ES2967350T3 - Sheet-shaped structural elements for buildings - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a structural element (1) intended for use in buildings and the like that includes at least one insulating core (2) that on at least one side (3) is provided with at least one layer of material (4 ) and on the opposite side (5) it is provided with at least a second layer of material (6). What is unique to the insulating core (2) is that it includes at least two first core elements (7) that include a first number of channels (12), with a first number of intermediate flanges (13), which vary in depth from the first main side (8) towards the second main side (9). In the preferred embodiment the central element (7) also includes a second number of channels (14), with a second intermediate number of tabs (15), which vary in depth from the second main side (9) towards the first main side ( 8). (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Sheet-shaped structural elements for buildings

field of invention

The present invention relates to a sheet-shaped structural element for buildings according to the claims.

Background of the invention

Today, the need for houses built from sustainable materials, such as wood, is increasingly evident. The construction of wooden houses is not something new. The construction of wooden houses, that is, the construction of log houses, has been known for a long time. There are several problems with wooden buildings and also with the construction of wooden buildings. One problem is that the wooden walls (logs) change shape as the logs dry. For example, it is not uncommon for a wooden wall (log frame) to shrink between eight and ten percent when drying. Shrinkage can lead to damage in the form of cracks and the like occurring on interior walls and the like. Additionally, there are significant problems with logs in a log structure that twists (warps) when drying. This twisting (warping) easily leads to the formation of thermal bridges in the walls. There is a need for a structural element that is similar to a log, but shrinks substantially less than existing logs do.

A further problem with existing wall designs, such as, for example, cross-beam walls, is that they have a limited sound dampening effect. Therefore, there is a need for a structural element that has an improved sound dampening effect. Yet another problem with existing building wall designs is that they do not include the ability to control the amount of heat in the wall. This is especially significant in warmer climates. Therefore, it is expensive to cool buildings.

An additional problem with existing buildings, especially in warmer climates, is that they need to be cooled by AC to be comfortable to live in. A further problem with existing building structures is that it is difficult to monitor whether there is a risk of moisture damage to walls, floors, ceilings and the like. Typically, moisture damage will not be recognized until significant damage has already occurred to the building. Moisture damage causes other consequential damage to the building, such as mold and the like. Therefore, there is also a need to create a monitoring system that, in the early phases of water leaks, or essentially immediately, detects whether a water leak or the like exists in a building structure (structural elements). Furthermore, there is also a need for a device and method for early detection of the presence of mold in a structural element.

Yet another problem encountered in building materials consisting partially or completely of wood, such as, for example, boards, planks, beams and the like, is the fact that their shape and thickness does not allow their complete impregnation against damage from, for example, fire, insects, rot, humidity, etc. The shape and thickness of most wood materials do not allow for complete saturation of the material. Only the outermost portion of the wood material receives adequate protection from an impregnating agent. The interior area of impregnated wood receives little or no impregnation, leaving the material unprotected. Unnecessary costs may arise from this lack of impregnation. Particularly problematic is the limited protection provided by current fire retardant impregnation on existing wood elements. This is also a clear need for a design that can reduce or alleviate problems of inadequate impregnation.

State of the art

A variant of a trunk-type structural element, which includes an insulating core, is already known from international patent application WO9530807. This log-type structural element includes an insulating core consisting of an insulating material. The insulating material is provided on one side with at least one layer of material and its opposite second side (from the first side) is provided with at least a second layer of material. This design serves its intended purposes, but has the defect that its insulating core is made from petroleum-based starting materials, i.e. made from non-renewable resources. Furthermore, the insulating core does not include elongated channels according to the present design and this is why the design cannot be used in a manner similar to the present design. Patent document DE-A-19833474 discloses a sheet-shaped structural element according to the preamble of claim 1.

Brief description of the concept of the invention

The main purpose of the design according to the present invention is to create a substantially improved structural element for buildings. Another purpose of the present invention is to create a structural element that has a significantly improved sound dampening capacity. Another purpose of the present invention is to create a construction element in the form of a sheet (panel, board) that can be used in floors. Yet another purpose of the present invention is to create a design that allows the complete and total impregnation of all the wood material in the present insulating core.

Detailed description of the invention

The invention will be described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings which for exemplary purposes show the present preferred embodiments of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a structural element.

Figure 2 shows an insulating core element.

Figure 3 shows a first embodiment of the insulating core element.

Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the insulating core element.

Figures 5A-5C show structural elements.

Figures 6A-6B show a sheet-shaped structural element according to the invention.

With reference to the figures, a structural element 1 according to the present invention is shown. The structural element1 includes at least one insulating core (route)2. The insulating course (core)2 is on an (exterior) face3 provided with at least a first layer of material4. The insulating core2 is on the opposite (interior) face5 provided with at least a second layer of material6. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the structural element 1 comprises more than one layer of material on each respective side of the core. The joining of the material layer 4 and the core 2 and also the material layer 6 and the core 2 is preferably carried out by gluing or another joining method suitable for this purpose.

What is unique with the present structural element1 is that its insulating core2 includes at least one elongated core element7 and preferably several core elements7. The core element 7 preferably comprises wood (wood material), or a material that mainly includes wood. In alternative embodiments, it is conceivable that the core element7 is made of another material suitable for this purpose, such as, for example, a composite material. Preferably, the core element 7 has an essentially quadrangular cross section, such as, for example, a rectangular or square cross section. The core element7 includes a first main side8 and a second main side9. Furthermore, the core element includes a third side 10 with an opposite fourth side 11. The core element preferably has an elongated shape. Furthermore, the core element 7 includes at least one elongated channel (groove) 12 that extends along part or all of the length of the elongate core element 7.

According to the invention, the core element includes a first number of channels 12 on the first main side 8 of the core element with a first set of flanges 13 between the channels 12. Eyelashes 13 have at least one thickness. The channels 12 have a length extending in depth from the first main side 8 of the core element (piece of wood) towards its second main side 9 and have a depth that preferably amounts to more than half the distance between the first main side 8 and the second main side 9 and bottom to the distance between the first main side8 and the second main side9.

According to the invention, the first main side 8 of the core element 7 includes a first set of channels 12 with intermediate flanges 13. Eyelashes 13 have at least one thickness. The channels 12 have a length extending in depth from the first main side 8 of the core element 7 towards its second main side 9 that preferably amounts to less than half the distance between the first main side 8 and the second main side 9.

The second main side9 includes a second number of channels14 with a second set of tabs15. Eyelashes 15 have at least one thickness. The channels 14 have a length in extension in depth from the second main side 9 of the core element 7 towards the first main side 8 of the piece of wood. The depth of the second number of channels 14 is preferably only up to the depth of the first mentioned number of channels 12.

Another conceivable variant of the core element 7 is shown in Figure 4, which has a third side 10 provided with at least one longitudinal channel 16. It is also conceivable that the fourth side11 is provided with at least one longitudinal channel17.

The number of channels 12, 13, 16 and 17, as well as the dimensions of the core element 7, can vary considerably within the scope of the present invention. The respective width of the channels and flanges, as well as their thickness, are sized according to the requirements imposed on a structural load-bearing capacity and other parameters.

Preferably, the core 2 is made up of several core elements 7 that are joined tab to tab (as shown in the figures). By joining tab to tab, longitudinal channels are formed in the structural element. Flange-to-flange joining is carried out by gluing or another suitable joining method for this purpose. An example of an embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 5, where it includes at least a first insulating core2 and at least a second insulating core18. The first insulating core2 and the second insulating core18 are preferably separated by at least one layer of material19. The first insulating core2 and the second insulating core18 include in the exemplified embodiment a first core element7, a second core element20, a third core element21, a fourth core element22, a fifth core element23, and a sixth core element24. The design may include several core elements other than those shown in the figures.

The figures even exemplify a second layer of external material25 and a second layer of internal material. Additional layers may be found in alternative embodiments.

The structural element 1 may be elongated like a log, which is an example that is not covered by the scope of the claims.

Figures 5A - 5C exemplify the use of structural element1. The figures show how a first longitudinal structural element can be connected to form a link (corner)26 together with a second structural element. To allow the connection of several structural elements, at their ends, or in the proximity of their ends, at least one notch (incoming)27 is provided with which a connecting link is created between at least a first structural element and a second structural element. In the exemplary embodiment, at the first end, or in the vicinity of the end of the elongated structural member, a first notch27, a second notch28, a third notch29, and a fourth notch30 are provided. At the second end, or in the vicinity of the end, a first notch27, a second notch28, a third notch29, and a fourth notch30 are provided in the elongated structural member. With this design a link26 can be created between at least a first elongated structural element and a second elongated structural element and as such included in a first wall and a second wall. What is unique with the present link is that it is not built in height (i.e. in the vertical direction).

The structural elements may even be provided with at least one protruding segment (not shown in the figures) which may be used, for example, in linking or connecting several structural elements on top of each other in the vertical direction. In alternative embodiments, the number of notches may be more or less numerous and otherwise suitable for the purpose.

To facilitate the connection of a first structural element with at least one second structural element, the first layer of material 4 and the second layer of material 6 are offset relative to the core2. When used as a log, the displacement is in the vertical direction and with respect to the sheet material (e.g. floor frame), the displacement is in the horizontal direction.

The core elements will dry substantially faster than the existing logs dry due to the channels in the core elements as well as the intermediate flanges in the core elements. The core element will preferably be dried before the core (comprising several core elements) is assembled (glued together). Thanks to each respective core element being dried prior to assembly, the core will have essentially completed shrinkage before being assembled. Therefore, when the structural element is used as a log, the problems caused by shrinkage in ordinary logs will essentially be eliminated.

In Figure 6A and Figure 6B, a structural element according to the invention is shown that can be used, for example, in a floor frame. The size and thickness of the sheet-shaped structural element can vary greatly within the scope of the present patent application. For example, the present structural element may be sheet-shaped (panel-shaped). When the structural element is used in a floor frame, it is intended to be positioned so that the core2 on its upper face is provided with at least a first layer of material 4 and on its lower face it is provided with at least a second layer of material6. The channels 12 and 14 are preferably arranged in a transverse direction in relation to the material layer 4 and the material layer 6. Figure 6B shows a structural element that may include at least a second core18 with at least a second layer of intermediate material.

What is unique with the present invention is that the structural element includes elongated channels. The elongated channels have produced the previously established technical effect that air flow through the channels can occur. For example, at least one fan can induce a current of air to circulate through the channels. This design allows the channels to be used for both cooling and heating the wall.

Relatively colder outside air can be used, for example, at night to cool the wall, which can be carried out by relatively colder outside air being transported within the elongated channels (channel 12 and channel 14) of the walls ( structural elements). The channels are intended to connect to each other in various structural elements. You can reduce the temperature of a wall at night using this method. This reduction in a wall's temperature at night can be used to cool a room during parts of the day. It is furthermore conceivable that the opposite effect can be achieved, that is, that the wall can be heated during the day, so that it can radiate heat at night. This becomes possible since the structural element includes elongated channels through which a stream of relatively colder air or relatively warmer air can circulate. This flow is created by at least one fan that emits a flow of air channeled into channel 12 and channel 14. The air emitted by the fan can be supplied from outside air. The emitted air can even be temperature conditioned with an AC system or similar temperature conditioning device. Furthermore, a dehumidifier can be connected, according to prior known technology, to dehumidify the air that is entered into channel 12 and channel 14.

In alternative embodiments, it is conceivable that the channels could be used to monitor humidity levels in a wall, floor frame or the like. Moisture can, for example, arise from leaks in water pipes or similar. Monitoring can be carried out by an air stream circulating through the channels, which is created, for example, by at least one fan. At least one sensor is placed along the length of the channels that is suitable for this purpose. The sensor preferably consists of a humidity sensor that detects the humidity level and changes in the humidity level in the air flow. Detection of changes in humidity levels in the air entering through the channels can be carried out by the use of at least two sensors. The humidity level of the air entering the structural element is measured and then compared to the humidity level in the air entering from channels 12 and 14 in the structural element. If the humidity level rises above a predetermined level, the alarm is activated. The sensors can transmit information wirelessly or wired to a monitoring system for humidity, mold or similar. This monitoring system is based on prior known technology or future technology that will be available to a person skilled in the art, and this is why the monitoring system is not described in more detail in the present patent application. If channels 12 and 14 are connected between several structural elements (enclosed elongated channels running from structural element to at least one other structural element and preferably to several structural elements), the detection of humidity, the presence of mold and the like can be carried out by one or two sensors for various structural elements. This also applies in combination with the aforementioned cooling and heating of the introduced air.

An unexpected technical effect has arisen during the impregnation of the insulating core2. It has been shown that the present design allows complete saturation and thus total impregnation (100%) of all the wood material of the present insulating core2. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention can be impregnated by different types of impregnating agents that, for example, retard fire, protect against rot, mold and/or insect damage or the like. Complete and total impregnation of all wood material in the insulating core2 is made possible by the unique design of the present invention. Complete and total impregnation (100%) of all wood material in the insulating core2 is achieved with currently known impregnation techniques and this is why the impregnation procedure is not discussed further in the present patent application.

Although certain preferred embodiments have been described in detail, variations and modifications within the scope of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art and all of those are considered to be within the scope of the following claims. It is conceivable that the present invention is a method for the use of the present structural element. It is also conceivable that at least one of the third sides and the fourth sides are provided with at least one layer of material.

Advantages of the invention

The present invention has several advantages. The most obvious is that structural elements are obtained, which resemble a log, but shrink less than existing logs. Another advantage of the present invention is that a structural element is obtained that substantially eliminates thermal bridges. Yet a further advantage of the present invention is that a sound-damping structural element is obtained. Yet another additional advantage of the present invention is that it allows economical cooling and heating of the walls. The unexpected technical effect of complete and total impregnation (100%) of the present invention, thanks to its unique design, is of great advantage in minimizing and even eliminating the risks of and damage to building structures from fire, insects, mold , rot and other similar negative effects.

Claims (10)

1. A sheet-shaped structural element (1) intended for use in a wall or a floor of a building that includes at least one insulating core (2), each of said at least one insulating core (2) at the same time least two core elements (7), each core element (7) having a first main side (8) and an opposite second main side (9), including each core element a first number of channels (12), with a first number of intermediate flanges (13), which vary in depth from said first main side (8) towards said second main side (9), and a second number of channels (14), with a second number of intermediate flanges (15), which vary in depth from said second main side (9) towards said first main side (8), where the depth of the first set of channels (12) amounts to less than half the distance between the first main side (8) and the second main side (9) and the depth of the second set of channels (14) amounts to less of half the distance between the second main side (9) and the first main side (8), characterized in that said structural element in the form of a sheet is provided with at least a first layer of material (4) on its main face (3) and at least a second layer of material (6) on its opposite main face (5), and because said core elements (7) are arranged so that the intermediate flanges are oriented transversely with respect to said at least a first layer of material (4) and said at least a second layer of material (6). 2. The sheet-shaped structural element (1) according to claim 1, wherein adjacent core elements are joined tab to tab. 3. The sheet-shaped structural element (1) according to claim 1, further comprising at least a second core (18) and at least one intermediate layer of material (19) arranged to separate adjacent cores. 4. The sheet-shaped structural element (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein a third side (10) of said additional core elements includes at least one channel (16). 5. The sheet-shaped structural element (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein a fourth side (11) of said core elements (7) includes at least one channel (17). 6. The sheet-shaped structural element (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said core element (7) is made of wood or wood material. 7. The sheet-shaped structural element (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the structural element includes at least one humidity detecting sensor. 8. The sheet-shaped structural element (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one insulating core (2) is impregnated, up to a degree of impregnation of 100 percent, with impregnation agents that retard fire, protect against rot, mold, insect damage and the like. 9. The sheet-shaped structural element (1) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that at least one core element (7) in the insulating core (2) is impregnated, up to a degree of impregnation of 100 percent, with impregnating agents that retard fire, protect against rot, mold, insect damage and the like. 10. A floor frame comprising several sheet-shaped structural elements according to any preceding claim joined together and, wherein the core of each structural element is provided with a first layer of material (4) on its upper face, and a second layer of material (6) on its lower face, and where the depth of the channels extends in a transverse direction in relation to the first and second layers of material.