Fastening Device Air Gap for Moisture-Proof Wall Construction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wall constructions with insulation and plaster layers face moisture trapping issues, leading to damp and mildew problems, and require complex, expensive, and time-consuming installation processes that demand specialized skills.

Innovation Solution

A fastening device comprising a base part, insulation retaining part, and locking part, which creates an air gap between the wall support and insulation layer, allowing for easy installation of a high-quality, moisture-proof wall construction with minimal installer training, using a simple and cost-effective method.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wooden or metal framework is constructed with air- or drainage gaps behind the insulation layer, then moisture trapping problems are solved, but the system becomes complex and expensive requiring time-consuming installation and highly skilled personnel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture managementVSAvoidframework complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The framework is divided into individual fastening devices, each comprising a base part for attachment to the supporting surface, an insulation retaining part for holding the insulation layer, and spacing means for creating the air gap. This segmentation transforms a complex continuous framework into simple discrete units that are easy to install and replace.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Spacing means are introduced as intermediary elements between the base part and the insulation retaining part. These spacing means automatically create the required air gap behind the insulation layer without requiring complex framework construction, thereby solving the moisture trapping problem while maintaining simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a wooden or metal framework is constructed with air- or drainage gaps, then moisture drainage is improved, but installation time and skill requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture drainageVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The air gap is pre-formed by integrating spacing means into the fastening device itself, rather than requiring time-consuming on-site construction of frameworks. The spacing means are already positioned correctly in the fastening device, enabling quick installation without specialized skills.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening devices are designed as simple, inexpensive, disposable components that can be quickly installed and removed if needed. Each fastening device is a simple plastic component that requires no specialized tools or skills for installation, dramatically reducing installation time and labor costs.

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

3Reliability

If traditional mineral high-build plaster on masonry is used, then moistureproofing and energy efficiency are achieved, but the construction does not provide adequate insulation without additional complex systems

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemoistureproofingVSAvoidinsulation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening device merges multiple functions into a single component: it attaches the insulation layer to the wall, creates the air gap for moisture drainage, and provides thermal insulation. The insulation retaining part holds the insulation layer in place while the spacing means create the thermal break, combining structural and thermal functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wall construction uses composite materials including the plastic fastening device, insulation layer (such as mineral wool or foam), and plaster layer. The combination of these materials with different thermal properties creates an effective thermal insulation system while maintaining moistureproofing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enables rapid and cost-effective installation of a high-quality, moisture-proof wall construction with adequate insulation and drainage, suitable for ordinary skilled craftsmen, without the need for complex frameworks or specialized equipment.

Implementation Method 1

an air gap (5) between the surface (3) of the wall support (4) and the insulation layer (6)... providing additional insulation and drainage of moisture from the wall construction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDrainage:

Implementation Method 2

providing additional insulation and drainage of moisture from the wall construction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2251499B1Fastening device for a wall construction
Publication Date: 2016.06.29 COMBIMIX
  • EP2251499B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2251499B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2251499B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Fastening device (1) suitable for mounting a wall construction to a supporting surface (3) of a wall support (4), which wall construction comprises a first layer of insulation (6) and a second layer of plaster (7), said fastening device (1) comprising a first base part (100), arranged to be permanently fastened to the supporting surface (3) and in turn comprising an elongated part (130), arranged to extend out from the supporting surface (3) when the device (1) is fastened thereto and arranged to engage with a block of insulation by threading the block onto a free end of said elongated part (130) so that the elongated part (130) runs through and supports the block; and a second insulation retaining part (200), arranged to engage with the base part (100) and when in engagement therewith limit the movement, in a direction out from the supporting surface (3), of a block of insulation which is in engagement with the elongated part (130), so that such a block is retained on the elongated part (130). The invention is characterised in that the first part (100) comprises a spacing means arranged, when the device (1) is fastened to the supporting surface (3) and when the first part (100) is in engagement with both a block of insulation and the second part (200), to limit the movement in a direction towards the supporting surface (3) of the block of insulation, so as to create an air gap (5) between the supporting surface (3) and the block of insulation.