Dynamic Ventilation Insulation for Building Drying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building renovation systems face challenges in achieving both effective thermal insulation and adequate ventilation, particularly in extremely wet structures, which can lead to moisture issues.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes thermal insulation elements with ventilation openings that allow moisture to escape into the outside air, using mechanically operated closing elements with sealing material to ensure efficient drying and maintain insulation once the structure is dry, featuring ventilation channels and fastening supports that allow air flow to enhance drying and protect the structure from weather.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If ventilation openings are provided to enable moisture escape, then drying efficiency is improved, but thermal insulation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidthermal insulation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation openings are designed to be dynamically controllable through mechanically operated closing elements. During the initial drying phase, the openings remain open to maximize moisture escape. Once drying is complete, the closing elements are activated to seal the openings, transforming the system from a static to a dynamic configuration that adapts to different operational phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary ventilation action during the drying phase by keeping openings open, and then prepares for the insulation phase by closing the openings afterward. This sequential action ensures that the structure is dried efficiently first, then protected from moisture ingress, optimizing both drying performance and long-term insulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of energy

If ventilation openings are closed to improve thermal insulation, then energy efficiency is improved, but moisture escape capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation capacityVSAvoidmoisture retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The closing elements provide dynamic control over the ventilation openings, allowing the system to transition between open and closed states based on moisture content requirements. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to prioritize moisture escape when needed and thermal insulation when the structure is dry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates monitoring of moisture content in the exterior wall to determine when ventilation openings should be closed. This feedback mechanism ensures that openings remain open during the drying phase to prevent moisture retention, then closes them once drying is complete to maximize thermal insulation, thus resolving the contradiction between moisture escape and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of energy

If sealing material is used to close ventilation openings, then thermal insulation is improved, but moisture resistance of sealing material deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation capacityVSAvoidmoisture ingress through sealing material
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A protective plate is introduced as an intermediary element between the exterior environment and the sealing material. This plate prevents direct exposure of the sealing material to moisture and weather conditions, allowing the sealing material to effectively close ventilation openings for thermal insulation without suffering from moisture degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective plate acts as a thin film barrier that shields the sealing material from moisture ingress. This protective layer allows the sealing material to perform its insulation function while being protected from the harmful effects of external moisture, resolving the contradiction between insulation effectiveness and material durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 efficient initial drying and long-term thermal insulation, ensuring the structure's protection from moisture and weather while maintaining optimal insulation levels, with the ability to monitor and adjust ventilation as needed.

Implementation Method 1

This solution enables the escape of possible moisture in the exterior wall structures via the ventilation openings into the outside air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

Ventilation air flow can be affected i.a. by the opening section of the perforation of the fastening spines as well as the flow resistances of the air intake and exhaust openings

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

the thermal insulation capacity can be kept as good as possible. Preferably, for closing the ventilation openings are used mechanically operated closing elements, which are provided with a sealing material that tightly closes the opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 4

which is preferably covered on its outer edge by a plate to prevent moisture from passing into the sealing material from the outside

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 5

The element protects the old structure and decreases stress caused by weather. Protection from the weather and warming of the ventilation air boost the drying of the moisture of the old structure via the ventilation slot

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 6

Ventilation air flow as well as the thermal insulation levels of the element and the old structure influence the warming of the air in the ventilation slot

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3192933B1System for renovating the outer shell of a building
Publication Date: 2021.06.30 KINGSPAN OY
  • EP3192933B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3192933B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3192933B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement for renovating the outer shell of a building, including thermal insulation elements (2) to be fastened to the exterior wall (1) of the building. The thermal insulation elements (2) are fastened at a distance forming the ventilation gap (7) from the outermost surface of the exterior wall. The ventilation gap (7) between the inside surface (3) of the thermal insulation element (2) and the exterior wall (1) is arranged to open into the outside air via at least one ventilation opening (6) in the lower edge and upper edge of the thermal insulation element, allowing moisture to escape from the exterior wall (1) via the ventilation gap (7) and the ventilation openings (6). The ventilation openings (6) are arranged to be closed when the moisture in the exterior wall reaches the desired moisture content.