Structural Mounting Element With Form-Fitting Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing structural support elements for ceilings on walls lack efficient assembly methods, leading to increased assembly time and costs, and do not adequately address thermal insulation and misalignment issues.

Innovation Solution

The structural support element features a strip-shaped base body with a flexible elastomer bearing and form-fitting connection means, such as dovetail connections, allowing for seamless assembly and secure fixing with a self-adhesive layer, and incorporates a polyethylene foam base body for enhanced thermal insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional structural support elements are used without form-fitting connection means, then manufacturing and assembly are simpler, but assembly time increases and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support element is divided into modular sections with form-fitting connection means at the ends, allowing multiple elements to be assembled in sequence. This segmentation enables faster on-site assembly while maintaining structural integrity, directly resolving the contradiction between assembly speed and structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The form-fitting connection means are integrated directly into the base body structure, merging the connection function with the support element itself. This eliminates the need for separate connection components, reducing overall complexity while enabling faster assembly through direct interlocking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If support elements are assembled without connection means, then the structure is simpler, but gaps appear between elements reducing insulation effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulationVSAvoidconnection structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous insulation requirement is addressed by segmenting the support elements while maintaining insulation continuity through the form-fitting connections. The nested geometry ensures that insulation material remains continuous across joint boundaries, preventing thermal bridges while allowing modular assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The form-fitting connection means are designed with nested geometries where one element fits into another, creating seamless transitions between support elements. This nesting ensures gap-free assembly that maintains thermal insulation effectiveness without requiring additional insulation layers or complex sealing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If adhesive is applied to the base body for fixing, then secure attachment is achieved, but the assembly process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing stabilityVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive is pre-applied to the base body in a controlled manufacturing environment, allowing for optimized adhesive distribution and curing. This preliminary action ensures reliable bonding while simplifying on-site assembly, as workers only need to position the element rather than apply and manage adhesive during installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive layer is designed to be self-aligning and self-leveling, allowing the support element to automatically find its correct position during assembly. This self-service characteristic of the adhesive system improves fixing reliability while maintaining assembly ease, as the adhesive compensates for minor positioning variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 configuration simplifies assembly, reduces costs, ensures secure fixing even in windy conditions, and provides effective thermal insulation while adapting to various structural requirements.

Implementation Method 1

the elastomeric bearing is designed as a studded mat with cylindrical spring elements such that the structural support element absorbs structural movements through deformations of the spring elements in a shear-flexible manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the base body consists at least partially of a plastic foam material, especially polyethylene foam. Such a foam material has a particularly fine, mixed-cell pore structure and provides effective thermal insulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

the base body can be coated with adhesive on the side facing the second component during installation, particularly in the form of a self-adhesive layer. This allows the construction support element to be glued and fixed to the top of a wall with its underside during installation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP4098820A1Structural mounting element
Publication Date: 2022.12.07 CALENBERG INGE
  • EP4098820A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4098820A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3H
  • EP4098820A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A construction support element 2 for supporting a first component on a second component, in particular for supporting a ceiling 18 on a wall 14, has a strip-shaped base body 4 which has a shear-flexible static elastomeric bearing 6 or is formed by a shear-flexible elastomeric bearing 6. According to the invention, the base body 4 has at least one end, in particular a narrow end, positively locking connecting means for connection with a similar construction support element 2'.