Roofing Membrane Edge Reinforcement for Wind Load Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roofing and sealing membranes face challenges in achieving adequate dimensional stability, fire protection, and mechanical strength, particularly under high wind loads and attachment to roofs, while being cost-effective.

Innovation Solution

The use of glass fiber fleece reinforced exclusively in the edge area with urea resin or polymer-based binders, and optionally in the central area with parallel reinforcing fibers, provides mechanical strength and fire protection without the need for combination fabrics, ensuring the membrane can withstand mechanical attachment and wind loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If polyester fabric or scrim is used for reinforcement, then mechanical stability is improved, but dimensional stability and fire protection are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoiddimensional stability and fire protection
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines glass fiber fleece with polyester fabric to create a composite reinforcement structure. The glass fiber fleece provides dimensional stability and fire protection, while the polyester fabric contributes mechanical stability. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating materials with complementary properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies reinforcement only in the edge area of the roofing membrane where mechanical attachment occurs, rather than uniformly across the entire membrane. This localized reinforcement reduces material costs while maintaining adequate mechanical strength at critical locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If combination fabric with polyester and glass fiber is used, then fire protection and dimensional stability are improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire protection and dimensional stabilityVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses glass fiber fleece only in the edge area for reinforcement rather than across the entire membrane. This localized application reduces the quantity of expensive glass fiber material needed while maintaining fire protection and dimensional stability where most critical.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial reinforcement rather than full-area reinforcement. By concentrating the reinforcement in the edge area where mechanical attachment occurs, the patent achieves adequate performance with reduced material usage and lower cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Strength

If full-area reinforcement is used, then mechanical strength is improved, but cost and material usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidmaterial usage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent concentrates reinforcement in the edge area where mechanical attachment and wind loads are most critical, rather than distributing reinforcement uniformly across the entire membrane. This localized approach optimizes material usage by placing reinforcement only where it is most needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs partial reinforcement in the edge area rather than full-area reinforcement. This approach provides adequate mechanical strength for attachment and wind load resistance while significantly reducing the quantity of reinforcement material required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

This design ensures the roofing membrane maintains dimensional stability and fire protection while being cost-effective, allowing it to withstand high wind forces and mechanical attachment without tearing, and reduces the need for more expensive polyester fabrics.

Implementation Method 1

the reinforcing threads are connected to the glass fleece by means of urea resin or polymer dispersions or to the glass fleece with a binder based on melamine resin, PVA or acrylate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

In order to ensure this on the one hand and to offer fire protection on the other hand

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFire resistance: Refractory Material

Implementation Method 3

a binder based on melamine resin, PVA or acrylate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP2299021B1Roofing membrane
Publication Date: 2016.12.21 WINK HERR MANFRED
  • EP2299021B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2299021B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The web has an intermediate layer and/or a reinforcement part made of non-woven fabrics (24, 26) i.e. glass mats. The non-woven fabrics include reinforcing threads (30, 32, 40, 42) in form of polyester threads and mechanical reinforcement units. The reinforcing threads are provided in a boundary region and within a center area for mechanical adjustment of roofing sheets (10, 12). The non-woven fabric is a glass fiber fleece having surface weight between 50 and 70 gram per meter square.