T-Section Roof Purlin Sealing and Manufacturing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roof designs with purlins and thermally insulating panels face issues with airtightness due to simple bearing contact and require complex machining for inverted T purlins, complicating manufacturing and assembly.

Innovation Solution

A purlin element with a T-cross section formed by two beams and a sandwiched joint extending beyond the vertical branch to overlap the horizontal branch, allowing for improved airtightness and simplified manufacturing through assembly by abutment, using a compressible sealing strip and longitudinal ribs for enhanced sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If simple support contact is used between purlin and thermally insulating panel, then manufacturing is simplified, but airtightness is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidairtightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A joint in the form of a strip is introduced as an intermediary element between the purlin beams and the thermally insulating panel. This joint extends beyond the vertical arm of the T and at least partially overlaps the horizontal arm, creating a sealing surface that improves airtightness without complicating the manufacturing of the purlin structure itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If inverted T-shaped purlins are manufactured with complex machining, then structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The purlin is segmented into two separate beams (horizontal arm and vertical arm) that are assembled together rather than machined as a single complex piece. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing while maintaining the inverted T-shaped cross-section and structural integrity through the addition of the joint element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The joint between the two beams serves multiple functions simultaneously: it connects the beams to form the inverted T-shape, provides a sealing surface for the thermally insulating panel, and extends beyond the vertical arm to create overlap with the horizontal arm. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex machining while achieving multiple objectives.

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

The solution simplifies the manufacturing of purlins and improves airtightness by naturally compressing the sealing strip under the weight of cover plates, ensuring rapid installation and effective sealing without complicating the assembly process.

Implementation Method 1

naturally compressing the sealing strip under the weight of cover plates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3517699B1Purlin element for producing a roof and roof with such a purlin element
Publication Date: 2021.07.21 ARCANNE
  • EP3517699B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3517699B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3517699B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Roof (1) having a roof slope (2) comprising purlins (3) with an inverted T cross-section to delimit, on either side of the vertical arm (5) of the T, a re-entrant angle (6), a support structure (7) for the purlins (3) configured to support the inverted T purlins (3) in a position in which they rest, by the horizontal arm (4) of the T, in support of the support structure (7), at least one thermally insulating panel (8) positionable between two purlins (3) and, at least one roofing plate (9) positionable to overlap the thermally insulating panels (8).At least one of the inverted T-shaped purlins (3) comprises two beams (10, 11) forming one (10), the horizontal branch (4) of the T, the other (11), the vertical branch (5) of the T and a joint (12) is sandwiched between said beams (10, 11), this joint (12) extending beyond the vertical branch (5) of the T and at least partially overlapping the horizontal branch (4) of the T.