Modular Façade Elements With Integrated HVAC for Occupied Renovation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing building renovation processes require separate interventions for replacing the façade and renovating the heating/cooling systems, leading to increased costs, longer renovation durations, and inconvenience due to the need to vacate the building during construction.
Innovation Solution
A modular element with an integrated air conditioning unit that can replace a façade portion of a building, allowing for simultaneous aesthetic and energetic renovation without compromising habitability, featuring an air conditioning unit housed within the modular element, a channeling system for fluid circulation, and electronic controls for thermal comfort, which can be installed without extensive site preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate interventions are carried out for replacing the façade and renovating the heating/cooling system, then the building can be renovated comprehensively, but the renovation duration and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the façade replacement and heating/cooling system renovation into a single integrated modular element. The modular element incorporates both the façade structure and the air conditioning unit, allowing both renovations to occur simultaneously during one construction intervention, thereby reducing the overall renovation duration while maintaining comprehensive renovation quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular element serves multiple functions: it acts as both the building façade and the housing for the air conditioning system. This multi-functional design allows a single component to fulfill both aesthetic/structural requirements and thermal comfort requirements, eliminating the need for separate renovation interventions.
2Reliability
If separate interventions are carried out for replacing the façade and renovating the heating/cooling system, then the building can be renovated comprehensively, but the renovation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the façade and air conditioning system into a single modular element, the patent eliminates the need for two separate renovation contracts and construction phases. This integration reduces overall renovation costs through coordinated design, reduced construction time, and minimized disruption to the building's operation during renovation.
3Shape
If the façade is replaced through conventional construction works, then the aesthetic renovation is achieved, but the building must be vacated by occupants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the building façade into multiple replaceable modular elements that can be installed independently. This segmentation allows for phased renovation where occupants can remain in unaffected areas of the building, eliminating the need for complete evacuation while still achieving comprehensive aesthetic renovation over time.
4Shape
If conventional façade replacement is performed, then the building façade can be renovated, but construction site interventions and contingencies increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning unit is pre-assembled and tested within the modular element before delivery to the construction site. This preliminary action allows for quality control and system testing to occur off-site, reducing the complexity and duration of on-site construction interventions and minimizing contingencies during installation.
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 solution enables a single coordinated intervention for building renovation, reducing construction site interventions, minimizing downtime and financial losses, and enhancing the building's aesthetic appeal while maintaining occupant safety and comfort during the process.
Implementation Method 1
a channeling system (16) comprising one or more channels (161), including at least one first channel (161) entering the air conditioning unit (14)
Implementation Method 2
configured to heat and/or cool air inflow into the building and air outflow from the building, and to exchange heat therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
A modular element for a façade of a building may include: an air conditioning unit; and a channeling system. The channeling system may be configured to receive fluid from an external source. The channeling system may include at least one first channel entering the air conditioning unit. The external fluid source may include a pump configured to circulate the fluid inside the channeling system. The channeling system further may include one or more inlets configured to connect to the pump so as to receive the fluid from the external source and input the fluid into the at least one first channel of the channeling system. The channeling system further may include at least one second channel configured to connect to an internal diffusion element of the building. The at least one second channel may be configured to transport the fluid from the external source to the internal diffusion element.