Thermal Bridge-Free Wall Equipment Carrier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Devices such as mailboxes, lamps, or house number signs cannot be easily attached to thermally insulated walls without forming thermal bridges or ensuring a draught-tight arrangement, as permanent attachment in the insulating layer is not feasible, and alignment with existing fastening systems is complicated.

Innovation Solution

A cylindrical equipment carrier with integrally formed spreader arms that can be pushed into a recess, featuring a cylindrical shaped body with perforations for secure fastening and alignment, and pivotable spreading arms that protrude beyond the hollow body's circumference for secure seating, preventing displacement and allowing for draught-tight installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a device carrier is permanently attached to a thermally insulated wall, then the device can be securely mounted, but thermal bridges are formed between the device carrier and the foundation masonry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure mountingVSAvoidthermal bridge formation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device carrier is divided into two separate components: a hollow body that is inserted into a recess in the insulating layer, and a shaped body that is pushed into the hollow body. This segmentation allows the carrier to be mounted on the insulating layer without direct contact with the foundation masonry, preventing thermal bridge formation while maintaining secure mounting through the two-part construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the hollow body is pushed into a recess in the wall, then installation is simplified, but the hollow body cannot be securely fixed without displacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidfixing security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spreader arms are designed to be movable relative to the hollow body. During insertion, the arms are shifted into the cavity to minimize obstruction. When the shaped body is pushed in, the arms are pressed radially outward and pivot into a target assembly position where they protrude beyond the circumferential alignment, automatically securing the hollow body in place without requiring additional fastening operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple device carriers are arranged next to each other or one above the other, then objects can be mounted on the wall, but alignment of the objects becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultiple carrier arrangementVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The shaped body incorporates a large number of holes in its end wall, serving multiple functions: providing numerous attachment points for devices, enabling precise vertical alignment when carriers are arranged one above the other, and facilitating exact horizontal alignment when carriers are placed side by side. This universal hole pattern makes the carrier adaptable to various mounting configurations while ensuring precise alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If the spreader arms are always protruding beyond the hollow body, then secure fixation is achieved, but the hollow body cannot be easily inserted into the recess

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation securityVSAvoidinsertion ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spreader arms are designed to change position dynamically during installation. In the pre-assembly position, the arms are shifted into the cavity of the hollow body to minimize their profile and facilitate easy insertion into the recess. Upon insertion of the shaped body, the arms are automatically pressed outward and pivot into the target assembly position where they protrude to provide secure fixation, eliminating the need for manual adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2333355B1Device carrier
Publication Date: 2015.01.14 KAISER AKTIENGES
  • EP2333355B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2333355B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2333355B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The supporter (1) has a cylindrical mold body (5) sliding into a hollow body (3) from a front-side, where form and dimension of the mold body is adapted to a hollow space of the body. A wall is provided with multiple of holes (6), which is provided for holding a shaft of a fixing unit. A straddle arm (4) of the hollow body is displaced in a hollow space in a pre-mounting position. The straddle arm is swivelable from a pre-mounting position into a mounting reference position by the mold body, where the straddle arm protrudes over a circumference alignment unit of the hollow body. USE : Supporter for fixing in a recess or a bore-hole of a wall e.g. hollow wall and a heat insulating wall, or an outer membrane of a facade (all claimed) of a building to support an equipment e.g. lamp, letter box and house number shield. ADVANTAGE : The supporter is fixed in the recess or the bore-hole of the wall or the outer membrane of the facade of the building in a simple and durable manner. The design of the supporter prevents occurrence of thermal bridge between the supporter and brick-work and enables alignment of parts to be fixed at the supporter. The supporter is arranged in the heat insulating layer without supply of air. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS : The drawing shows a sectional view of a supporter. 1 : Equipment supporter 3 : Hollow body 4 : Straddle arm 5 : Mold body 6 : Holes.