Metal Wire Cladding Hooking Element for Secure Facade Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing facade cladding attachment elements have a low resistance to inadvertent escape of the covering plate, necessitating a solution to enhance security and ease of manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

A facade cladding system featuring a hooking element with U-shaped loops and a connecting section that increases resistance against plate escape, made from metal wire, with a design that allows for efficient material use and easy manufacturing through bending, and can accommodate both grooved and non-grooved plates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single V-shaped section attachment element is used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of preventing plate escape is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to inadvertent escape of covering plateVSAvoidcomplexity of attachment element structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment element is divided into multiple functional sections: a first part with two U-shaped loops for securing the plate, a second part for attachment to the support profile, and a third part for additional securing. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function effectively, increasing overall reliability while keeping the manufacturing process relatively simple through bending operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment element transitions from a single V-shaped section (2D plane) to a three-dimensional structure with U-shaped loops extending in multiple directions. The loops protrude from the plane of the support profile, creating a multi-dimensional configuration that mechanically interlocks with the plate in ways a flat V-shape cannot achieve, thereby preventing plate escape more effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If a complex attachment element with multiple loops is used, then the reliability of securing the plate increases, but the ease of manufacture decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity of covering plate fixationVSAvoidease of manufacturing attachment element
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment element is formed as a flexible metal wire that can be bent into the required three-dimensional shape with U-shaped loops. This flexibility allows the complex geometry to be manufactured through bending operations rather than requiring complex forging, casting, or assembly of multiple parts, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving the reliable multi-loop structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Strength

If more material is used in the attachment element, then the strength and resistance to plate escape improve, but the loss of substance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength of hooking elementVSAvoidmaterial usage of attachment element
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment element utilizes dynamic deformation of the metal wire through bending to create the U-shaped loops and three-dimensional configuration. This allows the material to be redistributed and optimized structurally, providing high strength where needed while minimizing material usage overall. The bent wire structure achieves mechanical efficiency without requiring excessive material quantity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP1775399B1Wall cladding
Publication Date: 2012.02.22 VETISOL
  • EP1775399B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1775399B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP1775399B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The fastening clip (6), made in one piece from metal and especially steel wire, is bent to form two loops (48) on one side that engage with a slot in the edge of a wall facing panel, and two hooks (44) on the other to engage with a bracket holding the panel in place. The loops are joined by an intermediate section (50) of the clip, and the hooks are formed by its two free ends (54).