Insulating Cladding Wedge Sealing Flanks Thermal Bridge Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insulating claddings for high-temperature applications require complex positioning and connection methods, which can damage insulation layers and result in thermal bridges and heat accumulation, complicating assembly and increasing material usage and production time.

Innovation Solution

A connecting body with sealing strips and inclined sealing flanks forming a wedge shape, allowing for a form-fitting, plug-in connection between insulating panels that minimizes thermal bridges, ensures high tightness, and accommodates thermal expansion, reducing the need for extensive screw loosening and welding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If flanging, bending tabs, riveting or welding are used to connect shell bodies, then connection strength is improved, but positioning complexity and risk of insulation damage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidpositioning complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting body is divided into distinct functional elements: sealing strips for tightness, sealing flanks for positioning, and clamping means for securing. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall connection process while maintaining strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting body acts as an intermediary component between adjacent shell bodies, providing a standardized interface that simplifies positioning and connection. Instead of directly connecting shell bodies through complex operations, the connecting body mediates the connection process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If traditional connection methods are used, then connection stability is improved, but thermal bridges and heat accumulation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidthermal bridges
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful thermal conduction path is extracted and replaced by introducing the connecting body with sealing flanks that create thermal resistance. The sealing flanks protrude into the insulation space, effectively removing the direct thermal bridge between shell bodies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting body combines different material properties: rigid sealing strips for tightness, thermally resistant sealing flanks for positioning and thermal break, and flexible clamping means for accommodation. This composite structure achieves both stability and thermal insulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If complex positioning and connection methods are used, then connection tightness is improved, but assembly time and material usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection tightnessVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting body is pre-configured with sealing strips and sealing flanks in specific positions and orientations. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex positioning operations during assembly, as the components self-align through the form-fitting sealing flanks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing flanks are designed to automatically guide and position the connecting body relative to shell bodies through form-fitting engagement. The system serves itself by using the geometry of the sealing flanks to achieve precise positioning without external intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 enables easy and stable connection of insulating panels with reduced material usage and production time, minimizing heat conduction and assembly complexity while maintaining high tightness and service friendliness.

Implementation Method 1

the sealing flanks are arranged inclined towards the sealing strips and protrude inwards from the sealing strips in such a way that they converge to form a wedge shape

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWedge shape: Wedge

Implementation Method 2

Less heat conduction is achieved because the heat has to travel a longer distance, namely along the inwardly protruding sealing flanks

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

Thermal expansion can be absorbed via a flexible clamp and/or screw connection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentEP3412893B1Insulating cladding
Publication Date: 2020.03.11 BDD BETEILIGUNGS
  • EP3412893B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3412893B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3412893B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

An insulating cladding (1, 1', 1", 1'") for thermally insulating machine or motor parts, comprising several rigid and/or metallic shell bodies (2a, 2b, 2c), is characterized, with regard to the objective of providing an insulating cladding for thermally insulating machine or motor parts, the shell bodies of which can be positioned and connected to each other as easily as possible, in that each pair of shell bodies (2a, 2b) are connected to each other by a positive locking mechanism, wherein a first positive locking element (5) is formed in a first shell body (2a) and wherein a second positive locking element (6) is formed in a second shell body (2b), wherein the first positive locking element (5) and the second positive locking element (6) form a reversibly detachable positive locking mechanism with each other at least partially.