Collapsible Façade Glazing Pocket Element for Convection Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing façade systems, particularly those with metal frames, suffer from high thermal conductivity and convective heat transfer due to large air volumes in glazing pockets, which negatively affect thermal performance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of collapsible elements within glazing pockets that divide the air volume into multiple thermal chambers, reducing convective heat transfer by transitioning between collapsed and expanded states during panel installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a thermal break is arranged within the glazing pocket to reduce conductive heat transfer, then thermal performance is improved, but the glazing pocket is divided into shallow and deep pockets which may increase convective heat transfer in the deep pocket

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal performanceVSAvoidconvective heat transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The collapsible element divides the deep pocket into multiple thermal chambers, segmenting the air volume to reduce convective heat transfer paths while maintaining the thermal break's conductive isolation function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The collapsible element transitions between collapsed and expanded states dynamically - expanded during installation to facilitate panel insertion, then collapsed to maximize thermal chamber formation for reducing convective heat transfer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the glazing pocket is made deep to accommodate panels, then panel installation is facilitated, but convective heat transfer increases due to larger air volume

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanel installationVSAvoidconvective heat transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The collapsible element segments the large deep pocket volume into multiple smaller thermal chambers, reducing convective heat transfer while maintaining the deep pocket's panel accommodation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The collapsible element changes the effective air volume parameter dynamically - large volume during installation for ease of operation, then collapsed to reduce air volume for minimizing convective heat transfer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Improves thermal performance by reducing convective heat transfer, enhancing energy efficiency and maintaining aesthetic design objectives.

Implementation Method 1

the collapsible element divides the deep pocket into two or more thermal chambers when in the expanded state to reduce heat transfer by convection through the glazing pocket

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20250361766A1Collapsible element for faÇade systems

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 KAWNEER

AI summary

A façade system includes a mullion having exterior and interior portions and defining a glazing pocket between the exterior and interior portions, a thermal break arranged within the glazing pocket and extending between the exterior and interior portions, the thermal break dividing the glazing pocket into a shallow pocket and a deep pocket larger than the shallow pocket, and a collapsible element arranged within the deep pocket and extending between the thermal break and a lateral side of a panel introduced into the deep pocket. The collapsible element is movable between a collapsed state and an expanded state. The collapsible element divides the deep pocket into two or more thermal chambers when in the expanded state to reduce heat transfer by convection through the glazing pocket.