Sheet Metal Bracket Anchor for Facade Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bracket anchors for supporting facade panels are difficult to handle and lack sufficient load-bearing capacity, especially in prefabricated multi-layer wall elements.

Innovation Solution

A bracket anchor made entirely of sheet metal or flat steel with upset anchors and anchor heads, welded together for corrosion resistance and high mechanical load tolerance, featuring a cantilever with parallel edges and additional support anchors for enhanced anchoring, and an angle element for supporting the facade panel, with thermal insulation for decoupling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional bracket anchors are used for supporting facade panels, then the structure can be assembled, but the handling and installation become difficult and load-bearing capacity is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidhandling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple components (bracket, support anchors, angle elements) into a single integrated sheet metal component that is laser-cut and formed from one piece of material. This merging eliminates the need for separate welding or assembly operations during installation, making the component easier to handle while maintaining high load-bearing capacity through optimized structural geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes laser cutting technology to create precise geometric parameters and complex shapes in the sheet metal component that would be difficult to achieve with traditional fabrication methods. This allows for optimized structural parameters that enhance load-bearing capacity while keeping the overall design compact and easy to install.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If multiple separate components are used for the bracket anchor, then manufacturing is simpler, but assembly complexity increases and structural integrity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support anchors, bracket body, and angle elements are integrated into a single monolithic sheet metal component. This eliminates gaps and potential failure points between separate components, ensuring continuous structural integrity while reducing assembly complexity to a single installation unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

While the component is integrated, the laser cutting process creates distinct functional zones and geometric segments within the single piece, allowing each area to be optimized for its specific function (support, anchoring, bracing) while maintaining overall structural continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If metal components are used without thermal insulation, then structural strength is maximized, but thermal bridging occurs between the facade panel and building wall

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal bridgingVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

A thermal insulation element is introduced as an intermediary component between the metal bracket structure and the building wall. This mediator interrupts the thermal bridge path while the metal bracket maintains its structural function, separating the thermal and mechanical functions of the assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Thermal insulation is applied locally at critical thermal bridge points (where the metal bracket contacts the wall and supports the facade panel) rather than throughout the entire structure. This localized approach prevents heat transfer at key locations while minimizing impact on overall structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution provides easier handling and high load-bearing capacity, ensuring secure attachment and thermal insulation, making it suitable for prefabricated multi-layer wall elements with concrete and decorative outer layers.

Implementation Method 1

a support anchor (6) embedded with this in the outer wall (2) of the building

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical anchoring: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 2

welded to one another. Due to this choice of material, the bracket anchor is corrosion-resistant and the welded connection can withstand high mechanical loads

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Implementation Method 3

a plate made of a thermally insulating material is arranged on the head in order to achieve thermal decoupling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2937492B1Bracket anchor
Publication Date: 2017.11.08 HALFEN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2937492B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2937492B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2937492B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cantilever anchor (1, 25, 30) serves to support a facing brickwork panel (3) or facade panel positioned at a distance in front of an exterior wall (2, 29) or an exterior wall element of a building. The cantilever anchor (1, 25, 30) comprises at least one load-bearing anchor (6), a cantilever (5, 26, 31), and a support element (10, 43) on which the facing brickwork panel or facade panel is supported. The load-bearing anchor (6) and the support element (10, 43) are permanently attached to the cantilever, and thus the cantilever anchor is manufactured as a single piece.