Composite Thermal Insulator Using Vacuum Core and Fibre Cushioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current thermally insulating materials, including vacuum and fibre-based materials, face limitations in enhancing heat insulation performance in buildings due to thickness constraints and vulnerability to impact, which compromises their effectiveness and usability in house insulation.

Innovation Solution

A composite thermally insulating material is developed by interposing a vacuum thermally insulating material between fibre-based materials, protected by sheet-shaped fibre-based materials, and marked with patterns to prevent damage during handling and installation, maintaining the vacuum and enhancing thermal performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If vacuum thermally insulating materials are used to achieve high thermal insulation performance, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but the materials become vulnerable to impact and prone to cracks and pinholes during transportation and fitment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal insulation performanceVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum thermally insulating material is nested within a fibre-based thermally insulating material. The fibre-based material serves as a protective outer layer that cushions and protects the fragile vacuum-insulated core during transportation and installation, preventing impact damage while maintaining the high thermal insulation performance of the vacuum layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite thermally insulating material combining vacuum thermally insulating material with fibre-based thermally insulating material. This composite structure leverages the superior thermal insulation properties of the vacuum material while the fibre-based material provides mechanical strength and impact resistance, resolving the contradiction between thermal performance and structural reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If the thickness of thermally insulating material is increased to enhance heat insulating performance, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but the material cannot fill restricted wall cavities effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat insulating performanceVSAvoidadaptability to restricted spaces

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The fibre-based thermally insulating material serves as a flexible outer layer that can conform to restricted wall cavity shapes and sizes. This flexibility allows the composite material to adapt to various spatial constraints while the vacuum layer maintains its high thermal insulation performance, enabling effective filling of restricted cavities without compromising thermal performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If vacuum thermally insulating materials are handled and transported, then installation can proceed, but impact during handling introduces cracks and pinholes that impair the interior vacuum

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidvacuum integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fibre-based thermally insulating material is applied as a protective cushioning layer before the vacuum thermally insulating material is exposed to external environments. This pre-established protective layer absorbs and distributes impact forces during handling and transportation, preventing the formation of cracks and pinholes that would compromise vacuum integrity while still allowing for ease of installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 composite material achieves higher thermal insulation performance than conventional fibre-based materials at the same thickness, while ensuring the vacuum's integrity and ease of handling and installation, thereby providing improved thermal insulation in building cavities.

Implementation Method 1

by maintaining a vacuum in the core region it is possible to exhibit high thermal insulation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

high-performance heat insulating materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

fibre-based thermally insulating materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP1907645B1A composite thermally insulating material

Publication Date: 2017.03.29 MAG+

AI summary

A composite thermally insulating material suitable for use in houses, which can manifest high thermal insulation performance when packed into the restricted cavity between outer and inner walls. The composite is constructed from two sheet- shaped fibre-based thermally insulating materials 6 and a vacuum thermally insulating material 7 which is incorporated (interposed) between these fibre-based thermally insulating materials 6. It is preferred that the region between the fibre-based thermally insulating materials 6 and vacuum thermally insulating material 7 be secured with adhesive agent.