Flexible Brick Plate With Corrugated Rod Mesh

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible brick plates for building architectural elements have complex constitutions requiring multiple components and laborious operations, leading to increased costs and difficulties in applying binding agents due to obstructed penetration through small openings.

Innovation Solution

A flexible brick plate comprising corrugated metal rods forming a mesh with bricks, where the rods' intersection points are immobilized by corrugation peaks and valleys, allowing for a simpler structure with fewer components and easier application of binding agents, and the option to omit reinforcement rods for applications without binding agents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an expanded sheet support with small openings is used, then the bricks and reinforcement bars are retained in position, but the penetration of concrete or mortar is obstructed and the operation is slowed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretention of bricks and reinforcement barsVSAvoidspeed of applying binding agent
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the expanded sheet support component entirely from the construction system. Instead, it uses a separate flexible canvas formwork that allows free passage of concrete or mortar, while bricks and reinforcement bars are retained by their own positioning mechanisms (mesh structure and tying methods) without relying on the sheet support openings for both retention and formwork functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent separates the functions of retention and formwork into distinct components: the mesh structure with bricks and reinforcement bars handles retention, while a separate flexible canvas formwork handles the concrete containment and application, allowing each component to optimize its specific function without compromise

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple components and welding operations are used, then the flexible brick plate is fully operative, but the constitution becomes complex and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of components and manufacturing operations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into fewer components: the flexible canvas formwork serves both as the containment structure for concrete and as the permanent formwork integrated into the building, eliminating the need for separate expanded sheet support, rigidizing elements, and fastening components that would require welding

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs simple, inexpensive flexible canvas material for the formwork that can be easily applied and removed, replacing expensive metal sheet support structures that require complex welding and assembly operations, prioritizing ease of manufacture and lower cost over industrial reusability

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

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 simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces costs, facilitates easier binding agent application, and allows for flexible storage and handling, while maintaining structural integrity and adaptability for various architectural applications.

Implementation Method 1

The rods are corrugated rods, such that the intersection points of the rods in the mesh are immobilized by the superposition of peaks and valleys of the corrugations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorrugation: Corrugation

Data Source

PatentEP2154302B1Flexible sheet of bricks for construction of architectural elements, and method for manufacture of said sheet
Publication Date: 2014.08.20 FLEXBRICK SL
  • EP2154302B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2154302B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2154302B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The flexible brick plate of the invention comprises a plurality of flexible interwoven rods (1, 2, 3) forming a mesh, and a plurality of bricks (4) provided with fastening shapes (5) coupled to at least some of said rods (1, 2, 3) in order to retain said bricks (4) in said mesh. Optionally, said plate is designed to be placed with one side thereof against a formwork (S) and to receive a binding agent (M) from and on the other side thereof. The manufacturing method comprises crossing and interweaving warp rods (1, 3) and weft rods (2) to form a mesh, arranging at the same time rows of bricks (4) in said mesh between said weft rods (2), and coupling fastening shapes (5) formed in said bricks (4) with at least some of the warp or weft rods (1, 2, 3).