Metal Sheet Holding Element with U-Shaped Web for Façade Profiles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing holding parts for facade profiles require high manufacturing effort and increased sheet metal thickness to accommodate opposing forces from weather-related swelling, leading to higher costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A metal sheet holding part with U-shaped receptacles and material tongues that compensate for opposing forces, allowing for reduced base plate strength requirements and simplified production, while material tongues absorb dimensional changes and enhance stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the base plate is designed with high strength to accommodate weather-related swelling forces, then the stability of the holding part is improved, but the sheet metal thickness and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of holding partVSAvoidbase plate strength requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The holding part is segmented into a base plate and a separate web structure. The web is formed by folding the metal sheet to create multiple receptacles that can independently accommodate swelling forces, while the base plate only needs to provide overall support. This segmentation allows the base plate to be thinner while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The web structure is designed with flexible folding sections that can dynamically adjust to accommodate the expansion and contraction of facade profiles due to weather conditions. This dynamic adaptation reduces the static strength requirements of the base plate while maintaining stability under varying loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If two receptacles aligned in opposite directions are provided on the holding part, then the ability to hold two facade profiles is improved, but the manufacturing effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to hold facade profilesVSAvoidmanufacturing effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple receptacles are merged into a single integrated web structure formed by folding the metal sheet. The web creates multiple U-shaped receptacles in opposite directions as a unified component, eliminating the need to manufacture and assemble separate parts for each receptacle, thereby reducing manufacturing effort while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The web structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it forms multiple receptacles for different facade profiles, provides structural support, and accommodates thermal expansion. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying manufacturing while enhancing adaptability.

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

3Reliability

If a higher sheet metal thickness is used to increase base plate strength, then the stability under weather-related forces is improved, but the material costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability under weather forcesVSAvoidsheet metal thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The structure is segmented into a thin base plate and a reinforced web structure. The web, formed by folding the metal sheet, provides the necessary strength and flexibility to handle weather-related forces, allowing the base plate itself to be thinner while maintaining overall reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The web structure utilizes flexible folding sections that can bend and adapt to thermal expansion forces. This flexibility allows the use of thinner metal sheets while maintaining reliability, as the flexible structure can absorb stresses without requiring excessive thickness for rigidity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 enables stable holding of facade profiles with reduced design and production complexity, lower material costs, and improved resistance to weather-related dimensional changes, enhancing the mechanical strength and stability of the holding part.

Implementation Method 1

weather-related swelling of the visible profiles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

material tongue formed by cutting and bending from the web for resilient contact with one of the two visual profiles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3578731B1Holding element and façade system with such a holding element
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 GAISBAUER GUNTHER
  • EP3578731B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3578731B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A retaining element (1) made of a metal sheet for holding two visible profiles (2, 3), in particular facade profiles, is shown, comprising a base plate (5) having a fastening opening (7) for a fastening means (8), with at least one web (6) formed by forming the metal sheet, which together with the base plate (5) forms a first U-shaped recess (10) for supporting a first visible profile (2) projecting into this first recess (10), and with a second recess (11) for supporting a second visible profile (3) projecting into this second recess (11), wherein the first and second recesses (10, 11) are oriented in opposite directions. To increase the stability of the retaining element (1), it is proposed that the web (6) form the second recess (11) in a U-shape.