Facade Coupling Element With Projection And Guide Webs

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing element facades face constraints and noise issues due to the limitation of movement by assembly fixing elements, which are not statically determined, especially when thermal expansion compensation is required.

Innovation Solution

The element facade employs a coupling element with a projection and guide webs, featuring stops to limit movement, preventing high forces on mounting elements and allowing controlled thermal expansion, with projections and guide webs designed for efficient guidance and force transmission between adjacent facade elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a mounting element with a linear guide is used to allow facade element movement for thermal expansion compensation, then thermal expansion compensation is enabled, but the mounting element is subjected to high forces when the end of the linear guide is reached, causing constraints and noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal expansion compensationVSAvoidhigh forces on mounting element
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

A coupling element is introduced as an intermediary component between adjacent facade elements. This coupling element includes a projection that engages with guide webs on an adjacent facade element, creating a mechanical linkage that distributes forces. When the linear guide reaches its end, the coupling element's projection engages with the guide webs to continue guiding movement while distributing forces across multiple components, preventing excessive forces on the mounting element and reducing noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the elongated hole end is reached by the facade element movement, then thermal expansion compensation is limited, but constraints and noise are generated due to the restricted movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement rangeVSAvoidnoise and constraints
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling element creates a dynamic force distribution system. As the facade element moves along the linear guide and reaches the end, the coupling element's projection engages with the guide webs on the adjacent facade element. This dynamic engagement allows the system to continue accommodating thermal expansion by redistributing forces through the coupling mechanism, rather than creating rigid constraints that generate noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If coupling elements are provided between adjacent facade elements to hold them together, then facade element stability is improved, but movement in one direction is restricted, affecting thermal expansion compensation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefacade element stabilityVSAvoidmovement freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling element is segmented into distinct functional components: a projection that engages with guide webs, and stops that limit movement in specific directions. This segmentation allows the coupling element to provide stability through guided engagement while maintaining movement freedom in the thermal expansion direction. The projection and guide webs work together to segment the movement into controlled paths, ensuring stability without restricting necessary thermal expansion compensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3722527B1Fastening device for fastening façade elements of an element façade
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 SCHUECO INTERNATIONAL KG
  • EP3722527B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3722527B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3722527B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a fastening device for attaching facade elements (2) of a unitized facade (1), comprising at least two mounting elements on which the facade element (2) is held on a building, wherein at least one mounting element enables movement of the facade element (2) along a guide in a first direction, and a coupling element (3) which can be mounted with a first part (4) on a first facade element (2) and with a second part (5) on a second facade element, wherein the coupling element has at least one projection (10) on the first part (4) which is guided in the first direction between two guide webs (8) on the second part (5), wherein at least one stop (6) is provided on at least one of the parts (4, 5) of the coupling element (3) which limits the movement of the at least one projection (10) between the two guide webs (8).