Folded Insulation Lamella With Thin Neck For Roof Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The transportation and installation of insulation lamellas for warm roofs are cumbersome and costly due to the need for manual handling and cutting of pre-cut lamellas, which increases labor and time consumption.

Innovation Solution

The insulation lamellas are designed to fold into two parts connected by a thin neck, allowing them to be transported and handled in a compact state, then unfolded for installation, reducing the number of pieces to handle and facilitating easier placement, with features like fibrous materials and air channels for ventilation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If insulation lamellas are pre-cut into multiple pieces, then they fit for conveyor belt transportation, but manual tearing apart is time consuming and labor intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveyor belt transportation compatibilityVSAvoidinstallation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation lamella is divided into multiple segments along its length, with each segment remaining connected through thin neck portions. This segmentation allows the lamella to be flexible and adaptable for conveyor transportation while maintaining structural integrity for efficient installation as a single unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The thin neck portions connecting the lamella segments are designed to be flexible and tearable, allowing the segments to be easily separated during installation if needed, while maintaining connectivity during transportation. This flexible connection resolves the contradiction between needing segmented structure for transport and whole structure for efficient installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of operation

If insulation lamellas are transported in unfolded state, then they are easier to handle, but they occupy more space and cost more to transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling easeVSAvoidtransportation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation lamella segments are designed to nest within each other when folded, with each segment containing or overlapping the previous one. This nesting arrangement significantly reduces the volume occupied during transportation while maintaining the ability to easily unfold and handle the full-length lamella at the installation site.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The lamella is designed with dynamic characteristics, being foldable and unfoldable during the installation process. This allows it to transition from a compact folded state for transportation to an extended unfolded state for handling and installation, resolving the contradiction between transportation efficiency and handling ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Area of stationary object

If multiple separate lamellas are used, then coverage is complete, but the number of pieces to handle increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroof coverageVSAvoidnumber of pieces to handle
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation lamella is segmented into multiple connected portions rather than using completely separate lamellas. This segmentation allows the lamella to cover the same roof area while being handled as a single connected unit, reducing the complexity of installation by eliminating the need to manage multiple separate pieces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple lamella segments that would traditionally be separate pieces are merged into a single connected structure through thin neck portions. This merging maintains the necessary coverage area while reducing the number of discrete items to handle, store, and install, thereby simplifying the overall installation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3438369B1Insulation lamella structure with split lamellas and method for installing the same
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 SAINT GOBAIN ISOVER
  • EP3438369B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2C
  • EP3438369B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3438369B1 patent drawingFigure 6A~8D

AI summary

In an insulation lamella structure (11) adapted to be positioned above a supporting base layer (20) in a mounted condition, each of one or more insulation lamellas (1) is able to assume a folded state and an unfolded state, wherein each of the one or more insulation lamellas (1) is in an unfolded state in the mounted condition. The insulation lamella (1) is in a folded state provided with a split (9) along the length providing at least two lamella parts (2a, 2b). Each lamella part (2a, 2b) has a first side (4a, 4b) and a second side (5a, 5b) extending along a length of the lamella part. The first side (4a, 4b) faces the split (9) in a folded state, the second side (5a, 5b) opposing the first side (4a, 4b). The lamella parts (2a, 2b are in a folded state attached to each other along the length by a thin neck (3). The lamella parts (2a, 2b) are adapted to be turned substantially 180 degrees in relation to the adjacent lamella part, the centre of rotation being the thin neck (3) such that at least one first side (4a, 4b) of at least one lamella part, or its opposing second side (5a, 5b) on the same lamella part, is positioned substantially parallel to the base plane (BP(x,y)) in the unfolded state.