SE544178C2 - Façade element arranged to receive facility installation components - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a fagade element (1) for buildings (3) and comprises a framework (7) having at least four outer sidewalls (9), which sidewalls (9) define a circumference of the fagade element (1), and extend between a front section (11) and a back section (13) of the fagade element (1). The back section (13) comprises first connection means (15) arranged to be attached to a surface of a building (3), and the front section (11) comprises second connection means (19) arranged to receive a fagade panel (21) to be attached thereto. The framework (7) comprises at least one first inner channel (23), arranged between the front section (11) and the back section (13), and extending between at least a first and a second hole (25, 27), said at least first and second holes (25, 27) being arranged at separate sidewalls (9) of the at least four sidewalls (9). Wherein the at least one first inner channel (23) provides fluid communication between said at least first and second holes (25, 27). The invention also relates to a fagade arrangement (33) for a building (3), comprising a plurality of fagade elements. The fagade arrangement (33) further comprises at least one fagade element (1) according to the disclosure.

Description

1FAQADE ELEMENT ÅRRANGED TO RECEEVE FÅClLETY ENSTÅLLÅTEÛN COMPÜNEFQTS TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates to a façade element and a façade arrangement comprising such a façade element according to the appended claims.

BACKGROUND ART Façades and façade structures are often very important components of a building. They needto protect the building from weather and other environmental exposures, provide the firstlayer of insulation with regards to the interior environment, and also preferably be pleasing tothe eye to present the building as good as possible to a viewer. Depending on the type ofbuilding, its usage and additional re-construction thereof, a façade may also be subjected to avariety of constructional work, such as drilling, attachment of additional structures such aslight armatures, balconies, drainpipes and/or different types of projecting elements. Suchwork may be both harmful and complex to perform to a façade without risking a degradationof its properties with regards to protecting the building. Furthermore, different types offaçades require different type of handling and maintenance work, which may be both time consuming and costly to prepare and perform.

The different types of work performed on façades and/or buildings are not always easy toperform individually without affecting one another, which leads to increased costs and a moretime consuming process. For example, if a balcony is to be added to a building, the façade maybe damaged both visually and negatively concerning its properties. Vice versa, if for examplethe façade needs to be refurbished, elements and devices such as drainpipes or balconies mayneed to be removed, which requires a lot of additional work both before and after the maintenance work to the façade itself.

Hence there is a need for an improved solution for providing a façade to a building, which improved solution alleviates existing problems within the technical field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Despite prior art there is a need to develop an improved facade element, which is fast andeasy to provide to a building. There is also a need to develop such a façade element, which isversatile with regards to a variety of types of buildings and different types of façades. There iseven further a need to develop such an improved façade element, which is versatile withregards to its functionality coupled with additional installations to a building. There is also a need to develop a façade arrangement comprising such a façade element.

An object ofthe invention is thus to provide an improved facade element, which is fast and easy to provide to a building. Another object is respectively to provide such a façade element,which is versatile with regards to a variety of types of buildings and different types of façades.An even further object is to provide such an improved façade element, which is versatile withregards to its functionality coupled with additional installations to a building. Another further object is to provide a façade arrangement comprising such a façade element.

According to a first aspect, a façade element for buildings is provided. The façade elementmay comprise a framework having at least four outer sidewalls, which sidewalls may define acircumference ofthe façade element, and which sidewalls may extend between a frontsection and a back section of said façade element. The back section may comprise firstconnection means arranged to be attached to a surface of a building, and the front sectionmay comprise second connection means arranged to receive a façade panel to be attachedthereto. The framework of the façade element may further comprise at least one first innerchannel, arranged between the front section and the back section, and extending between atleast a first and a second hole. The at least first and second holes may be arranged at separatesidewalls of the at least four sidewalls, wherein the at least one first inner channel mayprovide fluid communication between said at least first and second holes. me; said prošetttšng eiernerat crantpršsifte a Earge enouett ithâckhess so that the at ieastf orze pr<ë§et:tin° eâemertt care further cornpršse at least ohe coupiirte ctzahnei 'therešrt The cottpišnfl channel Es arrahffecí to recešve tacšiättf šnstaâåatâort components tvberešrt said taeiiity šnstalâation cornponents are provšdecâ trorh a huiâdihg to vvhšch the facade eiement äs to be attached, so as to be able to be distributed tftfithšn the faßatíe eiement. The proiectâng eiemeett is thus to be percešvecš as having a box-hite- geometty 3 and ttavirag a thiclxness, vxfliicii prfaietttšftg element is arrangxtect to be fittect between tvvo settarate room itnits of a buišfíireg to vvhšch tfhe façade eiernent Es to be arranfled, so that the itštickrsefxs of the proiectšrtf* eiernent when inserted bettweeit said room tmits provides a 'Jap there bettfveen. Further, the at least one first inatt-ar channei Es a šz-uiåt--iet drainpipe, being arranged at an angle so as to avoid confipletešxf itorizoretaš portions thereof.

This has the advantage that a façade may be provided to a building in a fast and easy mannerwith regards to assembly of said façade, wherein the separate first and second connectionmeans provides a versatility with regards to make it possible to utilize different fastenersand/or fastening devices to the building and the façade panel respectively. Furthermore, theat least one first inner channel being provided within the framework ofthe façade element,and hence also being situated between the building and its façade in the form ofthe façadepanel when attached to the façade element, provides a channel which may be utilized in aplurality of beneficial manners for the building. By means of arranging a plurality of such façade elements to a building, and arranging the at least first and second holes of each 4 adjacent façade element in communication with each other, the building may be providedwith a façade, which has an inner channel and/or a network of such inner channelsincorporated therein. Such inner channels, and/or network of channels may be utilized asguild-in drainpipes for the building as an example. Thus additional external drainpipes doesnot need to be attached at the outer surface of such a façade, which lowers the amount ofneeded constructional work needed to be performed to said façade and said outer surfacethereof. This is advantageous in that a lesser amount of work performed to said façade andouter surface thereof also lowers the amount of potential degradation of crucial layers of sucha façade, as fewer holes and similar needs to be made through such layers. The outermostsurface of a façade panel arranged to such a façade element will thus exhibit a lesser amountof through-holes therein, which through-holes could act as crevices in which air and moisturecould penetrate into the facade and the building. Structural components such as a drainpipe isfurthermore most often not visually pleasing, wherein a building provided with such a façadeelement according to the disclosure also may be enhanced with regards to its visual design. Anadditional advantage with the inner channel is that it may also be utilized for other types ofinstallations for the building, such as running electrical cables there through, or be used as part of a ventilation system or other.

Another acivsihta e is that the nroieeting eiernent makes the façade eiement ideai to use for pretahricated itioduiar iauiidiitg, :wherein the seearate inoduiar uhits of such a iauiidiitg may iae used to -siamp the proieetinw eiemerit there between. This may be eerformed both vertieaiii; and itorizontaiiy if the buiiding ttorriiarises a riiuraiity of fioor ieveis. iïor this type of coristrutttienai vitirk, such nioduiar room iiriits or simiiar ritat: tiitis be rnaiiufactiired viithoiit ttoiicern før tiieir taçades, tvhereiii façade eieirieiits attcorfíirig to the tiisttiosiire :trav eesiiy he fitteci to the building tfvheii tive piuraiity of room units are being asseinbied oh site.

An ever: fiirtiier advantage is tiiat faciiity instaiiatioii cempoitients rnay he instaiied iii a very fiexibie and to perform rtianrier. Nameiy a buiit~iii drairi pipe is atthievecf vvitiiiri the facade eieinentf »wherein the façade of :such a ivuiifiirit: may be designed with more 'freedom as exterior dreinnities ritat! he exciiified from façade of the buiiríiriçf. This aiso iead to a :nere aestheticaiigf eieasirig apeearance for said iauiidiitg, :which is a benefit design teise, 5According to an aspect, the framework may further comprise at least one cavity arranged therein, said cavity being arranged to receive heat-insulating material.

This has the advantage that the façade element may be used as a means of providinginsulation to a building in a fast and simple manner. This may be utilized both as a primarymeans of adding insulation to a building when it is being built, but also as a means of addingadditional insulation to an existing building when additional insulation is deemed needed. Asinsulating material may be added at the same time as the façade, by means of incorporatingthese elements together in the façade element according to the disclosure, both costs andtime needed for the installations may be lowered which is beneficial in several ways for a construction site.

According to an aspect, the framework may further comprises partition walls, arranged toprovide a space between the at least one first inner channel and the at least one cavity, so asto prevent said at least one first inner channel and said at least one cavity to be arranged directly adjacent each other.

This has the advantage that the risk of water and moisture leaking out of an inner channel, ifused for water drainage, and into insulating material situated into the cavity is lowered. Such ascenario is very important to avoid, as insulation material often contains chlorides, whichwhen water is soaked up by the insulating material may lead to precipitation of said chlorides.Said chlorides may then build up on the circumference of the inner channel, which if made ofa metallic material may easily be subjected to corrosion due to said build-up of said chlorides.A further advantage with the features as described herein is that the space between the innerchannel and a cavity filled with insulating material also can be used for additional purposes,such as for electrical cables, as a ventilation shaft or other. The façade element may thusprovide a multitude of functions for a building to which it is arranged, which further enhances its usefulness.

According to an aspect, the framework may further comprise at least one second inner channel, which extends between the front section and the back section of the façade element.

This has the advantage that the at least one second inner channel may be used for different types of installations from and to the building, which installations are to be directed 6 horizontally and thus perpendicular to the building and the façade element (if assuming aregular vertical wall of said building). Such installations may for example be lightfixtures/armatures, or a structural component of a balcony or similar. What should be notedthough is that such a second inner channel is not meant to support a weight of such aninstallation, but to provide an easy access to the wall ofthe building behind the façadeelement. Such a second inner channel may thus provide a fast and easy installation withoutthe internal parts ofthe façade element risks being damaged by means of such an insertion there through.

According to an aspect, at least an end portion ofthe at least one second inner channel maycomprise a metallic material, said end portion being situated towards the front section of thefaçade element, so at to sit flush with a façade panel when said façade panel is attached to the façade element.

This has the advantage that any such second inner channel may easily be found with toolscommonly found at construction sites and similar, such as a stud finder. This makes suchchannels easy to find even if an adjacent façade panel covers them. Thus, if it deemed thatsuch a channel might be needed to use for a future project, it may simply be left alone, orfilled with insulating material, and covered by a façade panel, which provides a finished look tothe building and its façade. At a later point in time when additional constructional work is tobe performed, any sort of device that can detect metal may simply be used at the façade panel so as to find an end portion of any second inner channel. The façade panel may then bemarked and cut into to expose the underlying second inner channel, wherein the additionalconstructional work may be performed with minimal unnecessary damage to the façade element and the façade panel.

According to an aspect, the sidewalls may comprise outer connection means, arranged atouter surfaces of said sidewalls, wherein said outer connection means are arranged so as to fit an additional façade element arranged adjacent to the façade element.

This has the advantage that a plurality of façade elements may easily be fitted side by side in avery reliable assembly process. This may also be further beneficial in that said outerconnection means may assist in a correct positioning and coupling of a plurality of such façade elements, and hinder an incorrect positioning and coupling thereof. ing to an aspect, the outer connection means may comprise form-fitting means Accord This has the advantage that posi ioning and coupling of two adjacent façade elements may beperformed even faster but still be very reliable. Furthermore, by means of utilizing form-fitting means, such coupling thereof may further preferably be performed without the need for tools, in very specific as such form-fitting means may be designed to fit and snap together ions ing pos te Fa Ct in » According to an aspect, the first connection means of the back section may comprise apredetermined pattern of flanges comprising through-holes, said through-holes being arranged to receive fastening elements for attaching the façade element to an adjacently positioned outer surface of a building.

This has the advantage that such a façade element may be ideal for use when refurbishing afaçade of a building, and/or if additional insulating material is to be added to the building aswell. A plurality of such façade elements may thus be pre-assembled to comprise saidadditional insulating material, if the façade element comprises a cavity for receiving suchmaterial therein, be provided with a desired façade panel, and then be directly arranged to anexisting façade of a building, wherein a plurality of constructional operations are carried out at the same time.

According to an aspect, a façade arrangement for a building is provided. The façadearrangement may comprise a plurality of façade elements, wherein it may further comprise at least one façade element according to the disclosure.

This has the advantage that a façade arrangement may be provided to a building, whichfaçade arrangement may be provided with all the beneficial features ofthe façade elementaccording to the disclosure, which features in turn may be utilized to provide the building with various advantageous characteristics, properties and installations options.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Below is a description of, as examples, embodiments with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows an exploded assembly of a façade element to be arranged to a building according to an embodiment, 9Fig. 2 shows a plurality of façade elements arranged at a building in a partly cross-sectional top down view, Fig. 3 shows a plurality of façade elements arranged at a building in a partly cross-sectional top down view, and Fig. 4 shows a plurality of façade elements arranged at a building in a partly cross-sectional top down view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FEATURES The description of the various features, and modifications thereof, according to the disclosurewill herein be described in more detail. lt is thus to be understood that embodimentscomprising any of ofthe described feature or a combination of features may be assembled in accordance with the description herein.

According to a first aspect, a façade element for buildings is provided. The façade elementmay comprise a framework having at least four outer sidewalls, which sidewalls may define acircumference ofthe façade element, and which sidewalls may extend between a frontsection and a back section of said façade element. The at least four sidewalls may thus definea rectangular or square shape, which is suitable for most types of constructional work relatedto buildings. The façade element may however of course comprise a larger number ofsidewalls if other types of shapes are desired for a particular design of a building and/or itsfaçade. The framework may thus define an inner volume within the sidewalls and the frontand back section thereof, in which inner volume the space therein may be utilized for aplurality of functions relating to a building according to the inventive concept of thedisclosure. The framework may be comprised of a metallic material, which provides durablemechanical properties to the structure, and making it cost effective and easy to manufactureusing commonly known metal working processes. Other types of materials such as wood,polymeric material, or composite material may however also be used without deviating from the inventive concept according to the disclosure.

The back section may comprise first connection means arranged to be attached to a surface ofa building, and the front section may comprise second connection means arranged to receivea façade panel to be attached thereto. The first connection means may vary in designdepending on the intended usage for a specific building. This will be described in more detaillater in the disclosure. The second connection means ofthe front section may also vary indesign depending on the type of façade panel that is to be used. The façade element isdesigned to be modified in various ways so as to conform to different types of buildings, andhence also depending on the type of façade panel that may be suitable for said building. Thefront section, and the second connection means thereof, may be provided with a flangestructure so as to be designed to receive a panel made in one piece, which panel is arrangedand fastened at said flange structure. The front section may also be provided with an outerplate member or similar, to which plate member a façade panel of wood may be attachedtowards. The second connection means may also be comprised of a mesh or similar, at whichmesh a façade panel made of façade plaster may be assembled. lt should be noted that theterm panel should herein be perceived as the outermost element which is to constitute theouter wall of a completed building of facility. Panel in this context may thus refer to a singlesheet of material or a more complex structure made of a plurality of materials and/orcomponents that when assembled defines the façade panel. The second connection meansmay further be designed to receive a plurality of bricks, screen bricks or similar, which bricksor screen bricks for such a case would be referred to as the façade panel. Other types ofconstructions that may be used as façade panels are solar panels, bio façades and digitalscreens of different kinds. By means of arranging the façade panel to the façade element andnot directly to a wall of a building, a attachment process of more complex and difficult tohandle types of façade panels may be used with lesser issues, which may be taken advantage of to incorporate more complex elements as mentioned herein.

The framework of the façade element may further comprise at least one first inner channel,arranged between the front section and the back section, and extending between at least afirst and a second hole. The at least first and second holes may be arranged at separatesidewalls of the at least four sidewalls, wherein the at least one first inner channel mayprovide fluid communication between said at least first and second holes. The at least one first inner channel is thus arranged within the inner volume defined by the peripheral parts of the 11 façade element, which makes said channel non-visible when the façade element is completelyassembled to a surface of a building and a façade panel is attached thereto. Said at least onefirst inner channel is thus arranged to connect at least two of the sidewalls of the façadeelement, and provide fluid communication between the first and second holes thereof. Saidchannel may be arranged in any direction within the inner volume, and connect between anyat least two sidewalls ofthe façade element. A plurality of first inner channels may also beprovided to a single façade element without deviating from the disclosure. The channel mayfurther be branched so as to provide a network of different first channels that may bedistributed throughout the completed façade comprised of a plurality of façade panelsaccording to the disclosure. As has been mentioned, the at least one first inner channel may be used as a built-in drainpipe, being arranged within the façade and the façade elements thereof. _ Liigminner channel shealešfgtlfígísuitably -ëëearranged at an angleso as to avoid completely horizontal portions where drained water would risk pooling up.Other than that, such built-in drainpipes may be arranged in different directions, be branchedout in a network of drainpipes, and be situated in various different ways to conform withother portions of the building and its façade. As such drainpipes are non-visible when thebuilding and the façade are completely assembled, the exact positioning and arrangement ofthe inner channel or channels is of lesser importance compared to a fully visible drainpipebeing attached at an outer surface of a façade. This further provides the possibility ofperforming more work as part of a pre-fabrication process, in which process the positioning ofthe drainpipes for a building may be planned and achieved ahead of the final assembly of thebuilding. To further enhance this usage of the façade element, the framework of the samemay further be divided into two sub portions, wherein a first sub framework may be arrangedat an outer surface of a building, and a second sub framework may be assembled a part of apre-fabrication process. The two sub frameworks may then further comprise attachmentmeans fitted for each other, wherein the second and outer sub framework simply may bearranged and attached to the already assembled first sub framework arranged at an outersurface of a building. lt should also be noted that the at least one first inner channel of coursemay be used for other purposes than built-in drainpipes. Various types of installations andcomponents may be arranged therein, such as ventilation components, cables or any type of components that may be used in conjuncture with a building. 12 Ftirtfierirztare the first ttorutectšort means ef the hack section ctarnnršses at least one çsrtviettting eiernerst which oroietïting eiemerit' is arranfled to he fitted hetyveen tvvo :strutïturai eiernersts of a tvušitíiræa 'to ttfiiich the facatíe elernentf is to he arranaerí. The proiectšrze eienwent. may vary En sitatt-e ancš design, vtfhich tfvšii he descršhed šz-eicfttf and with reference to the cšravøšhes. it shouâd be :ttentioned hoytfever that the nroiectin eâement bein arran ed to fit hetaste-en ttftfo structural elements of a bušlding nrovicšes a suštahie design to he used in assernbiv of a bre- tabricated buiidinw system, in which the ttvo structural elements may he separate rooin units or sirniiar heting part of said systern.

Even further, the at least one proiectšng eientent attan; corribrise at ieast one cotspiing channei, saici couoiirtw channel being arranged to recešve taciiity šnstaiiation contooatents, wherein sašti tacility šnstaiiation connaoateents are brovštied from a huiicšing to whšcit the faracše eiement is to be attattheti so to be able to he distributed vtfithirt the façade eiernent. Sutth a couošhie channel iriay thus he arraneeti yvititšrt the nroiectirte eiernent, which in this ttase crarnrfirises a thickness large enoueit to frouse such a cfranrtei therein. The rareietttifta eiernent ntay thus be berceived as having a hoxfliite 'fleornetry mihicf: when inserted between ttvc: rotßrn tirešts of a preafahriczrted buiidirta :systern itavina a design aoiabted for this eroyides a aan tvetftveere said room units. Such a gap :mil thus function as shafts senaratšrig the roorn units of such a system vvherešh different ttfnes of instaiiatšohs may easšiy be arranged in strid shafts ašong the tvaiâs of such room units. in turn, such installations, in the form of for exarnoie cahies, ventiiation ducts vvater ancš/or* waste nšoes or other rnay then be Eeacš to a coupšinrf channel of a broiectšrte eiernent of a façade element By rneans of then ittššizirig said counlirte chartneš, stich instaišatšorts rnay then in a sirnraše rnanner be arranaeti to eo hetyveert the rooms ef a buiitišfte to the various channešs, ttatfities and other internal parts of a façade eiernerit. Such façade eiernersha thus tvrovšdes a lot of fiexštriiiti; vxfitii regards to several types of instaliatfšorezs trvhštth :nav he sunnâemeritsiry to such a huiicâiete.

According to an aspect, the framework may further comprise at least one cavity arrangedtherein, said cavity being arranged to receive heat-insulating material. The at least one cavitymay in its simplest embodiment be the remainder ofthe previously mentioned inner volumeofthe façade element, when the volume of any first inner channels is subtracted from saidinner volume. The façade element may further be provided with a plurality of such cavities, wherein said plurality of cavities may be provided in the form of a matrix comprising a 13 plurality of cells therein. The cavity or cavities may be arranged to receive heat-insulatingmaterial to provide the building behind the façade element with its protection for heat and/orcold from the outside environment. The at least one cavity may then be designed in shape andsize so as to conform with standardized shapes and sizes of such a material. Depending on thesize of the façade element itself, which may vary depending on the building it is to be arrangedto, it may thus vary if a single cavity or a plurality of cavities is more suitable for receiving the insulating material, depending on the size and shape of said insulating material.

According to an aspect, the framework may further comprises partition walls, arranged toprovide a space between the at least one first inner channel and the at least one cavity, so asto prevent said at least one first inner channel and said at least one cavity to be arrangeddirectly adjacent each other. As has been mentioned previously, this type of design alleviatesthe risk of corrosion of the at least one inner channel, if it is manufactured in a metallicmaterial. However, this feature may further be utilized in various other ways so as to providean even larger functionality to a façade element provided with said feature. The partition wallsmay be arranged at different distances from the at least one inner channel depending on theirindented and/or desired usages. lf only the corrosion protection is desired, said distance maybe rather low, as the only needed provided property thereof is to provide a shaft-likeconstruction functioning as an air gap next to the at times water filled inner channel. However,said distance may be enlarged so as to provide the option of inserting other additionalconstructional devices and/or material therein. The partition walls may further be arranged atall sides of such an inner channel, wherein a pipe-in-pipe type of structure is provided. Thismay be utilized as a means of an outer channel arranged circumferential around the innerchannel. Such an outer channel may then in turn be used as part of a ventilation system,where air, either from the building or to the building is flowing. This further alleviatespotential moisture build-up around the inner channel. Even further, such a feature may beutilized as a heat exchanger of sorts, wherein the temperatures of the air and water in saidtwo channels may be evened out compared with each other. This may be used as part of aclimate device coupled to such a part of a ventilation system, wherein when appropriate thedifference in temperatures may be utilized so as to conserve energy used by the ventilationsystem and accompanied climate device for the building. The air gap provided by the partition walls may further be used for adding other types of constructional components, such as cables 14 for electrical devices and similar. Different types of sensor device may also be inserted therein,such a sensor designed to detect ifthere is a water leak in the inner channel if used as adrainpipe for example. Such a sensor may then provide a warning signal to a control unit orsimilar, wherein it may be shown directly if maintenance work is needed to the drainpipehidden in the façade and the façade elements. The at least one first inner channel may also beprovided with an inner lining of a polymeric material, which further alleviates the risk of saidinner channel deteriorating due to repeated exposure to water and/or moisture if it is beingused as an internally arranged and thus hidden drainpipe. Such a lining may be performed aspart of a pre-fabrication assembly of a façade element, which is much easier and faster toperform in a facility suited for such work than performing a lining or a re-lining on site at a construction work place.

According to an aspect, the framework may further comprise at least one second innerchannel, which extends between the front section and the back section. Such a second innerchannel may be arranged at various positions within the façade element, and may further bemovable there within, wherein the correct positioning of the second channel may first beestablished and then be fixedly attached to a part of the framework of the façade element,either directly or by means of an intermediate constructional element. Thereby the secondinner channel may be modified with regards to its position within a specific façade element soas to conform to a specific design of an underlying design of a building, or a façade of saidbuilding. This may then be utilized to for example extend a pre-existing ventilation shaft fromthe building or similar. lt may also be arranged at positions where outer structures such as abalcony may be desired to be attached, either as part ofthe assembly of the building, or as part of a preparation for a planned future installation ofthe same.

According to an aspect, at least an end portion of the at least one second inner channel maycomprise a metallic material, said end portion being situated towards the front section of thefaçade element, so at to sit flush with a façade panel when said façade panel is attached to thefaçade element. The second inner channel arranged to extend outwards from a building is notprimarily intended to support heavy loads, such heavy loads are rather to be installed withinthe wall construction of the building behind such a façade element. Thus, the materialselection of such second inner channels is not of huge importance for that reason. However, if at least the end portion thereof is made of a metallic material, and preferably a magnetic metallic material, such second inner channels may be much easier to find when a façade panel is arranged at the outer portion of the façade element.

According to an aspect, the sidewalls may comprise outer connection means, arranged atouter surfaces thereof, wherein said outer connection means are arranged so as to fit anadditional façade element arranged adjacent to the façade element. Said outer connectionmeans may be designed in various ways, such as opposite flanges and recesses or similar,which are arranged to fit to each other when assembled adjacent each other. The outerconnection means may for example be arranged as flanges at one side of a façade elementand recesses at an opposite side, so that a plurality of façade elements are formed to fit eachother in series over a larger surface. The façade element according to the disclosure may alsobe provided with said outer connection means, and be positioned as the basis of a frameworkover a wall where a façade is to be assembled. Additional façade elements of a separatedesign (which for example may not comprise the features of the façade element according tothe disclosure) may be arranged within said framework of façade elements, and be coupled thereto by means of said outer connection means.

According to an aspect, the outer connection means may comprise form-fitting means. Thismay provide the possibility of attaching a plurality of such façade elements adjacent eachother without the need for tools, wherein the form-fitting means may be designed to slap intoeach other based on a geometrical design of two opposite parts of such form-fitting means.Such form-fitting means may thus provide a simple assembly process, which may be compared to an assembly of some types of hardwood floors, which are designed so click into a fit with each other. eEe-m»ent-may-vary--in-shape-anel--desäga;--whia-h-w-il-l-be»-»ïåeæe-ršbed-beiow;-a-ef:»iå--with-r-ef-eefieaa<æe-te~the-eirawäng-s.--it-she:u-š-eš--be-me-fi-täoneei--hawaree=-t-ha-t-the-prejecting-»alement--äe;~ng-arra-ngeeš-te>-- -f-it--between-two--strustar-ra-E-eEenfe»ert-ts-of-a--be:il»ii-â-ef:g-pFovâdes--a--su-ätable-desigeff-te-be-fiasfeeš--iaw- 16 w-hä<3h--in--tšfeš-s-case-semprisas-a--thiekn»ess--large-eef:aug-h-to-hease--s-u-eh--a-<5han-fieå--there-iafet--Tâïhe-p:Kaj-eetšng--eå»ement--may-tht:s-be--gaereewed--as-havin-g-a-ba:x-Eš-k-e-geomet-ry;--whieh-w-heafe--iaaseaftfeiá- bet-ween--tw-e-ream-unäts-of-a-prefix-brieated-bu-iš-al-šng--syst-em--havi:feg-a--ešesign--a-da§ated~-šsr--tåa;~sy- the-mo:fa-s-of-a--bt:ildåef:g-to-the-variot:s-aha:fehels;-cavät-š-es--a-ef:ei--efthar-inte:fna-l-pa-rts--ef-a--fa-çaá-e- eEe-nfeent=--šš-ue-h-fagar-eie-elenfe»ert-ts-tht:s-gar-avi»ïåeæ-a--Eot--såf-lexšbi-åity-w-ith--:fega:fås-te-aeveFa-E--ty-pes--ef According to an aspect, the first connection means ofthe back section may comprise apredetermined pattern of flanges comprising through-holes, said through-holes beingarranged to receive fastening elements for attaching the façade element to an adjacentlypositioned outer surface of a building. By means of having the first connection meansdesigned in such a manner, the façade element may instead be used with ease as acomplementary façade to a building already having an existing façade. This may be desired ifmore insulation is needed for a building, and/or if the old façade is in bad shape and needsrefurbishing. A plurality of façade elements may then simply be arranged at the existingfaçade of the building, wherein the frameworks of the façade elements are fastened to thebuilding and the old façade thereof by means of for example inserting screws through theflanges with through-holes and into the wall and/or façade of said building. The internalvolume ofthe façade elements may then be filled with an appropriate amount of additionalinsulation material, wherein the façade elements then may be sealed by means of attaching a desired façade panel thereto. A similar method may of course also be used at a building 17without a pre-existing façade, but when said building does not comprise room units betweenwhich a projecting element could be held in place. What should be noted however is that onlysmall modifications to different features of the façade element according to the disclosure may provide a large variety of usages in combination of various types of buildings.

According to an aspect, a façade arrangement for a building is provided. The façadearrangement may comprise a plurality of façade elements, wherein it may further comprise atleast one façade element according to the disclosure. The façade arrangement may thus be afaçade constituted of a plurality of façade elements according to the disclosure, wherein thevarious features of said façade element may be utilized for various technical solutions for the building and its façade. The façade arrangement may further comprise one or a few such façade elements, ifthe provided features thereof are only desired at certain specific positions.

Such a façade arrangement may also comprise a plurality of façade elements according to thedisclosure, wherein said plurality of elements are arranged is a pattern of some sort, forexample as vertical strips of such elements at intervals over a façade. Additional auxiliary façade elements may then be arranged within the empty spaces of said pattern.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The detailed description with reference to the embodiments depicted are to be viewed asexemplary embodiments comprising a combination of certain features, which features havebeen described in detail above. lt is thus to be understood that additional embodiments maybe achieved by combining other features into embodiments not depicted herein. The figuresare to be viewed as examples and not mutually exclusive combinations. lt should also benoted that all figures shown and described are schematically represented, wherein generic parts of elements, structures or similar may not be depicted for the sake of simplicity.

Fig. 1 shows an exploded assembly of a façade element 1 to be arranged to a building 3according to an embodiment. The building 3 according to this embodiment may be perceivedas a building assembled by means of a pre-fabrication process in which a plurality of roomunits 5 are assembled next to each other in accordance with an assembly method suitable forsuch a pre-fabrication system. Two such room units 5 are visible in part in fig. 1, wherein the exploded façade element 1 is to be arranged between said room units 5 to be held in place 18 there between. The façade element 1 according to this design/embodiment may comprise aframework 7, which comprises a total of eight outer sidewalls 9, which sidewalls 9 define acircumference ofthe façade element 1. The sidewalls 9 extend between a front section 11 anda back section 13 of the façade element 1, wherein the back section 13 comprises firstconnection means 15, herein in the form of a projecting element 17, which has a widthcorresponding to a gap between the two room units 5. The front section 11 comprises secondconnection means 19 arranged to receive a façade panel 21 to be attached thereto. Theframework 7 further comprises two first inner channels 23, arranged between the frontsection 11 and the back section 13, and extending between a first and a second hole 25, 27each, the first and second holes 25, 27 being arranged at separate sidewalls 9 ofthe eightsidewalls 9. The two first inner channels 23 may thus provide fluid communication betweensaid first and second holes 25, 27 of each said first inner channel 23. lt should also bementioned that one of the first inner channels 23 is not visible in fig. 1, as it is concealedbehind other parts ofthe façade element 1. The façade element 1 depicted herein is to beviewed as symmetrical horizontally, wherein the hidden first inner channel 23 is positionedsimilarly to the visible first inner channel 23 but on the opposite side ofthe façade element 1.The first inner channels 23 providing fluid communication between the holes 25, 27 may, ashas been described previously, be utilized in a plurality of ways, wherein an example of suchutilization is to have the first inner channels 23 functioning as built-in drainpipes for thebuilding 3. lt should thus be understood that the holes 25, 27 of the sidewalls 9 are to becoupled to similar holes of adjacent façade elements (not depicted herein) so as to provide a non-interrupted drainpipe within the façade when completed.

The framework 7 of the façade element 1 may further, as depicted in fig. 1, comprise at leastone cavity 29 comprised in the internal volume ofthe façade element 1, which for thisdesign/embodiment there are three such cavities 29 arranged therein. The cavities 29 may bearranged to receive heat-insulating material 31. The insulating material 31 may thus be cutinto proper shapes and sizes so as to conform with the shapes and sizes of the three cavities29, wherein they may be inserted therein. Depending on the indented functionality ofthefaçade element 1 and the features it provides to the building 3, other types of installationsmay also be inserted into the cavities 29. Such installations may be devices and/or parts of devices such as light armatures, electrical cables, ventilation devices, shafts or other. The 19framework 7 of the façade element 1 may of course also be divided into more sub-sectionshaving different combinations of channels and/or cavities so as to house all desired components and installations in separate spaces as well.

The first connection means 15 of the back section 13 of the façade element 1 may furthercomprise, as shown in fig. 1 and previously mentioned, a projecting element 17, whichprojecting element 17 is arranged to be fitted between two structural elements (in this caseroom units) of a building 3 to which the façade element 1 is to be arranged. The projectingelement 17 as seen in fig. 1 is designed to fit the gap provided intermediate the two roomunits 5. However, the projecting element 17 may further be arranged to be attached toadditional constructional elements situated within said gap, either directly or by means of anintermediate arranged adapter element, which is arranged to couple the projecting element17 to said intermediate additional constructional element. A pre-fabrication building systemthat provides a gap between room units as shown herein may comprise specially designedsuch additional constructional elements, which elements are part of the technical solutionthat provides the gap. Hence, a façade element 1 according to fig. 1 may thus be modified, orbe attached to an adapter as mentioned, to be fitted to such an additional constructionalelement. For such a solution the two room units 5 do not need to support the structure in the same rigid manner.

The façade element 1 as shown in fig. 1 is as seen arranged in a vertical orientation, arrangedbetween two sidewalls of two respective room units 5. However, it should be noted that asimilar arrangement may be achieved but in a horizontal orientation instead, wherein theprojecting element 17 is arranged between a floor and a roof of two room units 5 beingarranged on top of each other instead. The same reasoning applies for all figs. accompaniedherein, however all arrangements and assemblies of figs. 1-4 according to the disclosure are depicted in vertical orientations for sake of simplicity.

Figs. 2-4 depicts different embodiments of the façade element 1 arranged at different types ofbuildings 3. These three different embodiments are provided with an assorted selection ofindividual features, in different combinations, according to the disclosure. lt should beemphasized that these embodiments are not meant to depict mutually exclusive combinations of said features, and that other combinations may be provided to achieve additional embodiments, which additional embodiments also would fall within the scope of protection asdefined throughout the disclosure herein. The embodiments of figs. 2-4 share a couple offeatures however. They all comprise a framework 7 defining the circumference of the façadeelements 1, they comprise at least one first inner channel each 23, and they are herein all tobe perceived as having at least some amount of insulating material 31 within the innervolumes ofthe façade elements 1. The depictions of figs. 2-4 may also be perceived to showembodiments of façade arrangements 33 for buildings, wherein said façade arrangements 33may comprise a plurality of façade elements 1 arranged at said building 3. The façadearrangements 33 may comprise at least one façade element 1 according to the disclosure.That is, the outer façade elements as shown in figs. 2-4 does not necessarily have to be façadeelements 1 according to the disclosure, but may also be of other types of designs, comprisingfewer of the inventive features, but be designed to fit together with the façade element 1 according to the disclosure.

Fig. 2 shows a plurality of façade elements 1 arranged at a building 3 in a partly cross-sectionaltop down view. The assembly as depicted shows three individual façade elements, whereinthe middle one is fully visible, and the two outer ones are cut of and are only shown so as toexemplify how a plurality of façade elements 1 may be arranged and coupled to each other inseries. The façade element 1 of fig. 2 further comprises partition walls 35, arranged to providea space between the first inner channel 23 and the cavity 29 housing insulating material 31.Thereby the first inner channel 23 and said cavity 29 are prevented from being arranged directly adjacent each other.

The framework 7 of the façade element 1 may further comprise a first second inner channel37, which extends between the front section 11 and the back section 13 of the façade element1. Said first second inner channel 37 is herein shown to be aligned with a features 39 of a wallof a room unit 5 of the building 3. Said feature 39 of the building 3 and said second innerchannel 37 are here to be viewed as a schematic view of how such features 37, 39 may becombined. The feature 39 of the building 3 may be in the form of for example a ventilationduct in the building 3, beingjoined with the second channel 37 as a continuation of aventilation arrangement. The feature 39 of the building 3 could also be a beam, or a positionfor a future beam to be inserted therein, which beam may be used as part of a balcony assembly or similar. The feature 39 of the building 3 is thus not to be viewed as a specific 21 feature, but an illustration ofthe modifiable usage of such a second inner channel 37.Furthermore, the second inner channel 37 as depicted herein does not go through the façadepanel 21 attached at the front section 11 of the façade element 1, but instead sits flush withthe inner surface of said façade panel 21. At least an end portion 41 of the at second innerchannel 37 may comprise a metallic material, said end portion 41 being defined as situatedtowards the front section 11 of the façade element 1. Herein it is illustrated that said endportion 41 may easily be detected by means of a stud finder or similar, if installations such as ventilation ducts or balcony components are to be inserted therein at a later point in time.

The façade element 1 may even further comprise a second second inner channel 37, whichsecond second inner channel 37 is aligned with a coupling channel 43 comprised in theprojecting element 17. The second second inner channel 37 and the coupling channel 43 ofthe projecting element 17 are here shown to house an electrical cable 45, which is connectedto an electrical device 47 of the building 3, and to a light armature 49 arranged at an outer surface of the façade panel 21 attached to the façade element 1.

The sidewalls 9 of the façade element 1 according to fig. 2 may further comprise outerconnection means 51, arranged at outer surfaces 53 of said sidewalls 9, wherein said outerconnection means 51 are arranged so as to fit an additional façade element arranged adjacentto the façade element 1. As is seen in the figure, the outer connection means 51 comprises aflange-like element 55 extending out from one side of the façade element 1, wherein saidflange-like element 55 is arranged in a recess 57 of an adjacent façade element 1. The outerconnection means 51 according to such an embodiment will thus constitute form-fittingmeans, arranged to fit in specific manners so as to both make an assembly easier, but also provide a more secure and reliable fitting of a plurality of façade elements 1.

Fig. 3 shows a plurality of façade elements 1 arranged at a building 3 in a partly cross-sectionaltop down view. The embodiment as depicted in fig. 3 comprises fewer features compared tothe embodiment depicted in fig. 2, but share the feature ofthe outer connection means 51arranged at the sidewalls 9 of the façade elements 1. As is seen in the figure, the building 3 isalso somewhat different, namely in that the gap between the two room units 5 is muchsmaller. The projecting element 17 of the façade element 1 is thus correspondingly designed so as to fit such a smaller gap. As the gap of this type of building 3 is so small, additional 22 installation components are rarely inserted therein, and thus a coupling channel is most likelynot needed within the projecting element 17. The façade element 1 as depicted herein alsocomprises a first inner channel 23, wherein partition walls 35 also are provided between saidfirst inner channel 23 and insulation material 31 arranged in a cavity 29 of the façade element1. As is also seen herein, the first inner channel 23 is positioned closer to the building 3,wherein said partition walls 35 may be situated at fewer sides of said channel 23 so as to cut down on material costs and make the façade element 1 more compact if desired.

Fig. 4 shows a plurality of façade elements 1 arranged at a building 3 in a partly cross-sectionaltop down view. The building 3 in this figure may be perceived as a building not built by meansof a pre-fabrication building system. Thus, the wall ofthe building as shown does not exhibitroom units as figs. 2 and 3, but a wall without gaps and/or crevices or similar. For such abuilding, the first connection means 15 of the back section 13 may instead comprise apredetermined pattern of flanges 58 comprising through-holes 59, said through-holes 59being arranged to receive fastening elements 61 for attaching the façade element 1 to anadjacently positioned outer surface of a building 3. This provides the possibility of refurbishingthe existing façade ofthe building 3 in very fast and cost effective manner. As is further seen,the façade element 1 comprises a first inner channel 23, herein arranged to house a pre-existing drainpipe 63 mounted to the old façade of the building 3. As there is an existingclearance between the drainpipe 63 and the first inner channel 23, additional partition wallsare not needed, as any potential leakage from the drainpipe 63 may not directly get in contactwith insulation material 31 arranged within the cavity 29 of the façade element 1. However, asa safety precaution, a moisture sensor device 65 may be arranged within the first innerchannel 23, so as to be able to detect a potential leakage from the now concealed drainpipe63. The mentioned sensor device 65 may be connected to an electrical system ofthe building,by means of an electrical cable 45 housed in a branching first second inner channel 37 of thefaçade element 1. The first second inner channel 37 of the façade element 1 is branched so asto also house a second electrical cable 45, which second cable 45 is connected between theelectrical system ofthe building 3 and the façade panel 21 attached to the façade element 1.

|H The façade panel 1 should herein be perceived as being a ”smart pane , comprising a solarpanel therein. The façade arrangement 33 as depicted in fig. 4 may thus not only be used as a complementary façade as part of a refurbishing process, but the same concept may thus also 23 be used as part of upgrading a building to provide features of an ”intelligent building”. Such anintelligent building may have a plurality of electrical components arranged within the façade,such as the mentioned sensor device 65 and the solar panel. The façade element 1 of fig. 4further comprises a second second inner channel 37, which channel 37 may be perceived assimilar to the second inner channel 37 of fig. 2, but where it herein is fully connected to aventilation duct 67 of the building 3, and a ventilation screen 69 arranged in the façade panel 21.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been furnished for illustrative anddescriptive purposes. lt is not intended to be exhaustive, or to limit the embodiments to thevariations described. Many modifications and variations will obviously be apparent to oneskilled in the art. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explicateprinciples and practical applications, and to thereby enable one skilled in the arts tounderstand the invention in terms of its various embodiments and with the variousmodifications that are applicable to its intended use. The components and features specifiedabove may, within the framework of the disclosure, be combined between different embodiments specified.

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS A façade element (1) for buildings (3) comprising a framework (7) having at least fourouter sidewalls (9), which sidewalls (9) define a circumference of the façade element(1), and extend between a front section (11) and a back section (13) of the façadeelement (1), wherein the back section (13) comprises first connection means (15)arranged to be attached to a surface of a building (3), and the front section (11)comprises second connection means (19) arranged to receive a façade panel (21) tobe attached thereto, characterized in that the framework (7) comprises at least one first inner channel (23), arranged betweenthe front section (11) and the back section (13), and extending between at least a firstand a second hole (25, 27), said at least first and second holes (25, 27) being arrangedat separate sidewalls (9) of the at least four sidewalls (9), wherein the at least one firstinner channel (23) provides fluid communication between said at least first and second holes (25, 27). The façade element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the framework (7) furthercomprises at least one cavity (29) arranged therein, said cavity (29) being arranged to receive heat-insulating material (31). The façade element (1) according to claim 2, wherein the framework (7) furthercomprises partition walls (35), arranged to provide a space between the at least onefirst inner channel (23) and the at least one cavity (29), so as to prevent said at leastone first inner channel (23) and said at least one cavity (31) to be arranged directly adjacent each other. The façade element (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein theframework (7) further comprises at least one second inner channel (37), whichextends between the front section (11) and the back section (13) of the façade element (1). 23The façade element (1) according to claim 4, wherein at least an end portion (41) ofthe at least one second inner channel (37) comprises a metallic material, said endportion (41) being situated towards the front section (11) of the façade element (1),so at to sit flush with a façade panel (21) when said façade panel (21) is attached to the façade element (1). The façade element (1) according to any ofthe preceding claims, wherein the sidewalls(9) comprises outer connection means (51), arranged at outer surfaces (53) of saidsidewalls (9), wherein said outer connection means (51) are arranged so as to fit an additional façade element arranged adjacent to the façade element (1). The façade element (1) according to claim 6, wherein the outer connection means (51) com prises form-fitting means. The façade element (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the firstconnection means (15) of the back section (13) comprises at least one projectingelement (17), which projecting element (17) is arranged to be fitted between two structural elements of a building (3) to which the façade element (1) is to be arranged. The façade element (1) according to claim 8, wherein the at least one projectingelement (17) comprises at least one coupling channel (43), said coupling channel (43)being arranged to receive facility installation components, wherein said facilityinstallation components are provided from a building (3) to which the façade element (1) is to be attached, so as to be able to be distributed within the façade element (1). The façade element (1) according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the first connectionmeans (15) ofthe back section (13) comprises a predetermined pattern offlanges (58)comprising through-holes (59), said through-holes (59) being arranged to receivefastening elements (61) for attaching the façade element (1) to an adjacently positioned outer surface of a building (3). 2411. A façade arrangement (33) for a building (3), comprising a plurality of façade elementscharacterized in that it comprises at least one façade element (1) according to any of claims 1-10.