Modular Building Engineering Module with Heat Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building engineering modules lack comprehensive solutions for various building services, are not easily scalable, and require extensive on-site installation, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs in construction and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A modular building engineering system that includes piping, cabling, ventilation, and heat transfer units, integrated into a box-structure module that can be easily installed on building exteriors, utilizing fire-resistant materials and renewable energy sources, with a centralized fire alarm system and efficient heat recovery, allowing for apartment-specific modifications and reduced on-site labor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If building engineering modules are installed on-site with extensive piping and cabling, then comprehensive building services can be provided, but installation complexity and time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomprehensive building servicesVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The building engineering system is divided into modular units, each containing pre-assembled building services (piping, cabling, ventilation, heat transfer). These modules can be independently manufactured and then easily installed on building exteriors, reducing on-site installation complexity while maintaining comprehensive service coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Building services are pre-installed and tested within modular units during manufacturing before being transported to the building site. This preliminary assembly and testing eliminates complex on-site installation work and ensures quality control, while the modules can be quickly mounted on building exteriors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If building engineering modules are made comprehensive with all necessary means, then all building services can be provided, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomprehensive building servicesVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The modular building engineering units are designed with universal components and standardized interfaces that can serve multiple building service functions (ventilation, heating, cooling, electrical). This multi-functionality allows a single module design to provide comprehensive building services without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity or cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If building engineering is installed inside the building requiring separate servicing space, then comprehensive services can be provided, but indoor space is consumed and access for maintenance is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebuilding services coverageVSAvoidindoor space requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The building engineering modules are relocated from the traditional indoor installation location to the exterior surface of the building (walls, facades). This dimensional shift moves the services to a previously underutilized space, providing comprehensive building services without consuming valuable indoor living or working space, while enabling easy external access for maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This modular system enhances operating efficiency, reduces construction costs, improves quality, and simplifies maintenance by enabling prefabricated modules to be installed quickly and efficiently, with reduced need for on-site specialist labor, while promoting renewable energy use and improved fire safety.

Implementation Method 1

a heat pump, such as a ground-source heat pump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat pump: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

heat recovery from exhaust air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat recovery: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP2722463B1Building engineering module
Publication Date: 2017.06.28 PILASTER
  • EP2722463B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2722463B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2722463B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Building engineering module (1), which can be fitted onto the outside wall (2) of buildings comprising a number of storeys, such as e.g. of residential buildings, industrial buildings or commercial buildings, and which building engineering module (1) comprises piping/cables for ventilation and sewerage and water supply/electricity supply and heating/cooling and/or data transfer, and which building engineering module (1) can be connected to connecting piping/connecting cabling (8) in a trench (6) in the bottom part, or in connection with the bottom part, of the building and/or on the basement floor of the and/or in utility rooms. The building engineering module is arranged to manage the apartment-specific or space-specific ventilation of the building, and the building engineering module (1) comprises one or more heat pumps configured for each of the different storeys of the building for utilizing the thermal energy in the exhaust air of the building or for cooling the supply air. In addition, the building engineering module (1) is of the box-structure type when installed on the wall of a building.