Ribbed Cup Plate for Compressive Seal Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing devices for fixing compressible elements on rigid supports, such as waterproofing membranes on steel decks, face challenges in maintaining seal integrity under compressive forces, as the softer the insulating material, the deeper the cup needs to be to prevent screw head protrusion, but increasingly dense materials reduce cup depth, risking seal detachment or perforation.

Innovation Solution

A plate with a bowl-shaped design featuring radially projecting ribs on its wall to stiffen the cup and prevent sliding, ensuring the screw head remains submerged under compressive forces, allowing for even stacking with unribbed inserts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the cup depth is increased to prevent screw head protrusion under compressive forces, then the seal integrity is improved, but the device complexity and material usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseal integrityVSAvoidcup depth
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a bowl-shaped (curved) configuration to the force-distributing plate instead of a flat plate. This curvature allows the plate to deform elastically under compressive forces, absorbing the compression while maintaining the screw head below the membrane surface, thereby ensuring seal integrity without requiring excessive depth

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical parameters of the plate by introducing a bowl shape with specific geometric parameters (radius of curvature, depth relative to screw head height). This parameter change enables the plate to achieve the required compression absorption and screw head containment functions while optimizing material usage and avoiding excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the insulating material density is increased to improve insulation performance, then the thermal insulation is improved, but the cup depth must be reduced which risks screw head protrusion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseal integrityVSAvoidinsulating material density
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The bowl-shaped plate design allows it to deform elastically under compression from dense insulating materials. This curvature enables the plate to accommodate the compression forces generated by high-density materials while still containing the screw head, thus maintaining seal integrity regardless of the insulating material density

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and geometric parameters of the plate to make it more compliant and adaptable. The bowl shape with optimized dimensions allows the plate to work effectively with varying densities of insulating materials, preventing screw head protrusion even when using denser materials that require less cup depth

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the plate is made solid to prevent sliding under compression, then the stability is improved, but the ability to accommodate compression forces is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplate stabilityVSAvoidcompression resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bowl-shaped configuration provides inherent stability through its geometry while simultaneously enabling elastic deformation under compression. The curved surface distributes compressive forces evenly across the plate structure, preventing sliding while accommodating the compression without requiring the plate to be completely rigid

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the geometric parameters of the bowl shape to achieve the right balance between stability and compression accommodation. By adjusting the radius of curvature, depth, and overall dimensions, the plate achieves sufficient stability to prevent sliding while maintaining the flexibility needed to deform elastically under compressive loads

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 ribbed plate design enhances resistance to compressive forces, maintaining seal integrity and preventing screw head protrusion, even with denser insulating materials, ensuring consistent sealing performance.

Implementation Method 1

The cup of the wafer according to the invention is therefore stiffened thanks to the presence of ribs in its wall. In this way it is more resistant to the compression force.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStructural stiffening:

Implementation Method 2

the cup of the pad, which deforms slightly by crushing elastically

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2198172B1Stress distribution plate including a ribbed cup
Publication Date: 2012.04.04 ATELIERS LR ETANCO SAS
  • EP2198172B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2198172B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP2198172B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5B

AI summary

The invention relates to a plate (6) to be used with a screw for attaching by screwing a compressible material on a bearing structure, said plate (6) having a cup-shaped conformation (7) for receiving the screw head, said cup having an axial symmetry and including an axial tube for passing the screw through the plate (6), said tube interacting with the screw by screwing. The cup (7) includes on its wall a plurality of radially protruding ribs (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d) extending substantially axially relative to the axis (A-A') of said cup (7).