Insulated Construction Element Recess Layout for Thermal Bridge Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing construction elements with insulation cores and supporting beams suffer from thermal bridges, difficulty in hoisting, and compromised thermal resistance due to air chambers for sound insulation.

Innovation Solution

A construction element design with a recess in the insulation material above the supporting beam, allowing for hoisting means attachment without protrusion, and maintaining insulation by ensuring insulation material is present between the beam and recess.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If supporting beams are made as high as the insulation core thickness to provide structural support, then the construction element is self-supporting, but thermal bridges are created reducing insulation performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural support capabilityVSAvoidthermal bridge effect
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the hoisting function from the supporting beam structure by creating a separate recess in the insulation material. This allows the supporting beam to maintain full height for structural support while the recess provides a dedicated space for hoisting means attachment, preventing thermal bridges and enabling safe hoisting without compromising insulation performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If hoisting means are attached to elements protruding beyond the plate material, then the construction element can be hoisted during installation, but the finishing becomes difficult and watertightness is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehoisting capabilityVSAvoidfinishing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary action by creating the recess in the insulation material before final assembly and finishing. This pre-prepared recess provides a dedicated space for attaching hoisting means that remains flush with or recessed from the outer surface, allowing easy hoisting during installation while maintaining the ability to achieve proper watertight finishing without protruding elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If air chambers are provided for acoustic uncoupling between baseplate and top panel, then sound insulation is improved, but thermal resistance is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound insulationVSAvoidthermal resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by creating a localized recess in the insulation material rather than providing a continuous air chamber throughout. This localized approach provides sufficient space for hoisting means attachment and acoustic uncoupling at specific points while maintaining continuous insulation material in other areas, thereby preserving overall thermal resistance while achieving local acoustic benefits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 safe and stable hoisting with minimal thermal resistance reduction, enabling easy watertight finishing and improved insulation performance.

Implementation Method 1

a core of insulation material, situated between a top surface and a bottom surface of the construction element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4575120B1Construction element
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 UNILIN BVBA
  • EP4575120B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4575120B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4575120B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

Construction element (1) comprising a core of insulation material (2) and at least a first supporting beam (5). The thickness of the core of insulation material (2) is greater than the height of the first supporting beam (5) along at least a part of the length of the construction element (1). Insulation material of the core of insulation material (2) is situated both above and next to the first supporting beam (5) along at least a part of the length of the first supporting beam (5). The construction element (1) is provided with a first recess (9) through at least a part of the thickness of the core of insulation material (2). The first recess (9) is situated above, or at least partly above, the first supporting beam (5).