Lightweight Composite Panel with Infrared Heating Foil

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heating solutions for building applications, such as electrically heatable brick beds and composite panels, often utilize materials that are not ecologically sustainable, and conventional plasterboard materials have issues with air moisture absorption and release, affecting building physics.

Innovation Solution

A lightweight composite panel with a film layer that generates infrared radiation, embedded between and partially surrounded by other surface materials, using a PET carbon fiber film or fabric with electrical contact sections, covered by thermoplastic adhesive fleece and a clay/wood fiber mixture, and optionally an insulating cork layer for stability and ecological sustainability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional plasterboard materials are used for heating panels, then the panel structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the building physics performance deteriorates due to poor air moisture absorption and release characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidbuilding physics performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite panel structure consisting of multiple layers including plasterboard, reflective foil, adhesive layers, and heating elements. This composite construction combines materials with complementary properties: plasterboard provides structural integrity and moisture regulation, while the reflective foil enhances thermal efficiency. The combination resolves the contradiction by achieving both ease of manufacture (using standard plasterboard) and reliable building physics performance (through the composite structure's enhanced moisture and thermal management).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If ecologically sustainable building materials are used, then environmental friendliness is improved, but material availability and cost-effectiveness may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveecological sustainabilityVSAvoidcost-effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies ecological principles selectively to specific components of the heating panel. The plasterboard and reflective foil are standard materials with established supply chains and cost structures, while the heating elements and adhesive layers incorporate more specialized, eco-friendly materials where they provide the most environmental benefit. This localized application of sustainability principles maintains cost-effectiveness while improving ecological performance in critical areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If the foil layer is embedded between surface layer materials, then inherent stability is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanel stabilityVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating panel is divided into distinct functional layers: structural plasterboard layers, reflective foil layer, adhesive layers, and heating element integration. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall stability. The modular layered structure simplifies the embedding process compared to attempting to integrate the foil into a monolithic structure, as each layer can be applied and positioned independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Adhesive layers are introduced as intermediary materials between the plasterboard and the reflective foil/heating elements. These adhesive layers facilitate the embedding process by providing a bonding interface that holds the foil and heating elements in place without requiring complex mechanical fastening or integration methods. The intermediary adhesive simplifies the overall assembly process while ensuring stable integration of all components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution provides a stable, cost-effective, and ecologically friendly heating solution for room air conditioning in residential and social buildings, maintaining indoor climate through controlled infrared radiation while avoiding material-related issues of conventional solutions.

Implementation Method 1

a film layer (3) with electrically contact sections (4) that can be heated by an electric current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

generates radiation in the infrared range

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 3

covered on both sides with or by a thermoplastic, heat-activated adhesive fleece (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermoplastic adhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 4

a clay/wood fiber mixture (7) is then fixed by heat-assisted pressing using a grid-like fabric, knitted material, or non-woven material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal compression: Compression

Implementation Method 5

the reverse side of the composite described above can be provided with a further layer that reflects infrared radiation, acting as a cover layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4319484A1Lightweight composite panel
Publication Date: 2024.02.07 SCHILLING MATTHIAS
  • EP4319484A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4319484A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4319484A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a lightweight composite panel with a foil layer that can be heated by an electric current, generates radiation in the infrared range, and has electrically contact sections. To maintain the panel's inherent stability, the foil layer is embedded between other surface layer materials and at least partially surrounded by them. The infrared-generating foil layer may be perforated and is covered on both sides with a thermoplastic, heat-activated adhesive fleece. Furthermore, a clay/wood fiber mixture is applied to the front side using a grid-like woven, knitted, or nonwoven material.