Facade Support Bracket Using Mica Laminate for Fire-Safe Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing facade construction systems are either thermally insulating but not fire-resistant, or fire-resistant but offer little thermal insulation.

Innovation Solution

A thermally insulating bracket comprising a foot section with a base and a spacer plate holder, where the spacer plate is made of a laminate material consisting of muscovite mica paper layers bonded with silicone resin, providing both thermal insulation and fire resistance, and can be easily adapted to different distances and facade systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a thermally insulating material is used for the spacer plate, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but fire resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation performanceVSAvoidfire resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer plate is constructed as a composite material consisting of multiple layers: an outer layer of fire-resistant mineral wool, an inner layer of thermally insulating foam material, and a bonding layer of fire-resistant adhesive. This composite structure combines the fire resistance of mineral wool with the thermal insulation properties of foam, resolving the contradiction between thermal insulation and fire resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a fire-resistant material is used for the spacer plate, then fire resistance is improved, but thermal insulation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire resistanceVSAvoidthermal insulation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer plate uses a composite construction where mineral wool provides fire resistance and thermal insulation, foam material provides additional thermal insulation, and fire-resistant adhesive bonds the layers. This composite approach ensures both fire resistance and thermal insulation performance simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If the bracket is designed for high mechanical strength, then mechanical resilience is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical resilienceVSAvoidbracket structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket integrates multiple functions into a single unified structure: the spacer plate serves as both thermal insulation and fire protection, while the bonding layer simultaneously adheres the insulation layers and provides fire resistance. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 bracket achieves high mechanical resilience, thermal insulation, and non-combustibility, making it suitable for high-rise buildings, and can be easily produced and adapted to various facade constructions.

Implementation Method 1

the spacer plate is made of a thermally insulating material... the spacer plate has a thermal conductivity of less than 1 W/mK... Good values are in the range of 0.25 W/mK and below

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

silicone resin binder as a matrix for firmly bonding the mica paper layers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 3

a foot section having a base for stable support on the supporting structure... at least two pin connections, each penetrating one of the at least two holes and creating a mechanically load-bearing connection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStructural support:

Data Source

PatentEP4450733B1Thermally insulating support for façades
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 INECO HOLDING AG
  • EP4450733B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4450733B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A thermally insulating bracket (3) for attaching a canopy to a supporting structure comprises the following components: a) a base (4) having a base surface (5.1) for stable support on the supporting structure and a spacer plate holder (7) perpendicular to the base surface (5.1); b) a spacer plate (9) made of a thermally insulating material, wherein the spacer plate has an inner end region and an outer end region and wherein the spacer plate (9) has at least two through holes at its inner end region (9.1); c) at least two pin connections (8.1, 8.2) which each pierce one of the at least two holes and create a mechanically load-bearing connection between the spacer plate holder (7) of the base (4) and the spacer plate (9).The spacer plate (9) is a laminated material consisting essentially of musl <ovit-Glimmerpapier-Schichten zur Sicherstellung einer hohen Zugfestigkeit des Schichtpressstoffes und aus Silikonharz-Bindemittel als Matrix zum festen Verbinden der Glimmerpapier-Schichten im Schichtpressstoff besteht.