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Solution Overview

Problem

Mortarless precast siding panels face challenges in managing infiltrated water, which can lead to water infiltration into building structures due to wind pressure, despite ventilation gaps, increasing the risk of water damage.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a precast siding panel with a supporting spacer that includes a water management system, featuring a trough and drainage conduit to capture and direct infiltrated water away from the building structure, preventing contact with the building structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mortarless application mode is used for siding panels, then installation simplicity and speed are improved, but water infiltration risk increases due to wind pressure forcing water between panels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidwater infiltration risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a water management structure as an intermediary component between the siding panels and building structure. This structure includes a receiving portion that captures infiltrated water and a drainage conduit that channels it away, preventing direct contact with the building structure while maintaining the mortarless installation approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The water management structure is segmented into distinct functional portions: a receiving portion for capturing water, a drainage conduit for channeling water, and a mounting portion for attachment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while working together as an integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If ventilation gaps are created between siding panels and building structure, then moisture management is improved through drainage, but water infiltration into building structure still occurs at stand-off dimples under wind pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture managementVSAvoidwater infiltration at stand-off dimples

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The water management structure serves as an intermediary barrier that intercepts wind-driven water before it can reach the building structure at stand-off dimples. The receiving portion captures water at the panel interface, and the drainage conduit provides a controlled path for water removal, preventing uncontrolled infiltration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The water management structure performs preliminary action by capturing and redirecting infiltrated water at the source, before it can penetrate deeper into the building envelope. This proactive water interception prevents the harmful effect of water reaching the building structure through stand-off dimples.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If stand-off elements are used to create ventilation gaps, then drainage capability is improved, but water still contacts building structure at dimple locations increasing infiltration danger

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrainage capabilityVSAvoidwater contact with building structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The water management structure acts as an intermediary system that complements the stand-off elements. While stand-off elements provide the ventilation gap for gravity-driven drainage, the water management structure provides wind-driven water interception and controlled channeling, creating a dual-mode drainage system that addresses both gravity and wind forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The water management structure provides multi-functionality by simultaneously serving as a mounting attachment for the siding panel and a water management system. The mounting portion secures the panel while the receiving portion and drainage conduit manage water, combining structural and protective functions in one integrated component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively manages infiltrated water by capturing and draining it before it reaches the building structure, reducing the risk of water infiltration and associated damage, while allowing for secure and mortarless attachment of siding panels.

Implementation Method 1

draining the captured infiltrated water away from the building structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS8707649B2Mortarless modular masonry siding system

Publication Date: 2014.04.29 DECO NAT

AI summary

A pre-cast siding panel for mortarless application to a building structure is disclosed, which includes a structure for capturing and draining infiltrated water away from the building structure. In a preferred embodiment, the siding panel includes a cast facing panel made of settable material and having a front face exposed in an installed condition of the panel and top, bottom and side edges for engagement with like panels positioned adjacent thereto; and a supporting spacer partially embedded in the rear surface of the facing panel, the spacer including a mounting portion for fastening the siding panel to the building structure and a water management portion for managing infiltrated water away from the building structure, by capturing infiltrated water which has seeped past the front face along one or more of the edges and draining the captured infiltrated water away from the building structure.