Facade Fastening Device with Angled Fixing Lugs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening devices for curtain wall facades are spatially inefficient, disruptive to floor construction, and problematic in terms of thermal expansion compensation, especially in unitized facades with limited screwing surfaces and material constraints.

Innovation Solution

A fastening device featuring a one-part or multi-part base plate with projections and angled assembly fixing elements that allow for self-teaching alignment and stable attachment of facade elements, utilizing stud bolts for fixed and loose bearings, and transport and alignment tabs that align in grooves for precise positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If anchor elements are used for fastening facade elements to floor slabs, then the facade elements can be securely attached, but the device requires a relatively large amount of space and is disruptive to floor construction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachment of facade elementsVSAvoidspace required by fastening device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening device is divided into separate functional components: a base plate with attachment means for the floor slab, and fixing lugs with bearing elements for the facade element. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and reduces the overall space requirement compared to a monolithic anchor element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a three-dimensional anchor element embedded between floor slab and facade to a two-dimensional base plate configuration where the fastening function is achieved through a planar arrangement of projections and fixing lugs, reducing vertical space requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If anchor elements are installed between the floor slab and the element, then the facade elements can be fastened, but the distance increases disproportionately and requires special panels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening of facade elementsVSAvoiddistance between floor slab and element
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the essential fastening function from the traditional anchor element and implements it through a base plate with projections and fixing lugs. This eliminates the need for intermediate panels and reduces the distance between the floor slab and facade element by providing direct attachment points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Shape

If frame profiles are kept narrow to reduce visible width, then the architectural appearance is improved, but there is insufficient screwing surface and material for screws

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisible width of frameVSAvoidscrewing surface availability
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening function is segmented from the frame profile itself and implemented through separate fixing lugs with integrated bearing elements. This allows the frame profile to remain narrow for aesthetic purposes while the fixing lugs provide adequate surface area and material for reliable screw attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing lugs act as intermediary components between the narrow frame profile and the fastening requirement. These lugs can be attached to the frame profile and provide the necessary screwing surface and material thickness without increasing the visible width of the frame itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If the distance between floating bearing and fixed bearing is not clearly defined, then installation is flexible, but the system-related distance is difficult to control affecting tightness and function

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoiddistance control between elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the traditional mechanical system of adjustable supports with elongated holes with a geometric constraint system using fixing lugs with alignment tabs that engage in grooves. This substitution provides clear geometric definition of bearing distances while maintaining installation flexibility through the groove-based alignment mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP1926866B1Fastening device for fixing an elemental façade to a building
Publication Date: 2011.01.19 SCHUECO INTERNATIONAL KG
  • EP1926866B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1926866B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP1926866B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

Disclosed is a fastening device for fixing façade elements (33) of an elemental façade (32) to a ceiling (37) of an edifice. Said fastening device comprises the following elements: a monolithic or multipiece base plate (7) that is to be fixed to the ceiling and is provided with at least two protrusions, particularly stud bolts (9); and two angled assembled fixing elements (10 and 11) per façade element, which can be attached to said façade element and are provided with brackets (12 and 13) to be hung into the protrusions of the base plate and additional straps, particularly transporting straps and aligning straps (14 and 15), that can be designed at least so as to be fixed to the frame of the façade elements.