Post-beam Construction Thermal Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mullion and transom constructions face challenges in achieving optimal thermal insulation and compact structure due to protruding metal groove walls that act as heat conductors and the need for additional drainage grooves, which increase the width of support profiles.

Innovation Solution

A mullion and transom construction design featuring a central groove with groove walls accommodated between sealing strips, a hollow chamber adjacent to the groove base for versatile fastening and drainage, and a compact profile width less than 50 mm, allowing for effective thermal insulation and drainage without protruding fasteners into the space between filling elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a central screw groove is provided on the support profile for easy installation of pressure strips, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the thermal insulation deteriorates due to metal groove walls protruding into the space between filling elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation of pressure stripVSAvoidthermal insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a hollow chamber dimension adjacent to the groove base, creating a three-dimensional fastening system. The groove walls are contained within this hollow chamber, preventing them from protruding into the thermal insulation space between filling elements, thus resolving the thermal insulation issue while maintaining the central groove for easy pressure strip installation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The groove walls are nested within the hollow chamber structure. The hollow chamber acts as a containing space that holds the metal groove walls, preventing them from extending into the critical thermal insulation zone, thereby maintaining both ease of manufacture and thermal insulation performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If multiple grooves are provided on the support profile for sealing and fastening, then the reliability is improved, but the width of the support profile increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing and fastening functionVSAvoidwidth of support profile
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow chamber serves multiple functions: it contains the groove walls to maintain thermal insulation, provides a space for additional fastening components like slot nuts, and can accommodate drainage functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate structural elements, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing overall profile width

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the groove structure with the hollow chamber, combining the fastening function (central groove) with the thermal insulation and additional fastening capacity (hollow chamber) into a single integrated structure. This eliminates the need for separate wide-profile features, achieving compact dimensions while maintaining sealing and fastening reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3245344B1Post-beam construction
Publication Date: 2020.09.30 SCHUECO INTERNATIONAL KG
  • EP3245344B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3245344B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3245344B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a post-beam construction comprising a support profile (1, 1', 1'') on which two grooves (2) are provided one one side, on which a respective sealing strip (3) is secured, wherein a filling element (5) is held on the edge side on each of the sealing strips (3), and an intermediate groove (4, 4', 4'') to which at least one securing means (10) is secured for holding a contact pressure strip (6), in order to hold in place the two filling elements (5) by means of the contact pressure strip (6), wherein the intermediate groove (4, 4', 4'') has groove walls (45) accommodated between the sealing strips (3), and a contact plane of the filling elements (5) is arranged on the sealing strips (3) nearer to the contact pressure strip (6) than the groove walls (45) of the intermediate groove (4, 4', 4'').