and the lower plate. The extremities? of the structure cos? obtained, i.e. the short sides of the lower and upper plate, are chemically welded and orthogonally to the U-shaped anodized aluminum profile that will support? to the wall and one to the U-shaped anodized aluminum profile that will support? to the frame of the fixture. This type of coupling guarantees, in the event of a seismic event, the possibility that the U-shaped anodized aluminum profiles can move independently of each other thanks to the deformability? of the eccentric bracing structures described above.

The energy released by an earthquake, in fact, propagates from the ground to the structure above through the foundations and walls to reach the roof with both horizontal and vertical forces. Of these three elements (foundations, walls, roof), which make up a masonry building, the walls are the most? vulnerable to damage mainly caused by horizontal forces, which can compress the window frames. Thanks to the deformability? of the eccentric bracing structures placed inside the subframe in question the entire subframe can? absorb the movements of both horizontal and vertical forces released by telluric events ensuring stability? shape to the housing of the frame of the fixture and consequently its operation as well as? the correct alignment of the locks. In a variant of said counterframe, anodized aluminum fixing brackets are chemically anchored to the anodized aluminum U-shaped profile on the wall side, fulfilling the function of absorbing horizontal forces so that, in the event of a seismic event and therefore of external compressive forces , said clamps can deform and/or break in a predetermined manner.

At least one piezoresistive device? included in the structure of the counterframe object of the present invention. Preferably a plurality? of piezoresistive devices are mounted, at intervals with the eccentric bracing structures, inside the counterframe, adhering to both U-shaped profiles. The piezoresistive device? a type of sensor used to detect mechanical quantities and transform them into an electrical signal. This sensor works on the physical principle of piezoresistance: a particular resistive element follows the deformations of the surface of a sensor element (a foil, a membrane, a wire, or other) to which? fixed; these deformations (typically lengthening and shortening) cause a variation of the resistivity? electrical resistance of the resistor material and consequently its electrical resistance. By connecting this element to a measurement system capable of reading variations in resistance, it is possible to go back to the entity? of the deformation and, consequently, to the entity? of the physical quantity that caused them.

Said piezoresistive devices are wired together and connected, again via wiring, to a PLC which, through dedicated software, switches the resistance variations transmitted by the piezoresistive devices into processable information. Said information can then be transmitted via wireless to a device which can, using dedicated software, store and process this information on the deformation that occurred after the seismic event. Advantageously, said information can also be wirelessly transmitted to an alarm system which can, by means of a dedicated software, activate danger sound signals or send warning messages.

The advantages offered by the present invention are evident in the light of the description set forth up to now and will be even more clear thanks to the annexed figures and the relative detailed description.

Description of the figures

The invention will come described hereinafter in at least one preferred embodiment by way of explanation and not of limitation with the aid of the accompanying figures, in which:

- FIGURE 1 shows in axonometric view the interior of a portion of said counterframe with the U-shaped profiles in anodized aluminum respectively on the wall side 1 and on the frame side 2, the elastic gaskets 3, the eccentric bracing structures 4, the piezoresistive device 5, the wiring cables 6, the aluminum fixing bracket 7, the PLC 8, the wireless transmitter 9 and the power cable for the PLC 10.

- FIGURE 2 shows a front section of said counterframe with the U-shaped profiles in anodized aluminum respectively on the wall side 1 and on the frame side 2, the eccentric bracing structures 4, the piezoelectric sensors 5, the aluminum fixing clamp 7, the PLC 8 , the wireless transmitter 9 and the electrical connection cable 10.

- FIGURE 3 illustrates the cross section of said counterframe with the U-shaped profiles respectively on the wall side 1 and on the frame side 2, the elastic gaskets 3, the upper view of the structure with eccentric bracing 4, the aluminum fixing clamp 7.

- FIGURE 4 shows an example of installation of said counterframe with the U-shaped profiles respectively on the wall side 1 and on the frame side 2 and in transparency the eccentric bracing structures 4, the piezoelectric sensors 5, the aluminum fixing clamp 7, the PLC 8 , the wireless transmitter 9 and the electrical connection cable 10.

- FIGURE 5 shows an axonometric view of the structure with eccentric braces 4 with the upper profile 11, the lower profile 12 and the braces 13.

- FIGURE 6 shows the dimensions of the U-shaped profiles wall side 1 and frame side 2.

Detailed description of the invention

This invention will come now illustrated purely by way of example but not in a limiting or binding way, making use of the figures which illustrate some embodiments with respect to the present inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 1 ? shown is an axonometric view of the inside of a portion of said counterframe with the U-shaped profiles in anodized aluminum positioned opposite each other along their open side: the U-shaped profile in anodized aluminum on the wall side 1? larger than the U-shaped profile in anodized aluminum on the side of frame 2, so that, in the event of a seismic event and therefore of compression, the U-shaped profile in anodized aluminum on the side of frame 2 can slide inside the U-shaped profile in anodized aluminum wall side 1. The placement of continuous elastic gaskets 3 along the cavity spaces due to the opposite positioning and the different size of the U-shaped profiles in anodized aluminum, performs two main tasks:

- cushioning of the movements that the U-shaped profile in anodized aluminum on the side of the wall 1 may have, in the event of torsion of the wall due to seismic events, with respect to the U-shaped profile in anodized aluminum on the side of the frame 2;

- resistance to atmospheric agents and dust for the protection of all internal components.

Inside the structure composed of the U-shaped profiles in anodized aluminum 1 and 2 are the structures with eccentric bracings 4: these structures with eccentric bracings 4 fulfill the function of absorbing the forces resulting from seismic events as they can, given their architecture, deform and compress in all directions. These structures with eccentric bracings are made using 4 rectangular plates in anodized aluminum of equal width and thickness where a lower plate 12 is welded on its short sides to two rectangular plates in anodized aluminum of equal width and inclined with a predetermined angle which constitute the bracings 13. The ends? upper parts of the bracings 13 are subsequently welded to a further rectangular plate in anodized aluminum which represents the upper plate 11 with a length equal to the lower plate 12 and a width equal to the bracings 12 and to the lower plate 12.

The extremities? of the structure cos? obtained, i.e. the short sides of the lower and upper plates are chemically and orthogonally welded, one to the U-shaped anodized aluminum profile on the wall side 1 and one to the U-shaped anodized aluminum profile on the frame side 2. This type of coupling guarantees, in case of seismic event, the possibility? that the U-shaped anodized aluminum profiles 1 and 2 can move independently of each other thanks to the deformability? of the eccentric bracing structures described above.

Still inside the structure made up of U-shaped profiles in anodized aluminum 1 and 2 and positioned opposite each other along their open side, there are piezoresistive devices 5 placed at intervals (FIG. 2) (FIG. 4) with the eccentric braces 4. Said piezoresistive devices 5 are connected to each other by means of wiring cables 6 which flow to a PLC 8 which, by means of a dedicated software, switches the resistance variations transmitted by the piezoresistive devices 5 into processable information. Said information can then be transmitted via a wireless transmitter 9 to a device which can, via dedicated software, store and process such information on the deformation that occurred after the seismic event.

Said information can also be wirelessly transmitted to an alarm system which can, via dedicated software, activate danger sound signals or send warning messages. The PLC 8 and the wireless transmitter 9 are connected to the available electrical network by a power cable 10. ? finally, it is clear that modifications, additions or variations that are obvious to a person skilled in the art can be made to the invention described up to now, without thereby departing from the scope of protection which ? provided by the appended claims.

Claims (8)

Claims 1. Anti-seismic subframe with controlled deformation for window frames, comprising at least one upper crosspiece and at least two side uprights each of which is characterized in that it comprises at least two U-shaped anodized aluminum profiles of equal thickness for each crosspiece and each side upright of said subframe; said U-shaped anodised aluminum profiles being positioned opposite each other along their open side where the wall-side anodised aluminum U-profile (1) is? with an internal width (a) greater than the maximum width (d) of the U-shaped profile in anodized aluminum on the frame side (2) and engaged together by means of eccentric bracing structures (4) welded on their internal faces; these structures with eccentric bracing (4), having predetermined deformation and breaking loads, fulfilling the function of absorbing horizontal forces and being able to deform so that, in the event of a seismic event and therefore of external compressive forces, the aluminum U profile anodized aluminum profile on the wall side (1) can approach the U-shaped profile in anodized aluminum on the frame side (2) by compressing special continuous elastic gaskets (3) and absorbing the deformations of the wall due to horizontal forces where said counterframe ? anchored; said continuous elastic gaskets (3) being placed along the free space existing between said U-shaped profiles (1) and (2) due to the opposite positioning and the different dimensions of the U-shaped profiles in anodized aluminum (1) and (2) as above described; said continuous elastic gaskets (3) being also able to cushion any rotational movements that the U-shaped profile in anodized aluminum on the wall side (1) may have with respect to the U-shaped profile in anodized aluminum on the frame side (2) and protecting from atmospheric agents and from the dust all the internal components of said subframe. 2. Anti-seismic subframe with controlled deformation for window frames, according to the preceding claim 1, characterized in that the eccentric bracing structures (4) are made by means of at least 4 rectangular plates in anodized aluminum of equal width and thickness where a lower plate ( 12) rectangular in anodized aluminum is engaged by welding on its short sides to two braces (13); said braces (13) being made up of anodized aluminum plates of equal width and inclined with a predetermined angle, the ends? upper ones of the braces (13) being welded to an upper rectangular plate (11) in anodized aluminum, of equal length to the lower plate (12) and equal width to the braces (13) and to the lower plate (12); the extremities? of the structure cos? obtained, i.e. the short sides of the lower (12) and upper (11) plate, being welded and orthogonally one to the U-shaped anodized aluminum profile on the wall side (1) and one to the U-shaped anodized aluminum profile on the frame side (2 ). 3. Anti-seismic counterframe with controlled deformation for window frames, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one piezoresistive device (5), preferably a plurality of of piezoresistive devices (5) placed at intervals with the eccentric bracing structures (4) connected to each other by means of wiring cables (6); said piezoresistive devices (5) being able to detect the deformations of said counter-frame following seismic events. 4. Anti-seismic counterframe with controlled deformation for window frames, according to the preceding claim 3, characterized in that said piezoresistive devices (5) comprise a main body in which one end? ? integral with an internal face of one of said anodized aluminum profiles (1) or (2), the end? free of said main body being equipped with at least one piezoresistive sensor in contact with the internal face of the other anodized aluminum profile (1) or (2). 5. Anti-seismic subframe with controlled deformation for window frames, according to the preceding claim 3 or 4, characterized in that it comprises a PLC (8), which can be powered by an electric mains, which switches the resistance variations transmitted by the piezoresistive devices through a dedicated software (5) into processable information. 6. Anti-seismic subframe with controlled deformation for window frames, according to the preceding claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a wireless transmitter (9) capable of transmitting the information processed by the PLC (8) to remote devices such as mobile phones, tablets or computers i which are able, through a dedicated software, to store and process such information on the deformation occurred after the seismic event. 7. Anti-seismic subframe with controlled deformation for window frames, according to the preceding claim 6, characterized in that the information processed by the PLC (8) can be wirelessly transmitted to an alarm system able, via a dedicated software, to activate sound warning signals or send warning messages. 8. Anti-seismic counterframe with controlled deformation for window frames, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of? of fixing clamps in anodized aluminum (7) chemically anchored to the anodized aluminum profile on the wall side (1) with predetermined loads of deformation and breaking, called clamps (7) fulfilling the function of absorbing the horizontal forces so that, in the event of an seismic and therefore of external forces of compression, they can deform and / or break ensuring the stability? shape of the frame of the relative window.