Thermal Break Wood Columns with Rigid Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tall commercial buildings require enhanced vertical support and thermal resistance beyond conventional wood framing systems, which are inefficient and environmentally harmful due to reliance on steel and concrete, leading to significant energy losses and resource depletion.

Innovation Solution

A thermal break wood and rigid insulation wall support column system using spaced, right-angled wood panels secured by non-metallic mechanical fasteners with injected foam insulation, providing increased thermal efficiency and reduced material usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If steel and concrete are used for vertical support in tall commercial buildings, then structural strength and stability are improved, but manufacturing cost and environmental impact worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical support capacityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite wood columns with rigid insulation integrated into the structural framework, combining structural wood elements with thermal insulation materials to create a composite system that provides both structural support and thermal performance, eliminating the need for separate steel/concrete structural system and additional insulation layers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameters by using engineered wood products with enhanced structural properties and integrating rigid insulation with high R-values, transforming the traditional wood framing parameters to achieve tall building structural requirements while maintaining thermal efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If steel and concrete are used for vertical support in tall commercial buildings, then structural strength and stability are improved, but energy loss to environment worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical support capacityVSAvoidheat and air conditioning losses

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated wood column with rigid insulation creates a composite structure where the insulation layer is embedded within the structural framework, providing continuous thermal break that prevents heat bridging through structural elements while maintaining vertical load capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid insulation acts as an intermediary material between the structural wood columns, providing thermal resistance that mediates heat transfer while allowing the structural system to maintain its load-bearing function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional wood framing is used in exterior walls, then ease of construction is improved, but thermal efficiency worsens due to thermal bridges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstruction simplicityVSAvoidthermal bridge conduction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the wall assembly by separating the structural function (wood columns) from the thermal insulation function (rigid insulation panels), with each segment optimized for its specific function while being integrated into a unified system that eliminates thermal bridges at structural interfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid insulation serves as an intermediary material that breaks the thermal pathway between interior and exterior environments, preventing direct thermal conduction through wood framing elements while maintaining the simplicity of wood-based construction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Strength

If more solid wood volume is used in walls for structural support, then structural strength is improved, but available insulation space worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewall structural capacityVSAvoidinsulation space

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite wall system where rigid insulation is integrated within the structural framework itself, allowing structural wood elements to be positioned to maximize insulation cavity space while maintaining structural integrity through the composite arrangement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 enhances energy efficiency, reduces material costs and environmental impact, and supports structures up to 25 stories without steel or concrete, improving thermal performance and structural integrity while minimizing labor and future utility demands.

Implementation Method 1

A thermal break section of rigid foam insulation is injected between the lumber panels and around the mechanical fasteners

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11255084B2Thermal break wood columns, buttresses and headers with rigid insulation

Publication Date: 2022.02.22 ENVIROBON INC

AI summary

A thermal break wood and rigid insulation wall support column, buttress or header is comprised of spaced apart multiple parallel and right angled wood panels. The right angled wood panels are secured together by box joints. Non-metallic angled mechanical fasteners hold the lumber panels together in a truss angled arrangement maintaining the panels spaced relationship. A thermal break section of rigid foam insulation is injected between the lumber panels and around the mechanical fasteners.