Bracing Accessory With Elastic Sealing Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bracing accessories for insulation lining cause irreversible damage to sealing membranes due to puncture, compromising their sealing function and potential tear propagation.

Innovation Solution

A bracing accessory with a substantially flat rod and a sealing element made of elastic material, featuring a hole with a complementary shape to the rod, allows for reversible elastic fixing by friction, ensuring airtightness and ease of removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the rod passes completely through the sealing membrane to secure the insulation lining, then the mechanical fixation is improved, but the sealing function of the membrane is compromised due to puncture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical fixationVSAvoidsealing function
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A sealing element made of elastic material is introduced as an intermediary component between the rod and the sealing membrane. This element features a hole with a cross-section complementary to the rod, allowing the rod to pass through while maintaining sealing. The elastic material deforms to accommodate the rod and returns to its original shape, creating friction-based reversible fixation that prevents membrane puncture while ensuring mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the sealing element is made of elastic material with a complementary hole shape, then reversible elastic fixing by friction is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereversible fixingVSAvoidsealing element structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element utilizes changes in the physical parameters of elastic material to achieve reversible fixation. The material's elasticity allows it to deform during installation (when the rod is inserted) and then return to its original state, creating continuous friction-based holding force. This parameter change approach simplifies the overall system by replacing complex mechanical locking mechanisms with a simple elastic deformation principle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If the rod is substantially flat in shape, then the sealing surface area is increased, but the manufacturing precision requirements are heightened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing surface areaVSAvoidrod flatness tolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element employs local quality by concentrating the sealing function in a specific region - the hole with cross-section complementary to the rod. This localized approach allows the rod to have a simple flat shape for easy manufacturing, while the sealing element's precisely shaped hole provides the necessary sealing surface area. The complementary shape ensures optimal contact between the rod and sealing element without requiring extremely tight tolerances on the rod itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a removable and reliable airtight seal that adapts to insulation thickness, preventing membrane tears and maintaining sealing integrity during installation and use.

Implementation Method 1

Its elastic properties allow it to deform elastically to conform to the rod's circumference while simultaneously exerting a compressive force on the rod due to elastic recoil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The sealing element is thus elastically fixed to the rod, offering resistance through friction, i.e., tribological resistance, to its removal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

exerting a compressive force on the rod due to elastic recoil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic recoil: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4265864B1Bracing accessory
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 SAINT GOBAIN ISOVER
  • EP4265864B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4265864B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4265864B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A bracing accessory (5) adapted for fixing at least one insulating product (3) on a wall to be lined (1), comprising a rod (5A) having a first end adapted to be fixed to a structural element of said wall (1), and having a second end adapted to pass through said insulating product (3) and a sealing membrane (4).