L-Shaped Insulation Profile with Brace for Thermal Bridge Elimination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening and thermal insulation systems for windows, doors, and facades often fail to effectively eliminate thermal bridges and distribute structural loads efficiently, leading to suboptimal insulation and increased material usage.

Innovation Solution

A profile with an L-shaped angle iron cross section, filled with synthetic foam or carbon fiber composite, featuring a brace that forms an acute angle with its arms, which includes holes or protrusions for improved strength and insulation, and is fixed to the wall using anchors with swivels and sliding elements for enhanced load distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional fastening systems are used for windows and doors, then installation is straightforward, but thermal bridges are created at contact areas with the wall

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidthermal bridges
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a profile system as an intermediary element between the window/door and the wall. This profile includes thermal insulation components that mediate the contact area, preventing direct thermal conduction paths while maintaining mechanical fastening functionality. The profile acts as a mediator that resolves the conflict between simple installation and thermal bridge elimination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The profile system employs composite construction combining different materials with complementary properties - metallic components for structural strength and fastening, and thermal insulation materials (such as foam or fiber-based materials) for thermal break functionality. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of mechanical fastening and thermal insulation in a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple structural elements are used to eliminate thermal bridges, then thermal insulation improves, but device complexity and material usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal bridge eliminationVSAvoidnumber of structural elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple previously separate functions into a single integrated profile system. The profile combines fastening anchors, thermal insulation layers, sealing elements, and mounting interfaces into one unified component. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate structural elements while maintaining thermal bridge elimination functionality, thereby reducing device complexity and material usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The profile system is designed as a universal multi-functional element that simultaneously performs mechanical fastening, thermal insulation, sealing, and structural support functions. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized elements, simplifying the overall construction system while effectively eliminating thermal bridges.

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

3Strength

If traditional fastening profiles are used, then structural strength is adequate, but load distribution is suboptimal leading to increased material usage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidmaterial usage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The profile system transitions from conventional one-dimensional linear fastening to a three-dimensional distributed fastening architecture. Multiple fastening points and anchors are strategically positioned in three-dimensional space within and around the profile, creating optimal load distribution pathways. This spatial optimization allows adequate strength with minimized material quantity by exploiting dimensional advantages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 solution enables rapid, stable, and strong fixation of facade elements while minimizing material usage, effectively eliminating thermal bridges and achieving high load-bearing capacity with reduced structural elements, enhancing both thermal and acoustic insulation.

Implementation Method 1

the angle iron is filled with a filling compound, which is synthetic foam or a carbon fiber composite

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

the brace is formed by a longitudinal flat bar, which preferably has holes or protrusions, or the brace is formed by small boards

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectComposite materials: Composite Materials

Data Source

PatentEP3350400B1Profile for the fastening and thermal insulation system of windows, doors and facades
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 ERGO PLUS POLSKA
  • EP3350400B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3350400B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3350400B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The subject of the invention is the profile for the fastening and thermal insulation system of windows, doors and facades, an essential element of which is the angle iron (1), made of any material, preferably of steel, with the cross section resembling the letter "L", which has longitudinal inflection points (2) arranged along the edges of its both arms, which are bent towards the inside of the angle iron (1), preferably at an angle of 90°. The angle iron (1) "L" is filled with the filling compound (3). In addition, thanks to rolling of the edges of the angle iron (1) and the presence of longitudinal inflection points (2) of the iron angle (1) formed this way, it is possible to place the brace (4) between them, which expands the arms of the angle iron (1). The brace (4) may be substantially the longitudinal flat bar, whereby it can have holes or protrusions; optionally the brace (4) can be made of small boards arranged respectively along the length of the angle iron (1) "L". The aforementioned brace (4) always forms an acute angle - with the arm of the angle iron (1), which it is adjacent to and with longitudinal inflection points (2) going out of this arm - which angle is typically 45°. The brace (4) is then the bisector of the angle defined by the arm of the angle iron (1) and of the longitudinal inflection point (2). In the basic solution - the profile is fixed to the wall face by means of fasteners, pins or screws (7). The screw (7) passing through the horizontal arm of the angle iron (1) fixes the frame of the window, door or other facade elements to the angle iron (1) "L". The installation may be also performed with the use of fixing anchors (6), directly connected to the profile, relatively supporting the profile, and then also connected to the building wall. Fixing anchors (6) may be equipped with one or several swivels (8). They may also be made of several sliding elements (9), enabling the separation, and thus the elongation of fixing anchors (6). The use of swivels (8), which may have the form of hinges, is improved by the strength of fixing anchors (6).