Modular Panel With Permeable Structural Layers For Air Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current modular panels for walls, ceilings, and floors lack structural integrity to withstand loads, and they fail to provide effective air circulation, sound absorption, and integrated air conditioning while maintaining permeability for air exchange.

Innovation Solution

A modular panel design featuring inner and outer sheets with permeable structural layers creating independent air channels for circulation, combined with sound-absorbing and thermoelectric heat pump systems, and connectors for interconnection, allowing for structural support and efficient air exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If sound-absorbing material is used to plug holes in the panel, then sound absorption is improved, but air circulation is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound absorptionVSAvoidair circulation blockage
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The panel is divided into multiple functional layers: a perforated sheet for air intake, a sound-absorbing layer with cellular structure for sound absorption, and a second perforated sheet for air output. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function without interfering with others, enabling both sound absorption and air circulation simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the panel have different properties: the first perforated sheet has holes for air intake, the sound-absorbing layer has cellular structures for sound absorption, and the second perforated sheet has holes for air output. Each local region is optimized for its specific function, allowing the panel to achieve multiple objectives at once

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Temperature

If Peltier cells are embedded in sound-absorbing material, then heating/cooling function is improved, but air passage is completely blocked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating/cooling functionVSAvoidair passage blockage
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The panel structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: perforated sheets for air circulation, sound-absorbing cellular layers for sound absorption, and integrated Peltier cells for thermal regulation. This segmentation ensures that air can flow through the perforated sheets while Peltier cells embedded in the sound-absorbing layer provide heating/cooling without blocking the air passage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The panel integrates multiple functions into a single structure: air circulation through perforated sheets, sound absorption through cellular layers, and heating/cooling through Peltier cells. The sound-absorbing layer serves dual purposes: absorbing sound and housing Peltier cells for thermal regulation, demonstrating multi-functionality

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

3Object-affected harmful factors

If micro-perforated panel is used for air purification, then air purification is improved, but structural strength is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair purificationVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The panel uses a composite structure combining perforated sheets with sound-absorbing cellular materials. The perforated sheets provide structural strength while the cellular sound-absorbing material provides air purification through its porous structure. This composite approach allows the panel to maintain both structural integrity and air purification capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Ease of manufacture

If modular panel design is used, then ease of installation is improved, but structural integrity to withstand loads is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The panel is designed as a modular unit with standardized dimensions and connection interfaces. The segmentation into functional layers (perforated sheets, sound-absorbing layers, Peltier cell integrations) allows for easy manufacturing and installation while maintaining structural integrity through the rigid cellular structure and robust connection mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 modular panel effectively absorbs sound, circulates air for temperature regulation, and supports structural loads while maintaining permeability, enhancing the functionality of enclosures in buildings and vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

outer sheet and said first septum are coupled each other through a first permeable structural layer, so to realize a first air channel between the outer sheet and the first septum, and said inner sheet and said first septum are coupled each other through a second permeable structural layer so to realize a second air channel between the inner sheet and the first septum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

sound-absorbing panel equipped with a honeycomb structure topped by a perforated panel, to allow sound entering through the holes in the panel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 3

panels which, in addition to being sound-absorbing, comprise a refrigeration or heating system provided by means of Peltier cells

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPeltier effect: Peltier Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3945175B1panel
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 Z LAB SRL
  • EP3945175B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3945175B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

A modular panel (1) for realizing an enclosure (10) of a space (20) comprising: an inner sheet (2) facing the space (20) comprising a plurality of holes (3); an outer sheet (4) arranged on the opposite face of the panel (1) with respect to the inner sheet (2); a first septum (5) arranged between the inner and outer sheets (2,4); said outer sheet (4) and said first septum (5) being coupled each other through a first permeable structural layer (7) so to realize a first air channel (11) between the outer sheet (4) and the first septum (5); and said inner sheet (2) and said first septum (5) being coupled each other through a second permeable structural layer (6) so to realize a second air channel (9) between the inner sheet (2) and the first septum (5) fluidly connected to the ambient (20) through the holes (3) of the inner sheet (2); the first air channel (11) being isolated by the second air channel (9); a first transversal channel (13) fluidly connecting the first air channel (11) and the space (20) through the holes (3) of the inner sheet (2). Vehicle (35) comprising a plurality of permeable modular panels (1) to form at least a part of an enclosure (10) of said space (20).