Outer Wall Support Structure for Flush Fitting Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing outer wall structures with protruding decorative members between the outer wall surface material and fittings detract from the aesthetic appearance and create gaps that can lead to water ingress.

Innovation Solution

A support member and structure that supports the outer wall surface material from the outdoor side, covering the fitting without a decorative member, using a support fixing part, support extension, and end surface support part to ensure the wall surface material is securely attached and aligned with the fitting, while a restricting member prevents water entry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a decorative member protruding more to the outdoor side than the outer wall surface material is disposed between the outer wall surface material and the fitting, then the outer wall surface material can be supported, but the appearance deteriorates and gaps are formed that can lead to water ingress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport functionVSAvoidwater ingress and aesthetic deterioration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the decorative member from the structure, replacing it with an integrated support member that performs the support function without protruding beyond the outer wall surface material, thereby eliminating the harmful gaps while maintaining the support function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The support member merges the support function with the outer wall surface material structure, creating an integrated component that supports the material while maintaining a flush appearance without separate protruding decorative elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If the outer wall surface material is supported from the indoor side only, then the structure is simple, but the material cannot be properly covered and aligned with the fitting from the outdoor side

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport structureVSAvoidalignment and coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support member extends from the indoor side through the outer wall surface material to the outdoor side, adding a dimensional component that spans both indoor and outdoor spaces, enabling proper alignment and coverage from both sides without significantly increasing overall structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12584319B2Support member, support structure, and outer wall structure

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 SEKISUI HOUSE KK

AI summary

A support member is a member for supporting a first outer wall surface material, and includes a support fixing part, a support extension, and an end surface support part. The support fixing part is fixed to a second surface of a wall base material provided in a manner of surrounding an opening, the second surface being located more to an outdoor side than a first surface adjacent to the opening. The support extension extends from the support fixing part to a region opposed to the first surface toward the opening side to support the first outer wall surface material from an indoor side. The end surface support part has an abutting surface that extends from the support extension to the outdoor side and abuts on one end surface of the first outer wall surface material on the opening side to support the one end surface.