A building material containing PCM and a climate envelope
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current climate envelope solutions for buildings are inefficient in reducing heat loss and cooling needs, often requiring thick insulation, complex ventilation systems, and excessive energy consumption, while also failing to integrate environmentally friendly wood technology, Phase Change Materials (PCMs), and cost-effective solar heating and cooling.
Innovation Solution
A climate envelope system utilizing a thin, ventilated thermos-like shell of wood with integrated PCM and insulating materials, featuring a wood-based structure with air gaps and PCM layers for efficient heat and cold storage, and fresh air intake from below to minimize thermal bridges and energy consumption, along with modular assembly for easy installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If thick insulation is used to reduce heat loss, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but living space is reduced and construction cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes Phase Change Materials (PCMs) that absorb and release thermal energy during phase transitions (solid-liquid). This allows the system to store large amounts of thermal energy in a compact form, providing effective thermal insulation without requiring thick insulation layers, thereby preserving living space while reducing heat loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite construction material combining PCMs with insulating materials and wood-based structures. This composite approach integrates multiple functions (thermal storage, insulation, ventilation) into a single system, achieving superior thermal performance with reduced thickness compared to conventional insulation alone.
2Loss of energy
If thick insulation is used to reduce heat loss, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but construction cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The climate envelope system performs multiple functions simultaneously: thermal insulation, heat storage, ventilation, and solar energy capture. By integrating PCMs, insulating materials, and ventilated wood structures into a single multi-functional system, the patent reduces the need for separate components, thereby lowering overall construction cost while maintaining effective heat loss reduction.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional ventilation systems are used to provide fresh air, then air quality is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilated climate envelope utilizes natural convection currents and temperature differences to drive air circulation. The system automatically provides fresh air intake and exhaust without requiring mechanical ventilation systems, thereby maintaining good air quality while eliminating the energy consumption associated with powered ventilation equipment.
4Use of energy by moving object
If solar panels and collectors are installed to capture solar energy, then solar energy capture is improved, but system complexity and heat storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates solar energy capture directly into the climate envelope structure itself, combining the building shell with solar thermal collectors and PCM heat storage. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate, complex solar energy systems and external accumulator tanks, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective solar energy capture and storage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances heating and cooling efficiency, reduces energy consumption, provides a healthier living environment, and offers a cost-effective, climate-positive climate envelope that can be easily assembled, integrating solar energy storage and ventilation without electrical energy use.
Implementation Method 1
PCM (Phase Change Materials) is a well known technology... The process for PCM-technology can be described in two steps. In the first step heat is transferred to the PCM from a surrounding heat source... The PCM acts as a heat reservoir, absorbing the heat and changing phase, e.g. from solid to liquid
Implementation Method 2
The PCM is charged with heat, heat which is now latent, and is ready to be released
Implementation Method 3
30-50 cm for walls, 40-50 cm for roofs... The insulating capacity of wood is 8 times that of a concrete beam
Implementation Method 4
Computer simulations of air movements around heat sources in a room shows that heat rises naturally towards the ceiling. Cool fresh air from intake below automatically find its way to heat sources, where heat exchange occurs
Implementation Method 5
A climate envelope with an outer layer of wood which insulates, heats, cools and ventilates a building... Solar panels and collectors are developed for use during the warm part of the year
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3C
Figure 3D
AI summary
A construction material for climate envelopes comprising of floor, walls, roof, windows and case mouldings with outer layer made of wood with a surface layer with endothermic effect (1), insulating material (2) with a surface layer of metal, an air gap (3) for air circulation inside the material (7) and out towards adjacent rooms through intake air from floor space (6), spaces (4) enclosing a PCM material (5) with a surface layer of metal to heat and cool the house, heat water, heat and refrigerate food. The climate envelope contains solar collectors when glass is substituted for the exterior layer of wood and has the shape of a cuboid or prism for transport and storage of energy. The climate envelope may be produced by that people not skilled in the art assembles a construction kit having an area of 15 square meters and which constitutes a home module, and wherein several modules can make up larger building.