Modular Base Element with Inclined Webs for Thermal Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solid-wood construction methods face challenges with high heat conductivity, structural complexity, cost, and dimensional instability due to wood shrinkage and swelling, leading to weak joints and inadequate air and soundproofing in building walls and flooring.
Innovation Solution
A modular base element and panel system with anisotropic wood properties, featuring inclined webs and cavities that allow for uniform deformation and reduced heat conductivity, combined with barrier layers to manage shrinkage and swelling, and improve insulation and structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If solid wood is used for constructional components, then structural strength is achieved, but heat conductivity is high requiring increased wall thickness and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The solid wood component is segmented into multiple layers of wood boards with different orientations. Each layer is joined to form a composite structure where the segmentation creates thermal resistance while maintaining structural strength through the layered arrangement and joining elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite materials by combining multiple wood board layers with different orientations and joining elements. This composite structure achieves both structural strength and reduced heat conductivity by creating a multi-layered material system that leverages the properties of individual layers while providing thermal insulation.
2Reliability
If multiple constructional layers are assembled to meet various requirements, then functional characteristics are improved, but structural complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-layered wood board structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: structural support, thermal insulation, acoustic insulation, and dimensional stability. By designing the layers to perform multiple functions, the invention reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges multiple constructional layers into a single integrated component where the layers are joined together to form a unified structure. This combining approach allows the structure to achieve various functional characteristics (strength, insulation, stability) while reducing the complexity of assembling and coordinating separate components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If wood components are joined with force-fit to prevent dimensional variations, then joint stability is improved, but deformation play increases leading to gaps and reduced hermetic seal
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter of joining method from rigid force-fit to elastic deformation-based joining. By allowing controlled elastic deformation in the joining elements, the structure can accommodate dimensional variations of wood boards while maintaining joint stability and hermetic sealing, eliminating the need for precise force-fit alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The joining elements are designed to allow dynamic elastic deformation rather than rigid force-fit. This dynamic approach enables the joints to adapt to dimensional variations and thermal expansion/contraction of wood boards while maintaining stability and sealing, preventing gap formation that would occur with rigid force-fit joining.
4Strength
If wall thickness is increased to ensure static stability, then structural strength is improved, but weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite materials with multiple wood board layers of different orientations to achieve high static stability without increasing wall thickness. The composite structure provides structural strength through the layered arrangement and joining elements, allowing thinner walls that reduce weight while maintaining the required static stability.
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 system achieves low heat conductivity, enhanced structural strength, soundproofing, and hermetic sealing with fewer components, allowing for lightweight, cost-effective construction and easy finishing, while minimizing dimensional variations and gaps.
Implementation Method 1
low heat conductivity
Implementation Method 2
shrinkage or swelling of the wood caused by the variations in the moisture content of the wood itself
Data Source
Figure 1~3b
Figure 4a~7c
Figure 8a~8n
AI summary
Modular base element (10;210;310) made of material which is substantially anisotropic with regard to thermal behaviour and/or deformation due to shrinkage and swelling in a longitudinal direction (X-X) of the veining (1a), comprising at least: - a first flange (11) extending parallel to the longitudinal direction (X-X) of the veining and with a width extending in a first direction (Y-Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X-X), one surface (11a) thereof being flat; - a second flange (13) extending parallel to the longitudinal direction (X-X) of the veining (1a) and with a width extending in a first direction (Y-Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X-X), one surface (13a) thereof being flat; - a web (12;212;313) joining together one (11c,13c) of the two opposite end edges of the first flange (11) and the second flange (13).