Facade Panel Attachment Using Elastic Adhesive and Spacers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing facade construction methods are either time-consuming and expensive due to the use of reinforced base coats, or they result in visually undesirable gaps and thermal bridges from metal support systems, and efflorescence from traditional tile adhesives.

Innovation Solution

A facade construction method using an elastic adhesive applied to panel elements and/or insulation layers with spacers between the panel elements and the insulation layer, eliminating the need for additional support systems and allowing for large-format panel attachment, while providing ventilation and a watertight seal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a reinforced base coat is applied to the insulating layer, then the panel elements can be securely attached, but the construction becomes time-consuming and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidconstruction speed
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the reinforced base coat layer from the traditional facade construction system. Panel elements are attached directly to the insulating layer using point-shaped adhesive applications, removing the time-consuming and expensive base coat application process while maintaining secure attachment through optimized adhesive positioning and insulating layer surface preparation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating layer is given multiple functions: it provides thermal insulation, serves as the attachment substrate for panel elements, and eliminates the need for a separate reinforced base coat. This multi-functionality simplifies the construction system and accelerates the installation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If traditional tile adhesive is used to attach panel elements, then secure bonding is achieved, but efflorescence occurs causing visual disturbances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidefflorescence
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses point-shaped adhesive applications instead of traditional cementitious tile adhesive that causes efflorescence. The adhesive is applied only where necessary (at specific points) rather than across the entire surface, achieving secure bonding without the harmful efflorescence byproducts that create visual disturbances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive application changes from a continuous cementitious layer to discrete point-shaped applications. This parameter change in application geometry and material composition eliminates efflorescence while maintaining bonding strength through concentrated adhesive placement at critical attachment points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If metal support systems with anchors are used, then panel elements can be securely fixed, but thermal bridges are created and the construction becomes expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing strengthVSAvoidthermal bridge
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates metal support systems, anchors, and mechanical fixation elements from the facade construction. Panel elements are attached directly to the insulating layer using adhesive, removing the thermal bridge pathway that metal anchors would create and reducing construction costs by eliminating complex support system components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical anchor and support system is replaced with a chemical bonding system using point-shaped adhesive applications. This substitution eliminates metal-to-metal thermal conduction paths while achieving secure fixation through adhesive bonding, thereby preventing thermal bridges and reducing energy loss.

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

4Device complexity

If panel elements are attached directly to the insulating layer, then construction is simplified, but adequate bonding and stress distribution must be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction complexityVSAvoidbonding reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive application is segmented into discrete point-shaped locations rather than continuous coverage. This segmentation simplifies construction by reducing material application complexity while ensuring bonding reliability through strategic placement of adhesive at critical attachment points where stress distribution is most effective.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating layer surface and adhesive application are optimized for local quality characteristics. The point-shaped adhesive applications concentrate bonding strength at specific locations, and the insulating layer surface properties are tailored to ensure adequate adhesion at these localized contact points, maintaining bonding reliability while simplifying overall construction.

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

This method simplifies and cost-reduces the construction process, prevents efflorescence, and ensures good ventilation and a visually appealing, watertight facade with decoupling between the panel elements and insulation layer.

Implementation Method 1

the adhesive being elastic and applied to the panel elements and/or the insulation layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

spacers being provided between the panel elements and the insulation layer, which between the individual plate elements and the insulating layer define cavities connected to one another in terms of fluid technology

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow through cavities: Convection

Implementation Method 3

Plastics and calcium carbonate can efflorescence from the tile adhesive, which leads to visually disturbing deposits

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEfflorescence prevention: Efflorescence

Data Source

PatentEP3006643B1Façade construction and manufacturing method therefor
Publication Date: 2018.02.07 SCHLUTER SYST KG
  • EP3006643B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3006643B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3006643B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a facade construction (1) comprising a load-bearing substrate (2), an insulation layer (3) made of dimensionally stable insulation panels (4) with a flat and load-bearing outer surface (5) attached to the load-bearing substrate (2), and a panel covering (11) forming the outer skin of the facade construction (1) consisting of a plurality of panel elements (12) which are attached to the insulation layer (3) by means of an adhesive (13), wherein the adhesive (13) is elastic and is applied in dots or beads to the panel elements (12) and/or to the insulation layer (3), and wherein spacers (14) are provided between the panel elements (12) and the insulation layer (3), defining fluidically connected cavities between the individual panel elements (12) and the insulation layer (3). The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a facade construction.