Laminated Wood Element with Intermediate Insulation Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing layer composite elements, such as laminated wood, face challenges in achieving improved insulation against heat, wind, and noise, and are difficult to manufacture due to issues like shifting wood pieces during drilling and lack of full-surface adhesion, leading to gaps and cracks.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an intermediate layer, such as a natural fiber fleece or woven fabric, with optional adhesive and strategically placed dowels, along with trough-like depressions in the wood layers to enhance insulation and mechanical stability, and using a combination of mechanical and adhesive connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If exclusively mechanical fixing is used to join wood layers, then chemical binders are avoided and disposal is simplified, but the position of wood pieces cannot be fixed until connecting means are introduced, causing shifting during drilling and creating gaps and openings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmanufacturing process stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

An adhesive layer is applied to the wood layers before the mechanical connecting means (dowels) are introduced. This preliminary adhesive application fixes the position of wood pieces during the drilling process, preventing shifting and gap formation, while the final structural integrity is achieved through the combination of adhesive and mechanical connectors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If wood pieces are allowed to shift freely during preparation, then manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but gaps and openings arise between pieces that form continuous channels reducing insulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidinsulation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An intermediate layer consisting of adhesive material is introduced between the wood layers. This intermediary substance fills gaps and prevents continuous channel formation between layers, thereby maintaining insulation performance while still allowing manufacturing flexibility during the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If no full-surface adhesive layer is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but cracks and openings arise in individual layers depending on joining accuracy and shrinkage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing complexityVSAvoidlayer alignment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system combines two different materials: adhesive (chemical bonding) and mechanical connectors (physical bonding). This composite approach compensates for the limitations of each individual method - the adhesive provides continuous coverage that prevents cracks from forming, while the mechanical connectors provide precise positioning and structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Productivity

If known laminated wood elements are used, then production is established, but they fail to meet stringent requirements for insulation against heat, wind, and noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidinsulation against external influences
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An intermediate layer of adhesive material is introduced between the wood layers to seal gaps and prevent continuous channels. This intermediary layer significantly improves insulation performance against heat, wind, and noise while maintaining compatibility with existing manufacturing processes for laminated wood elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 significantly improves insulation values, simplifies manufacturing by preventing shifting and cracking, and enhances mechanical stability, while being ecologically friendly and cost-effective.

Implementation Method 1

at least one adhesive layer (21) is present which penetrates the intermediate layer (8) over the whole area or over part of the area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The intermediate layer improves the insulation in terms of windproofness, sound, odor and heat transmission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

The intermediate layer improves the insulation in terms of windproofness, sound, odor and heat transmission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 4

The layer composite element consists of a total of five different layers (3-7), in particular of board-like timbers (24) which are arranged directly next to one another and held together by dowels (9)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP1745900B1Laminated element and method for manufacturing a laminated element
Publication Date: 2009.08.26 NAEGELI JOHANNES
  • EP1745900B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1745900B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP1745900B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The method involves compressing plies in area of a joint against a work surface (20), and drilling a hole in the joint, where the plies are laid out on the work surface. Plugs (9) are inserted in the hole and the pressing of the plies are sustained while drilling and the placing the plugs. The plugs are mechanically squeezed in diameter and subjected with water before the insertion into the hole. An independent claim is also included for an apparatus for manufacturing a laminated unit.