Hybrid Facade Fastening Structure for Thermal Bridge Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening devices for facade elements, particularly glass facades, face challenges in ensuring secure attachment, thermal insulation, and structural stability, especially under strong winds, while also creating thermal bridges due to metallic frames, and have limited design flexibility and sustainability.
Innovation Solution
A fastening device with a metal frame and a non-metallic beam module, such as wood, is used, attached via positive locking at spaced fastening points, enhancing bending and torsional stiffness, and featuring a hybrid design for improved thermal insulation and sustainability, allowing easy assembly and recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal frame is used for fastening facade elements, then structural stability and strength are improved, but thermal insulation deteriorates due to thermal bridges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a metal frame with a non-metallic beam module (wood or plastic) to create a hybrid structure. The metal frame provides structural strength and stability, while the non-metallic beam module interrupts thermal bridges and improves thermal insulation. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating materials with complementary properties.
2Strength
If a metal frame is used for fastening facade elements, then structural stability is improved, but sustainability deteriorates due to high energy material consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines metal and non-metallic materials (wood or plastic) in a composite structure. The non-metallic beam module uses CO2-neutral or lower-energy materials that improve sustainability, while the metal frame maintains structural stability. This composite design allows the system to meet both structural requirements and environmental sustainability goals.
3Stability of the object's composition
If metal frame components are used, then flexural rigidity is improved, but thermal bridge formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The non-metallic beam module acts as an intermediary element between the metal frame and the facade elements. It mediates the thermal transmission path by providing a low thermal conductivity material that breaks the direct thermal bridge through the metal frame, while still allowing the metal frame to provide flexural rigidity and structural support.
4Strength
If conventional fastening devices are used, then structural requirements are met, but design flexibility deteriorates due to inwardly projecting metal frames
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fastening device into distinct functional modules: a metal frame for structural attachment and a separate non-metallic beam module for thermal insulation and design customization. This segmentation allows the beam module to be designed in various materials (wood, plastic) and configurations, providing design flexibility for interior spaces while the metal frame maintains structural requirements.
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 device provides enhanced structural stability, improved thermal insulation, increased design flexibility, and sustainability, meeting stringent energy efficiency and environmental regulations, while maintaining structural integrity and ease of assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a beam module made of non-metallic material is provided on the support section of the metal frame, attached by positive locking at at least two fastening points spaced apart from one another
Implementation Method 2
a beam module made of non-metallic material is provided on the support section of the metal frame... to increase the bending stiffness and torsional stiffness of the fastening device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5c
AI summary
Fastening arrangement (10) for facade elements (2), in particular glass facades of buildings, having a metal frame (1) and having an L-shaped retaining element (5), which engages over the facade elements (2) in the direction of the exterior, is made of a thermal-conduction-reducing material and is fastened releasably on the metal frame (1) by a fastening means (11), wherein the metal frame (1) is formed with at least one hollow chamber (14) and comprises a facade-retaining portion (12) as well as a supporting portion (13), which is oriented inwards from the facade element (2), from a facade exterior, substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the facade elements (2), wherein a beam module (4) made of non-metallic material is provided on the supporting portion (13), attached by a form fit thereon at at least two spaced-apart fastening points (7, 8), the beam module extending continuously over the entire length of the respective metal frame (1) and being coupled to the metal frame (1), on an interior of the facade element (2), such that, when the fastening arrangement (10) is in the installed state, the beam module is statically effective, as a result of the form fit, in increasing the bending strength and the torsional strength of the fastening arrangement (10).