Insulation Board with Expanded Polystyrene Cover Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ceiling insulation panels require separate processing steps and are heavy due to gypsum fiber boards, leading to increased production costs and physical stress during installation, while also being prone to bulging.

Innovation Solution

An insulating panel with a cover layer made of expanded polystyrene, welded using superheated steam, with varying densities and strengths, and a tongue and groove connection for easy installation, eliminating the need for additional processing steps and reducing weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If separate processing steps are used to attach facing layers to insulation boards, then load-bearing capacity and walkability are improved, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The facing layer and insulation board are merged into a single integrated component produced in one continuous extrusion process, eliminating separate attachment steps and reducing production costs while maintaining load-bearing capacity through the reinforced structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Strength

If gypsum fiber boards are used as facing layers, then walkability and load-bearing capacity are improved, but weight increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidpanel weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure combining expanded polystyrene insulation material with a reinforced facing layer containing fibrous reinforcement, achieving adequate load-bearing capacity and walkability while significantly reducing weight compared to traditional gypsum fiber board constructions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If dense reinforced facing layers are attached to insulation boards, then impact protection and load-bearing capacity are improved, but the insulation board becomes prone to warping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact protectionVSAvoidwarping resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The facing layer incorporates localized fibrous reinforcement distributed throughout the structure rather than as a dense surface layer, providing impact protection and load-bearing capacity at specific critical points while maintaining overall dimensional stability and preventing warping through balanced reinforcement distribution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components are used for insulation panels, then functional requirements are met, but installation effort and physical strain increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional requirementsVSAvoidinstallation effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation board and facing layer are combined into a single pre-assembled panel unit with integrated reinforcement and edges, allowing the panel to meet all functional requirements (insulation, load-bearing, impact protection) while reducing installation to a simple single-step process that minimizes physical strain

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 streamlines production, reduces installation effort, and prevents bulging by integrating a cover layer with higher density and strength directly with the insulating panel, enhancing stability and load-bearing capacity.

Implementation Method 1

the expanded polystyrene of the insulation board and the expanded polystyrene of the cover layer are welded together, e.g. by means of hot steam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHot steam welding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP2508692B1Insulation board and method for producing same
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 TIEFENTHALER MICHAEL
  • EP2508692B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2508692B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8
  • EP2508692B1 patent drawingFigure 9~12

AI summary

The insulation has an insulating plate (1) as the insulating material and a component layer (2). The cover layer is directly connected with the insulating plate. The outer layer has a higher density or strength or load capacity compared to the insulating panel. The outer layer of expanded polystyrene has a density from 6 to 600 kilograms per meter cube.