Prefabricated Wall Element Selection Using Monitored Performance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current construction practices lack systematic monitoring and data utilization of wall elements, leading to inefficient integration, potential construction defects, and slow innovation due to unknown insulation performance and interaction with other building elements, especially in energy-efficient renovations.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a database to store performance data of installed wall elements, a computing unit with AI to simulate a digital twin of a building, and sensors to monitor parameters, enabling optimized selection and integration of prefabricated wall elements based on verified performance data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If wall elements are installed without systematic monitoring, then installation speed is improved, but quality and reliability of insulation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidinsulation performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements systematic monitoring of wall elements during and after installation, with sensors that provide feedback on insulation performance, moisture levels, and thermal properties. This feedback mechanism allows for real-time verification of quality without significantly delaying installation, resolving the contradiction between installation speed and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual inspection methods with automated sensing systems and digital monitoring tools. Sensors and electronic measurement devices substitute for traditional mechanical inspection, enabling continuous quality verification without the time consumption of manual checking, thus maintaining both speed and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If no monitoring systems are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of wall element performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring system complexityVSAvoidperformance measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system is divided into modular sensor units distributed throughout the wall element structure. Each sensor module is independent and performs specific measurements (temperature, humidity, thermal conductivity), allowing precise performance monitoring without requiring a single complex monolithic system, thus resolving the contradiction between system complexity and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If wall elements are selected without performance data, then selection process is simplified, but manufacturing precision of insulation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselection process simplicityVSAvoidinsulation performance consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary monitoring and measurement of wall element performance during manufacturing and installation phases. Performance data is collected and stored before final selection, allowing the selection process to benefit from precise, pre-acquired information about insulation properties, thereby improving manufacturing precision without complicating the final selection process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Loss of information

If no data is collected from completed renovations, then loss of information is reduced, but productivity of future renovation projects deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata retentionVSAvoidrenovation project efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates digital copies and databases of performance data from completed renovation projects. These digital records preserve valuable information about wall element performance, building physics data, and renovation outcomes, making it available for reference in future projects. This copying approach prevents information loss while enabling efficient reuse of proven solutions, thus improving future productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4617965A1System for selecting a prefabricated wall element based on a monitored functionality installed prefabricated wall elements

Publication Date: 2025.09.17 ECOWORKS GMBH

Figure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a system for selecting prefabricated wall elements in serial renovation projects and is based on the use of a database and a computing unit. The database stores information on the functionality and performance of various previously installed wall elements, including data on location, energy consumption, and specific configurations of these elements. This information is used to simulate a digital twin of a building potentially undergoing renovation. The computing unit uses the stored data to determine the optimal wall element for a specific renovation project. During the selection process, it considers relevant building data such as location and orientation to ensure the best possible adaptation and performance of the selected wall element with regard to the specific requirements of the building to be renovated.This approach enables data-driven decision-making in the selection of building elements for retrofit, based on real-world performance data. This can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of retrofit measures by selecting the most appropriate materials and designs for each project.