Support Adapter for Insulation Panel Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for fixing insulation panels to building surfaces often result in loose attachment during the hardening process of adhesive foams, leading to potential shifting or misalignment, and require additional mechanical fixings that can compromise aesthetic integrity by creating visible gaps or dark stripes on walls.
Innovation Solution
A support adapter comprising a base body with a smooth, cylindrical pin that tapers to a conical tip, providing temporary fixation through adhesive layers on both the panel and the wall, ensuring the adhesive foam cures securely without shifting the panels, and featuring a design that prevents the panels from being pressed too far against the wall, maintaining a minimum distance for optimal adhesive strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive foam is used to fix insulation panels to building surfaces, then the panels are permanently bonded, but during the hardening process the panels can unintentionally shift or move
Solution Approach 1:
The support adapter is inserted into the insulation panel before the adhesive foam is applied, establishing preliminary mechanical fixation. The adapter protrudes from the panel surface and can be temporarily secured to the building surface, holding the panel in its correct position during the entire hardening process of the adhesive foam, thereby preventing any unintended shifting or movement.
2Strength
If additional mechanical fixing means are provided per panel, then fixation strength is improved, but visible gaps or dark stripes appear on the wall affecting aesthetic integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The support adapter is designed with a compact structure where the fixing function is localized to small discrete points rather than requiring wide cavities or large visible fixtures. The adapter's base plate and protruding elements provide mechanical fixation at specific locations, minimizing the visual impact on the wall surface while maintaining sufficient fixation strength.
3Strength
If wide cavities are required at the joints between adjacent panels for mechanical fixing, then fixation is achieved, but the thermal insulation is around 40% thinner in these areas
Solution Approach 1:
The support adapter divides the fixation function into separate components: the base plate that bonds to the building surface and the protruding elements that engage with the insulation panel. This segmentation allows the adapter to provide mechanical fixation without requiring wide continuous cavities, thereby preserving the insulation thickness in the joint areas between panels.
4Strength
If the insulation panel is pressed firmly against the wall, then adhesive contact is improved, but the adhesive foam cannot securely close the panel during curing
Solution Approach 1:
The support adapter acts as an intermediary element between the insulation panel and the building surface. It provides the necessary mechanical support and positioning, allowing the adhesive foam to cure properly without the panel being pressed too firmly against the wall. The adapter's structure maintains an optimal gap that enables the foam to expand and bond effectively while still providing stable fixation.
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 support adapter ensures secure temporary fixation of insulation panels during adhesive curing, preventing shifting and post-expansion issues, while maintaining aesthetic integrity by avoiding visible gaps or dark stripes, and can be used on various building surfaces with different insulation materials.
Implementation Method 1
The base body has an adhesive layer on the back for secure fixation during the installation of the insulation boards and the curing of the adhesive foam.
Implementation Method 2
At room temperature, the PU foam hardens after approx. 10 to 20 minutes. The thermal insulation board now adheres firmly to the masonry.
Implementation Method 3
The tip area tapers from the holding area. The pin has a support area and/or the base body has a support structure to ensure a minimum distance between the insulation panels and the front side of the base body, which is necessary to produce the required adhesive strength of the adhesive foam.
Data Source
Figure 1~10
Figure 4~5
Figure 7~9
AI summary
The adapter (1) has a base body i.e. flat plate, including a surface area at a rear side, and bolt (30) normally aligned to a layer of the surface area, where centerline of the bolt is deviated form normal to three angular degrees. The bolt includes a supporting area and/or the base body of a supporting structure (15). An adhesive layer is formed on a rear side of the base body that includes a recess. The adhesive layer comprises a contact adhesive that is covered by a supporting foil. Diameter of cylinder barrel is lesser than six-fold of bolt diameter in a holding area.