Clamping Fixing Arrangement for Membrane Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fixing arrangements for attaching a lining framework to structural elements, such as walls or roofs, require piercing vapour-retardant and airtight membranes, compromising their integrity and creating potential weak points for tears, and do not allow for easy correction of installation mistakes.

Innovation Solution

A fixing arrangement that clips and clamps the membrane between a recessed support and a projecting part without piercing, using levers and locking mechanisms that maintain the membrane's integrity and allow for reversible locking to facilitate easy adjustments during installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the membrane is pierced to attach the lining framework, then the membrane can be fixed to the structural element, but the integrity, air-tightness and vapour-retardancy of the membrane are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemembrane integrityVSAvoidattachment process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A fixing arrangement with a support and a device acts as an intermediary between the membrane and the structural element. The device clips and clamps the membrane to the support without piercing it, using a locking mechanism to secure the membrane in place while preserving its integrity and impermeability properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing arrangement is divided into separate components: a support structure attached to the structural element, and a clamping device that secures the membrane to the support. This segmentation allows the membrane to be fixed without direct piercing attachment, maintaining its integrity while achieving secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If the membrane is pierced for attachment, then the lining framework can be secured, but potential weak points for tears are created

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemembrane strengthVSAvoidinstallation process
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing arrangement serves as a mediator that transfers the attachment function from direct membrane piercing to a separate clamping mechanism. The device clips the membrane material between components and secures it with a locking mechanism, avoiding stress concentrations and weak points that would result from piercings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the membrane is pierced to attach the framework, then the lining can be fixed at a distance from the membrane, but the air-tightness and vapour-retardancy are destroyed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespacing flexibilityVSAvoidair-tightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure acts as an intermediary carrier that holds the clamping device at a desired distance from the membrane. This allows the lining framework to be positioned at an optimal spacing while the fixing arrangement maintains secure attachment without compromising the membrane's air-tightness and vapour-retardancy properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2781668B1Fixing arrangement and method for attaching a lining framework to a structural element
Publication Date: 2018.05.16 ATELIERS LR ETANCO SAS
  • EP2781668B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2781668B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2781668B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Fixing arrangement for attaching a lining framework of frame elements (400) to a structural element (800)comprising a device (100) and a support (200), whereas the device (100) and the support (200) are designed to receive a membrane (300), the support (200) comprising a bearing surface (201, 201a, 201b, 520) for the membrane and at least one recess (211a, 211b, 532a, 532b) adapted to receive the membrane and the device (100) designed to be locked onto the support (200) comprising at least one lever (110a, 110b), with each of the at least one lever (110a, 110b) comprising a projecting part (111a, 111b) designed to fit with the corresponding at least one recess (211a, 211b, 532a, 532b) in the support (200), wherein the attachment is obtainable by locking the projecting part (111a, 111b) of the at least one lever (110a, 110b) in the corresponding at least one recess (211a, 211b, 532a, 532b), the at least one recess (211a, 211b, 532a, 532b) and the projecting part (111a, 11b) being designed such that the membrane can be clipped and/or clamped between the recess (211a, 211b, 532a, 532b) and the projecting part (111a, 111b). The invention further relates to a method for attaching a membrane (300) and an insulation material (900) to a structural element (800), using a fixing arrangement according to any embodiment of the invention. In another aspect of the invention, it relates to a composite system, for example an improved insulated wall or roof.