Plate element for surface heating and cooling with heating or cooling register

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing panel elements for surface heating or cooling in building interiors face inadequate heat transfer to base plates due to non-flat shapes, leading to reduced heating or cooling performance and increased energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A panel element with a metallic base plate having a three-dimensional uneven shape and a heat-conducting layer that corresponds to the base plate's uneven shape, ensuring a positive interlocking and continuous bond for improved heat transfer, achieved through compressible or pre-formed materials that adapt to the base plate's structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a non-flat base plate is used for panel elements, then manufacturing flexibility and design versatility are improved, but heat transfer to the base plate deteriorates due to point contact only

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign versatilityVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A heat-conducting layer is introduced as an intermediary component between the register and the non-flat base plate. This layer compensates for surface irregularities and ensures continuous thermal contact, resolving the contradiction between design versatility and heat transfer efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state or properties of the heat-conducting layer (using compressible or adaptive materials) to enable it to conform to the non-flat base plate surface, thereby maintaining thermal contact despite surface irregularities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If specially shaped heat-conducting profiles are installed between the register and base plate, then heat transfer is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using complex pre-shaped profiles, the patent employs materials with specific physical properties (compressibility, adaptability) that allow a simpler layer structure to achieve the same heat transfer function, reducing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The heat-conducting layer uses composite material properties combining thermal conductivity with mechanical adaptability, achieving both heat transfer efficiency and surface compensation without complex geometries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Volume of moving object

If three-dimensionally shaped and nested panel elements are used, then space utilization and design flexibility are improved, but sufficient heat transfer to the interior side becomes inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidheat transfer performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The heat-conducting layer serves as a mediator that bridges the gap created by three-dimensional shaping, ensuring thermal contact is maintained even when the base plate has complex spatial geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution addresses the three-dimensional challenge by introducing a layer that operates in the thermal dimension, compensating for geometric complexities through material properties rather than additional structural dimensions.

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

Enhances heat transfer efficiency, reduces energy consumption, and maintains a compact design with improved acoustic properties and versatility in shape adaptation without additional structural measures.

Implementation Method 1

heat-conducting layer between the base plate and the register for heat transfer between the register and the base plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

achieved through compressible or pre-formed materials that adapt to the base plate's structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression deformation: Compression

Implementation Method 3

compressible or pre-formed materials that adapt to the base plate's structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4242527B1Plate element for surface heating and cooling with heating or cooling register
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 LINDNER SE
  • EP4242527B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2b
  • EP4242527B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c
  • EP4242527B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4c

AI summary

A panel element (10) for surface heating or cooling of ceilings or walls of building interiors, comprising a metallic base plate (1) facing the interior and a register (2) directly or indirectly connected thereto for a heating or cooling medium flowing through the register (2), and comprising at least one heat-conducting layer (3) between the base plate (1) and the register (2) for heat transfer between the register (2) and the base plate (1), wherein the base plate (1) has a three-dimensional, uneven shape in its surface area and the heat-conducting layer (3) has, on the side facing the base plate (1), a counter-shape corresponding to the uneven shape of the base plate (1) for a positive interlocking and continuous surface bonding of the heat-conducting layer (3) to the base plate (1) together with the register (2) for heating or cooling, or forms such a bond in the assembly of the base plate (1) and the heat-conducting layer (3).