Insulating Panel System with Concealed Wiring Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulating panel systems for car park ceilings face challenges in integrating electrical components like lights and sensors without compromising thermal insulation and aesthetics, particularly when electrical wires need to be connected, as they often require running wires over the visible surface or within tracks, which can be unsightly and impractical for large surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The insulating panel system incorporates a component cavity within the thermal insulating layer to house electrical components, with a wire channel along the side surface and a wire passage connecting the cavity to the channel, allowing for concealed electrical connections and easy installation of components like lights and sensors, even in areas where the rear surface is not accessible.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electrical wires are run over the visible surface of the wood wool layer, then electrical components can be connected, but the aesthetic appearance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The wire channel extracts the electrical wiring function from the visible surface by creating a separate concealed pathway within the panel thickness, allowing wires to be routed internally rather than across the aesthetic wood wool surface
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the wiring from a two-dimensional surface path to a three-dimensional internal channel, utilizing the thickness dimension of the panel to conceal wires while maintaining surface aesthetics
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrical components are installed in insulating panels, then functional requirements are met, but the thermal insulation performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The component cavity nests the electrical component within the thermal insulating layer, allowing the component to be housed inside the insulation structure rather than mounted on the surface, thereby preserving thermal performance while enabling electrical functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity is designed with specific local properties (opening through facing layer, positioning within thermal layer) that allow electrical component integration at specific locations without compromising the overall thermal insulation quality of the panel
3Strength
If screws are used to secure panels to the ceiling structure, then mechanical attachment is achieved, but the facing layer may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The component cavity is formed in advance during panel manufacturing, creating a pre-prepared housing space that eliminates the need for post-installation drilling or screw penetration through the facing layer, thereby preserving facing layer integrity
Data Source
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AI summary
An insulating panel attached to a building structure comprises a facing layer, notably a wood wool layer, and a thermal insulating layer, notably a mineral wool layer. The insulating panel comprises a component cavity configured to house an electrical component, for example a light fitting, the component cavity comprising i) a cavity portion within the thermal insulating layer and ii) an opening which passes through the facing layer from the first major surface of the insulating panel to the cavity portion within the thermal insulating layer. An electrical component is housed within the component cavity, the electrical component comprising i) a portion projecting through the facing layer and ii) an electrical connector positioned within the component cavity. An electrical wire connected to the electrical connector runs through a wire channel provided along the entire length of a side surface of the insulating panel and into the component cavity via a wire passage connecting the component cavity and the wire channel.