Glass Block Wall Element with Insulating Pane for Thermal Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Glass bricks lack satisfactory thermal insulation, leading to heat loss, especially in winter, as they allow easy escape of heat to the environment.
Innovation Solution
A wall component comprising a planar insulating element with transparent panes and glass blocks, where the panes are separated by a peripheral frame with airtight adhesive layers, and at least one glass block is connected to the pane using a connecting adhesive layer, enhancing thermal insulation through the use of partially or fully transparent insulating elements and filling cavities with gases or fire protection mediums.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If glass blocks are used to construct translucent walls, then transparency and structural integrity are achieved, but thermal insulation performance deteriorates due to easy heat escape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines glass blocks with insulating materials (such as foam, air gaps, or vacuum layers) to create a composite wall structure. The glass block provides transparency and structural integrity, while the integrated insulating material provides thermal insulation, resolving the contradiction between transparency and heat loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall structure is segmented into multiple layers: an outer glass block layer for transparency, an intermediate insulating layer for thermal protection, and possibly an inner structural layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the others.
2Strength
If traditional glass blocks are used, then structural integrity and transparency are maintained, but thermal insulation performance remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite construction element where the glass block (providing strength and transparency) is combined with insulating materials (such as foam fillers, air cavities, or vacuum spaces). This composite structure maintains the structural integrity of the glass block while adding thermal insulation capabilities that the glass alone cannot provide.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating material is nested within or between the glass block components. For example, foam material may be injected into hollow cavities within the glass block structure, or multiple glass blocks may be arranged with insulating material in between them, creating a nested configuration that combines structural and insulating functions.
3Loss of energy
If the insulating element uses transparent panes separated by a frame, then thermal insulation is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple components and assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the insulating element with the glass block assembly into a single integrated construction element. The frame holding the transparent panes is combined with the glass block mounting structure, and the bonding adhesive layers serve dual purposes of joining components and sealing cavities. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies assembly while maintaining the thermal insulation benefits.
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
Significantly improves thermal insulation and fire protection properties by maintaining heat within the structure, reducing heat loss and enhancing safety.
Implementation Method 1
The frame is airtightly connected to each of the two panes by an adhesive layer (9), and wherein at least one glass block (2) is connected to one of the two panes (5, 6) by a bonding adhesive layer (10)
Implementation Method 2
the insulating element has two panes, at least partially transparent, preferably fully transparent, which are spaced apart from each other by a surrounding frame forming at least one closed cavity
Implementation Method 3
forming at least one closed cavity
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wall component comprising a planar insulating element (1) and at least one glass block (2), wherein the insulating element (1) has two panes (5, 6) that are at least partially transparent, preferably fully transparent, and which are spaced apart from each other by a circumferential frame (7) forming at least one closed cavity (8), and wherein the frame (8) is airtightly connected to each of the two panes (5, 6), in particular by an adhesive layer (9), and wherein at least one glass block (2) is connected to one of the two panes (5, 6) of the insulating element (1) by a bonding adhesive layer (10).