Neural Network Thermal Bridge Analysis for Building Structures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for measuring thermal bridges in building structures are inaccurate and time-consuming, requiring significant labor and resources for repetitive pre-processing and post-processing in finite element analysis.

Innovation Solution

An artificial neural network is trained using data from a finite element method to automate the calculation of thermal characteristics, allowing for more accurate and rapid analysis of building structures without the need for separate finite element analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If finite element method is used for thermal analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to repetitive pre-processing and post-processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal characteristic calculation accuracyVSAvoidanalysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-processing thermal analysis data using finite element method to create training datasets before actual use. The neural network is trained in advance with pre-processed building structure data, thermal conductivity information, and corresponding thermal characteristic results, so that during actual analysis, the pre-trained network can directly predict thermal characteristics without requiring repetitive finite element pre-processing and post-processing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If finite element method is used for thermal analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple processing operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal characteristic calculation accuracyVSAvoidprocessing operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex mechanical finite element analysis system with an artificial neural network system. Instead of using traditional finite element method requiring pre-processing, solving, and post-processing operations, the patent trains a neural network to substitute these mechanical processing steps. The trained network directly predicts thermal characteristics from building structure data and thermal conductivity information, eliminating the need for complex repetitive finite element operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If conventional thermal bridge measurement method is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement method simplicityVSAvoidthermal bridge measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of the measurement system by transitioning from simple thermal imaging camera measurements to a neural network-based prediction system. The neural network is trained with parameters including building structure data, thermal conductivity information, and thermal characteristic results obtained through finite element method. This parameter transformation enables the system to achieve high measurement precision while maintaining operational simplicity through the trained network's direct prediction capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12524669B2Method and device for calculating thermal characteristics of building structure using artificial neural network
Publication Date: 2026.01.13 INDUSTRY UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION HANYANG UNIVERSITY
  • US12524669B2 patent drawing
  • US12524669B2 patent drawing
  • US12524669B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A device for calculating thermal characteristics of a building structure using an artificial neural network comprise a first artificial neural network which receives first input information including a drawing image as input information and outputs first output information including feature information, in which shape information for each part of the drawing image is extracted, as output information, a second artificial network which receives the first output information and second input information including thermal conductivity information for each part as input information and outputs second output information including temperature distribution image information corresponding to the drawing image as output information and a third artificial neural network which receives the first output information and the second input information as input information and outputs third output information including heat flow distribution image information corresponding to the drawing image as output information.