Rib and Batten Cladding Panels Concealing Fasteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exterior cladding systems for buildings, particularly metal panels, face challenges in concealing fasteners for aesthetic and weather-resistant purposes, requiring additional clips and materials that increase costs and complexity, while also lacking the structural bracing capabilities of through-fastened panels.
Innovation Solution
A unique rib and batten system on exterior cladding panels allows for through-fastening of wide panels to the building's framing structure with complete concealment of fasteners, eliminating the need for clips and sub-sheathing, and featuring inverted U-shaped ribs for reduced material usage and easier installation, along with tapered ribs for nesting and reduced transport costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If through-fastened metal panels are used to provide structural bracing and eliminate plywood sheathing, then structural strength and weather resistance are improved, but fastener heads become exposed which interferes with decorative appearance
Solution Approach 1:
A batten cap is introduced as an intermediary component that bridges the exposed fastener head and the panel surface. The batten cap is fastened to the panel through the fastener head, concealing it from view while maintaining the structural through-fastening connection. This mediator element allows the panel to retain its structural bracing capability while achieving the desired aesthetic appearance by hiding the fastener heads.
2Shape
If additional clips and materials are used to conceal fasteners, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The batten cap serves multiple functions simultaneously: it conceals the fastener head for aesthetic purposes, provides a sealing surface to prevent moisture penetration, and maintains the structural connection to the panel. By designing the batten cap to perform these multiple functions, the solution avoids the need for separate components for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving the aesthetic goal.
3Reliability
If rubber or elastomeric washers are used to seal around fasteners, then weather resistance is improved, but device complexity and material cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged into the batten cap structure itself rather than being provided by a separate washer component. The batten cap includes an integrated sealing surface that contacts the panel and fastener assembly, creating a moisture barrier. This merging of the sealing function into the batten cap eliminates the need for separate rubber or elastomeric washers, reducing device complexity while maintaining weather resistance.
Data Source
AI summary
An exterior cladding panel assembly for covering an outside surface of a framed building is provided by the invention. A unique rib and batten system with overlapping raised female and male edge ribs on the adjacent installed panels, and raised interior ribs allow through fastening of the panels on the order of 32 inches or wider to the building's underlying framing structure with complete concealment of the fasteners, and without the need for special fastener clips. The ribs have an inverted U-shaped end profile that creates an open cavity between the rib top wall and the underlying framing member. The fastener can be driven through the rib top walls into the framing member without the need for a solid filler cleating strip.