Composite Profiled Element Tongue-and-Groove Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assembling composite profiles, particularly in fire protection and thermal insulation applications, face limitations due to the space requirements of roller tools, which restrict the use of complex geometries and result in low precision and inadequate thermal insulation performance.
Innovation Solution
A composite profile design featuring an insulating web with a reinforced edge foot that forms a tongue-and-groove connection with a metal profile, allowing for a more compact structure and improved thermal insulation by using a method that reshapes the grooves to securely lock the foot in place, enabling wider connecting webs without increasing the overall profile width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If roller tools are used for assembling composite profiles, then profiles can be joined together, but the roller tools require considerable space that restricts the arrangement of functional grooves and limits the width of connecting webs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the joining function from the roller tool and transfers it to the profile geometry itself. The tongue-shaped projection and groove form an intrinsic joining mechanism that is part of the profile structure, eliminating the need for external roller tools during assembly. This allows functional grooves to be arranged freely without space constraints from assembly tools.
2Temperature
If the width of the gap between metallic profiles is increased to improve thermal insulation, then thermal insulation properties improve, but the overall width of the composite profile must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the thermal insulation function from the horizontal dimension (gap width between profiles) to the vertical dimension (height of the connecting web). The tongue-shaped projection extends vertically into the groove, allowing the connecting web to provide thermal insulation through its vertical extent rather than requiring a wide horizontal gap. This enables improved thermal insulation without increasing the overall profile width.
3Ease of manufacture
If tongue-and-groove joints with coordinated tolerances are used for joining profiles and connecting webs, then assembly is enabled, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue-shaped projection is pre-formed as an integral part of the profile structure during profile manufacturing. This preliminary formation of the joining element eliminates the need for high-precision coordinated tolerances between separate components, as the tongue and groove are designed to work together as a standardized system with relaxed tolerance requirements.
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
This solution enhances thermal insulation by allowing for wider connecting webs, improving mechanical stability, and facilitating the integration of functional grooves for fasteners, while maintaining a compact profile size, thus overcoming the limitations of previous methods.
Implementation Method 1
a profile area that can be plastically deformed – usually a web-like projection, hereinafter also called foot – is plastically deformed by a so-called rolling process in such a way that a form-fit and force-fit connection
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a composite profiled element (300, 400), in particular a fire-protection composite profiled element (300, 400) for a frame (2, 3) of a window (1), of a door, or of a façade element, having an insulating web and a first metal profiled element connected to the insulating web, wherein the insulating web has at least one edge-side foot (17a), which is held in at least one first groove (26a, 26b, 27a, 27b) of the metal profiled element, wherein the first groove (26a, 26b, 27a, 27b) has at least one groove opening, wherein a first groove wall (48a, 48b, 49a, 49b) of the metal profiled element that bounds the first groove (26a, 26b, 27a, 27b) has at least one integral web (50a, 50b, 51a, 51b), which, together with the first groove wall (48a, 48b, 49a, 49b), bounds at least one second groove (67a, 67b, 67c, 67d), having a base wall, two side walls, and a groove opening, in such a way that the first groove wall (48a, 48b, 49a, 49b) forms the base wall of the second groove (67a, 67b, 67c, 67d). The invention further relates to a method for producing said composite profiled element.