Climate control for a building

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing climate control systems for false ceilings are costly due to the need for numerous connectors, prone to leaks, and inefficient in energy consumption, as they obstruct the application of techniques like night ventilation and concrete core activation, which utilize the building's heat capacity.

Innovation Solution

A climate control system with an open false ceiling design featuring U-shaped ceiling profiles and clamping means that allows pipes to be securely fitted between profiles without connectors, enabling direct contact between room air and the building structure for heat exchange, thus facilitating energy-efficient night ventilation and simplifying installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional closed false ceiling panels with pipe sections are used, then the ceiling provides a complete covering, but numerous connectors are needed which increases cost, installation complexity, and leak risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleak riskVSAvoidnumber of connectors
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple pipe sections into a single continuous pipe that runs through the entire false ceiling structure. This eliminates the need for connectors between panel pipe sections, directly reducing leak risk and installation complexity while maintaining the closed ceiling configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Use of energy by moving object

If closed false ceiling panels are used, then the ceiling provides complete covering, but the building's heat capacity cannot be utilized for energy-efficient cooling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidceiling structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the false ceiling into open sections that allow air flow between the room and building structure. This enables the building's heat capacity to be utilized for passive cooling while maintaining ceiling coverage through the open profile design, directly reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If connectors are used to join pipe sections, then the ceiling can be assembled from panels, but installation becomes time-consuming and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple pipe sections into one continuous pipe that can be installed in a single operation. This eliminates the time-consuming connector installation process and simplifies the manufacturing and installation procedures, directly improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If connectors are used to connect pipe sections, then the ceiling system can be modular, but the cost of installation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation costVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple components (pipe sections and connectors) into a single continuous pipe system. This reduces the total number of components required, simplifies the bill of materials, and directly reduces installation cost while maintaining modular ceiling panel capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design significantly reduces the need for connectors, lowers the risk of leaks, and enhances energy efficiency by utilizing the building's heat capacity, while also simplifying installation and integrating sound insulation for improved acoustics.

Implementation Method 1

pipes in which a fluid can flow to cool and/or heat the room

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

the heat capacity of the building structure itself is also utilised... the heat that is stored in the building during the day is again released at night

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat capacity: Thermal Energy Storage

Data Source

PatentEP2420749B2Climate control for a building
Publication Date: 2020.08.26 INTERALU
  • EP2420749B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2420749B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2420749B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Climate control system (1) for application in an open false ceiling (2) of a room (4), that is equipped with pipes (7) in which a fluid can flow to cool and/or heat the room (4), whereby the open false ceiling (2) consists of parallel ceiling profiles (24) with an opening (25) between them each time and with a U-shaped cross-section formed by a base (26) and two parallel sidewalls (27), whereby the pipes (7) of the climate control system (1) are fitted between the sidewalls (27), whereby the climate control system (1) has clamping means (8) for clamping a pipe (7) to a supporting profile (5) and whereby the same continuous pipe (7) is fitted in a number of ceiling profiles (24) of the open ceiling (2).