Shaped Brick with Orthogonal Cavities for Thermal Bridge Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bricks for thermal insulation in building structures often suffer from thermal bridges, inefficient production methods, and high costs, which hinder effective thermal insulation and structural stability.
Innovation Solution
A shaped brick with a cuboid outline featuring orthogonally arranged channel-like cavities and a recess at the top, made of low thermal conductivity material, which reduces thermal bridges and allows for improved load transfer and stability, enabling efficient and cost-effective production and easy transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If insulation material is embedded in recessed cavities of existing bricks, then thermal insulation properties are improved, but thermal bridges remain and prevent efficient thermal insulation
Solution Approach 1:
The brick is divided into multiple segments including channel-like cavities and a recess that collectively segment the thermal path. This segmentation eliminates continuous thermal bridges by breaking up conductive pathways through the brick structure, allowing heat to be blocked more effectively while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The brick combines different materials with complementary properties: a shell made of binding agent and aggregate providing structural strength, and insulation material filling the cavities and recess providing thermal insulation. This composite structure achieves both mechanical stability and thermal efficiency by allowing each material to perform its optimal function.
2Reliability
If complex brick designs with multiple cavities and recesses are implemented, then thermal insulation and structural stability are improved, but production complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into a single brick unit: the channel-like cavities and recess serve both as insulation chambers and as structural elements for load transfer. The shell structure simultaneously provides mechanical strength and defines the cavity geometry, eliminating the need for separate reinforcement components and simplifying production.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell structure serves multiple purposes: it provides structural strength, defines the geometry of insulation cavities, enables load transfer between bricks, and facilitates the production process. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining both thermal and structural performance.
3Productivity
If traditional brick production methods are used, then production capacity is maintained, but production efficiency is low and costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation material is pre-positioned within the cavities and recess during the brick forming process itself, rather than requiring separate insulation installation steps later. This preliminary action integrates insulation installation into the primary manufacturing process, eliminating additional labor and time while ensuring proper insulation placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The brick structure is designed to be self-insulating through its inherent cavity and recess geometry, eliminating the need for separate insulation materials or additional insulation installation processes. The binding agent, aggregate, and cavity configuration work together to provide both structural and thermal functions in a single self-sufficient component.
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 provides enhanced thermal insulation and structural stability while reducing production costs and logistical challenges, allowing for the creation of stable and thermally efficient building structures without the need for additional insulation measures.
Implementation Method 1
The shaped block essentially consists of thermal insulation material with a thermal conductivity of at most lambda = 0.08 W / mK
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a shaped block for the construction of buildings with a substantially cuboid outline, comprising an inner side, an outer side, two longitudinal sides, a bottom and a top, comprising at least two mutually parallel, channel-like cavities within the shaped block, wherein these lead from the bottom to the top and are arranged substantially orthogonally to the bottom, wherein the shaped block consists substantially of thermal insulation material with a thermal conductivity of at most Lambda = 0.08 W/Km, a solid insulation block producible from the shaped block, as well as its manufacturing process and uses.