Trapezoidal Green Wall Cladding for Dimensional Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing green wall systems face challenges with watering overflow, lack of protection for building walls, durability issues due to exposure to sun and environmental conditions, and aesthetic deformations from temperature variations, while failing to integrate as a cladding component.

Innovation Solution

A self-supporting, dimensionally stable device with a trapezoidal section design, incorporating sandwich panels and connecting pieces for mechanical rigidity, water management, and integration with insulation, allowing for seamless cladding and protection while maintaining aesthetic appeal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If plastic material or composite is used for container plates, then ease of manufacture is improved, but durability under exposure to sun, ultraviolet rays, hygrometry variations, humid environment, pH variations, and temperature differences deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite material construction for the container plates, combining multiple materials with complementary properties to achieve both manufacturability and durability. The composite structure integrates materials resistant to UV radiation, hygrometry variations, and chemical corrosion while maintaining ease of fabrication through modular assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention modifies physical and chemical parameters of the container plate materials to enhance durability. This includes selecting materials with specific thermal expansion coefficients to match supporting structures, choosing UV-stabilized polymers or corrosion-resistant metals, and adjusting material composition to resist pH variations from plant cultivation, thereby maintaining reliability under diverse environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If conventional container plates are used, then productivity is improved, but mechanical resistance and dimensional stability under temperature variations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoiddimensional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent selects materials and designs structures with controlled thermal expansion parameters to maintain dimensional stability across temperature ranges. The container plates are engineered with thermal expansion coefficients matched to supporting structures, preventing differential expansion and deformation. This parameter optimization ensures mechanical resistance and compositional stability without compromising manufacturing productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If the device is made self-supporting with mechanical rigidity, then strength is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical rigidityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the green wall system into modular, self-supporting container plate units with integrated stiffening elements. Each module is independently structurally sound, providing mechanical rigidity through internal reinforcement geometries or ribbed structures. This segmentation allows complex mechanical strength to be achieved at the module level, simplifying overall system assembly and reducing installation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention integrates multiple functions into unified structural elements. Connecting pieces serve both as attachment mechanisms and as structural reinforcements that enhance mechanical rigidity. The container plates combine cultivation chambers, water management features, and structural stiffening in integrated designs, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3689132A1Device for growing seedlings for planting, forming cladding, method for manufacturing said device
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 VERTIGE INT
  • EP3689132A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3689132A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3689132A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Device for growing vegetation forming cladding, comprising an upper face (10), provided with windows (10-1), a front face (12), a lower face (14) and a rear face (16), forming a closed section, a lower connecting piece (18) interposed between the lower face (14) and the rear face (16) and an upper connecting piece (24) interposed between the upper face (10) and the rear face (16), the whole forming a closed section, said device being positioned with its rear face (16) opposite a wall P, vertical or strongly inclined, supporting said device, and end cheeks.