Facade Connection Profile Drainage Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mullion and transom facades face challenges in ensuring optimal drainage and ventilation at structural connections, which is crucial for maintaining safety and functionality, and existing solutions often require additional drainage profiles or specialized seals.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating drainage or ventilation openings in the connection structure between the pressure profile and support profile, utilizing a connection profile made of plastic with integrated drainage channels that directly connect to the mullion and transom seals, allowing for direct drainage or ventilation outside the insulation or building wall, thereby simplifying the construction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional drainage profiles or specialized seals are used to ensure proper drainage and ventilation, then drainage functionality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrainage functionalityVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection profile integrates both structural support and drainage functions into a single component. The profile includes internal cavities and drainage openings that allow condensate to drain directly from the seal interface to the exterior, eliminating the need for separate drainage profiles or specialized seals while maintaining effective drainage functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If drainage openings are integrated into the connection structure, then construction simplicity is improved, but sealing reliability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction simplicityVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection profile features localized drainage openings positioned at specific locations where condensate naturally accumulates and flows. The profile includes an inclined upper side that directs condensate toward the openings, while sealing elements are strategically placed at critical interfaces. This localized approach ensures effective drainage without compromising sealing reliability at other critical points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If the upper side of the connection profile is inclined toward drainage passages, then drainage efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrainage efficiencyVSAvoidprofile geometry precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The connection profile incorporates a gentle inclination of the upper side that directs condensate flow toward the drainage passages. This geometric parameter change optimizes drainage efficiency by utilizing gravity and surface tension to guide condensate movement. The inclination angle is designed to be moderate, balancing drainage performance with manufacturability and tolerance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution enables efficient drainage and ventilation without the need for additional profiles or specialized seals, ensuring the permanent safety and functionality of the facade by allowing condensate to drain directly through the connection structure, thus enhancing the overall construction simplicity and effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

The upper side (34) of the connection profile (2) pointing towards a rebate space (23) between the connection profile (2) and a facade element (3) can be inclined in the direction of the drainage passages (26). This allows any condensate to drain off easily.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

the connection structure arranged between the pressure profile and the support profile has drainage or ventilation openings outside an outside of the insulating element or a building wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2378020B1Mullion and transom façade
Publication Date: 2015.02.25 RAICO BAUTECHN
  • EP2378020B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2378020B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2378020B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The pillar-crossbar-facade has a support structure, which is made of multiple support profiles (1) that are assembled in a pillar-crossbar design. The facade elements (3) are fastened on the support profiles in a sealing manner by pressure profiles (4) through crossbar-pillar gaskets (5,6). The connecting structure arranged between the pressure profile and the support profile has drainage- and aeration outlets. USE : Pillar-crossbar-facade. ADVANTAGE : The facade elements are fastened on the support profiles in a sealing manner by pressure profiles through crossbar-pillar gaskets, and the connecting structure arranged between the pressure profile and the support profile has drainage- and aeration outlets, and hence ensures optimal drainage in the area of connecting structure. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS : The drawing shows a schematic view of a crossbar section of a pillar-crossbar-facade with a connecting structure. 1 : Support profiles 3 : Facade elements 4 : Pressure profiles 5,6 : Crossbar-pillar gaskets 10 : Sealing film.