Modular Wall Heating Panels With Removable Radiant Covers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heating solutions for buildings, such as underfloor heating and traditional convection systems, often result in discomfort and high renovation costs, while radiation heating methods face challenges with maintenance and aesthetic limitations.

Innovation Solution

A modular radiant heating structure comprising vertically arranged panels with integrated heat exchangers and removable decorative plates, allowing for adjustable and efficient heat distribution and easy maintenance, while minimizing modifications to existing heating circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If underfloor heating is used to heat buildings, then heating coverage is improved, but occupant comfort deteriorates due to heavy legs and circulatory issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating coverageVSAvoidoccupant comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is segmented into multiple vertical panels distributed along the walls rather than a continuous floor system. Each panel operates independently, allowing localized heating control and avoiding the uniform heat distribution that causes discomfort in underfloor heating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heating approach transitions from horizontal (underfloor) to vertical dimension (wall-mounted panels). This dimensional change allows heat to be distributed from upper levels, creating natural convection currents that improve comfort while maintaining heating coverage.

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

2Power

If traditional convection heating devices are used, then heating function is provided, but aesthetic quality deteriorates due to bulky and visible installation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating functionVSAvoidaesthetic quality
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The heating function is merged with the wall surface itself through vertical panels that can be mounted flush against walls. This integration eliminates the need for separate bulky convection devices, maintaining heating power while improving aesthetics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The panels can be designed to copy or match existing wall finishes and materials, making the heating system visually indistinguishable from the wall surface while maintaining full heating functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Power

If parietal coating with hot water circulation is used for radiation heating, then heating efficiency is improved, but functionality is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidfunctionality
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The vertical panel system serves multiple functions: radiation heating, natural convection heating through perforations, and aesthetic wall covering. This multi-functionality replaces the limited hot water circulation system while maintaining or improving heating efficiency.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates both radiation (static heat transfer) and convection (dynamic air flow through perforations) mechanisms, allowing it to adapt to different operational modes and environmental conditions, thereby improving overall functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Area of stationary object

If continuous parietal coating is applied for radiation heating, then heating surface area is increased, but maintenance difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating surface areaVSAvoidmaintenance difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous heating surface is segmented into multiple removable vertical panels. This segmentation maintains the total heating surface area while enabling easy access, cleaning, and replacement of individual panels without affecting the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heating elements are extracted from a fixed continuous coating and placed in removable panels that can be taken out for maintenance. This allows the heating function to be separated from the wall surface, facilitating easy cleaning and repair while maintaining full heating surface area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

5Object-affected harmful factors

If wall parietal coverings are used for heating, then radiation heating comfort is improved, but cleaning and renewal costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation heating comfortVSAvoidcleaning and renewal costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The panels are designed to be removable and reconfigurable, allowing the heating surface to dynamically change appearance and position. This enables easy cleaning access and cost-effective renewal by replacing only individual panels rather than entire wall coverings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Individual panels can be discarded or replaced independently when soiled or damaged, while the remaining panels continue to function. This selective replacement approach reduces renewal costs compared to replacing entire wall coverings while maintaining radiation heating comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 structure provides uniform and efficient heat radiation over the entire height of a room, reducing discomfort and renovation costs, with easy maintenance and adaptability to various building geometries.

Implementation Method 1

heating by radiation of the various walls of a room... makes it possible to obtain improved comfort and temperature conditions thanks to a larger exchange surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

Heating by radiation of the various walls of a room... obtains improved comfort and temperature conditions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

The plinth has perforations which are connected to the second layer of said coating to allow natural convection in heating mode. One or more perforated bands allow hot air to escape.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNatural convection: Free Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2681493B1Modular heating structure adaptable for building inside walls
Publication Date: 2015.10.14 GERFLOR
  • EP2681493B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2681493B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2681493B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The installation that makes it possible to obtain a wall that heats by radiative heating, which comprises at least one heating modular structure (SM) in the form of a panel, the height of which corresponds to the height of the room to be heated up to ceiling height, the panel-form modular structure being arranged vertically with the rear face resting against a wall, each panel-form modular structure (SM) being made up of a plurality of spaced-apart and parallel vertical members (2) arranged at a back wall, in which each vertical member (2) comprises a member under which a heat exchanger (7) is arranged horizontally with fluid circulation ducts, and in which the vertical members are arranged with means that allow a protective and decorative panel to be fitted quickly to it, is characterized in that the vertical members are fixed to the back wall, and in that each vertical member comprises an upper member (2a) and a lower member (2b) aligned with one another and the heat exchanger (4) is arranged horizontally between these, and in that it comprises several protective and decorative panels (6-7), and in that the means for fitting the upper and lower members also allow rapid disassembly, and in that each modular structure in its bottom part and in its top part comprises ventilation gratings (8-9), and in that the air conducting passages are defined by the strips situated between each pair of consecutive vertical members (2a), the protective and decorative panels and the back wall.