Thermal and Electrolytic Break Wedge for Wall Brackets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wall fixing brackets for facing panels on facades face issues with thermal and electrolytic compatibility, particularly when using zinc-plated steel screws with aluminum brackets, leading to problems with plastic washers that are difficult to handle, prone to loss, and causing premature deterioration.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece thermal and electrolytic break wedge made of non-conductive insulating material, such as PVC, which combines a thermal break between the facade and bracket with an electrolytic break between screw heads and the bracket, featuring a flexible tongue for secure positioning and transverse flanges to prevent slipping, thus eliminating the need for separate washers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate plastic washers are used to ensure electrolytic break between screws and aluminum brackets, then electrolytic compatibility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficult handling, loss, and forgetting at height
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the thermal break wedge and the electrolytic break washer into a single integrated component. The wedge is made of non-conductive material (such as plastic) and includes both the thermal insulation function between the facade and bracket, and the electrolytic break function between the screw head and aluminum bracket. This eliminates the need for separate plastic washers, preventing loss and handling difficulties while maintaining both thermal and electrolytic protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal break between the facade and the metal bracket, provides electrolytic break between the screw head and the aluminum bracket, and ensures mechanical stability through its integration with the bracket structure. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making a single component that performs both protective roles.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components (wedge and washers) are used to provide thermal and electrolytic breaks, then thermal and electrolytic protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the thermal break wedge and the electrolytic break washer into one single component. The non-conductive wedge includes structural features that provide both thermal insulation and electrolytic separation, reducing the component count from two separate parts to one integrated part, thereby simplifying the overall assembly while maintaining dual protection functions.
3Reliability
If plastic washers are added to ensure electrolytic break, then electrolytic compatibility is improved, but loss and deterioration risks increase due to handling at height
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the electrolytic break function into the permanently attached wedge structure, the patent eliminates the separate plastic washer that is prone to loss during handling at height. The electrolytic break is provided by the wedge itself or its integral features, which remain securely attached to the bracket, thus preventing loss and premature deterioration.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge is pre-assembled with the bracket before installation, ensuring that the electrolytic break feature is already in place and secured. This preliminary integration prevents the washer from being lost during subsequent handling and installation operations at height.
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 provides a reliable thermal and electrolytic break while simplifying installation by combining two functions in one piece, reducing handling issues and ensuring secure attachment without the risks of loss or premature deterioration.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal break wedge made of an insulating material, such as plastic such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), is inserted between the facade and each bracket in order to reduce the thermal bridge created by the frame
Implementation Method 2
a single-piece thermal and electrolytic break wedge made of non-conductive insulating material, such as PVC, which combines a thermal break between the facade and bracket with an electrolytic break between screw heads and the bracket
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The wedge (5) has a single-piece part, and including a prominent wall (50) that is placed at a beam hole (51). A longitudinal edge (52) extends along a longitudinal side of the wall. Another prominent wall (53) is arranged prominent to the longitudinal edge and provided parallel to and extending from the wall at a pre-defined distance. The latter wall presents another beam hole (54) placed in with respect to the former hole. The former wall comprises a projecting strip (55) that is directed in a direction of the latter wall. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) an attachment unit (2) a framework (3) a method for attaching a facing panel on a frontage.