Curtain Wall Bracket Assembly for Vertical Mullion Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Curtain wall panels in buildings are prone to movement during and after installation, leading to uneven deflection and potential twisting or 'racking' of the glass or infill, which can result in cracking or breaking, especially as building structures become more complex and material usage is reduced.
Innovation Solution
A vertically adjustable curtain wall bracket assembly that includes a backplate securable to a building substrate, a bracket in sliding engagement with the backplate, and an adjustment mechanism using a threaded bolt and nut system to allow manual vertical adjustment of the mullion, enabling the bracket to move relative to the backplate and correcting uneven positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If curtain wall panels are installed with fixed brackets, then installation is simple and quick, but the panels cannot accommodate building movement and become prone to twisting or racking
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket assembly incorporates a threaded adjustment mechanism that allows the bracket to move vertically relative to the backplate. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the bracket to accommodate building movement and prevent twisting or racking of the curtain wall panel, while still providing stable support when locked in position.
2Reliability
If adjustable brackets are used to accommodate building movement, then panel stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket assembly is divided into separate functional components: a backplate for mounting to the substrate, a bracket for supporting the mullion, and an adjustment mechanism with threaded bolt and nut. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while keeping the overall design manageable and not excessively complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded bolt and nut act as an intermediary mechanism between the backplate and the bracket. This simple mechanical intermediary provides the necessary adjustment functionality without requiring complex actuators or control systems, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If fixed vertical positions are used for mullions, then manufacturing and installation precision is maintained, but uneven deflection and racking cannot be corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism allows installers to make preliminary adjustments to the vertical position of mullions during installation to compensate for anticipated building deflection. This preliminary action ensures that even if uneven deflection occurs, the mullions can be pre-positioned to prevent racking and maintain glazing panel integrity.
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 allows for the vertical adjustment of curtain wall panels during and after installation, preventing twisting or 'racking' and ensuring even distribution of loads, thereby eliminating potential cracking or breaking of glazing panels.
Implementation Method 1
an adjustment mechanism including a threaded bolt extendable through the adjustment aperture and the projection aperture, a threaded nut threadable to an end of the threaded bolt such that the lateral projection interposes the adjustment aperture and the threaded nut, wherein rotating the threaded bolt moves the threaded nut along the threaded bolt and thereby moves the bracket vertically
Data Source
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AI summary
A curtain wall window system for a building includes a horizontally-extending substrate forming part of the building, a curtain wall panel mountable to the substrate and including a mullion, and a curtain wall bracket assembly that operatively couples the curtain wall panel to the substrate. The curtain wall bracket assembly includes a backplate securable to the substrate, a bracket in sliding engagement with the backplate, and an adjustment mechanism that operatively couples the bracket to the backplate. Manually actuating the adjustment mechanism causes the bracket to move vertically relative to the backplate. The mullion is attachable to the bracket such that vertical movement of the bracket correspondingly moves the mullion.