Embedded Concrete Profile for Off-Site Glass Panel Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing construction methods for installing panels, particularly glass balustrades, require on-site labor-intensive and time-consuming manual operations, lacking convenience and safety, and are unsuitable for off-site construction.

Innovation Solution

A prefabricated construction element in concrete with an embedded profile that includes a recessed groove for panel reception, allowing off-site installation and adjustment, using a blocking device for easy panel mounting on one side, and incorporating anchoring and drainage features for stability and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If on-site manual installation methods are used for glass balustrades, then installation flexibility is maintained, but installation time and labor intensity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidinstallation process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The profile is pre-assembled with the blocking device integrated into its structure before being transported to the construction site. The recessed groove is pre-formed to receive the panel, and all necessary components are pre-positioned, eliminating the need for complex on-site assembly operations and significantly reducing installation time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The support system is divided into modular components: the profile section with integrated blocking device, the panel, and the anchoring system. This segmentation allows for pre-fabrication of complex elements and simplifies on-site installation to basic assembly operations, resolving the contradiction between installation speed and process complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If adjustments are made on exposed sides of panels during on-site installation, then proper panel positioning is achieved, but worker safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanel adjustment convenienceVSAvoidworker safety hazards
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking device is designed with asymmetric functionality, providing adjustment mechanisms on only one side of the panel through the integrated profile structure. This asymmetric design maintains full adjustment capability while eliminating the need for workers to access exposed sides, thereby resolving the contradiction between operational ease and worker safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Productivity

If prefabricated elements with embedded profiles are used, then on-site labor and time are reduced, but off-site manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall construction efficiencyVSAvoidoff-site fabrication complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The profile and blocking device are merged into a single integrated component that is embedded within the prefabricated concrete element. This consolidation reduces the number of separate manufacturing processes required and simplifies quality control, thereby resolving the contradiction between construction efficiency and fabrication complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4424485B1Method for the off-site construction of a prefabricated construction element in concrete comprising a profile embedded therein
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 SAINT GOBAIN VITRAGE SA
  • EP4424485B1 patent drawingFigure 1(A)~1(D)
  • EP4424485B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4424485B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention concerns a method for off-site construction of a prefabricated construction element (100) in poured concrete (600) comprising a profile (10) embedded therein, said profile (10) defining a recessed groove (120) intended to receive a blocking device (200) for the mounting of a glass panel (300), and further concerns such a profile (10) especially configured to be embedded in poured concrete (600) of a prefabricated construction element (100) obtained by off-site construction method.