Plastic Bracket Anchor Structure for Thermal Bridge Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bracket anchors for supporting facing brickwork or cladding in buildings create thermal bridges due to their design, leading to high heat transfer between the outer wall and the load-bearing wall.
Innovation Solution
A console anchor with a plastic cantilever and a pressure element made of plastic, featuring a continuous opening between the load-bearing wall and outer wall, reduces heat transfer by using a triangular-shaped cantilever with compression and tension struts, and a pressure element that rests on the load-bearing wall without direct screwing, allowing for minimal material contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a traditional bracket anchor with metal components is used to support facing brickwork or cladding, then the required load-bearing capacity and structural strength are achieved, but thermal bridges are created resulting in high heat transfer between the outer wall and load-bearing wall
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket arm material is changed from metal to plastic (specifically glass fiber reinforced plastic), fundamentally altering the thermal conductivity parameter while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength through the reinforced plastic composition
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket arm is made of glass fiber reinforced plastic, combining the mechanical strength of glass fibers with the thermal insulation properties of plastic, creating a composite material that simultaneously addresses both strength and thermal bridge requirements
2Loss of energy
If the bracket arm is made entirely of plastic to reduce heat transfer, then thermal bridge effects are minimized, but the ability to transmit high forces from the facing wall to the load-bearing wall may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket arm uses glass fiber reinforced plastic, where the glass fibers provide tensile strength and load-bearing capability while the plastic matrix provides thermal insulation, creating a material that simultaneously handles both force transmission and thermal bridge reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic material parameters are specifically optimized through glass fiber reinforcement to achieve the necessary strength-to-thermal-conductivity ratio, transforming the material properties to meet both mechanical and thermal requirements
3Loss of energy
If a continuous opening is created in the cantilever to reduce heat transfer, then thermal conductivity is significantly reduced, but the structural integrity and force transmission capability of the bracket anchor may be weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket arm is segmented by introducing a continuous opening that divides the solid structure into separate regions, creating distinct compression and tension zones that can independently handle their respective forces while reducing thermal conduction paths
Solution Approach 2:
The opening is strategically positioned and sized to provide thermal break functionality in the critical heat transfer zone while maintaining sufficient material distribution in areas requiring structural strength, creating different functional zones within the same component
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 design significantly reduces heat transfer between the outer wall and the load-bearing wall while supporting high forces, achieving a simple and adaptable installation with minimal thermal conductivity.
Implementation Method 1
The bracket arm is designed to be made of plastic... This allows the required cross-section of the boom, and therefore the heat transfer, to be kept relatively low despite the comparatively high forces that must be transmitted via the boom
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
A bracket anchor (1) for connection to a supporting wall (2) and for supporting a facing shell or facing (3) at a distance (a) from the supporting wall (2) has a bracket head (4) for fastening the bracket anchor (1) to the supporting wall (2). The console anchor (1) has a cantilever (5), a bearing element (6) for supporting the outer shell (3) and a pressure element (7) for transferring pressure from the console anchor (1) to the supporting wall (2). The support element (6) and the pressure element (7) are fixed to the boom (5). The cantilever (5) is at least partially made of plastic.