Foldable Mineral Wool Insulating Panel for Structural Beams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulating systems for structural metal beams are time-consuming to install and prone to thermal gaps, which compromise insulation effectiveness, and pre-formed box structures are inconvenient to transport.
Innovation Solution
A foldable insulating panel made of mineral wool insulation with a flat-pack configuration that can be easily transported and manually folded on-site into a 90° configuration around the beam, reducing installation time and facilitating single-worker installation with minimal tools, while providing enhanced fire resistance and acoustic performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single planar insulating panel is secured to each surface of the metal beam, then thermal insulation and fire protection are provided, but installation is time-consuming and thermal gaps occur at abutment joints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple insulating panels into a single pre-assembled three-dimensional structure that wraps around the metal beam, eliminating the need to install separate panels on each surface and reducing installation time while maintaining insulation effectiveness
2Reliability
If a pre-formed box shaped mineral wool insulating structure is used, then the number of thermal gaps is decreased, but transportation becomes inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating structure is segmented into multiple flat panels that can be easily transported separately, then assembled on-site to form the complete three-dimensional insulating structure, combining transportation ease with insulation continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation system transitions from a three-dimensional pre-formed box structure to a two-dimensional flat panel configuration for transportation, which is then assembled into the three-dimensional form on-site, resolving the transportation convenience versus insulation continuity contradiction
3Ease of operation
If adjacent insulating panels are abutted together, then installation is simple, but thermal gaps are created that represent points of weakness
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple insulating panels are merged into a single pre-assembled three-dimensional structure with interlocking joints, eliminating thermal gaps while maintaining installation simplicity through the integrated design
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
The solution significantly reduces installation time, enhances fire resistance, and improves acoustic performance by eliminating thermal gaps and simplifying transportation, allowing for efficient on-site folding into a stable, effective insulation configuration.
Implementation Method 1
Some preferred embodiments additionally provide enhanced acoustic performance, notably enhanced sound absorption
Implementation Method 2
Thermal and/or fire insulation is often provided for a structural beam of a building
Data Source
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AI summary
A foldable insulating panel comprises: a continuous, exterior metal sheet; a first band of mineral wool insulation secured at its external major surface to the exterior metal sheet, the first band of mineral wool insulation extending along a length of the insulating panel and having a first interior metal sheet secured to its interior major surface; and a second band of mineral wool insulation secured at its external major surface to the exterior metal sheet, the second band of mineral wool insulation extending along a length of the insulating panel and having a second interior metal sheet secured to its interior major surface. The second band of mineral wool insulation is spaced from the first band of mineral wool insulation by a first folding gap arranged along a first folding axis of the insulating panel so that the insulating panel can be folded along the first folding axis to a folded configuration, folding of the insulating panel causing closure of the first folding gap such that, in its folded configuration, the first and second bands of mineral wool insulation form an abutting contact across a position previously occupied by the first folding gap with the exterior metal sheet providing an exterior surface of the folded insulating panel.