Building Cover System Flexible Connection Lips Thermal Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cover systems for exterior building walls face issues with thermal expansion and contraction, leading to undesirable shrinkage and expansion, and are heavy due to ballast elements, making them time-consuming to install.
Innovation Solution
A cover system comprising a plastic tray with a closing wall and bearing supports that allow for thermal insulation and flexibility, featuring a rib assembly to minimize air circulation and enhance insulation, and flexible connection lips to accommodate expansion and contraction, while being lightweight and easier to mount.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If plastic shells are placed loose onto the roof to allow thermal expansion and contraction, then the shells can accommodate temperature fluctuations, but the entire cover system will shrink and expand relative to the roof by several centimetres over large surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cover system into multiple individual shells that are distributed across the surface. Each shell independently accommodates thermal expansion and contraction, preventing cumulative dimensional changes across large surfaces. The segmentation allows local adaptation without affecting overall system dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mounting mechanism (legs with adjustment capability) between the shells and the roof. This intermediary allows the shells to remain firmly positioned while accommodating thermal expansion and contraction, acting as a buffer that absorbs dimensional changes.
2Reliability
If ballast elements are added to keep the shells down, then the shells remain firmly positioned, but the cover system becomes heavy and time-consuming to install
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs legs with adjustable height capability, transforming a static mounting system into a dynamic one. The legs can be adjusted during installation to accommodate varying roof surfaces and can be quickly positioned, enabling fast installation without heavy ballast elements while maintaining reliable positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mounting parameter from fixed heavy ballast to adjustable leg height. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to different installation conditions and achieves reliable positioning through precise height adjustment rather than through weight, significantly reducing installation time and complexity.
3Reliability
If the shells are firmly positioned on the roof, then the cover system maintains stable positioning, but thermal expansion and contraction cause undesirable movement relative to the roof
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable leg mechanism provides a dynamic mounting solution that can adapt to thermal expansion and contraction. The legs maintain firm positioning while allowing controlled movement, resolving the contradiction between stability and positioning accuracy during temperature fluctuations.
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 system effectively manages thermal expansion and contraction, provides improved thermal insulation, and simplifies installation by using flexible components and a lightweight design.
Implementation Method 1
The tray (20) comprises a surface (21) extending substantially parallel to the exterior wall and a circumferential wall (22) upright from the tray (20). The rib assembly to minimize air circulation and enhance insulation.
Implementation Method 2
When used, the plastic shells of the known cover system are exposed to large temperature fluctuations as a result of which they shrink and expand.
Implementation Method 3
flexible connection lips to accommodate expansion and contraction
Data Source
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AI summary
Cover system for covering an exterior wall of a building, in particular a façade or a roof, wherein the cover system is provided with a cover element having a cover surface for covering at least a part of the exterior wall and a bearing support for bearing the cover element relative to the exterior wall, wherein one of the cover element and the bearing support comprises a first connection lip and the other of the cover element and the bearing support is provided with a first retaining member for retaining the first connection lip, wherein the first connection lip is at least partially flexible and adapted for, in placed condition of the cover element on the bearing support, in cooperation with the first retaining member forming a first connection between the cover element and the bearing support, wherein the first connection is substantially flexible in a first direction substantially parallel to the cover surface of the cover element.