Ventilated Cladding Profile Slots for Quick Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing construction sets for ventilated facades lack stability and usability, with holding elements that are not easily mountable without additional fastening elements and do not allow for versatile mounting positions.
Innovation Solution
A construction set with a polygonal cross-section profile featuring slots with outer insert portions and undercut bottom portions, allowing for guided attachment of holding elements and enabling quick, detachable, and versatile mounting, along with a fixing system using elongated projections for positive locking and reduced element count in assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If holding elements are designed to engage with simple finger-grips only, then ease of operation is improved, but stability and reliability of the connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The slot is segmented into three distinct portions: an outer insert portion for initial engagement, a middle portion for guiding, and an inner bottom portion with undercut for final locking. This segmentation allows the holding element to progress through different engagement stages, achieving both easy operation and stable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the slot have different geometric qualities tailored to specific functions: the outer insert portion has a larger opening for easy access, the middle portion provides guiding geometry, and the inner bottom portion creates a locking undercut. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and connection stability.
2Reliability
If additional fastening elements are used to secure holding elements, then stability and reliability are improved, but device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening function is extracted from separate fastening elements and integrated directly into the slot geometry itself. The undercut bottom portion of the slot creates an inherent locking mechanism that eliminates the need for additional fastening elements, reducing component count while maintaining connection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The slot structure provides self-locking through its undercut geometry, where the holding element automatically secures itself when inserted. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate fastening components, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If mounting positions are limited to fixed locations, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability and versatility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The slot design with its progressive geometry serves multiple functions: initial engagement, alignment, guiding, and locking. This multi-functional design allows the same slot structure to accommodate various holding elements at different positions while maintaining precision, thereby achieving both manufacturing precision and mounting versatility.
4Strength
If profile wall thickness is increased to improve structural integrity, then strength and reliability are improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slot is positioned locally at the edge portion of the profile rather than requiring uniform wall thickness throughout. This localized feature provides the necessary structural functionality for mounting while maintaining thinner walls in other areas, achieving a balance between strength and weight.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5a~6b
AI summary
A construction profile (1) with a polygonal cross-section and edge portions provided with slots formed between adjacent polygon faces (7) and extending in an inclined direction relative thereto, a construction profile kit with said construction profile and joint profiles, and an fixing system for ventilated claddings with a supporting frame of construction profiles (1). The fixing system further comprises a supporting element (21) for supporting a frame profile (1) to a facade (87) and a holding plate (26) for holding facade plates (83), the elements (21, 26) being formed so as to be slid longitudinally or plugged circumferentially into the slots (5) of the construction profile (1).