Cladding System Fastening Profile with Oblique Receiving Sections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cladding systems for walls face challenges in minimizing the width of insertion slots between cladding elements for aesthetic and functional reasons, while also simplifying the assembly process and ensuring secure anchoring against wind loads and weather effects.

Innovation Solution

Designing fastening profiles with two receiving sections bent at oblique angles, typically between 30° and 60°, to minimize the insertion slot width and facilitate easier assembly, where one cladding element can be pre-assembled with the fastening profile before the other is folded into place, ensuring secure attachment and uniform deformation under wind loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the insertion slot is made narrow to minimize gaps between cladding elements, then aesthetic appearance and rain/dirt protection are improved, but the assembly process becomes more difficult and requires additional work steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion slot widthVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening section is pre-formed into a U-shape during manufacturing, so that when installation time comes, the assembler only needs to insert the pre-shaped fastening section into the receiving section without having to perform complex bending operations. This preliminary formation of the fastening section geometry resolves the contradiction by preparing the component in advance, making narrow slot insertion feasible while simplifying on-site assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Shape

If U-shaped bending of the fastening section is performed to enable narrow insertion slot, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but manufacturing complexity and work steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening section geometryVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The U-shaped fastening section is formed during the manufacturing process rather than requiring post-manufacturing bending operations. By incorporating this forming step into standard manufacturing procedures, the complexity is contained in the factory setting where specialized equipment is available, rather than increasing on-site assembly complexity. This resolves the contradiction by preparing the geometric complexity in advance during production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If cladding elements are designed with different bending requirements for secure attachment, then anchoring stability is improved, but installation time and labor requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanchoring stabilityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening section is pre-formed into the required U-shape during manufacturing, so that during installation, the assembler simply needs to insert the pre-shaped section into the receiving section. This eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site bending operations while maintaining the geometric complexity required for secure anchoring. The contradiction is resolved by performing the time-consuming geometric formation in advance during manufacturing rather than during installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3988737B1Cladding system for a wall and arrangement of the cladding system on a wall
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 3A COMPOSITES
  • EP3988737B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3988737B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a cladding system (100) for a wall (1), comprising a plate-shaped cladding element (50) which can be connected to a fastening profile (10) on two opposite longitudinal or transverse sides, wherein the fastening profile (10) is designed for anchoring the cladding system (100) to the wall (1), wherein the cladding element (50) has, on each of the two longitudinal or transverse sides arranged in operative connection with a fastening profile (10), a preferably strip-shaped fastening section (60, 62) which is bent relative to a base surface section (64) of the cladding element (50) and which interacts with a corresponding, groove-shaped first or second receiving section (16, 18) on the fastening profile (10), wherein the two receiving sections (16,18) are arranged on the mounting profile (10) on the side opposite a mounting surface (14) for the wall (1) on the mounting profile (10).