PV Facade Surface Element With Dummy Panels for Uniform Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Building construction surface elements with integrated photovoltaic solar panels face challenges in mechanical stability, thermal insulation, and waterproofing, particularly when exposed to solar light, and industrially manufactured elements often result in an inhomogeneous visual appearance due to non-tailored shapes and dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A building construction surface element comprising a photovoltaic solar panel with a mounting plate and spacer arrangement for mechanical stability, a thermal insulation plate for insulation, and a waterproof membrane band to bridge gaps between elements, along with 'dummy' elements that simulate solar energy converters to match the visual appearance of solar panels, ensuring uniform coverage and adaptability to irregular shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If building construction surface elements with integrated photovoltaic solar panels are used, then solar energy conversion is achieved, but mechanical stability and thermal insulation are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The building construction surface element is divided into distinct functional modules: photovoltaic panels for energy conversion, mounting plates for structural support, spacers for positioning, thermal insulation plates for insulation, and waterproof membrane bands for sealing. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function while contributing to overall system stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The element combines multiple materials with complementary properties: photovoltaic panels (energy conversion), mounting plates (structural strength), thermal insulation plates (thermal resistance), and waterproof membranes (sealing). This composite structure achieves both energy conversion and mechanical stability simultaneously.
2Use of energy by moving object
If building construction surface elements with integrated photovoltaic solar panels are used, then solar energy conversion is achieved, but thermal insulation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The element is segmented into functional modules including dedicated thermal insulation plates positioned between the photovoltaic panels and the building surface. This separation allows the insulation layer to perform its thermal function independently while the photovoltaic panels perform energy conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure combines photovoltaic panels with thermal insulation plates made of materials having low thermal conductivity. This composite arrangement provides both solar energy conversion and effective thermal insulation, addressing the contradiction between energy generation and heat management.
3Productivity
If industrially manufactured surface elements are used, then production efficiency is improved, but visual appearance becomes inhomogeneous
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof membrane band is designed to extend beyond the photovoltaic panel edges, creating a uniform visual appearance across the entire building surface. This local extension of the membrane provides both functional waterproofing and aesthetic uniformity, allowing industrially manufactured elements to maintain visual consistency when installed in various configurations.
4Ease of operation
If standard photovoltaic panels are mounted directly to the building surface, then installation is simplified, but waterproofing and mechanical stability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into mounting plates, spacers, and waterproof membrane bands. The mounting plates provide attachment points, spacers maintain positioning and create air gaps, and membrane bands seal the interfaces. This modular segmentation simplifies installation while ensuring comprehensive waterproofing and mechanical stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Waterproof membrane bands are introduced as intermediary sealing elements between the photovoltaic panels, mounting plates, and building surface. These bands bridge the gaps and interfaces, providing continuous waterproofing without complicating the installation process.
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 solution enhances mechanical stability, thermal insulation, and waterproofing of building surfaces while providing a uniform visual appearance by using spacers for mechanical support, thermal insulation for energy efficiency, and waterproofing to prevent water ingress, and adaptive 'dummy' elements for shape conformity.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal insulation plate which is fixed to the rear surface of the mounting plate and which extends substantially all along the rear surface
Implementation Method 2
a photovoltaic solar panel with a surface to be exposed to solar light and a back surface
Data Source
AI summary
A building construction surface element includes a PV-panel and, spaced therefrom, a building construction element including a mounting plate spaced from and facing the backside of the PV-panel and a thermal insulation plate. Spacers define for an interspace between the backside of PV module and the topside of the mounting plate. Building construction surface elements are used to finish building surfaces. As such building surfaces may possibly not be covered by an integer number of the building construction surface elements, dummy building construction surface elements may be provided which do not have a PV module, but whereon a more easily tailorable PV module fake is applied. By combining building construction surface elements with appropriately tailored dummies the building construction surface may be completely covered, thereby providing for a homogeneous optical appearance.