Ventilated Structural Panels with Orthogonal Air Pathways
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheathing materials for roofs, walls, and floors lack integrated ventilation systems, which compromises structural strength and energy efficiency, and existing ventilation systems are complex, costly, and not commercially feasible.
Innovation Solution
A ventilated structural panel comprising two sheets with spacing structural elements that provide increased strength and allow for ventilation, using readily available materials and conventional attachment methods, allowing for the integration of ventilation without additional complexity or cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional sheathing materials are used, then structural strength is provided, but ventilation capability is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The sheathing panel is segmented into multiple layers with spacing elements creating voids between them, forming a multi-layer structure that enables ventilation channels while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed layer configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation channels are nested within the sheathing panel structure itself, with spacing elements integrated between the face sheet and core layers, creating internal ventilation pathways without adding external ventilation components
2Object-generated harmful factors
If ventilation systems are incorporated into sheathing, then ventilation capability is improved, but structural strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sheathing panel uses a composite structure combining face sheets and core layers with spacing elements, creating a composite material system that provides both ventilation pathways and structural strength through the synergistic arrangement of different components
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation capability is achieved by utilizing the thickness dimension of the panel, with spacing elements positioned between layers to create three-dimensional ventilation channels that do not compromise the two-dimensional structural strength of the face sheets
3Object-generated harmful factors
If complex ventilation systems are used, then ventilation capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sheathing panel structure itself provides the ventilation function through its inherent multi-layer configuration with spacing elements, eliminating the need for separate ventilation systems and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The sheathing panel serves multiple functions simultaneously: structural support through the face sheets and core, and ventilation through the integrated spacing elements and channels, reducing the need for additional specialized ventilation components
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-plenum structural panel comprising a top sheet, a middle sheet, and a bottom sheet, each sheet being parallel to the other two. A first plurality of spacing structural elements, fixedly attaching the top sheet to the middle sheet, and a second plurality of spacing structural elements fixedly attaching the middle sheet to the bottom sheet, such that a yield strength of an assembled multi-plenum structural panel is greater than a sum of individual sheet yield strengths. An upper plenum is defined by a first spacing between the top and middle sheets. A lower plenum is defined by a second spacing between the middle and bottom sheets. The first plurality of spacing structural elements is formed such that a first plurality of spaced apart unobstructed pathways are created in the upper plenum for air to move in a first direction from at least one edge of the multi-plenum structural panel to at least one of an opposite and an adjacent edge of the multi-plenum structural panel in each plenum. The second plurality of spacing structural elements is formed such that a second plurality of spaced apart unobstructed pathways are created in the lower plenum for air to move in a second direction from at least one edge of the multi-plenum structural panel to at least one of an opposite and an adjacent edge of the multi-plenum structural panel in each plenum, where the first direction is orthogonal to the second direction.