Elongated Panel Brackets for Curtain Wall Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current curtain wall panel installation process is time-consuming and costly due to the need for constant repositioning of cranes and labor-intensive methods, which increase installation time and labor costs, and are prone to operator errors, especially with discrete anchoring locations and separate panel brackets.
Innovation Solution
A curtain wall panel installation system featuring elongated panel brackets spanning entire edges of concrete floor slabs, allowing for lateral transportation of panels and centralized crane operation, reducing the need for constant crane repositioning and enabling sequential panel installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If discrete anchors and separate panel brackets are used at specific locations, then the curtain wall panels can be properly anchored to the building structure, but the cranes must be constantly repositioned during installation, increasing installation time and labor costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple discrete anchors into a single continuous linear bracket that spans the entire edge of the concrete floor slab. This merging of separate anchoring points into one continuous structure eliminates the need to reposition cranes between multiple anchor locations, thereby improving installation efficiency while maintaining reliable anchoring throughout the entire panel edge.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear bracket serves multiple functions: it provides continuous anchoring along the entire panel edge, acts as a support structure during installation, and enables centralized crane operation. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by allowing a single structural element to satisfy both reliable anchoring and installation efficiency requirements.
2Manufacturing precision
If discrete anchors are positioned at specific locations, then proper structural attachment is achieved, but labor-intensive measurement and positioning methods increase installation time and costs
Solution Approach 1:
The linear bracket is designed with pre-established attachment points and geometric relationships that are determined during the concrete pouring phase. This preliminary action eliminates the need for workers to perform repeated measurements and adjustments during panel installation, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy while significantly reducing installation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket system is designed to be self-aligning and self-positioning through its continuous linear structure that spans the concrete slab edge. The bracket inherently provides the correct positioning without requiring external measurement and adjustment operations, thus achieving both precision and time efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If embedments are positioned using manual measurement and control lines, then proper edge spacing can be achieved, but the process is labor-intensive and prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The linear bracket provides self-aligning features that automatically ensure correct edge spacing without requiring workers to perform manual measurements. The bracket's continuous structure spanning the concrete slab edge inherently maintains proper positioning, eliminating complex measurement operations while ensuring accuracy.
4Productivity
If concrete is poured using high pressure pumping hoses, then efficient concrete placement is achieved, but the vibration and movement may alter or dislodge embedment positions
Solution Approach 1:
The linear bracket merges multiple discrete embedments into one continuous structural element that is installed before concrete pouring. This unified structure is less susceptible to displacement during high-pressure concrete pumping compared to individual embedments, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy while allowing efficient concrete placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear bracket is installed and secured to the concrete formwork before the concrete pouring operation begins. This preliminary action ensures that the anchoring structure is in place and stabilized before the vibratory and movement forces of concrete pumping are applied, preventing displacement while maintaining pouring efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a curtain wall panel installation system. The curtain wall panel installation system of the present disclosure includes a plurality of rails each forming an elongated panel bracket spanning an entire edge or substantially the entire edge of a concrete floor slab of a given floor of a building. Each elongated panel bracket is mountable to anchors (such as embedments) cast in the concrete floor slab of a given floor of the building at discrete positions along the concrete floor. The elongated panel brackets enable the curtain wall panels to be laterally transported along the building façade to their respective installation positions, which enables workers to use a centralized crane location to hoist the curtain wall panels in preparation for installation.