Prefabricated Wood Panel with Integrated Technical Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current prefabricated wooden construction elements require extensive on-site modifications and additional components to meet regulatory standards, leading to increased costs, construction time, and reduced quality due to the lack of complete, finished, and ready-to-install products.

Innovation Solution

A prefabricated wooden panel with a multilayer structure comprising a solid wooden plate, thermally insulating materials, spacers creating channels for technical voids, and additional solid wooden plates, assembled using press gluing to form a self-supporting, dimensionally stable panel integrating structural, insulating, and aesthetic functionalities without thermal bridges or mechanical fixings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If CLT panels are used to achieve structural strength and stability, then mechanical strength and rigidity are improved, but the panel requires multiple additional layers and external components (ETI, cladding, etc.) increasing device complexity and quantity of material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidpanel structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the structural panel with thermal insulation, acoustic insulation, and technical void functions into a single integrated component. The panel combines load-bearing wooden elements with insulating materials and internal channels for technical networks, eliminating the need for separate ETI, cladding, and ductwork installations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The panel is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: structural support, thermal insulation, acoustic insulation, and housing for technical networks. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of components needed and simplifies the overall building assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If CLT panels are used to achieve structural performance, then load capacity is improved, but construction time and cost increase due to required additional interventions on site

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload capacityVSAvoidconstruction time
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The panel is pre-assembled in the factory with all necessary components (insulation layers, technical channels, finishing elements) integrated before delivery to the construction site. This preliminary assembly eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site installations of separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By combining multiple building functions into a single prefabricated panel, the patent reduces the number of separate installation operations required on site, thereby reducing construction time and labor costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If solid wooden panels are used to achieve structural integrity, then strength is improved, but thermal insulation performance deteriorates requiring additional external thermal insulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidthermal insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The panel uses a composite structure combining wooden structural elements with thermal insulation materials. This composite design maintains the structural integrity provided by wood while incorporating effective thermal insulation, eliminating the need for additional external thermal insulation layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Strength

If dense panel structure is used to achieve structural strength, then mechanical performance is improved, but adaptability deteriorates as technical ducts cannot pass through

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical performanceVSAvoidtechnical duct passage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The panel incorporates localized voids or channels within its structure specifically designed to accommodate technical networks. These localized modifications do not compromise the overall structural integrity while providing the necessary adaptability for installing electrical, plumbing, or HVAC systems.

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

The solution provides a complete, ready-to-install panel that reduces on-site interventions, ensures quality and reproducibility, facilitates easy access to technical voids, and meets regulatory standards for thermal and acoustic insulation, while being 100% recyclable and having a low carbon footprint.

Implementation Method 1

a multi-layer structure assembled by gluing under pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

a second layer consisting of a thermally insulating material in the form of plates or flat strips

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

a third layer consisting of parallel spacers, extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, to create channels between the spacers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP4019707B1Prefabricated wood panel for the construction of buildings
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 DURAND, LÉOPOLD
  • EP4019707B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4019707B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4019707B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a prefabricated wood panel (1) for building construction, formed of a multilayer structure assembled by bonding under pressure, and comprising, in order: - a first layer (C1) consisting of a solid CLT (cross-laminated timber) wood panel (2), - a second layer (C2) consisting of a thermally insulating material (3) sandwiched between horizontal rails (4), - a third layer (C3) consisting of vertical spacers (5) to create channels (6) between the spacers and form through-passageways, - a fourth layer (C4) consisting of a thermally insulating material (7) sandwiched between horizontal rails (8), offset from the rails (4) of the second layer (C2) to avoid thermal bridging, and - a fifth layer (C5) consisting of a solid CLT wood panel (9). The resulting panel forms a complete, finished building system, ready for installation and assembly on site.