Stacked Beams with Integrated Insulation Cavities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for insulating residential structures, such as chalet-type constructions with stacked beams, are not satisfactory for achieving optimal energy savings due to inefficiencies in integrating insulation within the wall structure.
Innovation Solution
A wall structure comprising horizontal beams with integrated insulation, where spacers made of rigid materials like wood are interspersed with insulation elements such as synthetic foam or mineral fibers, and the beams are held together through shape cooperation, ensuring comprehensive insulation coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional insulating wall is placed on the interior side of stacked beams, then insulation coverage is improved, but device complexity and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation elements are nested within the hollow spaces of the beam structure itself. The beams contain internal cavities that house the insulation material, eliminating the need for separate external insulation walls. This nesting approach integrates the insulation function directly into the structural elements, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive insulation coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural beams and insulation elements are merged into a single integrated assembly. The beams with their hollow spaces and the insulation elements work together as one unified thermal insulation system, replacing the separate approach of beams plus additional insulating wall. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall construction.
2Reliability
If spacers and insulation elements are interspersed within beam hollow spaces, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation system is segmented into discrete insulation elements that are individually placed within the hollow spaces of the beams. These modular elements can be manufactured separately and then assembled into the beam structure, allowing for standardized production of both the beam components and insulation elements, which simplifies the overall manufacturing process despite the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow spaces are pre-formed within the beam structure during beam manufacturing, creating ready-to-receive cavities for the insulation elements. This preliminary preparation of the structural components allows for straightforward insertion of insulation material without requiring complex post-construction installation procedures, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity.
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 configuration enhances energy efficiency by providing continuous insulation across the entire height of the walls, improving thermal performance and energy savings in residential structures.
Implementation Method 1
insulation elements (4a, 4b, 4c,..... 4'a, 4'b, 4'c...) arranged in the internal spaces to provide thermal insulation
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
Beam (1) having the form of an elongated profile whose length (L) is greater than the height (H) and the thickness (E), intended for the construction of a residential wall, said beam (1) comprising integrated insulation, and being made up of an assembly of elements, and principally of two beam lateral walls and at least one beam internal wall, while the two beam lateral walls are parallel and spaced apart to create an internal space, in which the beam internal wall extends, characterized in that the beam internal wall extends longitudinally and parallel to the two beam lateral walls, to form two internal lateral spaces (2a, 2b), while in each of the internal lateral spaces (2a, 2b) are arranged a succession of struts (3a, 3b, 3c,...-3'a, 3'b, 3'c,...) and insulation elements (4a, 4b, 4c,..... 4'a, 4'b, 4'c...), each spacer of the same lateral space is separated from the next spacer to form between each of the spacers a filling space comprising the insulation element.