Cladding Attachment Devices with Thermal Breaks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for attaching cladding to building structures often result in thermal bridging and inefficiencies in energy insulation, as they fail to effectively accommodate varying insulation thicknesses and ensure proper alignment and load distribution.

Innovation Solution

The development of modular cladding component attachment devices with adjustable features, such as steel tubes with fastening mechanisms and thermal breaks, allows for secure attachment of cladding components to building walls with varying insulation thicknesses, minimizing thermal bridging and enhancing energy efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If clips or anchors are used to fasten cladding directly through insulation to building walls, then cladding can be securely attached to provide thermal insulation and weather resistance, but thermal bridging occurs across the building wall reducing energy efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidthermal energy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary attachment device comprising a support member extending through the insulation and a base member attached to the building wall. This intermediary structure distributes the attachment function across multiple components, allowing the support member to penetrate the insulation while the base member provides a broader attachment surface to the wall, thereby reducing thermal bridging compared to direct clip-through methods while maintaining secure cladding attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment device is segmented into distinct functional components: a support member for penetrating and supporting the insulation layer, a base member for attaching to the building wall, and optionally adjustable members for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while collectively reducing thermal bridging by distributing the thermal path across multiple interfaces rather than a single direct penetration point

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional attachment methods are used, then cladding can be installed, but they fail to accommodate varying insulation thicknesses effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of varying insulation thicknessesVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment device incorporates adjustable members that can be positioned at different locations along the support member, transforming a static attachment device into a dynamic one capable of adapting to varying insulation thicknesses. This adjustability allows the device to maintain proper alignment and structural integrity across different insulation depths without requiring multiple specialized components for each thickness variation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support member serves multiple functions: it penetrates the insulation layer, provides structural support, accommodates varying insulation thicknesses through adjustable member positioning, and facilitates the attachment of the base member to the building wall. This multi-functionality allows a single device design to handle a range of insulation thicknesses while maintaining alignment precision through the adjustable positioning mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If clips or anchors extend through insulation to support cladding, then structural support is provided, but thermal insulation efficiency is reduced due to thermal bridging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidthermal insulation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a one-dimensional direct penetration approach (clip through insulation to wall) to a two-dimensional distributed attachment system where the base member provides a broader attachment surface area on the building wall. This dimensional expansion distributes the thermal bridge across a larger area, reducing the thermal gradient and improving insulation efficiency while maintaining the necessary structural support through the support member's penetration function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

These devices provide a thermally insulated intermittent structural attachment solution, reducing energy losses by accommodating different insulation thicknesses and ensuring proper alignment, thereby improving the overall energy efficiency of building insulation systems.

Implementation Method 1

thermal breaks... minimizing thermal bridging and enhancing energy efficiency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11913234B2Cladding attachment devices, systems, and associated methods of manufacture and use

Publication Date: 2024.02.27 MAYNE INC

AI summary

Devices, systems and methods for attaching girts, rails, cladding, and/or other cladding components to an exterior wall portion (e.g., an insulated exterior wall portion) or other substructure of a building are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, cladding component attachment devices disclosed herein can include a unitary body formed from a workpiece having a rectangular cross-section. Other embodiments of cladding component attachment devices disclosed herein can include a support arm (e.g., a tubular member) that can be adjustably attached to a base.