Facade Anchoring with Insulating Load-Bearing Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing facade anchoring systems in building construction create thermal bridges by conducting heat from the warm inner shell to the cold facade, leading to undesirable heat loss.

Innovation Solution

A height-adjustable facade anchoring system using load-bearing components made from materials with low thermal conductivity, such as fiber-reinforced plastics or epoxy resins with glass fiber reinforcement, to minimize heat transfer, combined with a steel core encased in insulating plates, which are connected via adhesive bonds or form-fitting mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If traditional metal bracket anchors are used for facade fastening, then structural strength and load-bearing capacity are ensured, but thermal bridges are created causing heat loss from the inner shell to the facade

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat lossVSAvoidload-bearing capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining metal components (for strength) with insulating materials (for thermal barrier properties) within a single anchoring system. The metal anchoring element is integrated with insulating material that surrounds or accompanies it, creating a composite structure that simultaneously provides mechanical strength and thermal insulation, thereby eliminating the thermal bridge effect while maintaining load-bearing capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an insulating material as an intermediary substance between the metal anchoring element and the thermal bridge path. This intermediary material interrupts the direct thermal conduction path from the warm inner shell through the metal anchor to the cold facade, reducing heat flow while allowing the metal component to maintain its structural function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If insulating materials are used to prevent heat flow, then thermal bridging is reduced, but load-bearing capacity and pressure resistance are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat flowVSAvoidpressure resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials where insulating material (providing thermal barrier properties) is combined with metal components (providing mechanical strength and pressure resistance). The composite structure allows the insulating material to block heat flow while the integrated metal elements bear the mechanical loads and provide compression resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different material properties to different parts of the anchoring system. The metal portions are localized at critical stress points to provide strength, while insulating material is placed in regions where thermal barrier properties are most needed, optimizing both thermal and mechanical performance in different locations of the same component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Significantly reduces heat loss and thermal bridging, maintaining interior room temperature by preventing heat flow from the inner shell to the facade, while maintaining structural integrity and load-bearing capacity.

Implementation Method 1

the load-bearing components 7 of the console anchor 6 that are subjected to tensile and/or bending loads consist entirely or partially of a material that inhibits the flow of heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3489430B1Façade anchoring
Publication Date: 2021.02.17 WILHELM MODERSOHN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3489430B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3489430B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3489430B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a height-adjustable console anchor (6) in which, according to the invention, load-bearing components (7) subjected to tension and/or bending consist entirely or partially of a material that inhibits heat flow.