Magnetic Expansion Joint Profile for Thermal Movement and Plastering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing profiles designed to cover joints between building components fail to accommodate relative movements due to thermal expansion and contraction, particularly when they need to be plastered, leading to potential damage and loss of a seamless appearance.

Innovation Solution

A motion-absorbing profile comprising flexible central sections connecting two profile strips, with a cover strip magnetically coupled to one of the strips, allowing for relative movement while maintaining a sealed and plasterable joint cover.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a profile is used to cover a joint between building components, then the joint is covered and protected, but the profile cannot accommodate relative movements due to thermal expansion and contraction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoint coverage and protectionVSAvoidaccommodation of relative movements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The profile is divided into multiple segments or sections that can move relative to each other. The cover strip is separated from the connecting section, allowing the connecting section to accommodate movement while the cover strip maintains coverage. This segmentation enables the profile to adapt to thermal expansion and contraction without compromising joint protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The profile incorporates dynamic elements that allow for movement. The connecting section between profile strips is designed to be flexible or movable, enabling the profile to dynamically adjust to changing joint widths caused by thermal effects while maintaining continuous coverage and protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the profile is made rigid to maintain structural stability, then the profile provides stable coverage, but it cannot accommodate thermal expansion and contraction movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprofile structural stabilityVSAvoidthermal movement accommodation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Different parts of the profile have different mechanical properties. The cover portions maintain rigidity for stable coverage and plasterability, while the connecting sections between profile strips are designed with flexibility or movement capability. This local differentiation allows the profile to simultaneously achieve structural stability and thermal movement accommodation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the profile is made flexible to accommodate movements, then the profile can adapt to thermal expansion and contraction, but it cannot be properly plastered or finished

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal movement accommodationVSAvoidplasterability and finishing
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The profile is segmented into flexible connecting sections and rigid cover sections. The rigid cover sections provide stable surfaces that can be properly plastered and finished, while the flexible connecting sections handle movement accommodation. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different functions to different parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting section acts as an intermediary element between the rigid profile strips. It mediates the movement while allowing the rigid strips to maintain their form for plasterability. The intermediary connecting section absorbs the flexibility requirement without compromising the plasterability of the main profile structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Strength

If the cover strip is mechanically coupled to both profile strips, then the cover is securely attached, but the profile cannot accommodate relative movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecover strip attachment strengthVSAvoidrelative movement accommodation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling system is segmented into a strong coupling at the first profile strip and a movable coupling at the second profile strip. The cover strip is strongly attached to the first profile strip for secure mounting, while the connection to the second profile strip allows movement. This segmented coupling approach maintains both attachment strength and movement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second profile strip's connection to the cover strip serves as an intermediary that allows movement. Rather than directly constraining the cover strip to both rigid profile strips, the system uses the movable connection at the second strip as a mediator that permits relative movement while maintaining cover attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 profile effectively compensates for thermal expansion and contraction, ensuring the joint remains sealed and plasterable, maintaining a seamless appearance without damage.

Implementation Method 1

compensating for the unavoidable, material-dependent expansion and contraction of the respective components due to thermal influences

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

at least one of the cover strip and the second profile strip is designed to be magnetically coupled to the other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP4239141B1Expansion joint profile
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 PROTEKTORWERK FLORENZ MAISCH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4239141B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4239141B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4239141B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A motion-absorbing profile for attachment to a joint formed between two components comprises a first profile strip designed for attachment to one of the two components, a second profile strip designed for attachment to the other of the two components, a central section connecting the profile strips and flexible enough to allow movement relative to each other, and a cover strip for concealing the central section. The cover strip is coupled or connectable to both the first and second profile strips, with at least the coupling to the second profile strip being magnetic.