Lignocellulose Roofing Element with Integrated Hooks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roofing and cladding systems require complex and time-consuming assembly processes, often necessitating additional fasteners and brackets, which are material-intensive and cumbersome, while also lacking in ecological sustainability and ease of installation.

Innovation Solution

A roofing or cladding element with hook-shaped attachment elements that can be easily mounted on a roof or facade without additional fasteners, utilizing a form-fitting connection and snap locking mechanism, made from non-metallic materials like lignocellulose with thermoplastic or duroplastic binders, allowing for quick and stable installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional roofing systems use separate brackets and fasteners for attachment, then the structural stability is improved, but the device complexity and assembly time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the attachment function directly into the roofing element itself by integrating hook-shaped attachment elements into the panel body. This eliminates the need for separate brackets and fasteners, merging multiple components into a single integrated unit that maintains structural stability while simplifying the overall system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The roofing element is designed to attach itself to the supporting structure through its integrated hook-shaped attachment elements. The element performs its own attachment function without requiring external fasteners or additional components, enabling self-service installation that reduces assembly complexity while maintaining reliable structural connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Strength

If additional fasteners and brackets are used for mounting, then the attachment strength is improved, but the material usage and assembly time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment function is merged into the roofing element by integrating hook-shaped attachment elements directly into the panel body. This eliminates the need for separate fasteners and brackets, reducing material usage while maintaining sufficient attachment strength for secure mounting to the supporting structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The roofing element attaches itself to the supporting structure through its integrated hooks, performing the attachment function without external fasteners. This self-service mechanism reduces assembly time by eliminating the need to install separate fastening components while maintaining adequate attachment strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Strength

If metal materials with welded joints are used for hooks, then the attachment element strength is improved, but the ecological sustainability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment element strengthVSAvoidecological sustainability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials consisting of lignocellulose (natural fiber material) combined with thermoplastic or duroplastic binders to create attachment elements that are both ecologically sustainable and mechanically strong. This composite approach allows the material to achieve sufficient strength for attachment while being environmentally friendly and recyclable, unlike traditional metal materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material parameters from metal with welded joints to organic composite materials (lignocellulose with plastic binders). This parameter change maintains the necessary mechanical strength for attachment elements while fundamentally improving ecological sustainability by using renewable, biodegradable materials instead of metal that requires energy-intensive production and disposal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If hooking from below is required for assembly, then the attachment mechanism is simplified, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment mechanism complexityVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional hooking direction by arranging the hook-shaped attachment elements so that hooking occurs from above rather than from below. The first hook is arranged on the upper edge and the second hook on the lower area, allowing the roofing element to be hung downward from the supporting structure. This inversion makes the assembly process more intuitive and easier to operate while maintaining the simplicity of the attachment mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP2716834B1Roof or cladding element for a building
Publication Date: 2018.11.07 PLASTOUNIK GUNTHER
  • EP2716834B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2716834B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2716834B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5A

AI summary

Roof or cladding element (1) for a building, comprising a panel body (2) having at least one first (3) and at least one second (4) spaced apart in the hanging direction, hook-shaped hanging element, wherein the hanging elements (3, 4) are arranged on the same side of the panel body and have hook openings (5, 6) pointing in the same direction (x), the panel body (2) extends beyond the second hanging element (4) in the hanging direction (x), and wherein the material of the panel body (2) comprises lignocellulose and a thermoplastic or thermosetting binder.