Thermal Insulation Panels for Flat Roof Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for forming thermal insulation layers on flat roofs require a large number of different sloping panels, leading to logistical challenges and increased work due to the need for custom-cut panels for ridges and valleys, resulting in inefficiencies and material waste.

Innovation Solution

The system employs identical valley and ridge compensation plates with specific triangular or trapezoidal shapes, allowing for the formation of ridges and valleys using fewer panel types, reducing the complexity and number of panels required, and enabling easier handling and installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If special square ridge and valley plates are manufactured for each series of sloping slabs, then the required insulation and drainage functionality is achieved, but the device complexity and logistics become very unfavorable due to the large number of different slabs required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation and drainage functionalityVSAvoidnumber of different slabs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by using identical sloping slabs for multiple purposes. Instead of manufacturing special ridge and valley plates for each series, the same sloping slab design is used throughout, eliminating the need for numerous different slab types while maintaining the required insulation and drainage functionality through proper arrangement and overlapping of the universal slabs.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functions of ridge and valley plates with the standard sloping slabs. By eliminating separate special-purpose plates and using only identical sloping slabs for all positions, the system combines multiple functions into a single universal component, significantly reducing device complexity and logistical requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If valley or ridge boards are produced during the foaming of the polymer, then the manufacturing process is integrated, but this is not possible with laminator panels which are increasingly important in practice

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegrated production processVSAvoidcompatibility with laminator panels
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal system that works with both traditionally foamed insulation slabs and modern laminator panels. By using identical sloping slabs regardless of their manufacturing method or lamination type, the system adapts to different panel technologies without requiring specialized production processes for each type, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving versatility.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent accommodates different panel types by allowing parameter variations in the insulation slabs (such as lamination presence, foam density, or manufacturing method) while maintaining the same geometric and functional characteristics. This enables the system to work with both foamed panels and laminator panels without changing the fundamental installation approach or requiring integrated production processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If square sloping panels are cut by hand on site to form ridges or valleys, then the installation can proceed with standard panels, but this represents an increased amount of work and leads to a large amount of rejects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidon-site cutting work
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the need for on-site cutting by designing a system where identical pre-manufactured sloping slabs can be directly installed to form ridges and valleys through proper arrangement and overlapping. By removing the requirement for custom cutting and using standard panels only, the system eliminates time loss and material waste while maintaining installation flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If the thermal insulation layer has a certain thickness to achieve required insulation, then the insulation performance is met, but there is limited leeway to create the gradient by varying the thickness of the insulation panels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation performanceVSAvoidgradient creation flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the roof surface into multiple zones with different slope requirements. Instead of varying the thickness of individual insulation panels throughout, the system uses identical thick insulation panels arranged in segmented patterns where some areas have steeper slopes and others have gentler slopes, achieving both required insulation performance and necessary drainage gradients.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3339530B1System for the production of a thermal barrier coating on a flat roof
Publication Date: 2020.12.30 PAUL BAUDER
  • EP3339530B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3339530B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3339530B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a system for producing a thermal insulation layer on a flat roof, comprising a plurality of tapered panels made of an insulating material. The system further comprises: - a plurality of identical valley leveling panels, wherein the valley leveling panels have flat base and top surfaces in the form of a right-angled, isosceles triangle, wherein the length of the legs of the triangle corresponds substantially to the side length of the base surfaces of the tapered panels, and wherein the valley leveling panels have a height of ΔH at the intersection of the legs and a lower height of 0 to 2 cm along the hypotenuse;and/or - a plurality of first, identical ridge leveling plates and a plurality of second, identical ridge leveling plates, wherein all ridge leveling plates have flat bases and tops in the form of a right-angled isosceles triangle, or, in the case of the second ridge leveling plates, optionally an isosceles trapezoid in which the right-angled apex of the triangle is truncated, wherein the length of the legs of the triangle substantially corresponds to the side length of the bases of the slope plates, wherein the first ridge leveling plates have a constant height of ΔH, and wherein the second ridge leveling plates have a height of ΔH along the hypotenuse and a lower height of 0 to 2 cm at the intersection of the legs or opposite the hypotenuse.