Thermoplastic Base Body with Embedded Welding Element for Plastic Panel Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for fastening plastic panels to concrete components or structures often result in leaks due to penetrations and lack of a permanent connection, as the smooth surface of plastic panels does not form a secure bond with concrete, leading to potential detachment over time.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a thermoplastic base body with an embedded electrically conductive welding element allows for a penetration-free connection through induction welding, ensuring a secure and non-positive bond between the plastic panels and the base body, eliminating the risk of leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plastic panels are bonded to concrete components, then the connection is non-penetrating and leak-free, but the smooth surface of plastic panels does not form a permanent connection and panels may come loose over time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies a roughening element to a specific local area of the plastic panel surface rather than the entire surface. This roughening element creates a localized positive connection zone that interlocks with the concrete, while the rest of the smooth plastic surface maintains its sealing properties. The local modification resolves the contradiction by providing both bond strength and leak-free performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines two different surface properties on the same plastic panel: a smooth sealing surface and a localized roughened bonding surface. This composite approach allows the panel to simultaneously achieve permanent attachment to concrete and maintain leak-free seals, resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and bond strength.
2Strength
If fastening elements penetrate plastic panels to secure them to structures, then the connection strength is improved, but penetrations create leakage risks that require additional sealing
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of penetrating the entire panel or adding separate sealing elements, the invention locally modifies only the bonding area with a roughening element. This localized approach provides strong mechanical interlocking with concrete while preserving the integrity and smoothness of the rest of the panel surface, eliminating leakage risks without compromising connection strength.
3Ease of operation
If plastic panels are positioned at a distance from the wall using spacer elements, then the assembly process is simplified and inspection space is created, but additional components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the fastening function and the spacing function into a single integrated base body. The base body directly attaches to the concrete structure while its geometry provides the necessary spacing from the wall, eliminating the need for separate spacer elements. This merging reduces component count while maintaining assembly simplicity and creating inspection space.
4Reliability
If anchoring elements are used to fix panels in all directions, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of distributing anchoring elements throughout the entire panel or base body, the invention concentrates the anchoring function in a single localized roughening element on the base body. This localized approach provides sufficient connection reliability for the application while dramatically simplifying the manufacturing process compared to incorporating multiple anchoring elements in all directions.
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 secure, quick, and efficient method for attaching plastic panels to concrete structures without penetrating, ensuring a reliable connection that prevents leaks and simplifies the assembly process, even when panels are positioned at a distance from the wall or cast with concrete.
Implementation Method 1
The welding element consists of an electrically conductive material which is embedded in the base body at the top thereof or is attached to the top of the base body. Consequently, the welding element can rest on the surface of the base body or be partially or completely embedded in the base body. However, the welding element is preferably at least partially embedded in the base body.
Implementation Method 2
The penetration-free connection between the plastic plate and the base body is achieved by generating an alternating electromagnetic field with which the welding element is brought to a temperature that is high enough for the thermoplastic material of the base body to melt.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5B
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for fastening plastic sheets to components or structures, in particular to concrete components or structures, as well as a fastening kit for fastening plastic sheets and a lining system for lining components or structures. The device A according to the invention for fastening plastic sheets is characterized by a base body 1 with a welding element 8, which on the one hand allows a form-fit and/or force-fit connection with the component or structure and on the other hand allows a penetration-free fastening of the plastic sheets 10, so that leakage cannot occur at the connection point between the plastic sheet and the base body. The base body 1 has a bottom surface 1B facing the component or structure and a top surface 1A facing the plastic sheet, wherein the base body 1 is made of a thermoplastic material.The welding element 8 consists of an electrically conductive material embedded in the base body 1 on its upper surface 1A. The non-penetrating connection between the plastic plate and the base body is achieved by generating an alternating electromagnetic field, which heats the welding element 8 to a temperature high enough to melt the thermoplastic material of the base body. This thermally welds the plastic plate and the base body together.