Interlocking Wall Blocks That Eliminate Thermal Bridges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing construction systems fail to effectively eliminate thermal bridges at the joints of building elements, leading to inefficiencies in thermal insulation and energy loss.
Innovation Solution
A system of construction elements featuring profiled lugs and recesses on center, corner, and edge blocks that interlock to form a jointless connection, eliminating thermal bridges and ensuring tightness without the use of mortars or adhesives, allowing for easy installation by unskilled workers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional construction systems with profiled lugs are used for jointless erection, then assembly speed and ease of installation are improved, but thermal bridges occur at the joints of building elements leading to poor thermal insulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary insulating element that fits into the recess of the lower block and extends into the lug of the upper block. This intermediary thermal insulation component acts as a mediator between the concrete blocks, blocking the thermal bridge path while maintaining the jointless mechanical connection. The insulating element is positioned exactly where the thermal bridge occurs (at the joint), preventing heat transfer without interfering with the structural interlocking function.
2Loss of energy
If mortars or adhesives are used to join building elements, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but construction complexity and material requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The construction system is designed to be self-sufficient by integrating the thermal insulation function directly into the mechanical connection elements. The blocks themselves contain built-in lugs and recesses that accommodate the insulating element, eliminating the need for separate mortar application processes. The system serves multiple functions (structural connection and thermal insulation) through its own components, reducing dependency on external materials like mortars or adhesives.
3Loss of time
If jointless erection system is implemented, then construction time is reduced, but thermal bridges at vertical edges and wall corners are not eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing thermal insulation specifically at the critical locations where thermal bridges occur (joints, vertical edges, and wall corners) rather than uniformly insulating the entire wall. The insulating elements are strategically positioned at the interfaces between blocks, targeting exactly where the thermal bridges form in jointless construction systems. This localized approach maintains the speed advantages of jointless erection while addressing the specific thermal performance issues at connection points.
Data Source
AI summary
A system of construction elements for jointless erection of building walls, including center, corner and edge blocks, with each block having a cuboid shape with profiled mating system in the form of lugs and recesses matching adjacent blocks at the points of their locking, providing the mating system in the center blocks, corner blocks and edge blocks are located on each horizontal and vertical mating surface, wherein the center block has, on the horizontal top surface, a mating system in the form of lugs having the shape of two flattened cuboids, arranged symmetrically and connected by a crosspiece, on the horizontal bottom surface it has a cuboid recess adapted for mating with lugs on the top surface, while on the vertical mating surfaces.