Thermal Break Profile Stabilized by Unidirectional Fibrous Retaining Strip
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Profiles with thermal breaks in carpentry suffer from mechanical stresses and bending due to temperature differences between metal sections, leading to the 'bimetal effect', which can be irreversible and complicates assembly and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A profile with a unidirectional fibrous sheet as a retaining strip, oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction, is attached to one of the metal sections, providing a lower thermal expansion coefficient and higher elastic modulus than the materials, effectively stabilizing the assembly and reducing thermal expansion variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If thermal break strips are inserted between metal sections to provide thermal insulation, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but the profile becomes susceptible to bimetal effect and bending due to temperature differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining metal sections with thermally insulating strips and reinforcing means having different thermal expansion coefficients. This composite structure allows the assembly to maintain thermal insulation while the reinforcing means compensates for differential thermal expansion, preventing bimetal effect and profile bending.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the assembly by introducing reinforcing means with specific thermal expansion coefficients lower than those of the metal sections. This parameter change allows the reinforcing means to counteract the thermal expansion of metal sections during temperature variations, stabilizing the profile against bending.
2Stability of the object's composition
If reinforcing means are added to stabilize the profile against thermal expansion, then dimensional stability is improved, but assembly complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of thermal insulation and dimensional stabilization by integrating the reinforcing means within the existing profile structure. The reinforcing means is positioned to work synergistically with the thermally insulating strips, combining multiple functions into a unified assembly that reduces overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by placing reinforcing means specifically in regions where thermal expansion stresses are most critical. This localized reinforcement provides dimensional stability where needed without adding unnecessary weight or complexity to the entire profile structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional reinforcing means are used to counteract thermal expansion, then dimensional stability is improved, but aesthetic appearance and ease of application deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nested doll principle by placing the reinforcing means inside the profile structure, nesting it within the cavity formed by the metal sections and thermal insulation strips. This internal positioning maintains aesthetic appearance from the exterior while providing dimensional stability, and simplifies application as the reinforcing means is already positioned during profile fabrication.
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
The solution significantly reduces thermal-induced bending, maintaining structural integrity and aesthetic appeal by half to two-thirds compared to control profiles, and allows for easy attachment and machining without special tools.
Implementation Method 1
the retaining strip having a coefficient of thermal expansion lower than that of all the materials constituting the inner and outer profiles and the bar
Implementation Method 2
a longitudinal modulus of elasticity greater than that of each of these materials
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a thermally broken profile (321, 322) comprising: - an outer profile (301) extending along a longitudinal direction; - an inner profile (302) extending along a longitudinal direction; - a strip (303) made of a rigid and thermally insulating material separating, in section, the inner profile and the outer profile;- characterized in that it comprises a strip (210, 311, 312), called a retaining strip, consisting of a unidirectional fibrous sheet extending longitudinally and fixed to one of the faces of one of the inner or outer profiles, called the substrate profile, the fibers of the fibrous sheet constituting the strip being oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction of the profile, the retaining strip having a coefficient of thermal expansion lower than that of all the materials constituting the inner and outer profiles and the strip and a longitudinal modulus of elasticity higher than that of each of these materials.;