Multipart Tank Insulation With Interlocking Panels for On-Site Mobility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large hot water storage tanks face challenges during transport and installation due to their bulkiness, requiring on-site thermal insulation installation, which restricts mobility and alignment after assembly, as the insulation is damaged by movement.

Innovation Solution

A multi-part thermal insulation system with a lid featuring a circumferential tongue and groove on the bottom edge and vertically extending side panels with matching tongues and grooves, allowing interlocking and self-weight distribution without static forces on the tank, enabling easy installation and mobility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If thermal insulation is installed on site from the bottom up, then thermal insulation is provided for the storage tank, but the container cannot be moved after assembly due to damage risk to the cladding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal insulation protectionVSAvoidmobility of container

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal insulation is divided into multiple segments: a cover portion that attaches to the top of the tank, and separate side wall portions that can be installed independently. This segmentation allows the tank to be moved vertically or horizontally after assembly without damaging the insulation, as the modular pieces can be repositioned as a complete unit rather than requiring the entire insulation to be removed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If thermal insulation is installed on site, then thermal insulation is provided, but alignment and movement of the container are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal insulation coverageVSAvoidalignment flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism uses reversible fastening elements (such as clips, snap-fits, or removable fasteners) that allow the insulation pieces to be easily attached and detached. This dynamic attachment system enables the container to be aligned vertically or moved a few centimeters after assembly by simply removing and repositioning the insulation pieces, rather than being permanently fixed in place.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If multiple side parts are connected via tongues and grooves, then secure connection is achieved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidassembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tongue and groove features are integrated directly into the molded insulation pieces themselves, combining the connection mechanism with the insulation structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate attachment hardware or complex fastening systems, as the interlocking tongues and grooves provide both structural integrity and thermal insulation in a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP1906110B1Multipart heat insulation for a storage tank

Publication Date: 2013.06.05 VAILLANT GMBH(DE)

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AI summary

Multipart heat insulation for a storage tank (1) comprises a lid (2) with a peripheral tongue (4) and groove (3) on its under side and at least two vertical side parts (5, 8) with tongues (7) and grooves (6) on their upper sides. The tongues and grooves on the side parts engage with the tongue and groove on the under side of the lid. An independent claim is also included for a process for assembling the above multipart heat insulation. Preferred Features: The vertical side parts have further tongues and grooves on their under sides that engage with tongues and grooves on at least two further side parts (9, 10).