Rollable Façade Cladding with Sliding Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current façade cladding installation methods are time-consuming and labor-intensive, requiring separate fixation of insulation and aesthetical layers, and often necessitate scaffolding, which disrupts building operations and increases energy consumption due to inadequate thermal insulation.

Innovation Solution

A rollable façade cladding system comprising a multilayer panel with an insulation layer, a ventilation layer, and an aesthetical layer, where the connection means allow for air passage and longitudinal slidable insulation, eliminating the need for on-site insulation installation and scaffolding by integrating all layers into a single, easily transportable panel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate fixation of insulation layer and aesthetical layer is used, then thermal insulation and aesthetic appearance are achieved, but installation time and labor are significantly increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation performanceVSAvoidinstallation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the insulation layer and aesthetical layer into a single integrated panel assembly. The insulation panel includes both the insulating material and the aesthetical cladding elements fixed together as one unit, eliminating the need for separate installation steps and reducing labor time while maintaining both thermal performance and aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulation and aesthetical layers are pre-assembled and fixed together in a controlled manufacturing environment before delivery to the construction site. This preliminary assembly ensures proper alignment and fixation, allowing for rapid installation by simply mounting the complete panel rather than assembling multiple components on-site.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If scaffolding systems are deployed for cladding installation, then workers can access façade surfaces, but installation duration increases and tenant annoyance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworker access to façadeVSAvoidinstallation duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cladding system is divided into large, modular panels that can be installed as complete units. These panels are designed to be mounted using alternative methods that do not require traditional scaffolding, such as rail systems or direct fixation to the building structure, thereby reducing installation time and minimizing disruption to building occupants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If multiple separate parts are fixed for each layer, then proper layer separation and ventilation are achieved, but fixation complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayer separation and ventilationVSAvoidfixation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation gap and layer separation functions are integrated into the panel design itself rather than requiring separate fixation components. The aesthetical cladding elements are fixed to the insulation panel at predetermined intervals that automatically create the necessary ventilation channels, simplifying the fixation system while maintaining proper air flow and thermal performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This solution significantly reduces installation time and labor, enhances thermal insulation by ensuring a continuous ventilation layer, and eliminates the need for scaffolding, thereby improving energy efficiency and reducing construction disruptions.

Implementation Method 1

a ventilation layer allowing the passage of air is provided between the insulation layer and the aesthetical layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir passage: Convection

Implementation Method 2

an inner insulation layer comprising a sheet of a thermally insulating material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3438373B1Multilayer rollable faÇade cladding and method for installing a multilayer rollable faÇade cladding
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 FUNDACION TECNALIA RESEARCH & INNOVATION
  • EP3438373B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2
  • EP3438373B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3438373B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention discloses a façade cladding for insulating a façade of a building comprising a multilayer panel (1) configured for being rolled along a longitudinal direction. The multilayer panel (1) comprises: an inner insulation layer (11) comprising a sheet of a thermally insulating material; an outer aesthetical layer (12) coupled to the insulation layer (11); and a plurality of connection means (13) configured for connecting the insulation layer (11) and the aesthetical layer (12), where the connection means (13) are configured for separating the insulation layer (11) and the aesthetical layer (12) such that a ventilation layer (17) allowing the passage of air is provided therebetween, and such that the insulation layer (11) can slide longitudinally with respect to the aesthetical layer (12).