Multi-step Joint System for Building Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current building element assembly systems face challenges in achieving high air tightness combined with a thermal break, stability, and accurate dimensional tolerances, particularly due to conventional 'straight' element edges with varying cross-sections that affect insulating capacity and weight.
Innovation Solution
The 'NO steps' joint system features a multi-layer sealing surface with significantly longer lengths and integrated steps, providing a thermal break through displaced plate materials, enhancing stability, flexibility, and air tightness, applicable to various building components including windows and doors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional straight element edges with varying cross-sections are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but air tightness and thermal break performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The joint system is divided into multiple functional segments: sealing surfaces with multiple steps, hermetic cells with displaced plate materials, and integrated thermal breaks. Each segment performs a specific function (sealing, insulation, structural connection) that collectively achieves high air tightness and thermal performance while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The joint system employs composite construction combining different materials: plate materials forming hermetic cells, sealing materials (such as polyethylene sill plate caulking, PVC and polyethylene sealing tape, butyl bead compound), and insulating materials. This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of air tightness, thermal break, and structural integrity
2Reliability
If sealing surface length is significantly increased with multi-layer structure, then air tightness and thermal break improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into a single integrated joint system: the sealing surfaces with multiple steps provide both mechanical sealing and thermal break functions; hermetic cells combine structural support with air tightness; plate materials are displaced to simultaneously create thermal breaks and hermetic sealing. This merging reduces the need for separate components and simplifies overall assembly despite the sophisticated functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The joint system is designed as a universal solution applicable to various building elements (windows, doors, walls, floors) and construction methods (prefabricated and non-prefabricated). The multi-functional joint system adapts to different applications while maintaining consistent performance in air tightness, thermal break, and structural connection
3Reliability
If multi-layer structure with displaced plate materials is used, then thermal break and hermetic cells are achieved, but weight of construction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The joint system implements thermal break and hermetic properties locally at critical interfaces rather than throughout the entire building element. The multi-layer structure with displaced plate materials is concentrated at the joint regions where sealing and thermal separation are most needed, while other areas maintain their original lightweight construction
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention relates to a joint system for building elements consisting of bearing, hermetic and flexible framework constructions intended for construction in cubic format or enclosing volume format. The sealing surface of the joint consists of two, three or even a plurality of thermal break steps.