Thermal Insulation Panel with Ventilation Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building thermal insulation methods often require separate installation of ventilation systems, which are inefficient and costly due to low room heights in many buildings, and lack integrated ventilation ducts with soundproofing and insulation properties in external insulation panels.

Innovation Solution

A panel-shaped thermal insulation element with internally housed ventilation channels, formed by removing insulating material during production, using polystyrene rigid foam panels, which maintains low thermal transmittance and includes soundproofing features like micro-perforations, allowing for efficient and cost-effective integration of central ventilation systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If ventilation ducts are installed in external insulation panels, then ventilation efficiency is improved, but thermal insulation performance deteriorates due to thermal bridges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation efficiencyVSAvoidthermal insulation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses micro-perforated soundproofing material with controlled porosity to line the ventilation channels. The micro-perforations allow sound waves to enter and be absorbed through viscous friction and thermal conduction in the porous structure, achieving sound attenuation while maintaining thermal insulation performance by preventing cold bridges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure combining the rigid foam insulation material with a flexible soundproofing membrane featuring micro-perforations. This composite design allows the system to simultaneously provide thermal insulation, soundproofing, and ventilation functions without compromising any single performance aspect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If ventilation channels are formed by removing insulating material, then manufacturing ease is improved, but thermal bridge development increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidthermal bridge development
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent controls the dimensions and distribution parameters of the ventilation channels to minimize thermal bridge effects. By optimizing channel size, shape, and spacing within the insulation panel, the design achieves adequate ventilation while maintaining thermal performance and avoiding excessive heat loss through the channel structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If channels are surrounded by outer wall, then sound transmission is reduced, but gas leakage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound transmissionVSAvoidgas leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a flexible soundproofing membrane with micro-perforations as an intermediary layer lining the ventilation channels. This membrane acts as a mediator that allows air flow while blocking sound transmission and preventing gas leakage, simultaneously addressing both harmful effects through its unique porous structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If micro-perforations are added for soundproofing, then sound transmission is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound transmissionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes a pre-manufactured flexible membrane with micro-perforations as a ready-made component. This approach transfers the manufacturing complexity of creating micro-perforations to the membrane production process, where it can be efficiently achieved through specialized equipment, while keeping the overall panel manufacturing relatively simple through lamination or adhesive bonding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

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 provides improved thermal insulation and ventilation efficiency while minimizing sound transmission and gas leakage, enabling effective central ventilation system installation in buildings with limited heights without significant thermal bridge development.

Implementation Method 1

thermal insulation element with internally housed ventilation channels, formed by removing insulating material during production, using polystyrene rigid foam panels, which maintains low thermal transmittance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

channels that can serve as ventilation channels... allowing for efficient and cost-effective integration of central ventilation systems

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 3

includes soundproofing features like micro-perforations, allowing for efficient and cost-effective integration of central ventilation systems

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP2155979B1Thermal insulation element comprising ventilation channels
Publication Date: 2011.09.07 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV
  • EP2155979B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2c

AI summary

The invention relates to an element (2), in particular a panel-type element for thermally insulating a building, said panel being externally mounted on the external wall (1) of a building. The element (2) has channels (3) that can act as ventilation channels. Said channels (3) are surrounded on all sides by the element (2), except in the edge regions. The element (2) is characterised in that the channels (3) extend in individual regions of the element (2) to one edge of the latter (2) in such a way that connections (4) between the channels and the external wall (1) are formed at desired points when the element (2) is mounted on the external wall (1). Air can thus be conducted into the building or out of said building through these connections.