Expansion Wool Vacuum Compression for Irregular Gap Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for achieving airtight construction between building sections, such as using sealants and PU foam, are ineffective for large and irregular gaps, fail to provide complete thermal resistance, and cannot adapt to building movements or self-repair, leading to compromised airtightness and reduced thermal, fire, and noise resistance.
Innovation Solution
The use of expansion wool, which is compressed using a partial vacuum and then applied to the gap, allowing it to expand and fill the space completely, providing lasting elasticity and self-repair capabilities, while also enhancing fire resistance and noise insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealant, tape, rubber strips, or PU foam are used to seal seams and gaps, then airtightness is improved for small gaps, but the solution becomes ineffective for large irregular and voluminous seams and gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state and volume parameters of the sealing material by using expandable foam that transforms from a compact state to an expanded state, enabling the material to adapt to large irregular gaps while maintaining airtightness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses porous expandable foam material that can be compressed for easy installation and then expands to fill irregular spaces completely, providing both airtightness and adaptability to various gap sizes and shapes
2Reliability
If PU foam is used to seal gaps, then some airtightness is achieved, but complete filling of gaps is not achieved due to uncontrolled expansion following the path of least resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by pre-compressing the foam material in a controlled manner before insertion, and using a support structure to guide the expansion process, ensuring complete and uniform filling of the gap without uncontrolled expansion
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary support structure that guides the foam expansion process, ensuring the material fills the gap uniformly and completely rather than following the path of least resistance
3Reliability
If rigid airtightening means such as tape or sealant are used, then airtightness is achieved initially, but the solution cannot adapt to building movements and becomes detached over time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies dynamics by using flexible expandable foam material that can dynamically adapt to building movements and deformations, maintaining airtightness over time rather than becoming detached like rigid solutions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses parameter changes by employing material with variable density and flexibility that allows the seal to accommodate dimensional changes in the building structure while maintaining sealing effectiveness
4Reliability
If excessive airtightness is achieved with sealant or tape, then airtightness is improved, but the bond becomes too great at peak air pressure causing detachment or mispositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies beforehand cushioning by using compressible expandable foam material that absorbs peak air pressure loads, preventing bond failure while maintaining airtightness under normal conditions
5Ease of manufacture
If mineral wool is compressed unevenly by vacuumization at a point nozzle, then the expansion material can be installed, but the material becomes damaged and loses its resilience
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies segmentation by dividing the vacuumization process into multiple zones or using distributed suction points rather than a single point nozzle, ensuring uniform compression that maintains material resilience while enabling installation
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
Expansion wool ensures complete filling of gaps, maintains airtightness over time, adapts to building movements, and provides superior thermal, fire, and noise resistance, while being recyclable and easy to separate during demolition.
Implementation Method 1
introducing the element in a vacuum chamber; removing the air from the vacuum chamber; compressing the mineral wool by means of a partial vacuum or by vacuumization
Implementation Method 2
allowing air to enter the vacuum chamber so that the element is compressed; the compressed mineral wool expands in the desired direction by removing the partial vacuum; making use of the lasting elasticity of the wool
Data Source
AI summary
The expansion wool is characterized by accurately defining the size and composition of an amount of mineral wool (glass wool or rock wool), to compress it and to keep it compressed up to the point in time when it is being fitted, by generating a partial vacuum or applying vacuumizing techniques. Subsequently, the compressed mineral wool can be placed in the seam or gap to be sealed, after which the partial vacuum is removed. This fitting technique has the significant advantage that the connection, which is the result of the construction process and is precisely defined, will ALWAYS be completely filled. By applying of mineral wool in an airtight packaging (due to the production technique, the mineral wool is still compressed during fitting) and making use of the lasting elasticity of the wool, the connection is readily able permanently to follow movements of the building and will thus last for years.