Mineral Wool Column Assembly for Thermal Bridge Elimination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulating building envelope structures, particularly wall assemblies, suffer from thermal bridging due to traditional steel profiles, which compromise thermal performance and increase installation complexity, failing to meet stringent energy efficiency requirements such as those defined by the European Directive 'Energy Performance of Buildings' and Passive House guidelines.
Innovation Solution
A column assembly with a novel triple thermal bridge break system using mineral wool fibre elements, where the central element has a higher density than the inner and outer spacer elements, and a C-shaped base profile, eliminating thermal bridging and simplifying installation by providing a multi-purpose functionality that supports various wall layers and claddings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional steel profiles are used to provide load-bearing capacity, then structural strength is improved, but thermal bridging increases and thermal performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional steel profile entirely from the wall assembly. Instead, it uses a column assembly comprising insulation panels combined with fastening and bracing elements that provide load-bearing capacity without creating thermal bridges, thus extracting the harmful thermal conduction path while maintaining structural function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fastening elements and bracing elements as intermediary components that connect insulation panels to provide structural strength. These intermediaries transfer loads through the insulation material itself rather than through conductive steel profiles, maintaining load-bearing capacity while eliminating thermal bridging
2Loss of energy
If multiple additional layers (service layer, bracing layer, air-tightness layer, cladding) are added to meet thermal performance requirements, then thermal performance is improved, but device complexity and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the column assembly itself. The insulation panels combined with fastening elements and bracing elements simultaneously provide thermal insulation, structural support, and load-bearing capacity in a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate service layers, bracing layers, and air-tightness layers
Solution Approach 2:
The column assembly is designed as a multi-functional element that performs multiple roles: the insulation panels provide thermal insulation, the fastening elements provide structural connection, and the bracing elements provide lateral support. This universal design consolidates what would traditionally require multiple separate layers into one integrated system
3Strength
If traditional wall assembly methods with multiple traders and working steps are used, then load-bearing capacity is ensured, but productivity decreases and installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The column assembly is pre-assembled with fastening elements and bracing elements already integrated with the insulation panels. This preliminary assembly of multiple components into a single unit eliminates the need for sequential installation by different traders, allowing for faster on-site assembly while maintaining full load-bearing capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of insulation installation, structural framing, and bracing into a single column assembly unit. This merging of previously separate installation processes into one integrated component significantly reduces the number of working steps and increases productivity without compromising structural strength
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 achieves a thermal performance better than ψ ≤ 0.00499 W/mK, making the wall assembly approximately 20% thinner than conventional systems with similar insulating properties, while ensuring moisture safety and significantly reducing installation time by up to 30%.
Implementation Method 1
an inner spacer element made of mineral wool fibres, a central element made of mineral wool fibres, and an outer spacer element made of mineral wool fibres
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention concerns a columns assembly for an insulating wall of a building structure, said column having a side surfaces adapted to receive and retain insulation panels of the insulating wall, said column assembly comprising an inner spacer element made of mineral wool fibres, a central element made of mineral wool fibres, an outer spacer element made of mineral wool fibres, wherein the spacer elements are assembled with first and second intermediate profiles between the spacer elements, and wherein the density of the mineral wool in the central element is higher than the density in the inner and outer spacer elements. The invention also concerns an insulating wall assembly of a building structure with such a column assembly and a method of constructing such insulating wall.