Floor Structure Ventilation Through Sensor-Regulated Granulate Channels

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for forming building foundations face challenges in drying and curing due to the presence of insulating materials like cellular plastic, which impedes upward drying, and are ineffective against external moisture, leading to prolonged construction times and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing insulating and draining granulate material with a channel system and sensors to regulate a gaseous medium flow for controlled drying, combined with a drainage device to manage moisture and external factors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a thick layer of cellular plastic insulating material is used below the concrete ground plate, then insulating properties are improved, but drying and curing time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulating propertiesVSAvoiddrying and curing time
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies pneumatic principles by introducing a channel system that delivers pressurized or vacuum air flow directly into the concrete ground plate and insulating material. This forced air circulation accelerates moisture removal from the concrete structure, enabling faster drying and curing times even when thick insulating layers are present below the foundation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the porous structure of concrete and insulating materials by incorporating channels and cavities that allow air penetration deep into the material matrix. This porous approach enables moisture to be extracted from within the concrete and insulation layers, resolving the contradiction between maintaining thick insulation and achieving rapid drying.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

2Loss of time

If a prefabricated concrete ground plate is used, then drying and curing time on site is reduced, but the ability to provide a leveled foundation and resist external moisture is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying and curing time on siteVSAvoidfoundation leveling and moisture resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the foundation system into modular components: a concrete ground plate, an insulating material layer with integrated channels, and a sensor network. This segmentation allows the use of prefabricated elements for rapid installation while incorporating adjustable channel systems that can be configured to provide proper leveling and moisture protection, combining the speed of prefabrication with the reliability of customized foundation preparation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The channel system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for leveling the foundation, acts as a moisture extraction pathway, enables sensor integration for monitoring, and facilitates air circulation for drying. This multi-functionality allows a single integrated system to address all foundation requirements that were previously handled by separate components.

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

3Temperature

If traditional insulating material is used below the concrete ground plate, then insulating properties are achieved, but moisture removal capability is severely limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulating propertiesVSAvoidmoisture removal efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs pneumatic technology by installing channels within the insulating material that deliver pressurized or vacuum air flow directly to moisture sources in the concrete and insulation. This forced air movement dramatically enhances moisture removal efficiency compared to passive drying, while the channels are strategically positioned to maintain the insulating material's thermal performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The channel system acts as an intermediary between the insulating material and the external environment, providing a dedicated pathway for moisture extraction without compromising the insulation's thermal barrier function. The channels enable moisture removal through the insulation layer while the insulation continues to perform its primary heat transfer resistance function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Facilitates efficient and adaptive moisture removal in building foundations, reducing construction time and preventing damage by continuously adjusting to environmental conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The drying may be achieved by providing a controlled pressure flow of a gaseous medium, for instance air, in the channel system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure flow: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

An insulating and/or draining granulate material, provided below the floor structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

the channel system is provided with an airing function for ventilating the floor structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4610444A1Method for removing moisture in a floor structure
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 ARIDUM AB
  • EP4610444A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4610444A1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP4610444A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method (100) and system (10) for removing moisture from a floor structure (11). The system (10) comprises an insulating and/or draining granulate material(14), provided below the floor structure (11), and at least one sensor (16), configured to detect at least one parameter of the granulate material (14). The granulate material (14) comprises at least one channel system (12) and the channel system (12) is provided with an airing function for ventilating the floor structure. At least one parameter of a flow of a gaseous medium within the channel system (12) is configured to be regulated based on the at least one parameter of the granulate material (14).