Spacer-Reinforced Insulation Hatch for Stack-Load Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insulation hatches for attic stairs, composed of low compressive strength materials, deform during transport when stacked, and the connecting bolts fail to adequately support the structure.

Innovation Solution

An insulation hatch design with a spacer and reinforcement slats between rigid and protective layers, featuring a through-hole bolt connection to prevent deformation and include additional installation means like angle brackets for securing foldable ladders.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the insulation hatch is made from low compressive strength material to reduce weight and improve insulation performance, then thermal insulation efficiency is improved, but the hatch deforms under stacking pressure during transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal insulation performanceVSAvoidcompressive strength

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation hatch combines multiple materials with different properties: a rigid outer layer (high compressive strength), an insulation layer (thermal insulation), and a protective layer. This composite structure allows the hatch to maintain both good thermal insulation performance and sufficient compressive strength to resist deformation during stacking and transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The insulation hatch is divided into three distinct layers: a rigid layer, an insulation layer, and a protective layer. Each layer performs a specific function - the rigid layer provides structural strength, the insulation layer provides thermal insulation, and the protective layer protects the insulation material. This segmentation allows optimization of each layer's properties independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If bolts are used to connect the insulation hatch layers, then structural integrity is improved, but the bolts fail to adequately prevent deformation under stacking load

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoiddeformation resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement slats are positioned at the edges of the insulation layer, creating a dimensional enhancement that provides additional structural support specifically where needed to prevent deformation. The slats extend vertically between the rigid and protective layers, adding strength in the vertical dimension without compromising the horizontal insulation performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Reinforcement slats are strategically placed at the edges of the insulation layer where deformation is most likely to occur during stacking. This localized reinforcement provides additional structural support precisely where needed, rather than uniformly throughout the entire hatch structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the insulation hatch is designed as a lightweight structure for easy installation and transport, then ease of operation is improved, but the hatch lacks the structural rigidity to withstand stacking pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidstructural rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The multi-layer composite structure combines lightweight insulation material with rigid structural layers and reinforcement slats. This allows the hatch to maintain lightweight properties for easy handling and installation while the rigid layers and slats provide the necessary structural rigidity to withstand stacking pressures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

By dividing the hatch into functional layers (rigid layer, insulation layer, protective layer) with reinforcement slats at the edges, the design achieves lightweight construction through the insulation material while the segmented rigid components provide distributed structural support for rigidity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250354386A1Insulation hatch with a spacer and attic stairs with the insulation hatch

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 FAKRO PP SPOLKA Z O O

AI summary

Insulation hatch for attic stairs constructed out of rigid layer (12), protective layer (11) and insulation layer (13) wherein insulation layer (13) is located between rigid layer (12) and protective layer (11) and insulation hatch layers are connected to each other and in protective layer (11) and in insulation layer (13) there is at least one spacer (4) for taking on the load exerted on the insulation hatch, in particular during transport, and the subject-matter of the invention also comprises attic stairs with the said insulation hatch.