Rear-Ventilated Façade Composite Panel Fixation via Hidden Hooks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rear-ventilated facade systems face challenges in visually appealing and efficient fixation of composite panels, particularly due to the penetration of the outer skin at fastening points and complex adaptation to installation situations, especially with complex bending forms.

Innovation Solution

The use of rear suspension elements, such as hook elements connected to the composite panel via invisible means that engage behind holes in the core layer, allowing for secure fixation without damaging the visible side, with a keyhole design for easy insertion and self-retaining connection, and optional screw connections or locking mechanisms for stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If composite panels are fixed using visible fasteners from the visible side, then secure fixation is achieved, but the visible side is damaged and appearance is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation securityVSAvoidvisible skin penetration and aesthetic damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional fastening approach by moving the visible fastening elements to the rear side of the composite panel instead of the visible front side. The hook elements are attached to the rear cover sheet and engage with the substructure from behind, completely eliminating visible penetrations in the outer skin while maintaining secure fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional surface fastening to three-dimensional spatial engagement. The hook elements extend through the core layer and engage the substructure in depth, creating a volumetric connection that secures the panel without requiring visible surface penetrations. The keyhole recesses provide guided insertion paths that ensure proper positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If complex bent forms are used instead of flat composite panels, then fixation at folded edges is possible, but manufacturing complexity and adaptation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity and site adaptation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the fastening function into separate hook elements that can be independently attached to flat composite panels. Each hook element is a discrete component that can be pre-fixed during panel manufacturing or easily attached on-site, eliminating the need for complex integrated bent forms while achieving the same fixation capability at panel edges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables preliminary fixation of hook elements to composite panels during manufacturing or pre-assembly stages. The hook elements can be attached to the rear cover sheet before panel installation, allowing for quality control and adjustment in a controlled environment rather than requiring complex on-site bending and forming operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3365510B1Arrangement for wall, ceiling, or roof cladding of a building structure
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 MAAS PROFILE
  • EP3365510B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3365510B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement for wall, ceiling, or roof cladding of a building structure, in particular a rear-ventilated façade system, comprising a substructure (12) applied on the building structure (10), and at least one composite plate (16) fixed thereon, said composite plate comprising a cover sheet (20) on the rear side facing the substructure (12), a cover sheet (22) facing away from same on the visible side, and a core layer (24) arranged between the cover sheets (20, 22). According to the invention, at least one hook element (14), suspendable in the substructure (12), is connected to the composite plate (16) via hidden connecting means (18) on the visible face, wherein the connecting means (18) engage behind a recess (36) of the rear-side cover sheet (20) in the area of the core layer (24).