Box Body with Transverse Grooves for Thermal Bridge-Free Lintel Connection

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for connecting a lintel with a joinery frame often form thermal bridges, leading to heat loss in cold weather.

Innovation Solution

A trunk body with an inverted U-shaped geometry and transverse grooves that house a junction piece, where the junction piece's branches are positioned to avoid exposure to ambient air, preventing thermal bridging, and anchoring tabs provide secure anchoring without forming a thermal path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a metal bracket is used to connect lintel to window frame, then structural stability is improved, but thermal bridge formation occurs causing heat loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidheat loss

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting piece is divided into multiple branches (first branch, second branch, third branch) that are distributed within the box body structure. This segmentation allows the connecting function to be achieved while distributing thermal pathways, reducing the formation of continuous thermal bridges between the lintel and window frame.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting piece is nested within the box body structure, with its branches positioned inside grooves and recesses of the box body. This nesting arrangement conceals the metal connecting elements within the insulating box body material, preventing direct thermal bridge formation while maintaining structural connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If a connecting piece is exposed to ambient air, then installation simplicity is improved, but thermal bridge formation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidheat loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting piece is nested within the box body structure, with its branches positioned inside grooves and recesses of the box body. This nesting arrangement conceals the metal connecting elements within the insulating box body material, preventing direct thermal bridge formation while maintaining structural connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Strength

If the connecting piece penetrates the recess, then anchoring strength is improved, but thermal exposure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring strengthVSAvoidthermal exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting piece is nested within the box body structure, with its branches positioned inside grooves and recesses of the box body. This nesting arrangement conceals the metal connecting elements within the insulating box body material, preventing direct thermal bridge formation while maintaining structural connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3269916B1Body of a box intended for receiving a concealing member

Publication Date: 2019.05.15 DELPHIA

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a box body (100) delimited by a profile having an inverted U-shaped cross-section, comprising an arch wall (Pv) extended at its two longitudinal edges respectively by two lateral walls (P11, P12), which extend in the same direction and perpendicularly or nearly perpendicularly to the arch wall (Pv). These three walls define a longitudinal recess (Ev) for receiving a blind. According to the invention, a first transverse groove (Rn1) passes at least locally through the arch wall (Pv), and said first transverse groove connects with a second groove (Rn2) cutting transversely into a lateral wall (P11) from its inner face (Fi).This box body structure is designed to receive a connecting piece between a lintel and a joinery frame which can thus be placed in the first through groove and in the second groove open on the recess, without causing, after the installation of the box body in a dwelling, a thermal bridge.