Plastic Fastening Element with Cast Metal Thread for Condensation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening elements for facade mullions and transoms, typically made of metal, form cold bridges that can lead to condensation and moisture issues within the mullion-transom support structure.

Innovation Solution

A fastening element with a plastic support part and holding part, potentially reinforced, that incorporates a metal threaded element to prevent cold bridges and condensation, allowing for cost-effective manufacturing and secure attachment of add-on parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If fastening elements are made from metal (stainless steel or other metal), then strength and durability are improved, but cold bridges are formed leading to condensation and moisture issues

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestrengthVSAvoidcondensation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening element combines plastic material for the support part and holding part with a metal threaded element (threaded bush or threaded rod) cast into the holding part. This composite structure provides the necessary strength through the metal threading while the plastic portions interrupt the cold bridge and prevent condensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If fastening elements are made from plastic material, then cold bridges are interrupted reducing condensation risk, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecondensation riskVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The plastic support part, plastic holding part, and metal threaded element are combined into a single integrated fastening element. The metal threaded element is cast into the holding part, creating a unified component that can be manufactured as one piece, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process despite the composite nature of the materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If fastening elements are made from plastic material, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but fastening strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidfastening strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening element uses plastic material for the support part and holding part to reduce manufacturing cost, while incorporating a metal threaded element (threaded bush or threaded rod) cast into the holding part to provide the necessary fastening strength for securing add-on parts to the facade mullion or transom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3260619B1Attachment element
Publication Date: 2018.12.26 RAICO BAUTECHN
  • EP3260619B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3260619B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3260619B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a fastening element (2) for attaching components to a support profile (1) of a post-and-beam support structure, comprising a support part (16) that can be placed on a screw channel (8) of a support profile (1) and a retaining part (17) that is firmly connected to the support part (16). To reduce the risk of condensation, the support part (16) and the retaining part (17) are made of a plastic material, with a metal threaded element (20, 21) being cast into the retaining part (17).