Sliding Bracket Fastening for Cladding Panel Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cladding panel fastening systems for building facades are labor-intensive and time-consuming, particularly when aligning or adjusting panels of different shapes, and may require bending or deformation, affecting the visual appearance.

Innovation Solution

A fastening system comprising a rail, a bracket, and a screw, where the rail and bracket have sliding engagement configurations, allowing for facile engagement and stable suspension of cladding panels with hanging bolts or slots, enabling efficient installation of panels of various shapes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If tongue and groove engagement of cladding panel edges with fasteners is used, then cladding panels can be fastened to building facade, but alignment and adjustment is time consuming and labor intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation efficiencyVSAvoidalignment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system incorporates adjustable brackets that can be dynamically positioned and repositioned during installation, allowing workers to adapt to different panel shapes and facade conditions without time-consuming realignment. The brackets feature movable components that enable quick adjustment to achieve proper engagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system divides the fastening function into separate modular components: rails mounted on the facade, adjustable brackets that connect to rails, and cladding panels with hanging slots. This segmentation allows each component to be independently positioned and adjusted, significantly reducing alignment time during assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If cladding panels are bent or deformed for adjustment, then fit to surface may be improved, but visual appearance is affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefit to surfaceVSAvoidvisual appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable bracket acts as an intermediary between the rigid cladding panel and the building facade surface. Instead of deforming the panel to achieve fit, the bracket's adjustable arms and positioning mechanisms accommodate variations in surface geometry, maintaining the panel's original shape and visual appearance while achieving proper fit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If sliding engagement configuration is used between rail and bracket, then engagement is facile and efficient, but structural stability must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengagement easeVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding engagement features dynamic locking mechanisms that transition from a movable state during installation to a fixed state during service. The brackets can slide along the rails for easy positioning and adjustment, then engage locking features (such as pins, clips, or threaded fasteners) that secure the connection to maintain structural stability under load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4553247A1System for fastening cladding panels to a building faÇade
Publication Date: 2025.05.14 MITSUBISHI POLYESTER FILM GMBH
  • EP4553247A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4553247A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4553247A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system for fastening cladding panels to a building facade comprises a rail, at least one bracket and a least one first screw for fixing the bracket to the rail. The rail and bracket are equipped with at least one tongue and groove pair for sliding engagement.