Thermal Insulation Plate with Elevated Surface Recess

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermally insulated structures face reduced thermal performance due to thermal bridges at the outer edges of insulation plates, which compromise the overall insulation efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A thermal insulation plate design featuring a recessed elevated surface allows for overlapping joint cover insulation plates, ensuring continuous insulation coverage and precise positioning to prevent thermal bridges, with the insulation panel having a higher insulating capacity than the rest of the plate, and the use of vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) embedded in a protective structure for enhanced performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional insulation plates are used without elevated surfaces, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but thermal bridges form at the outer edges reducing thermal performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal performanceVSAvoidplate structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The plate is divided into distinct functional zones: an elevated surface portion that extends beyond the periphery to form receiving recesses, and a lower base portion. This segmentation allows the elevated portion to specifically address thermal bridge issues at edges while the base portion provides structural support, resolving the contradiction between improved thermal performance and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a vertical dimension by creating an elevated surface that rises above the plate's base level. This third dimension (height/elevation) enables the formation of receiving recesses that accommodate joint cover insulation plates, allowing insulation to extend beyond the plate perimeter and eliminate thermal bridges without complicating the planar structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of energy

If joint cover insulation plates are added to cover edges, then thermal bridges are eliminated improving thermal performance, but the assembly becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat lossVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The elevated surface portions of adjacent plates automatically form complementary receiving recesses that guide and accommodate joint cover insulation plates. The geometry of the elevated surfaces self-aligns with the recesses, providing automatic positioning and simplifying assembly without requiring additional fastening mechanisms or complex alignment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The joint cover insulation plates are integrated into the plate assembly by fitting into the receiving recesses formed by the elevated surfaces. This merging of components creates a unified structure where the joint covers become an inherent part of the insulation system, simplifying manufacturing and assembly compared to separate attachment methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of energy

If the insulation panel has higher insulating capacity than remaining portions, then thermal performance improves, but the plate requires more precise positioning and handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation efficiencyVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The plate is designed with non-uniform insulation properties: the central insulation panel area provides high insulating capacity while the peripheral elevated surface portions provide structural support and receiving functions. This local differentiation of quality allows the high-performance insulation to be positioned centrally where it matters most, with the elevated edges serving supportive roles that simplify handling and positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 design significantly improves thermal performance by eliminating thermal bridges and allowing for thinner structure construction, achieving uninterrupted insulation and reduced heat loss, while enabling easy handling and precise assembly.

Implementation Method 1

the insulation panel is a high efficient insulation panel, such as a vacuum insulation panel (VIP)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum insulation: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentEP1987208B1Thermal insulation plate comprising an insulating core and an elevated surface portion, thermally insulated structure of such plates and method for constructing such structure
Publication Date: 2012.08.15 MAXIT GRP AB
  • EP1987208B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP1987208B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP1987208B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a thermal insulation plate (10) for construction of thermally insulated structures (17), said plate comprising an insulation panel (15), such as a vacuum insulation panel, VIP. A first face of the plate (10) comprises an elevated surface (11) leaving a circumferential recess (12) and resulting in a first plate portion (13) with the insulation panel (15) and a second plate portion (14) having a smaller circumference than the insulation panel (15), wherein the outer periphery of the insulation panel (15) projects beyond the outer periphery of the second plate portion (14) so that the recess (12) overlaps the insulation panel (15) for receiving a joint cover insulation plate (20). The invention also relates to a thermally insulated structure (17) comprising a plurality of such insulation plates (10) and also to a method for constructing a thermally insulated structure.