Wall Bracing Device with Damping and Spacer Rods

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing of drywall panels with metal frameworks results in high carbon dioxide emissions, and existing point bracing devices do not provide sufficient mechanical strength to meet construction standards.

Innovation Solution

A support device for bracing a planar wall structure comprising a first element with a plate and a second element with a plate, connected by spacer rods, which increases angular stiffness and compressive strength while reducing material usage and emissions, featuring a damping part and removable fixing means to enhance mechanical and acoustic performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If metal furring strips are used to form the core, then the mechanical strength is sufficient, but carbon dioxide emissions are high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarbon dioxide emissionsVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential function of metal furring strips (providing structural support and spacing) and implements it using alternative materials (wooden strips, cardboard, or paperboard) that have lower carbon footprint. The core elements are taken out from the problematic metal category and replaced with sustainable materials while maintaining the structural function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameter from metal to organic/recyclable materials (wood, cardboard, paperboard). This parameter change reduces carbon dioxide emissions during manufacturing while the structural design compensates to maintain adequate mechanical strength for the application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If point spacer devices are used to form the core, then carbon dioxide emissions are reduced, but mechanical strength is too low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarbon dioxide emissionsVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into the core elements: spacing (original function of point spacers), structural support, and bracing against lateral forces. By combining these functions into integrated core elements made of sustainable materials, the system achieves both low emissions and adequate strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material structures (wooden strips, cardboard, or paperboard with specific geometries) that provide enhanced mechanical properties compared to simple point spacers. These composite structures distribute loads more effectively and provide the necessary stiffness while maintaining low carbon footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If multiple spacer rods are distributed between plates, then angular stiffness increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular stiffnessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the bracing function into multiple distributed spacer rods rather than using a single complex bracing structure. Each spacer rod is a simple element, but their collective arrangement provides the necessary angular stiffness. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high stiffness through simple, repeatable units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 reduces carbon dioxide emissions and enhances the mechanical strength of drywall panels to meet construction standards while improving acoustic insulation by effectively absorbing sound waves and dissipating energy.

Implementation Method 1

the device comprises a damping part formed by a first material, the first material having a loss factor greater than 0.2, in particular greater than 1

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

The permitted displacement of the first element relative to the second element makes it possible to absorb the sound waves received on a facing plate fixedly mounted on the device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 3

the device comprises a spring arranged between a second end and between the fourth face

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP4491816A1Support device for bracing a wall system
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 SAINT GOBAIN PLACO SAS
  • EP4491816A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4491816A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4491816A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a support device for bracing comprising a first element, the first element comprising a first plate, the first plate comprising a first face adapted to be fixedly mounted to a wall structure, and a second element, the second element comprising a second plate, the second plate comprising a third face adapted to be fixedly mounted to a first facing plate.