Ventilated Curtain Wall Bracket With Captive Thermal Break Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wall brackets for ventilated curtain walls pose fire hazards due to insufficient fire resistance and create thermal bridges, complicating assembly and installation, and affecting thermal insulation.

Innovation Solution

A wall bracket design featuring a captive connection between a support element and a fastening device that stabilizes the bracket through clamping force, eliminating the need for welding or riveting, allowing easy assembly and improved thermal insulation and fire protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If wall brackets are used to attach cladding elements to the load-bearing structure, then the cladding elements can be securely mounted, but the brackets create thermal bridges that reduce thermal insulation performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting strengthVSAvoidthermal insulation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The wall bracket is divided into separate components: a support element with fastening device, and a fastening blade. These segments are connected via a captive connection that allows thermal insulation material to be positioned between them, breaking the thermal bridge while maintaining structural integrity through the clamping force of the fastening device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A captive connection acts as an intermediary between the support element and fastening blade. This connection allows thermal insulation material to be inserted and retained in the gap between bracket components, serving as a thermal break while still providing the necessary mechanical connection for mounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If wall brackets penetrate the thermal insulation layer to attach cladding elements, then secure mounting is achieved, but fire resistance is compromised due to heat conduction through the brackets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting securityVSAvoidfire resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket system is segmented into separate components with gaps between them, allowing thermal insulation and fire-resistant materials to be positioned in these gaps. This segmentation interrupts the continuous heat conduction path while maintaining mechanical mounting security through the captive connection and clamping force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The captive connection serves as an intermediary that allows fire-resistant thermal insulation material to be inserted and retained between the support element and fastening blade. This intermediary positioning of fire-resistant material breaks the heat conduction path while the mechanical connection maintains mounting security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If traditional welding or riveting methods are used to assemble wall brackets, then structural stability is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The wall bracket components are designed to self-assemble through a captive connection mechanism. The fastening blade is retained by the support element without requiring welding or riveting, allowing the components to be easily assembled and disassembled while maintaining structural stability through the clamping force of the fastening device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Traditional welding or riveting mechanical systems are replaced with a captive connection system that uses the clamping force of the fastening device to provide structural stability. This substitution simplifies manufacturing and installation while maintaining the required structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of manufacture

If wall brackets are designed as single integrated pieces, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different installation scenarios is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidinstallation adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The wall bracket is segmented into separate components (support element, fastening device, fastening blade) that can be manufactured independently using simple processes. These segments are then assembled through a captive connection, providing adaptability to different installation scenarios while maintaining manufacturing simplicity for each individual component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular segmented design allows the same basic components to be adapted for different installation scenarios by adjusting the assembly configuration. The captive connection provides universal applicability across various mounting situations while each component remains simple to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design ensures easy handling and installation, provides enhanced fire resistance, and maintains thermal insulation by eliminating thermal bridges, while allowing hybrid material use for improved stability.

Implementation Method 1

The connection between the connecting part and the support part, in an assembly state of the wall bracket in which the support part is attached to the supporting structure by means of the fastening device, is designed to be load-bearing for the ventilated facade by means of the clamping force exerted by the fastening device between the support part and the supporting structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectClamping force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

into which insulating material, such as rock or mineral wool, can be placed for thermal insulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4274939B1Wall bracket for a ventilated curtain wall and ventilated curtain wall
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 WAGNER ULRICH
  • EP4274939B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4274939B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7
  • EP4274939B1 patent drawingFigure 8~10

AI summary

The invention relates to a wall holder (1) for a rear-ventilated curtain façade, comprising a support part (2), a securing device (3) for securing the support part (2) to a supporting structure, a securing bracing (4) which is designed to at least indirectly secure at least one cladding element of the rear-ventilated curtain façade, and a connection part (5) which is formed on or attached to the securing bracing (4) and which is attached to the support part (2) via a connection (6), wherein the connection (6) between the connection part (5) and the support part (2) is designed to be captive when the wall holder (1) is in a preassembled state, in which the support part (2) is not secured to the supporting structure by means of the securing device (3), and the connection (6) between the connection part (5) and the support part (2) is designed to be load-bearing for the rear-ventilated façade by means of the pressing force, originating from the securing device (3), between the support part (2) and the supporting structure when the wall holder (1) is in an assembled state, in which the support part (2) is secured to the supporting structure by means of the securing device (3). The invention additionally relates to a rear-ventilated curtain façade with a plurality of such wall holders.