Angled Insulating Facade Element for Glue-Free Corner Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing facade systems face challenges in efficiently forming outside corners, particularly on non-solid substrates like wood constructions, where continuous reveal or lintel surfaces are absent, leading to increased construction time and costs due to the need for adhesive-based attachment methods.

Innovation Solution

A facade element with two angled legs, one lined with fabric or fleece for painting/coating readiness and the other for mechanical fastening, allowing for glue-free attachment and simplified corner formation, suitable for use in reveal, lintel, or parapet areas, and capable of bridging ventilation cavities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If adhesive-based attachment methods are used for facade elements on non-solid substrates, then the facade element can be attached to wood constructions, but the construction time and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to substrate typesVSAvoidconstruction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The facade element is divided into two separate legs that can be attached independently. One leg is designed for mechanical fastening to the substrate while the other leg forms the reveal surface, allowing assembly without adhesive and reducing construction time while maintaining adaptability to various substrates including wood constructions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces adhesive-based attachment with a mechanical fastening system using clips or fasteners that attach one leg of the angular facade element to the substrate. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for adhesives on difficult substrates like wood, reducing construction time while maintaining versatility across different substrate types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If continuous reveal surfaces are created on wood constructions, then adhesive attachment becomes possible, but the process becomes time-consuming and cost-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of attachmentVSAvoidconstruction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The facade element separates the attachment function from the reveal surface function into two distinct legs. One leg is designed for mechanical attachment while the other provides the reveal surface, eliminating the need to create continuous reveal surfaces for adhesive attachment and significantly reducing construction time and cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the attachment function from the reveal surface formation process. By using a separate attachment leg with mechanical fasteners, the need to create continuous reveal surfaces for adhesive application is eliminated, simplifying the manufacturing and installation process while maintaining ease of attachment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If angular facade elements are used for outside corners, then corner formation is simplified, but adhesive attachment requires firm level surfaces that are not always available

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of corner formationVSAvoidadaptability to substrate conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces adhesive-based attachment with a mechanical fastening system that attaches the angular facade element directly to the substrate using clips or fasteners on one leg. This eliminates the requirement for firm level surfaces, allowing easy corner formation on various substrate conditions including wood constructions and ventilated curtain walls without requiring pre-prepared continuous surfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of manufacture

If reveal elements are attached by gluing, then attachment is simple, but ventilation cavities in curtain walls cannot be bridged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of attachmentVSAvoidcompatibility with ventilated curtain walls
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces adhesive attachment with a mechanical fastening system that allows one leg of the angular facade element to be attached to the substrate while the other leg extends to form the reveal surface. This mechanical attachment method can bridge ventilation cavities in curtain walls, maintaining ease of attachment while achieving compatibility with ventilated facade systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The angular facade element acts as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between the substrate and the reveal surface. The element's two legs allow it to span ventilation cavities while providing both mechanical attachment and reveal surface formation, combining ease of manufacture with adaptability to ventilated curtain wall systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3106578B1Façade element, façade system and method for producing a façade system
Publication Date: 2017.08.09 STO SE & CO KGAA
  • EP3106578B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3106578B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3106578B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a facade element (1) for a building facade, which, for forming an external corner (2), has two legs (1.1, 1.2) arranged at an angle (α), in particular at a right angle (α), and which are made of an insulating material. According to the invention, one leg (1.1) has on its outer side a facing of a fabric (4) and/or nonwoven material to form a surface (3) ready for painting or coating. The invention further relates to a facade system with such a facade element (1) and to a method for manufacturing a facade system according to the invention.