Adjustable Building Panel Support Device for Irregular Substrates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building panel support devices struggle to accommodate irregular surfaces of pre-existing substrates, leading to difficulties in retrofitting new cladding materials and compromising thermal insulation and moisture resistance.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable building panel support device comprising a support bracket and a building panel support element, which can be fixed at a user-determinable position, allowing for variable distance adjustment to accommodate substrate irregularities, and includes features like flanges for retaining panels and insulation, and a capillary break to prevent moisture migration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed building panel support device is used on an irregular substrate, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot accommodate surface variations and installation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The building panel support device incorporates an adjustable support arm that can be positioned at multiple discrete locations along its length, allowing the device to adapt dynamically to varying substrate surfaces. The support arm can be adjusted to different positions and locked in place, providing the necessary adaptability without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm is divided into multiple segments or sections with adjustment mechanisms at specific intervals, allowing independent positioning of each segment. This segmentation enables the device to accommodate irregular surfaces by adjusting individual segments while maintaining overall structural integrity.
2Reliability
If support battens are fixed directly to an irregular substrate, then the installation process is simple, but thermal insulation performance deteriorates due to gaps between panels
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable support arm allows the support batten to be positioned at the optimal distance from the substrate surface, ensuring that insulation panels can be installed flush against the batten without gaps. This dynamic positioning capability maintains thermal insulation performance while the adjustment mechanism is designed to be user-friendly and straightforward to operate.
3Reliability
If a non-adjustable support device is used, then the device structure is simple, but moisture migration cannot be prevented on irregular surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
By allowing adjustment of the support arm position, the device creates a consistent air gap or drainage path between the substrate and the support batten, preventing moisture migration. The adjustable position ensures that the batten is properly positioned regardless of substrate irregularities, maintaining moisture resistance without requiring complex additional components.
4Manufacturing precision
If the support device is made rigid to maintain panel position, then positioning accuracy is good, but the device cannot accommodate substrate irregularities
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm incorporates adjustment mechanisms that allow positioning at discrete locations along its length, providing a balance between rigidity for panel support and flexibility for adapting to substrate variations. Once adjusted to the appropriate position, the support arm maintains rigid support for accurate panel positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The device provides localized adjustment capability at the support arm while maintaining overall structural rigidity. The adjustment mechanism is positioned only where needed to accommodate substrate variations, while the rest of the structure remains rigid to ensure accurate panel positioning and support.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable building panel support device comprising a building panel support element, a support bracket and at least one connector suitable for attaching an insulated building panel to a substrate for constructing an insulated wall section. The building support element and the support bracket are fixable together at a user determinable position by the at least one connector whereby the distance between the building panel support element and the support bracket can be varied to accommodate surface variations that may be present on a substrate surface.