Thermal Insulation Structural Element with Truss Reinforcement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large-volume compression shear reinforcement elements in thermal insulation components compromise thermal insulation properties due to their significant cross-section, which increases heat or cold transport surfaces, despite using highly insulating materials.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a modular design with support elements arranged at different height levels, connected to pressure elements via transverse force elements, breaking down the large-volume reinforcement element into individual tension and compression struts, simulating a truss model to absorb forces while minimizing material cross-section and maintaining effective force transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If large-volume compression shear reinforcement elements are used to absorb and transmit forces, then force transmission capability is improved, but thermal insulation properties deteriorate due to increased material cross-section

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce transmission capabilityVSAvoidthermal insulation properties
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The large-volume compression shear reinforcement element is segmented into multiple individual reinforcement elements (compression struts and tension struts) arranged in a truss model configuration. This segmentation reduces the overall material cross-section while maintaining force transmission capability through the distributed arrangement of smaller elements, thereby improving thermal insulation properties without sacrificing structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Temperature

If compressive force reinforcement elements are made from non-metallic building materials to improve thermal insulation, then thermal insulation properties are improved, but force transmission capability may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation propertiesVSAvoidforce transmission capability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The compression shear reinforcement element uses composite material construction, combining non-metallic building materials (such as concrete or mortar) with embedded reinforcement components (tension struts and compression struts). This composite approach maintains the thermal insulation benefits of non-metallic materials while ensuring adequate force transmission capability through the integrated reinforcement system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3444409B1Structural element for heat insulation
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 SCHOECK BAUTEILE GMBH
  • EP3444409B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3444409B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP3444409B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

A building element for thermal insulation between a load-bearing (A) and a supported component (B), in particular between a building and a projecting external part, comprising an insulating body (2) to be arranged between the two components and reinforcement elements in the form of at least compression elements (5), which in the installed state of the building element extend substantially horizontally and transversely to the substantially horizontal longitudinal extent of the insulating body through it and can be connected at least indirectly to both components, wherein support elements (6) are assigned to the compression elements (5), which are arranged at a different height level than the compression elements in relation to the building element (1) in the installed state, and wherein each compression element (5) and each support element (6) is operatively connected to each other via a shear force element (4).