WO2014121940A1 - Joint for composite panel - Google Patents

Joint for composite panel Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2014121940A1
WO2014121940A1 PCT/EP2014/000335 EP2014000335W WO2014121940A1 WO 2014121940 A1 WO2014121940 A1 WO 2014121940A1 EP 2014000335 W EP2014000335 W EP 2014000335W WO 2014121940 A1 WO2014121940 A1 WO 2014121940A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tongue
locking
groove portion
joint
locking part
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2014/000335
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Israel Adetunji
Mikhail TRULL
Ian Tomlinson
Original Assignee
Tata Steel Uk Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tata Steel Uk Limited filed Critical Tata Steel Uk Limited
Publication of WO2014121940A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014121940A1/en

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/38—Connections for building structures in general
    • E04B1/61—Connections for building structures in general of slab-shaped building elements with each other
    • E04B1/6108—Connections for building structures in general of slab-shaped building elements with each other the frontal surfaces of the slabs connected together
    • E04B1/612—Connections for building structures in general of slab-shaped building elements with each other the frontal surfaces of the slabs connected together by means between frontal surfaces
    • E04B1/6125—Connections for building structures in general of slab-shaped building elements with each other the frontal surfaces of the slabs connected together by means between frontal surfaces with protrusions on the one frontal surface co-operating with recesses in the other frontal surface
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/62—Insulation or other protection; Elements or use of specified material therefor
    • E04B1/92—Protection against other undesired influences or dangers
    • E04B1/94—Protection against other undesired influences or dangers against fire
    • E04B1/941—Building elements specially adapted therefor
    • E04B1/942—Building elements specially adapted therefor slab-shaped
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
    • E04C2/00—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels
    • E04C2/02—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by specified materials
    • E04C2/26—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by specified materials composed of materials covered by two or more of groups E04C2/04, E04C2/08, E04C2/10 or of materials covered by one of these groups with a material not specified in one of the groups
    • E04C2/284—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by specified materials composed of materials covered by two or more of groups E04C2/04, E04C2/08, E04C2/10 or of materials covered by one of these groups with a material not specified in one of the groups at least one of the materials being insulating
    • E04C2/292—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by specified materials composed of materials covered by two or more of groups E04C2/04, E04C2/08, E04C2/10 or of materials covered by one of these groups with a material not specified in one of the groups at least one of the materials being insulating composed of insulating material and sheet metal
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
    • E04C2/00—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels
    • E04C2/30—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by the shape or structure
    • E04C2/40—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by the shape or structure composed of a number of smaller components rigidly or movably connected together, e.g. interlocking, hingedly connected of particular shape, e.g. not rectangular of variable shape or size, e.g. flexible or telescopic panels

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a joint for a composite panel, the joint comprising a tongue and a groove of adjoining panels, wherein the tongue and groove interlock when heated beyond a certain temperature.
  • composite panels are metal, mostly steel or aluminium, faced building panels with an insulation material between the opposite metal faces.
  • the insulation material used in many of these composite panels is expanded polystyrene (EPS), polyurethane (PUR) and polyisocyanurate (PIR).
  • EPS expanded polystyrene
  • PUR polyurethane
  • PIR polyisocyanurate
  • Composite panels are used for both the outer envelope of buildings as well as for making partitions inside buildings. At opposite ends of the composite panels, which ends connect to an adjoining composite panel, tongue and groove portions are provided, wherein a tongue together with a groove of the adjoining composite panel forms a joint between adjoining composite panels.
  • the behaviour of the joint between adjoining composite panels in case of fire is far worse than the opposite metal faces of the composite panels.
  • the joint generally opens after a relative short time allowing the fire to penetrate the composite panel.
  • the poor fire performance of composite panels with a flammable insulation material results in a low fire classification of these composite panels worldwide.
  • the low fire classification of such composite panels considerably limits the application of composite panels with such insulation material.
  • one or more of the objectives of the invention are realized by providing joint for a composite panel, wherein the panel comprises two metal faces with an insulating material in between, a tongue portion at a first side face and a groove portion at an opposite second side face of the panel and wherein tongue portion and groove portion of adjoining panels engage each other on assembly to form a joint between the adjoining panels, and wherein locking means are provided in the joint by means of which tongue and groove portion are locked with respect to each other when the locking means in the joint is heated beyond a certain temperature.
  • the tongue and groove portions forming the joint will interlock in case of fire therewith preventing that the joint opens during the fire by deformation of the composite panel and that subsequently the fire could penetrate the composite panel.
  • the locking means comprise a locking part which goes from a non-locking position to a locking position when the locking means in the joint is heated beyond a certain temperature.
  • the locking part is part of the tongue portion or the groove portion or the locking part is a separate part attached to the tongue portion or the groove portion.
  • a projecting part is to be understood as either a part that protrudes with respect of the surface next to it or as a part that is next to a recession in the surface. In either situation the projecting part is made such that when the locking part gets behind the projecting part in the locking position movement of the tongue portion out of the groove portion is no longer possible.
  • the movement of the locking part into the locking position is brought about by disruption of a disruptable connection between the locking part and the tongue or groove portion wherein disruption is effected by a raise in temperature of the disruptable connection beyond a certain temperature and wherein the locking part is mounted under tension.
  • the locking part comprises a spring steel part which has a fixed connection to the tongue portion or the groove portion and at a distance from the fixed connection a disruptable connection, which is disruptable by a raise in temperature of the disruptable connection beyond a certain temperature.
  • the spring steel part is a U-shaped section provided over the top of the tongue portion, wherein the legs of the U-shaped section are connected to the tongue portion with disruptable connections and wherein between these connections a fixed connection between the U-shaped section and the tongue portion is provided.
  • the spring steel part is U-shaped when connected under tension to the tongue portion.
  • the disruptable connection is formed with a welding material with a low melting temperature or temperature range.
  • An another possibility is to use an adhesive that looses adhesive strength beyond a certain temperature or that gets plastic beyond a certain temperature.
  • the movement of the locking part into the locking position is brought about by the expansion of a thermal expansion material.
  • a first elaboration of the second embodiment provides that the locking part is formed by a part of the tongue portion or the groove portion and wherein the locking part is partially cut free from the tongue portion or the groove portion.
  • the locking part is cut free from the tongue portion or the groove portion by either a continuous cut or a line of intermittent perforations leaving a hinge line along which the locking part may bend with respect to the tongue portion or the groove portion.
  • a notch may be provided along the hinge line.
  • the locking part is part of the tongue or groove portion it will in most cases not be possible to make a continuous locking part along the total length of the tongue or groove portion because such portion may loose its structural integrity. Instead it will be preferable to have a number of spaced locking parts along the length of the tongue or groove portion.
  • the locking part is part of the tongue portion and wherein the inside of the tongue portion is filled with the thermal expansion material at least at the location of the locking part. If the temperature of the thermal expansion material rises above a certain temperature it will start expanding resulting in that the locking part will bend along its hinge line. A sufficient amount of thermal expansion material is put in the tongue portion to be sure that the locking part will be able to make the complete movement into the locking position. If the tongue portion has another opening in addition to the locking part a larger amount of thermal expansion material is put in the tongue portion to compensate for expansion of the thermal expansion material into that other opening.
  • the locking part is part of the groove portion and the thermal expansion material is provided in an at least partially closed chamber formed next to the groove portion at the location of the locking part.
  • the locking part in the groove portion is an option if the structure of the groove part has an at least partially closed chamber next to the groove.
  • the locking part is formed by the tongue portion or part of the tongue portion that is bendable respectively with respect to the panel or with respect to a part of the tongue portion connected to the panel and wherein the thermal expansion material is provided in an at least partially closed chamber formed next to the groove portion, which chamber is provided with one or more openings at the side of the locking part.
  • the tongue portion or part thereof is made bendable along a line along the length of the side face of the composite panel. This is preferably done providing a zone where the tongue portion only has limited thickness and/or where one or more longitudinal notches have been provided to facilitate the bending.
  • thermal expansion material expandable graphite is used or any other suitable thermal expansion material.
  • the welding material used in the first embodiment and the thermal expansion material used in the second embodiment are chosen such that the connection is disrupted or the material expands at a the temperature in the range of 60 - 200°C and more preferably in the range of 80 - 120°C.
  • the start temperature at which these locking means are activated is taken relatively high to prevent that the joint locks because of the panels heating up in direct sunlight in the summer.
  • fig.1 shows schematically a cross-section of two composite panels joined with their respective tongue and groove portions
  • fig.2 A,B shows a joint with a U-shaped spring steel locking part around the tongue portion
  • fig.3 A,B shows a joint with the locking part cut out from the tongue portion and wherein the tongue portion is partially filled with a thermal expansion material
  • fig.4 A,B shows a joint with the locking part cut out from the groove portion and wherein a partially closed chamber next to the groove is filled with a thermal expansion material
  • fig.5 A,B shows a joint wherein the tongue portion is the locking part and wherein a partially closed chamber next to the groove is filled with a thermal expansion material.
  • two composite panels 1,2 are shown partially wherein the side face of composite panel 1 is provided with two groove portions 3,4 and the side face of composite panel 2 is provided with two tongue portions 5,6.
  • the respective tongue and groove portions are formed from the same sheet of metal from which the outer face 7 respectively the inner face 8 of the composite panels are formed.
  • an insulating material such as PUR or PIR is provided which together with the inner and outer face gives sufficient stiffness to the composite panel.
  • the metal sheets of the inner and outer face do not continue after the groove portions and the tongue portions at a side face and end in the insulating material.
  • the space 9 is provided to hide the fastening means with which composite panel 2 is fastened to a support structure.
  • Fig.2A shows a joint wherein a U-shaped spring steel locking part 10 has been provided over the outer end of the tongue portion 5.
  • the locking part is in fact an about V-shaped spring steel locking part but mounted under tension it looks like a U-shaped locking part.
  • the locking part 10 is fixedly connected under tension to the tongue portion 5 at a point between the legs of the U-shape with fixing means 11.
  • the legs 12,13 of the U-shaped locking part are connected to the tongue portion 5 by means of an adhesive or a welding material 14.
  • the adhesive loses its adhesive strength or gets plastic at a certain temperature. If the legs are welded to the tongue portion 5 the welding material is chosen such that it starts to melt or start to show plastic behaviour at a certain temperature.
  • the disruption of the connection may either be a sudden process or a more gradual process depending on the material used for the connection and the time to heat the joint to above a certain temperature.
  • This certain temperature is chosen such that the connection will be disrupted at a temperature corresponding to the initial stage of a fire, but will remain undamaged with temperatures that may occur on a hot summer day.
  • This certain temperature is in the range of 60 - 200°C and more preferably in the range of 80 - 120°C
  • the temperature in the joint nearest to the outside face may easily rise to a far higher temperature than will normally occur in the joint nearest to the inside face of the composite panel. For that reason the temperature at which the outside joint gives way has to be chosen higher than the temperature for the inside joint.
  • a non-locking joint could be used for the joint nearest to the outside face.
  • Fig.2B shows the joint after the certain temperature has been reached and the connection between the legs 12,13 and the tongue portion 5 has been disrupted and the locking part 10 is in its original shape, which is an about V-shape.
  • the legs 12,13 have moved away from the tongue portion 5 and are in a position behind projecting parts 15,16 provided in the groove portion, therewith preventing that the tongue portion 5 can be pulled out of groove portion 3.
  • Fig.3A shows a joint wherein the locking part 17,18 is cut out in the tongue portion 5 and wherein the tongue portion 5 is partially filled with a thermal expansion material 19.
  • the locking part is cut out by making a cut along a line 21 corresponding to the shape of the locking part leaving a connection between the locking part and the tongue portion 5 which serves as hinge for the locking part.
  • a useful shape of the locking part is a rectangular shape which is also easy to cut. Instead of a cut it is also possible to provide a line of perforations along which the locking part can disrupt from the tongue portion 5.
  • Preferably a number of spaced locking parts are provided along the length of the tongue portion 5.
  • the locking part 20 is cut out from the groove portion 3 along line 21 ' of which only the part running in longitudinal direction of the groove portion is shown.
  • a notch 22 is provided at the hinge side of locking part 20 to clearly define the hinge line 22 and to facilitate the bending of the locking part 20 into the locking position.
  • fig.4B the situation is shown wherein the temperature of the joint has passed the critical temperature and the thermal expansion material 19 has expanded pushing locking part 20 into the locking position.
  • a recession 23 is provided having a flange portion which forms a projecting part 24.
  • the outer end of the locking part 20 is situated behind the projecting part 24 preventing that the tongue portion 5 can be pulled out of groove portion 3.
  • Fig.5 A shows a joint wherein the tongue portion 5 or part thereof is bendable respectively with respect to the panel or with respect to a part of the tongue portion connected to the panel. If only part of the tongue portion 5 should be bendable with respect to another part of the tongue portion 5 than one or more notch lines should preferably be provided to make the one part of the tongue portion 5 bendable with respect to the other part of the tongue portion 5. It is however easier to make the tongue portion 5 bendable at a point in the transition to the inner or outer face 7,8, as the case may be, of the composite panel. In the shown example the tongue portion 5 has hinge lines along the respective folding lines 25,26.
  • a projecting part 16 is provided in the groove portion 3 and the tongue portion 5 is provided with a projecting part 27.
  • the part of the groove portion 3 forming part of the wall of the partially closed chamber filled with the thermal expansion material 19 is provided with a number of openings 29 through which the thermal expansion material 19 can expand when the temperature of the joint exceeds the critical temperature.
  • Fig.5B shows the situation wherein the thermal expansion material 19 has expanded through the openings 29 and the tongue portion 5, in this case also the locking part, has moved into the locking position. In this locking position the position of the respective projecting parts 16,27 of the groove portion 3 and the tongue portion 5 prevent that the tongue portion 5 can be pulled out of groove portion 3.
  • the locking part in the joint as shown in fig.5A,B could be formed by the total length of the tongue portion 5 or separate spaced parts of the tongue portion 3 can be used as locking parts. Such separate locking parts can be provided by cutting these locking parts loose from the body of the tongue portion 5 with cuts transverse to the length direction of the tongue portion 5.

Abstract

The invention relates to a joint for a composite panel, the panel comprising two metal faces with an insulating material in between, a tongue portion (5) at a first side face and a groove portion (3) at an opposite second side face of the panel, wherein tongue portion (5) and groove portion (3) of adjoining panels engage each other on assembly to form a joint between the adjoining panels and wherein locking means (10) are provided in the joint by means of which tongue and groove portion (3,5) are locked with respect to each other when the locking means (10) in the joint is heated beyond a certain temperature.

Description

JOINT FOR COMPOSITE PANEL
Field of the invention
The invention relates to a joint for a composite panel, the joint comprising a tongue and a groove of adjoining panels, wherein the tongue and groove interlock when heated beyond a certain temperature.
Background of the invention
The majority of composite panels are metal, mostly steel or aluminium, faced building panels with an insulation material between the opposite metal faces. The insulation material used in many of these composite panels is expanded polystyrene (EPS), polyurethane (PUR) and polyisocyanurate (PIR). Composite panels are used for both the outer envelope of buildings as well as for making partitions inside buildings. At opposite ends of the composite panels, which ends connect to an adjoining composite panel, tongue and groove portions are provided, wherein a tongue together with a groove of the adjoining composite panel forms a joint between adjoining composite panels.
The behaviour of the joint between adjoining composite panels in case of fire is far worse than the opposite metal faces of the composite panels. The joint generally opens after a relative short time allowing the fire to penetrate the composite panel. The poor fire performance of composite panels with a flammable insulation material results in a low fire classification of these composite panels worldwide. The low fire classification of such composite panels considerably limits the application of composite panels with such insulation material.
Objectives of the invention
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a joint for composite panels which does not open during a fire.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a joint for a composite panel which locks above a certain temperature.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a joint for a composite panel which comprises a groove and tongue portions that interlock above a certain temperature. It is another objective of the present invention to provide a joint for a composite panel which locks above a certain temperature and is relatively easy to manufacture.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a joint for a composite panel which locks above a certain temperature and which can be manufactured relatively cost-effective.
It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a composite panel that can be used in far more applications than the known composite panels.
Description of the invention
According to a first aspect of the invention one or more of the objectives of the invention are realized by providing joint for a composite panel, wherein the panel comprises two metal faces with an insulating material in between, a tongue portion at a first side face and a groove portion at an opposite second side face of the panel and wherein tongue portion and groove portion of adjoining panels engage each other on assembly to form a joint between the adjoining panels, and wherein locking means are provided in the joint by means of which tongue and groove portion are locked with respect to each other when the locking means in the joint is heated beyond a certain temperature.
By providing such locking means the tongue and groove portions forming the joint will interlock in case of fire therewith preventing that the joint opens during the fire by deformation of the composite panel and that subsequently the fire could penetrate the composite panel.
Although composite panels with interlocking joints are known in the art these kind of interlocking joints interlock directly on assembly of a wall with composite panels provided with such joints. If a wall with these composite panels has to be disassembled for whatever reason this will inevitably lead to irreparable damage to the joints of the composite panels. The disassembly of in particular interior walls to make another division of the internal space of a building is done quite often and with the composite panels with a joint according to the invention this is perfectly possible without causing any damage to the joints. The joint according the invention will only lock when heated beyond a certain temperature, which temperature will be chosen such that the joint will only lock in case of fire. After a fire the composite panels will not be suitable for reuse anyway, but with the joint according to the invention it will be prevented that the fire penetrates the interior of the panel and possibly spread out beyond the wall in question.
According to a further aspect of the invention it is provided that the locking means comprise a locking part which goes from a non-locking position to a locking position when the locking means in the joint is heated beyond a certain temperature. The locking part is part of the tongue portion or the groove portion or the locking part is a separate part attached to the tongue portion or the groove portion.
To get the tongue and groove portion to interlock it is provided that the locking part when in the locking position is retained behind a projecting part of the tongue portion or the groove portion therewith locking the joint formed by the tongue and groove portion. A projecting part is to be understood as either a part that protrudes with respect of the surface next to it or as a part that is next to a recession in the surface. In either situation the projecting part is made such that when the locking part gets behind the projecting part in the locking position movement of the tongue portion out of the groove portion is no longer possible.
According to a first embodiment of the joint according the invention the movement of the locking part into the locking position is brought about by disruption of a disruptable connection between the locking part and the tongue or groove portion wherein disruption is effected by a raise in temperature of the disruptable connection beyond a certain temperature and wherein the locking part is mounted under tension.
A further elaboration of the first embodiment provides that the locking part comprises a spring steel part which has a fixed connection to the tongue portion or the groove portion and at a distance from the fixed connection a disruptable connection, which is disruptable by a raise in temperature of the disruptable connection beyond a certain temperature.
Still a further elaboration provides that the spring steel part is a U-shaped section provided over the top of the tongue portion, wherein the legs of the U-shaped section are connected to the tongue portion with disruptable connections and wherein between these connections a fixed connection between the U-shaped section and the tongue portion is provided. The spring steel part is U-shaped when connected under tension to the tongue portion. The advantage of this elaboration is that the tongue portion has locking parts on both sides therewith providing a firm lock preventing any movement of the tongue portion with respect of the groove portion.
The disruptable connection is formed with a welding material with a low melting temperature or temperature range. An another possibility is to use an adhesive that looses adhesive strength beyond a certain temperature or that gets plastic beyond a certain temperature.
According to a second embodiment of the joint according the invention the movement of the locking part into the locking position is brought about by the expansion of a thermal expansion material.
A first elaboration of the second embodiment provides that the locking part is formed by a part of the tongue portion or the groove portion and wherein the locking part is partially cut free from the tongue portion or the groove portion. The locking part is cut free from the tongue portion or the groove portion by either a continuous cut or a line of intermittent perforations leaving a hinge line along which the locking part may bend with respect to the tongue portion or the groove portion. To improve the bendability of the locking part along the hinge line a notch may be provided along the hinge line.
When the locking part is part of the tongue or groove portion it will in most cases not be possible to make a continuous locking part along the total length of the tongue or groove portion because such portion may loose its structural integrity. Instead it will be preferable to have a number of spaced locking parts along the length of the tongue or groove portion.
According to a further elaboration the locking part is part of the tongue portion and wherein the inside of the tongue portion is filled with the thermal expansion material at least at the location of the locking part. If the temperature of the thermal expansion material rises above a certain temperature it will start expanding resulting in that the locking part will bend along its hinge line. A sufficient amount of thermal expansion material is put in the tongue portion to be sure that the locking part will be able to make the complete movement into the locking position. If the tongue portion has another opening in addition to the locking part a larger amount of thermal expansion material is put in the tongue portion to compensate for expansion of the thermal expansion material into that other opening. According to a further elaboration the locking part is part of the groove portion and the thermal expansion material is provided in an at least partially closed chamber formed next to the groove portion at the location of the locking part. The locking part in the groove portion is an option if the structure of the groove part has an at least partially closed chamber next to the groove. With composite panels wherein the groove portion is located close to an outer face of the panel and the groove is formed from the same metal sheet as the outer face such a partially closed space will be present next to the groove portion.
According to a still further elaboration the locking part is formed by the tongue portion or part of the tongue portion that is bendable respectively with respect to the panel or with respect to a part of the tongue portion connected to the panel and wherein the thermal expansion material is provided in an at least partially closed chamber formed next to the groove portion, which chamber is provided with one or more openings at the side of the locking part. In this case the tongue portion or part thereof is made bendable along a line along the length of the side face of the composite panel. This is preferably done providing a zone where the tongue portion only has limited thickness and/or where one or more longitudinal notches have been provided to facilitate the bending.
As thermal expansion material expandable graphite is used or any other suitable thermal expansion material.
The welding material used in the first embodiment and the thermal expansion material used in the second embodiment are chosen such that the connection is disrupted or the material expands at a the temperature in the range of 60 - 200°C and more preferably in the range of 80 - 120°C. The start temperature at which these locking means are activated is taken relatively high to prevent that the joint locks because of the panels heating up in direct sunlight in the summer.
Brief description of the drawings
The invention will be further explained on hand of the example shown in the drawing, in which: fig.1 shows schematically a cross-section of two composite panels joined with their respective tongue and groove portions,
fig.2 A,B shows a joint with a U-shaped spring steel locking part around the tongue portion,
fig.3 A,B shows a joint with the locking part cut out from the tongue portion and wherein the tongue portion is partially filled with a thermal expansion material,
fig.4 A,B shows a joint with the locking part cut out from the groove portion and wherein a partially closed chamber next to the groove is filled with a thermal expansion material, and
fig.5 A,B shows a joint wherein the tongue portion is the locking part and wherein a partially closed chamber next to the groove is filled with a thermal expansion material.
Detailed description of the drawings
In fig. l two composite panels 1,2 are shown partially wherein the side face of composite panel 1 is provided with two groove portions 3,4 and the side face of composite panel 2 is provided with two tongue portions 5,6. The respective tongue and groove portions are formed from the same sheet of metal from which the outer face 7 respectively the inner face 8 of the composite panels are formed. Between the inner and outer face 7,8 an insulating material such as PUR or PIR is provided which together with the inner and outer face gives sufficient stiffness to the composite panel. The metal sheets of the inner and outer face do not continue after the groove portions and the tongue portions at a side face and end in the insulating material. The space 9 is provided to hide the fastening means with which composite panel 2 is fastened to a support structure.
Fig.2A shows a joint wherein a U-shaped spring steel locking part 10 has been provided over the outer end of the tongue portion 5. The locking part is in fact an about V-shaped spring steel locking part but mounted under tension it looks like a U-shaped locking part. The locking part 10 is fixedly connected under tension to the tongue portion 5 at a point between the legs of the U-shape with fixing means 11. The legs 12,13 of the U-shaped locking part are connected to the tongue portion 5 by means of an adhesive or a welding material 14. The adhesive loses its adhesive strength or gets plastic at a certain temperature. If the legs are welded to the tongue portion 5 the welding material is chosen such that it starts to melt or start to show plastic behaviour at a certain temperature. In this respect the disruption of the connection may either be a sudden process or a more gradual process depending on the material used for the connection and the time to heat the joint to above a certain temperature. This certain temperature is chosen such that the connection will be disrupted at a temperature corresponding to the initial stage of a fire, but will remain undamaged with temperatures that may occur on a hot summer day. This certain temperature is in the range of 60 - 200°C and more preferably in the range of 80 - 120°C
If the composite panel is used in an outer wall the temperature in the joint nearest to the outside face may easily rise to a far higher temperature than will normally occur in the joint nearest to the inside face of the composite panel. For that reason the temperature at which the outside joint gives way has to be chosen higher than the temperature for the inside joint. Alternatively a non-locking joint could be used for the joint nearest to the outside face.
Fig.2B shows the joint after the certain temperature has been reached and the connection between the legs 12,13 and the tongue portion 5 has been disrupted and the locking part 10 is in its original shape, which is an about V-shape. The legs 12,13 have moved away from the tongue portion 5 and are in a position behind projecting parts 15,16 provided in the groove portion, therewith preventing that the tongue portion 5 can be pulled out of groove portion 3.
Fig.3A shows a joint wherein the locking part 17,18 is cut out in the tongue portion 5 and wherein the tongue portion 5 is partially filled with a thermal expansion material 19. The locking part is cut out by making a cut along a line 21 corresponding to the shape of the locking part leaving a connection between the locking part and the tongue portion 5 which serves as hinge for the locking part. A useful shape of the locking part is a rectangular shape which is also easy to cut. Instead of a cut it is also possible to provide a line of perforations along which the locking part can disrupt from the tongue portion 5. Preferably a number of spaced locking parts are provided along the length of the tongue portion 5. In fig.3B the situation is shown wherein the temperature of the joint has passed the critical temperature and the thermal expansion material 19 has expanded pushing the locking parts 17,18 outwards into the locking position. In the locking position the locking parts 17,18 protrude till behind projecting parts 15,16 provided in the groove portion, therewith preventing that the tongue portion 5 can be pulled out of groove portion 3.
In fig.4A the locking part 20 is cut out from the groove portion 3 along line 21 ' of which only the part running in longitudinal direction of the groove portion is shown. At the hinge side of locking part 20 a notch 22 is provided to clearly define the hinge line 22 and to facilitate the bending of the locking part 20 into the locking position.
In fig.4B the situation is shown wherein the temperature of the joint has passed the critical temperature and the thermal expansion material 19 has expanded pushing locking part 20 into the locking position. In the tongue portion 5 a recession 23 is provided having a flange portion which forms a projecting part 24. In the locking position the outer end of the locking part 20 is situated behind the projecting part 24 preventing that the tongue portion 5 can be pulled out of groove portion 3.
Fig.5 A shows a joint wherein the tongue portion 5 or part thereof is bendable respectively with respect to the panel or with respect to a part of the tongue portion connected to the panel. If only part of the tongue portion 5 should be bendable with respect to another part of the tongue portion 5 than one or more notch lines should preferably be provided to make the one part of the tongue portion 5 bendable with respect to the other part of the tongue portion 5. It is however easier to make the tongue portion 5 bendable at a point in the transition to the inner or outer face 7,8, as the case may be, of the composite panel. In the shown example the tongue portion 5 has hinge lines along the respective folding lines 25,26.
In the groove portion 3 a projecting part 16 is provided and the tongue portion 5 is provided with a projecting part 27. The partially closed chamber 28 formed by the outer or inner face 7,8 of the composite panel 1,2, part of the groove portion 3 and the folded portion 30 in between, is filled with a thermal expansion material 19. The part of the groove portion 3 forming part of the wall of the partially closed chamber filled with the thermal expansion material 19 is provided with a number of openings 29 through which the thermal expansion material 19 can expand when the temperature of the joint exceeds the critical temperature.
Fig.5B shows the situation wherein the thermal expansion material 19 has expanded through the openings 29 and the tongue portion 5, in this case also the locking part, has moved into the locking position. In this locking position the position of the respective projecting parts 16,27 of the groove portion 3 and the tongue portion 5 prevent that the tongue portion 5 can be pulled out of groove portion 3.
The locking part in the joint as shown in fig.5A,B could be formed by the total length of the tongue portion 5 or separate spaced parts of the tongue portion 3 can be used as locking parts. Such separate locking parts can be provided by cutting these locking parts loose from the body of the tongue portion 5 with cuts transverse to the length direction of the tongue portion 5.

Claims

Joint for a composite panel, wherein the panel comprises two metal faces with an insulating material in between, a tongue portion at a first side face and a groove portion at an opposite second side face of the panel and wherein tongue portion and groove portion of adjoining panels engage each other on assembly to form a joint between the adjoining panels, characterized in that locking means are provided in the joint,
the locking means comprising a locking part which goes from a non-locking position to a locking position when the locking means in the joint is heated beyond a certain temperature by means of which tongue and groove portion are locked with respect to each other,
wherein the locking part is part of the tongue portion or the groove portion or is attached to the tongue or groove portion,
wherein the locking part when in the locking position is retained behind a projecting part of the tongue portion or the groove portion therewith locking the joint formed by the tongue and groove portion, and
wherein the movement of the locking part into the locking position is brought about by disrupting a disruptable connection between the locking part and the tongue or groove portion wherein disruption is effected by a raise in temperature of the disruptable connection
Joint according to claim 1, wherein the locking part is mounted under tension.
Joint according to claim 2, wherein the locking part comprises a spring steel part which has a fixed connection to the tongue portion or the groove portion and at a distance from the fixed connection a disruptable connection, which is disruptable by a raise in temperature of the disruptable connection beyond a certain temperature.
Joint according to claim 2, wherein the spring steel part is a U-shaped section provided over the top of the tongue portion, wherein the legs of the U-shaped section are connected to the tongue portion with disruptable connections and wherein between these connections a fixed connection between the U-shaped section and the tongue portion is provided.
Joint according to one or more of claims 2-4, wherein the disruptable connection is formed with a welding material with a low melting temperature or with an adhesive that looses adhesive strength beyond a certain temperature.
Joint for a composite panel, wherein the panel comprises two metal faces with an insulating material in between, a tongue portion at a first side face and a groove portion at an opposite second side face of the panel and wherein tongue portion and groove portion of adjoining panels engage each other on assembly to form a joint between the adjoining panels, characterized in that locking means are provided in the joint,
the locking means comprising a locking part which goes from a non-locking position to a locking position when the locking means in the joint is heated beyond a certain temperature by means of which tongue and groove portion are locked with respect to each other,
wherein the locking part is part of the tongue portion or the groove portion or is attached to the tongue or groove portion,
wherein the locking part when in the locking position is retained behind a projecting part of the tongue portion or the groove portion therewith locking the joint formed by the tongue and groove portion, and
wherein the movement of the locking part into the locking position is brought about by the expansion of a thermal expansion material.
Joint according to claim 6, wherein the locking part is formed by a part of the tongue portion or the groove portion and wherein the locking part is partially cut free from the tongue portion or the groove portion.
Joint according to claim 7, wherein the locking part is part of the tongue portion and wherein the inside of the tongue portion is filled with the thermal expansion material at least at the location of the locking part.
9. Joint according to claim 6, wherein the locking part is part of the groove portion and wherein the thermal expansion material is provided in an at least partially closed chamber formed next to the groove portion at the location of the locking part.
10. Joint according to claim 6, wherein the locking part is formed by the tongue portion or part of the tongue portion that is bendable respectively with respect to the panel or with respect to a part of the tongue portion connected to the panel and wherein the thermal expansion material is provided in an at least partially closed chamber formed next to the groove portion, which chamber is provided with one or more openings at the side of the locking part.
1 1. Joint according to one or more of claims 6-10, wherein the thermal expansion material is expandable graphite.
12. Joint according to one or more of claims 1-14, wherein the temperature at which the welding material disrupts and the thermal expansion material expands is in the range of 60 - 200°C.
PCT/EP2014/000335 2013-02-08 2014-02-07 Joint for composite panel WO2014121940A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP13000659.6 2013-02-08
EP13000659 2013-02-08

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WO2014121940A1 true WO2014121940A1 (en) 2014-08-14

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3339017A1 (en) 2016-12-22 2018-06-27 Outokumpu Oyj Method for manufacturing a weldable metal-polymer multilayer composite
CN114277963A (en) * 2021-12-26 2022-04-05 曾运达 Splicing structure of modular energy-saving assembly type building

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6314701B1 (en) * 1998-02-09 2001-11-13 Steven C. Meyerson Construction panel and method
WO2003091016A2 (en) * 2002-04-23 2003-11-06 Kingspan Research And Developments Limited Fire resistant edge seal

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6314701B1 (en) * 1998-02-09 2001-11-13 Steven C. Meyerson Construction panel and method
WO2003091016A2 (en) * 2002-04-23 2003-11-06 Kingspan Research And Developments Limited Fire resistant edge seal

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3339017A1 (en) 2016-12-22 2018-06-27 Outokumpu Oyj Method for manufacturing a weldable metal-polymer multilayer composite
WO2018114606A1 (en) 2016-12-22 2018-06-28 Outokumpu Oyj Method for manufacturing a weldable metal-polymer multilayer composite
CN114277963A (en) * 2021-12-26 2022-04-05 曾运达 Splicing structure of modular energy-saving assembly type building
CN114277963B (en) * 2021-12-26 2023-08-22 山东盛通建筑工程有限公司 Splicing structure of modularized energy-saving assembled building

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