Composite Wall Anchor Structure for Thermal Bridge Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fastening anchors that penetrate through insulating layers to reach masonry create thermal bridges, leading to heat loss and condensation issues due to their high thermal conductivity, which can damage the masonry.

Innovation Solution

A plastic anchor rod with a metallic filling and a threaded rod, designed to minimize thermal bridges by providing mechanical stability without significant thermal conductivity, using polyamides or fiber-reinforced plastics, and featuring grooves for enhanced adhesion and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If metal fastening anchors are used to provide mechanical stability through insulation layers, then anchoring strength is improved, but thermal conductivity increases creating thermal bridges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanchoring strengthVSAvoidthermal bridge
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening anchor uses a composite structure combining plastic (low thermal conductivity) and metal (high strength) components. The plastic anchor rod provides thermal insulation while the metal expansion element and thread provide mechanical anchoring strength, resolving the contradiction between thermal performance and mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening anchor is divided into functionally distinct segments: a plastic anchor rod for thermal insulation and mechanical insertion, a metal expansion element for anchoring, and a metal thread for fastening. Each segment performs its specific function optimally without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If fixing anchors penetrate through insulation layers to anchor in masonry, then mechanical stability is improved, but condensation risk increases due to dew point shift

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidcondensation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The plastic-metal composite construction creates a thermal break at the critical interface between insulation and masonry. The plastic portion prevents the metal from creating a continuous thermal bridge to the dew point, eliminating condensation risk while maintaining mechanical stability through the metal anchoring components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Loss of energy

If anchor rod is made entirely of plastic to reduce thermal conductivity, then thermal bridge is reduced, but buckling resistance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal bridgeVSAvoidbuckling resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The plastic anchor rod gains buckling resistance from the embedded metal expansion element and thread, which act as internal reinforcement. The metal components provide the necessary stiffness and strength while the plastic matrix maintains thermal insulation properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The plastic material serves as an intermediary that transfers and distributes loads between the metal reinforcement elements and the surrounding masonry, allowing the composite structure to achieve buckling resistance without compromising thermal performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution effectively reduces thermal bridges and prevents condensation by using a thermally insulating plastic anchor rod with a metallic filling and threaded rod, ensuring mechanical stability while maintaining low thermal conductivity, thus protecting the masonry from damage.

Implementation Method 1

The plastic anchor rod with a metallic filling and threaded rod, designed to minimize thermal bridges by providing mechanical stability without significant thermal conductivity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

featuring grooves for enhanced adhesion and stability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2639373B2Thermally insulated wall anchor
Publication Date: 2022.12.28 HUPFAUF PETER
  • EP2639373B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The anchor (1) has an anchor rod (5) with screw threads (9, 10) for retaining a holding element, where the anchor rod is completely made of plastic material i.e. fiber reinforced plastic such as glass-fiber reinforced plastic material. The anchor rod penetrates through an insulating layer (4) and a masonry (3). The anchor rod comprises a tubular shaped cavity (6). A metallic filling part is provided i.e. threaded rod (7), is provided in the cavity. The metallic filling part projects the holding element opposite end of the anchor rod from the cavity. An independent claim is also included for a fastening element.