Cellulose Composite Wall Panels with Wavy Profiles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for constructing buildings using corrugated cardboard face challenges such as reduced insulating effect, material weakening due to folding, transportation limitations, and complex corner connections, making it unsuitable for multi-story buildings and efficient installation.

Innovation Solution

A cellulose composite element system where panels with wavy or meandering profiles are connected using reinforced edge connectors made of compatible materials like wood, metal, or concrete, eliminating the need for folding and allowing for efficient assembly and installation, while maintaining high compressive and tensile strength and thermal insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If corrugated cardboard is folded multiple times to create wall panels, then the material can be assembled into building structures, but the insulating effect is reduced and the material strength is weakened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly capabilityVSAvoidmaterial strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The wall panel is divided into multiple separate corrugated cardboard layers that are stacked and connected at edges rather than folded into each other. Each layer remains intact with its full insulating and strength properties, while the segmentation allows for modular assembly into wall structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple corrugated cardboard layers are nested stacked on top of each other, with each layer maintaining its complete corrugated structure. The layers are positioned one above another like nested dolls, preserving the insulating air pockets within each layer while achieving the desired wall panel configuration through vertical stacking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of manufacture

If corrugated cardboard is folded to create wall panels, then assembly is possible, but the insulating effect is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly capabilityVSAvoidinsulating effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The wall panel is divided into multiple separate corrugated cardboard layers that are stacked and connected at edges rather than folded into each other. Each layer remains intact with its full insulating and strength properties, while the segmentation allows for modular assembly into wall structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple corrugated cardboard layers are nested stacked on top of each other, with each layer maintaining its complete corrugated structure. The layers are positioned one above another like nested dolls, preserving the insulating air pockets within each layer while achieving the desired wall panel configuration through vertical stacking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Length of stationary object

If large hollow bodies are created for multi-story buildings, then building height increases, but transportation becomes prohibitively difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebuilding heightVSAvoidtransportation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wall panels are segmented into standardized modular units of manageable dimensions that can be easily transported using conventional means. These modular panels are then assembled on-site to create walls of any required height for multi-story buildings, eliminating the need to transport entire large hollow building structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The corrugated cardboard layers and connecting elements are prepared and pre-assembled into complete wall panels at the manufacturing location. This preliminary assembly into transportable modules allows for efficient production and distribution, with final building construction occurring through straightforward on-site installation of these pre-prepared panels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Stability of the object's composition

If corner connections are created for corrugated board walls, then structural continuity is achieved, but the connection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural continuityVSAvoidconnection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting elements are designed with universal functionality to handle all corner and joint connections between wall panels. A single standardized connector design can be used at any corner or T-junction, providing structural continuity while eliminating the need for specialized corner connection components or complex assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of creating complex corner connections by folding or specially shaping the corrugated cardboard at corners, the invention inverts the approach by using simple flat panels connected through standardized external connecting elements. The corner strength is achieved not by complex corner geometry but by the robust standardized connectors that join panels at standardized connection points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

Enables cost-effective, energy-efficient, and recyclable building construction suitable for multi-story buildings, with improved load-bearing capacity, thermal insulation, and ease of transportation and installation, using cellulose composite elements with integrated panel connectors that enhance structural stability and insulation.

Implementation Method 1

adhesive which bonds the cellulose fibers to one another and/or the sheets or thin plates to one another

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

a sheet of paper or piece of paperboard can withstand significantly greater compressive forces if it is curved in a columnar or tube-like manner because this partially relieves the compressive forces in the now curved surface of the paper be derived to tensile forces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force transformation: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

the cavities of which are filled with polyurethane foam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2225423B1Composite cellulose element
Publication Date: 2012.10.24 BETZ LOTHAR
  • EP2225423B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2225423B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2225423B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a composite cellulose element for drywalling walls, ceilings, and floors of buildings. Said composite cellulose element is composed of cellulose-containing material with hollow spaces that are enclosed therein. Each board comprises several layers of sheets or thin boards, said layers being glued together. Several of the layers of sheets or thin boards have the profile of a wave or a meander. Numerous hollow spaces are formed within said profile. Several boards can be connected to one other.