Wood Fibre Insulated Window Frames for Lower Carbon Heat Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulation materials for building windows, particularly those based on natural fibers, contribute significantly to the carbon footprint due to energy-intensive processing and transportation, and may compromise thermal insulation performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating wood fiber insulation material with low thermal conductivity into the cavities of window frames, which requires minimal processing and has a lower carbon footprint, maintaining or enhancing insulation performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If natural fibre insulation materials (cellulose, cotton, flax, hemp) are used in window frames, then insulation performance is improved, but carbon footprint increases due to energy-intensive processing and transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional natural fibres (cellulose, cotton, flax, hemp) to wood fibre insulation material. This parameter change reduces the carbon footprint while maintaining thermal insulation performance, as wood fibre requires less energy-intensive processing and has lower transportation emissions compared to other natural fibres.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs wood fibre insulation material that can be easily removed and replaced, facilitating circular economy principles. The material's design allows for simple disposal and replacement without complex recycling processes, reducing overall environmental impact while maintaining insulation effectiveness throughout the window's lifecycle.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If wood fibre insulation material is used, then carbon footprint is reduced and thermal insulation is maintained, but manufacturing complexity increases due to specific filling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-processing the wood fibre insulation material to the appropriate density and configuration before insertion into the window frame cavity. This ensures the material settles correctly and provides optimal insulation performance without requiring complex in-situ processing equipment or multi-step installation procedures.
3Loss of energy
If conventional insulation materials are used, then thermal insulation performance is achieved, but recycling and reuse become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by designing the window frame with a removable insulation insert that can be easily separated from the frame structure. This segmented design allows the wood fibre insulation material to be independently removed and replaced without dismantling the entire window frame, significantly facilitating recycling and reuse processes while maintaining thermal insulation performance.
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 wood fiber insulation material provides effective thermal insulation with a reduced carbon footprint, facilitating easier recycling and reuse, while maintaining or improving the U-value of the window.
Implementation Method 1
a wood fibre insulation material insulation placed in a cavity of the hollow profile... the wood fibre insulation material provides effective thermal insulation... maintaining or improving the U-value of the window
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a building aperture window (1), wherein the building aperture window (1) comprises an insulated glass unit (2) arranged in a frame (3). The frame (3) comprises one or more hollow profiles (4) comprising walls (7) of a polymer material, and wherein the one or more hollow profiles (4) comprises one or more cavities (5) with a wood fibre insulation material (6). The wood fibre insulation material (6) may have a thermal conductivity coefficient (λim) below 0.06 W/(m·K), such as below 0.05 W/(m·K), such as below 0.04 W/(m·K). The present disclosure moreover relates to a method of filling a cavity (5) of one or more building aperture window (1) frame profiles (4) with an insulation material.