Modular Underfloor Fluid Basin for Uniform Outdoor Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underfloor heating and cooling systems for outdoor environments lack innovative designs that efficiently distribute heat or cold uniformly and aesthetically, often requiring invasive installations and localized heating sources.
Innovation Solution
A modular underfloor heating or cooling system comprising basin-like bodies with inlets and outlets that allow for direct contact with a walkable element, utilizing a transfer fluid and a suction pump to maintain negative pressure, ensuring uniform heat distribution and aesthetic integration with the flooring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional underfloor heating systems are installed, then heating function is provided, but installation is invasive and requires breaking floors
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the heating installation into separate above-floor modules (basin-like bodies) rather than embedding pipes in the floor structure. Each module is a self-contained unit that can be installed on the surface without breaking the floor, eliminating the harmful invasive installation while maintaining heating functionality.
2Ease of manufacture
If localized heating sources are used, then installation is simple, but heat distribution is non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from localized point-source heating to a distributed planar heating surface. The basin-like bodies create an extended heating area that contacts the walkable element across multiple dimensions, transforming concentrated heat input into uniform thermal distribution across the entire floor surface through direct fluid-to-surface contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer fluid in the basin-like bodies serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the heating/cooling medium, provides direct thermal contact with the walkable element, and distributes heat uniformly across the entire module surface. This multi-functionality achieves uniform heat distribution without complex installation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If walkable element contact with transfer fluid is increased, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the fluid containment function and heat transfer function into a single integrated basin-like body structure. The walkable element directly contacts both the basin structure and the transfer fluid simultaneously, maximizing heat transfer efficiency without requiring separate components or complex arrangements. The negative pressure system is integrated into the basin design, maintaining simplicity while achieving 90% surface contact.
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
The system efficiently heats or cools environments by ensuring 90% of the walkable element's surface is in contact with the transfer fluid, providing uniform heating, being non-invasive, safe, and modular, with easy installation and disassembly, and optimal fluid distribution.
Implementation Method 1
A modular underfloor heating or cooling system comprising basin-like bodies with inlets and outlets that allow for direct contact with a walkable element, utilizing a transfer fluid and a suction pump to maintain negative pressure
Implementation Method 2
The system efficiently heats or cools environments by ensuring 90% of the walkable element's surface is in contact with the transfer fluid, providing uniform heating
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A system (1) for heating or cooling with a transfer fluid, of the underfloor type, particularly suitable for outdoor environments, comprising at least one basin-like body (3, 3') that defines a supporting structure (5) for a substantially flat walkable element (4) and defines a basin (7) for containing a transfer fluid. The basin-like body (3, 3') comprises at least one inlet (9) and at least one outlet (11) for the transfer fluid. The supporting structure (5) is adapted to support the walkable element (4) so that the walkable element (4) is in direct contact with the transfer fluid contained in the basin (7), in order to heat or cool the walkable element (4).