Exterior Thermal Insulation with Perforated Sheets for Building Envelopes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Old buildings face challenges with reduced usable space due to internal insulation, thermal bridges in insulated roofs leading to increased energy consumption, and vulnerability to strong winds and sunlight exposure, which can damage structures and elevate energy costs.

Innovation Solution

Exterior lining of building walls and roofs with thermal insulation, using perforated sheets to protect from heat and wind, and filling the void between insulation and sheets with granular materials like clay balls to enhance thermal inertia, while allowing for accessory installations and rainwater drainage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If thermal insulation is installed inside old buildings, then energy efficiency is improved, but useful space is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoiduseful space
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by installing thermal insulation on the exterior of building walls rather than the interior. This exterior insulation layer maintains or increases the internal useful space while still achieving energy efficiency improvements by reducing thermal bridges and heat loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Use of energy by stationary object

If roofs are insulated from the inside, then energy consumption is reduced, but thermal bridges increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidthermal bridge resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies exterior insulation that completely covers the external surface of the building envelope, eliminating thermal bridges at wall-roof junctions and other interfaces. By placing insulation on the exterior, the system prevents heat flow paths through structural elements while maintaining internal space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The exterior insulation system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal insulation, eliminates thermal bridges, protects the building envelope from weather, and can support additional elements like green roofs or solar panels, creating a multi-functional solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If perforated sheets are added for wind and heat protection, then building protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewind and heat protectionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The perforated sheets perform multiple protective functions simultaneously: they shield the insulation from direct sunlight and wind exposure, allow rainwater to pass through for natural drainage, maintain air circulation, and provide structural support for accessories like solar panels or green roof elements, reducing the need for separate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates self-service features where the perforated sheets enable natural rainwater drainage through the insulation layer, and the overall structure is designed for easy assembly and maintenance, reducing the need for complex mechanical drainage systems or intensive human intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution effectively insulates and protects buildings from wind and heat, reduces energy consumption, and extends the lifespan of insulation materials by minimizing exposure to sunlight and wind, while allowing for additional functional uses like snow melting and solar panel integration.

Implementation Method 1

Lining the exterior walls of a building (vertical walls and roof) with thermal insulation eliminates all thermal bridges

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

the perforated sheets protect the entire building from heat and wind, and by keeping the insulation in the shade

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadiation blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

by filling the void between the insulation and the perforated sheets with granular insulating materials (porous or not) such as for example clay balls, the thermal inertia of the building is significantly increased

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal inertia: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 4

the natural leaching of the insulation is ensured by the runoff of rainwater passing through the holes of the perforated sheets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity-driven flow: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2775061A1Eco roof smile
Publication Date: 2014.09.10 PIGERRE JACQUES
  • EP2775061A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2775061A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2775061A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The smile has components enumerated from an original wall of a building. A heat insulator is placed against the original wall of the building. Perforated sheets are adapted for closing an empty space and combined with vacuum to separate the sheets from an insulator, where the insulator protects the sheets from being exposed to sun by masking minimum of 80% of its surface and by maintaining its temperature close to ambient temperature. Flat roofs have coating whose temperature is limited to values close to ambient temperature.