Thermal insulation system of a building

Abstract

The present invention relates to a thermal insulation system for a building, said building comprising at least one facade wall (1) on the outer face (11) of which is arranged an external thermal insulation layer (3), itself provided with an external cladding (4, 5), such that: - said cladding (4, 5) comprises at least one thermally conductive plate (5), - said thermal insulation system comprises at least one Peltier effect module (2), electrical activation means for said module and control means for said activation means, - said Peltier effect module (2) extends into an opening locally traversing the thermal insulation layer (3), so as to be in contact on one side with the thermally conductive plate (5) of the cladding and on the other side with the outer face (11) of the facade wall (1), either directly or via an intermediate thermally conductive material. Figure 1 to be published

Description

Title of the invention: Thermal insulation system for a building Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of thermal insulation of a building, in particular the insulation of building walls from the outside.

[0002] A significant portion of the energy consumption of buildings in the residential and tertiary sectors is due to heating. In order to limit this consumption, regulations are incentivizing the renovation of buildings to improve their thermal performance. This improvement can generally be achieved through better thermal insulation of buildings, in particular by covering the exterior walls with insulating materials, such as mineral wool (glass wool, rock wool), polymer-based materials such as polyurethane, polystyrene, etc.

[0003] This external thermal insulation allows for a significant saving on energy consumption for heating buildings in winter. But in summer, particularly during periods of high heat such as heat waves, this insulation limits the evacuation of heat produced inside the building. This results in periods where the interior temperature can remain high for a long time.

[0004] External thermal insulation thus makes a positive contribution in the short term in terms of heating (cold periods). Indeed, in this case, the building benefits from the thermal inertia of the interior walls to limit the rise in temperature. However, with this thermal insulation, once the walls are warm (periods of high heat), this benefit disappears. It also takes longer to cool the walls.

[0005] The RE2020 environmental regulation aims to limit the environmental impact of buildings, in particular by limiting their energy consumption. Thermal insulation helps limit consumption in winter. But the RE2020 regulation also requires taking into account periods of heatwaves by limiting the temperature in buildings with limited energy consumption, i.e. without the use of air conditioning.

[0006] This awareness is all the more important as, with global warming, more frequent and longer periods of heat waves are expected. It is therefore useful to work on building cooling solutions that consume little energy. Prior art

[0007] Active wall solutions exist to improve the energy performance of a building.

[0008] For example, the Trombe wall (sometimes called the Trombe-Michel wall) is a so-called "passive" solar heating system. Implemented and tested by Professor Félix Trombe and the architect Jacques Michel in the 1950s and 1970s, this device uses the sun's free energy through the greenhouse effect. However, this system focuses on heating, not cooling, buildings.

[0009] Furthermore, the company CMEG & THERMACOME offers the “P2P Actif” technology which integrates a heating system into the facades with a network of hot water tubes and parietodynamic ventilation (preheating of the building’s renewal air). However, this system is also focused on the heating aspect, and not the cooling aspect of the buildings.

[0010] Patent application US2013 / 081786 proposes variable insulation by sliding two layers and replacing gas with liquid in order to vary the thermal resistance of the walls. This approach makes it possible to address the problem of cooling, by reducing the thermal resistance of the building walls at night. This allows partial evacuation of heat from the building. However, the impact of the system is localized in time: cooling only takes place during the period of low thermal resistance. In addition, the implementation of such a system on all the facades of a building seems complex, due to the need to slide the layers, and due to the replacement of gas with liquid.

[0011] It is also known from patent application EP3114412 to insert Peltier effect modules into building windows. Peltier effect modules are, as is known, electrically powered modules having two faces, a so-called cold face and a so-called hot face, the principle being to bring an object to be cooled into contact with the so-called cold face, while the other face is coupled to a heat dissipation mechanism. A Peltier effect module comprises a series of "couples" made of a semiconductor material selected so that the electrons can act as a heat transfer fluid. Inserting such modules into windows is indeed interesting, but this solution is not without drawbacks: it has a limited cooling capacity.In fact, these modules cannot play their cooling role when the shutters are lowered, they are not easy to install in old windows or windows not designed for this purpose, and, finally, the areas where they can be installed in the windows are restricted, rather on their periphery so as not to obstruct the vision through the window and to remain discreet / not or barely visible.

[0012] The invention therefore aims to develop an improved thermal insulation system for buildings, which can in particular improve the energy performance of buildings insulated from the outside, in particular their cooling capacity in high heat, as simply and effectively as possible. Summary of the invention

[0013] The invention firstly relates to a system for thermally insulating a building, said building comprising at least one facade wall on the external face of which is arranged an external thermal insulation layer, itself provided with external cladding, and such that: - said cladding comprises at least one thermally conductive plate, - said thermal insulation system comprises at least one Peltier effect module, electrical activation means for said module and means for controlling said activation means, - said Peltier effect module extends into an opening locally passing through the thermal insulation layer, so as to be in contact on the one hand with the thermally conductive plate of the cladding and on the other hand with the external face of the facade wall, directly or via a thermally conductive intermediate material.

[0014] For the purposes of the invention, the term "insulation layer" is to be understood as a layer of insulating material, such as mineral wool or polymer, which may in particular be in the form of plates / panels which are placed on the wall side by side, or in the form of a roll (mineral wool) which is unrolled, or even an insulating product which is sprayed directly. It is therefore not necessarily a continuous layer in the strict sense over the entire wall.These insulating materials can be held in position by being fixed directly to the wall by suitable means, or by a frame itself fixed to the wall on which the plates or rolls can be easily hung / fixed.

[0015] For the purposes of the invention, the opening in which the Peltier effect module extends is therefore an opening which has been made in an insulation plate / panel, or between two adjoining plates / panels, and which has been made once the insulation layer has been laid or which has been made in the layer / plate(s) / panel(s) before they are laid. It is also possible for this opening not to be provided beforehand, and for the Peltier effect module to be inserted by force into said layer, in particular when it is made of compressible material of the mineral wool type.

[0016] For the purposes of the invention, the wall is of the masonry wall type, in particular made of concrete or concrete blocks.

[0017] For the purposes of the invention, and in a manner known in the field of construction, cladding, also called facing, is a protective covering, which is placed on the wall via the thermal insulation layer in the form of added elements, in particular using fixing means or a frame fixed to the wall. These elements, in a manner known, can be made of wood, composite material, PVC-type polymer, sheet metal, etc.

[0018] For the purposes of the invention, the “thermally conductive plate” of the cladding is, for example, metallic. In fact, the cladding of the wall, to implement the invention, can be made of any known material, whether conductive or not, except with regard to the Peltier effect modules, where a conductive plate is provided. Its dimensioning depends in particular on the size of the Peltier effect module.

[0019] The invention therefore proposes to exploit the cooling capacity of Peltier effect modules for buildings insulated from the outside: In insulation mode, the Peltier module is preferably switched off to achieve maximum insulation effect. The facade provides significant thermal insulation through the outer insulation layer. In cooling mode, the Peltier effect module is activated, it then imposes a thermal flow which allows the masonry (the wall) to cool. The masonry “stores” the coolness (thermal inertia) and can restore it the next day by absorbing the internal heat.

[0020] Integrating Peltier effect modules into the facade is very relevant: they can be placed within the insulation material, without them being visible from the outside, which allows their dimensions, number and distribution on the facade to be planned very freely.

[0021] It is possible to envisage the addition of these Peltier effect modules in new construction, but also, and this is the whole point of the invention, in the energy renovation of existing buildings, when installing an external insulation layer, or even once the insulation layer has already been installed to aim for an additional energy improvement of the building.

[0022] We can also highlight the ease of implementation of Peltier effect modules, which simply require an electrical supply, since electricity supplies are generally available in buildings. With this type of device, we avoid having to resort to equipment that is complex to produce or operate: Peltier effect modules do not have any moving elements or fluid circuits that would impose, in particular, sealing constraints and construction constraints, and are efficient while having limited energy consumption.

[0023] The Peltier effect module can impose a significant thermal flux. Thus, to ensure contact between the module and the exterior face of the facade wall, several implementations can be envisaged: If the thermal conductivity of the exterior face of the wall is significant, it will be able to effectively distribute the thermal flux of the Peltier. Otherwise, it is possible to consider inserting an intermediate layer of a good thermal conductor material between the Peltier effect module and the exterior face of the wall. This layer could be, for example, a metal plate of appropriate dimensions.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the thermal insulation system according to the invention comprises air convection means, in particular forced or finned type, said means being arranged on the exterior cladding opposite at least one of the Peltier effect module(s). Indeed, on the exterior side, the Peltier effect module is also required to evacuate heat. If the conductive plate of the cladding is sufficiently thermally conductive, this is sufficient to evacuate the heat in the form of natural convection. Otherwise, a forced convection or finned device may be added.

[0025] Advantageously, the means for controlling the means for activating the Peltier effect module(s) can also control the forced air convection means. Therefore, it is preferable to activate both the modules and the forced air convection means, over the same periods of time, or possibly by providing for the activation of the air convection means to continue for a certain time once the Peltier effect module has been switched off / deactivated.

[0026] Advantageously, the thermal insulation system according to the invention can also comprise at least one means for measuring temperature inside and / or outside the building, in particular of the sensor(s) type, and the control means can then authorize or not the activation of the or at least one of the Peltier effect modules as a function of temperature measurements by the temperature measuring means(s).

[0027] Advantageously, the control means can be connected to the activation means and to one or more sensors and / or to a weather forecast service and, where appropriate, to forced air convection means associated with the Peltier effect module(s), to automatically control the activation of the Peltier effect module(s) and, where appropriate, of the forced air convection means, automatically by taking into account the temperature measurements taken by the temperature measurement means and / or the information from the weather forecast service. This provides automated control of the Peltier effect modules, which are activated or deactivated depending on the ambient temperature conditions, inside and / or outside the building.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the control means authorize or not the activation of the or at least one of the Peltier effect modules according to the temperature difference AT obtained from the measurements of the temperature Text outside the building and the temperature Tint inside the building carried out by the temperature measuring means, in particular of the sensor(s) type.

[0029] And in this case, preferably, the control means authorize the activation of the Peltier effect module(s). - when the temperature difference AT is less than or equal to a difference of set temperature AT-c, in particular when this difference in set temperature is 15°C or 10°C, this temperature difference being sufficient to ensure cooling with maximum efficiency (this difference is to be understood as the difference Text - T int, that is to say, by way of illustration, that the Peltier effect module is activated when the outside temperature is higher than the inside temperature by, for example, 5 or 10°C) - and / or when the outside temperature Text is greater than or equal to an outside set temperature Text-c, in particular when this set temperature T ext-c is 0°C or 5°C, this minimum outside temperature ensuring in the same way heating this time with maximum efficiency.

[0030] Advantageously, the control means can have an automatic operating mode and a manual operating mode. It is thus possible to ensure an automated operating mode of the Peltier effect modules, while retaining the possibility of switching to manual mode.

[0031] The invention also relates to the assembly comprising a facade wall of a building and the thermal insulation system with which it is associated as described above.

[0032] The invention also relates to a method for controlling a thermal insulation system of a building as described above, the method comprising the following steps: - measurement of the outside temperature Text and the inside temperature Tint of the building, - possibly calculation of the difference AT between these two temperatures, - activation of the Peltier effect module(s) when this difference remains less than or equal to a difference in the set temperature AT-c, in particular 15°C or 10°C and / or when the external temperature Text is greater than or equal to an external set temperature Text-c, in particular 0°C or 5°C.

[0033] This control method preferably provides that the forced air convection means are also activated when the Peltier effect module(s) are activated.

[0034] This control method preferably provides for the activation of the Peltier effect module(s) during the night in high daytime heat, in order to cool the building.

[0035] This control method preferably provides for activating the Peltier effect module(s) when the temperature Text outside the building is greater than or equal to a set temperature Text-c, in order to heat the building.

[0036] Other characteristics and advantages of the system and method according to the invention will appear on reading the following description of non-limiting examples of rea- lizations, with reference to the figures attached and described below. List of figures

[0037] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] represents a section of a facade wall of a building equipped with a thermal insulation system according to a first embodiment. [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a section of a facade wall of a building equipped with a thermal insulation system according to a second embodiment. [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents a front view from the outside of a facade wall equipped with a thermal insulation system according to a first variant of the first embodiment. [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents a front view from the outside of a facade wall equipped with a thermal insulation system according to a second variant of the first embodiment. [Fig.5] [Fig.5] shows a front view from the outside of a facade wall equipped with a thermal insulation system according to the second embodiment. [Fig.6] [Fig. 6] represents a graph showing temperature curves as a function of time, respectively of the outside temperature, the inside temperature of a building equipped with a thermal insulation system according to the prior art, and the inside temperature of a building equipped with a thermal insulation system according to the invention.

[0038] Figures 1 to 5 are extremely schematic, and the different elements / compounds represented are not necessarily to scale to facilitate reading, the identical references from one figure to another relate to identical components from one figure to another. Description of the embodiments

[0039] The present invention relates to a thermal insulation system for a building, the aim of which is to improve the thermal performance of the building. The invention also aims to be able to cool the building when the temperature inside the building is high. The building can be of any type: single-family house, residential building, office building, warehouses, commercial building, factory, leisure building, etc.

[0040] In the present application, the term “interior” designates the space formed within the building or any face of a wall or layer of material facing inwards, whereas the term "exterior" means that which surrounds the building or any face of a wall or material facing outwards from the building.

[0041] The building thermal insulation system according to the invention is defined as follows: - the building comprises at least one facade wall on the exterior face of which is arranged an external thermal insulation layer, itself provided with external cladding, - the cladding includes at least one thermally conductive plate, - the thermal insulation system comprises at least one Peltier effect module, electrical activation means for said module and means for controlling said activation means, - said Peltier effect module extends into an opening locally passing through the thermal insulation layer, so as to be in contact on the one hand with the thermally conductive plate of the cladding and on the other hand with the external face of the facade wall, directly or via a thermally conductive intermediate material.

[0042] The facade wall therefore delimits a part of the volume of the building (in other words, it is an external wall: one face of the wall is directed towards the interior of the building, and the other face is directed towards the exterior of the building), for example a wall, or a roof of the building.

[0043] The thermal insulation layer is made of a material that has a thermal inertia lower than the thermal inertia of the building wall material. It forms an outer envelope for the wall, limiting the transfer of calories between the interior and exterior of the building. Due to the difference in thermal inertia between the materials of the wall and the thermal insulation layer, the wall can store heat or coolness.

[0044] According to one implementation of the invention, the wall may be made of concrete, concrete blocks or any similar material.

[0045] The material of the thermal insulation layer may in particular be chosen from synthetic insulators (plastic / polymer), natural insulators (plant or animal products, such as sheep's or hemp wool) and mineral insulators (such as glass wool), or any similar material.

[0046] According to one implementation of the invention, the thermal insulation system may comprise forced air circulation means. For example, the forced air circulation means may comprise at least one fan when the conductive plate proves insufficient to dissipate the heat, the forced air circulation means being arranged opposite the Peltier effect modules. For example, the fan may be a tangential fan or a centrifugal fan.

[0047] According to one embodiment option, the control means may comprise computer means, such as a computer or a calculator to ensure the activation or deactivation of the means of supplying electricity to the Peltier effect modules, and possibly the means of supplying electricity to the means of forced air circulation where applicable.

[0048] The control means may comprise a thermostat (or switch) which automatically opens or closes the electricity supply means and any forced air circulation means depending on the temperature.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the control means can be connected to a weather forecast service, in particular by an online service, and can adapt the opening and closing of the supply and discharge means according to the weather forecasts. This embodiment makes it possible to limit the necessary instrumentation and / or to compensate for sensor failures.

[0050] In insulation mode, the Peltier module is turned off to provide maximum insulation. The facade provides significant thermal insulation thanks to the outer insulation layer.

[0051] In cooling mode, the Peltier effect module is activated. A thermal flow is imposed by the module and allows the masonry to cool. The masonry “stores” the coolness (thermal inertia) and can restore it the next day by absorbing the internal heat.

[0052] The Peltier module can be activated at any time of the day. However, to ensure maximum efficiency of the Peltier module, the temperature gradient on either side of the Peltier module is preferably limited, to 10°C for example. In the event of high heat, this condition may not be met. It may therefore be advantageous to activate the Peltier module rather during the night: This action allows heat to be evacuated from the wall and “cold” to be stored there. Thus, at the end of the night, the wall can reach 20°C for example. The next day, the Peltier module is then deactivated: The thermal inertia of the wall makes it possible to limit the rise in temperature in the building during the day.

[0053] The Peltier effect module can impose a significant heat flux. Thus, if the thermal conductivity of the outer wall of the wall is high, it will be able to effectively distribute the heat flux of the Peltier effect module. Otherwise, an intermediate layer of a good thermal conductive material, for example metal, is preferably interposed between the Peltier effect module and the wall.

[0054] Similarly, on the outside, on the cladding side, the Peltier effect module must evacuate the heat. If the outside face is sufficiently thermally conductive, this will be sufficient to evacuate the heat in the form of natural convection. Otherwise, a forced air convection or fin device may be considered.

[0055] The invention also makes it possible to heat the building. Ideally, one will use preferably the Peltier effect module for this purpose when there is a small temperature difference between inside and outside, and preferably with an outside temperature of at least 5 °C.

[0056] In the context of the invention, the exterior faces of the facade walls are equipped with a plurality of Peltier effect modules, which can be distributed over the entire surface in a homogeneous or uneven manner. These modules are in fact generally small in size, of the order of a centimeter or ten centimeters.

[0057] [Fig.l] schematically represents a portion of a section of a facade wall of a building equipped with a thermal insulation system according to a first embodiment, in a vertical section. Represented are: the wall 1 made of concrete or stacked concrete blocks, which has an internal face 12, facing the interior of the building (not shown), and an external face 11 facing the exterior of the building. This wall is provided, on its external face 12, with a layer of insulating material 3, for example based on glass wool. Either by making a through channel locally in the layer, or by force insertion if the layer is compressible, or by leaving a space defining a through channel between two plates of insulating material joined to form the layer 3, a Peltier effect module 2 is locally inserted into this channel.Here it is roughly cylindrical or parallelepiped in shape, the channel being sized to accommodate it.

[0058] The inner face 22 of the Peltier effect module is in contact with the outer face 11 of the wall 1. The contact can be direct, in particular if the material which constitutes the wall has a certain thermal conductivity, or indirect, via the interposition of a material (not shown) having a thermal conductivity greater than that of the wall 1.

[0059] The wall is thus equipped with a plurality of Peltier effect modules, the distribution of which is adjustable depending on the desired effect, the size of the wall 1, etc.

[0060] The external cladding which covers the layer of insulating material 3 is here the assembly of two types of cladding: a cladding 5 in the form of a thermally conductive plate, for example made of metal, facing and in contact with the external face 21 of the module 2 which is here flush with the external face 31 of the layer of insulating material 3, and a cladding 4 for which a certain thermal conductivity like that of metal is not sought: this cladding 4 can be made of wood, polymer, composite material, and also be in the form of plates to be assembled...

[0061] The division between these two types of cladding can be achieved in different ways, in particular to preserve the aesthetics of the exterior appearance of the building. It is also possible to consider equipping the facade only with sufficiently conductive cladding 5.

[0062] [Fig.3] gives an example: the facade seen from the outside has bands ho alternating rows of cladding material 4 and more conductive cladding material 5, the Peltier effect modules 2 being arranged in rows “behind” the cladding strips 5.

[0063] [Fig.4] gives another example, with cladding plates each of which is dedicated to / opposite a Peltier effect module, the rest of the cladding being made up of cladding 4, which gives a checkerboard effect.

[0064] [Fig. 2] schematically represents a portion of a section of a facade wall of a building equipped with a thermal insulation system according to a second embodiment, in a vertical section. We will focus here on describing what differentiates it from the first embodiment shown in [Fig. 1], all other things being equal. Here, we add a forced air convection device, a fan 6 in this case, opposite and at a distance from the cladding 5 in contact with the outer face 21 of the Peltier effect module 2, and centered on it, so that, once switched on, a forced air circulation is achieved, as represented by the arrows 7, by projection of air against the outer wall of the cladding 5 and flow of air along its surface towards the claddings 4 which surround the cladding 5.

[0065] [Fig. 5] represents the facade seen from the outside with the Peltier effect modules associated with fans as shown in [Fig. 2], with a checkerboard-type distribution between the claddings 4 and 5: compared to the checkerboard distribution proposed in [Fig. 4], we also have the presence of the fans 6, centered on the claddings 5 ​​behind which the Peltier effect modules are arranged. It is possible to provide them with an external face, a covering harmonizing with the appearance of the claddings 4, 5 surrounding them. Note that here the claddings 5 ​​are visible, and have a size larger than that of the fans, which leads to making a strip of cladding 5 visible “behind” and framing the fans 6. The relative dimensions, the shapes of the contours and the appearance of the claddings 5 ​​and the fans 6 can be largely adjusted / modified according to the needs / constraints.

[0066] Figures 1 to 5 do not represent the means of supplying electricity to the Peltier effect modules 2 and the fans 6 when they are present, nor the control means for controlling them: they can be simple switches preferably arranged inside the building, if the control is only manual, or be computer / electronic means coupled to sensors such as temperature sensors or to online meteorological services for automated control of the modules, while retaining the possibility of switching back to manual control if necessary. Examples

[0067] The characteristics and advantages of the method according to the invention will appear more clearly on reading the application example below in view of an example comparison of conventional passive insulation.

[0068] The case study is a 36 m2 apartment, consisting of one room, whose adjoining walls with the neighbors are considered adiabatic. In fact, we assume identical thermal behavior of the neighboring apartments, which implies an absence of heat transfer. However, we count / take into account these walls in the model because they bring inertia to the room.

[0069] The air volume of the apartment is 90 m3.

[0070] The surface area of ​​the exterior facade of the exterior wall is 25 m2.

[0071] The surface area of ​​the adjoining walls (walls, floor, ceiling) is 102 m2.

[0072] The surface area of ​​the windows is 6 m2. Their heat loss coefficient is 2 W / m2

[0073] The ventilation is continuous and equal to 20 m3 / h, average order of magnitude for a room of this size, and we also take into account the daily presence of two people between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m., i.e. a thermal power released of 150W. Solar radiation is not taken into account.

[0074] The exterior walls themselves are 18 cm thick and made of concrete, the interior / party walls are also made of concrete and only 9 cm thick.

[0075] The exterior walls are insulated from the outside with a 4 cm layer of polystyrene, typical insulation from the early 2000s.

[0076] The heat loss coefficient of the windows corresponds to average performance double-glazed windows.

[0077] The exterior walls 1 are equipped with Peltier effect modules 2 as shown in Figures 1 and 5.

[0078] Peltier effect modules emit 4 W / cm2, and have dimensions of 4 cm x 4 cm x 4 mm. They are commercially available. There are approximately 40 modules of this type to equip a 25 m2 wall, for example distributed evenly in a checkerboard pattern over the entire surface of the wall in question.

[0079] Claddings 4 and 5 can be chosen from the following materials, the thermal conductivity of which is indicated below: - Steel 46 W / m / K - Copper 390 W / m / K - Aluminum 237 W / m / K - Stainless steel 26 W / m / K -Zinc 116 W / m / K - Natural stone (1-2 W / m / K)

[0080] The conductive cladding 5 can for example be chosen from aluminum, while the conventional cladding 4 can be chosen from natural stone.

[0081] Their thickness can be of the order of 1 to 10 mm when they are metallic, and a little thicker, of the order of 1 to a few cm for natural stones, it is rather chosen according to the mechanical strength of the materials chosen.

[0082] Two insulation models will be compared: - comparative example 1: passive insulation from the outside, according to the prior art, no control is applied, wall 1 is simply equipped with a layer 3 of insulation and conventional cladding 4. The apartment is completely subject to variations in outside temperature. - example 2 according to the invention: active insulation according to the invention, with the use of Peltier effect modules as described above and shown in figures 1 and 4 the insulated wall receives a heat flow between the structural part of the wall 1 and the insulation 3 so as to cool it when the outside temperature is lower than that of the room. The heat flow is 100 W / m2.

[0083] We then simulate the interior temperature in the apartment for two situations, for the temperatures recorded in Paris during the summer of 2022 (between June 21 and August 30).

[0084] [Fig.6] is a graph of the temperature T in °C as a function of day D. On the left ordinate the indoor temperature in °C, on the right ordinate the outdoor temperature in °C, on the abscissa the time expressed in days. The C0 curve indicates the variation in outside temperature.

[0085] Curve Cl illustrates the interior temperature of the apartment for the situation according to comparative example 1 of the prior art.

[0086] Curve C2 illustrates the interior temperature of the apartment for example 2 implementing an embodiment of the invention.

[0087] It can be observed that when the insulation is passive (example 1 according to the prior art and curve C1), the interior temperature is little dependent on variations in the exterior temperature. During the heatwave period (between the 20th and 30th day) the interior temperature ends up increasing and hardly drops again due to the heat stored in the concrete walls 1 and trapped behind the insulation 3 or in the party walls.

[0088] In the active insulation configuration according to example 2 in accordance with the invention (curve C2), the short night periods are sufficient to evacuate the heat stored during the day by activating the Peltier effect modules 2. During the heatwave period, when the insulation is not deactivated because the outside temperature is too high, the room heats up. But the temperature is controlled, because it was initially lower, and it falls again at the slightest drop in temperature.

[0089] Finally, the active insulation according to the invention makes it possible to never exceed 23°C inside the apartment where passive insulation at the end of summer approaches 29°C inside the apartment.

[0090] Consequently, the invention allows better insulation and in particular better cooling of the air in buildings according to the needs and weather conditions, in a simple and efficient way.

Claims

Claims

1. Thermal insulation system for a building, said building comprising at least one facade wall (1) on the outer face (11) of which is arranged an external thermal insulation layer (3), itself provided with an external cladding (4, 5), characterized in that: - said cladding (4, 5) comprises at least one thermally conductive plate (5), - said thermal insulation system comprises at least one Peltier effect module (2), electrical activation means for said module and means for controlling said activation means, - said Peltier effect module (2) extends into an opening locally passing through the thermal insulation layer (3), so as to be in contact on the one hand with the thermally conductive plate (5) of the cladding and on the other hand with the outer face (11) of the facade wall (1), directly or via a thermally conductive intermediate material.

2. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises means (6) for air convection, in particular forced or finned type, said means being arranged on the external cladding (4, 5) opposite at least one of the Peltier effect module(s) (2).

3. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the means for controlling the means for activating the Peltier effect module(s) also control the forced air convection means (6).

4. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one means for measuring temperature inside and / or outside the building, in particular of the sensor type(s), and in that the control means authorize or not the activation of the or at least one of the Peltier effect modules (2) as a function of temperature measurements by the temperature measuring means(s).

5. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control means are connected to the activation means and to one or more sensors and / or to a weather forecast service and, where appropriate, to forced air convection means associated with the Peltier effect module(s), to automatically control the activation of the Peltier effect module(s) (2) and, where appropriate, of the forced air convection means (6), automatically by taking into account the temperature measurements taken by the temperature measuring means. temperature and / or weather forecast service information.

6. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the control means authorize or not the activation of the or at least one of the Peltier effect modules (2) as a function of the temperature difference AT obtained from the measurements of the temperature Text outside the building and the temperature Tint inside the building carried out by the temperature measuring means, in particular of the sensor type(s).

7. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the control means authorize the activation of the Peltier effect module(s) (2) when the temperature difference AT is less than or equal to a setpoint temperature difference AT-c, in particular 15°C or 10°C and / or when the outside temperature Text is greater than or equal to an outside setpoint temperature Text-c, in particular 0°C or 5°C.

8. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control means have an automatic operating mode and a manual operating mode.

9. Assembly comprising a facade wall (1) of a building and the thermal insulation system with which it is associated according to one of the preceding claims.

10. Method for controlling a thermal insulation system of a building according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - measurement of the outside temperature Text and the inside temperature Tint of the building, - possibly calculation of the difference AT between these two temperatures, - activation of the Peltier effect module(s) (2) when this difference remains less than or equal to a setpoint temperature difference AT-c, a difference which is in particular 15°C or 10°C and / or when the outside temperature Text is greater than or equal to a setpoint outside temperature Text-c which is in particular 0°C or 5°C.

11. Control method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that air convection means (6) are also activated when the Peltier effect module(s) (2) are activated.

12. Control method according to claim 10 or claim 11, characterized in that the Peltier effect module(s) (2) are activated during at night during intense daytime heat, in order to cool the building.

13. Control method according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the Peltier effect module(s) (2) are activated when the temperature Text outside the building is greater than or equal to a set temperature Text-c, in order to heat the building.

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