Spacer Element for Fabric Mat Anchoring in Thermal Insulation Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spacer elements and fastening systems for fabric mats on external walls fail to provide secure anchoring, lead to thermal bridges, and pose risks to construction personnel, while also affecting the optical quality of the plaster layer.
Innovation Solution
A spacer element with a flat, rectangular cover plate and retaining elements that can be easily slid onto a standard insulating material holder, combined with a clip system that allows variable distance adjustment and secure fixing of fabric mats, preventing thermal bridges and ensuring safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an anchor with a head and teeth is used to fasten wire mesh, then the wire mesh can be suspended, but secure anchoring is not guaranteed and high force transmission is compromised due to small bearing surface
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is divided into separate functional components: the insulating material holder with pressure plate provides anchoring, while the spacer element provides the bearing surface for force transmission. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer element acts as an intermediary component between the insulating material holder and the fabric mat. It transfers loads from the fabric mat to the holder while maintaining insulation, thereby ensuring both secure anchoring and high force transmission capability through its larger bearing surface area.
2Ease of operation
If the holding parts have an outwardly curved head plate, then the fabric mat can be fixed, but optical impairments occur on the outer surface depending on plaster thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The curved head plate that causes optical impairments is extracted from the system. Instead, a flat spacer element with a large bearing surface is used to fix the fabric mat, eliminating the protruding curved structure that would interfere with the optical quality of the plaster layer while maintaining easy fixation capability.
3Reliability
If locking elements that taper to a very point are used, then the fabric mat can be secured, but risks of injury for construction personnel arise
Solution Approach 1:
The potentially harmful pointed locking elements are replaced with a safe flat spacer element design. The spacer element achieves reliable fabric mat securing through its large bearing surface and friction, converting the harmful sharp points into a safe, blunt structure that maintains securing reliability without injury risk.
4Length of stationary object
If spacers are designed as expandable dowels with disk heads, then the fabric mat can be held at a distance, but heat is dissipated to the outside via the screw
Solution Approach 1:
The metal screw and expandable dowel components that create thermal bridges are extracted from the system. Instead, a non-conductive spacer element is used to maintain the required distance between the fabric mat and insulating material, eliminating heat dissipation through metallic components while preserving the spacing function.
5Reliability
If holding parts with locking elements are used, then the fabric mat can be fixed, but the possibility of plug-on installation is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer element is designed with universal compatibility features, including a flat surface that can accommodate various fabric mat types and dimensions. The element can be easily attached to different insulating material holders and allows flexible positioning, providing plug-on installation capability and adaptability to different application requirements while maintaining reliable fixation.
Data Source
Figure 1a~3b
Figure 4a~5b
AI summary
The spacer element (1) has a cover plate that is attached at narrow sides of a mounting plate element in each case, which corresponds to a pressure disk of a fastening part (10). The grill shaped structure is attached on a fastening part with a pressure disk. A nose-type element is arranged at a lower surface of a cover plate. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) a clip for fixing a grill shaped structure at a counterpart; and (2) an attachment system for the attachment of a grill shaped structure.