Acetylated MDF Floor Panel with Radiation-Cured Acrylate Film

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing outdoor floor panels, such as laminate and direct print panels, lack the necessary weather resistance and durability for outdoor use, as they are not suitable for exposure to moisture and UV radiation, leading to fading and unsightly decor.

Innovation Solution

A floor panel design featuring a carrier board made of acetylated MDF or HDF, fiber cement, or PVC, with a radiation-cured acrylate film as the decorative or protective layer, and a primer layer for enhanced adhesion and durability, using polymerizable printing inks for improved adhesion and UV resistance, and a water-impermeable layer on the back to prevent water penetration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If laminate panels with MDF or HDF carrier board are used for interior use, then they are inexpensive and easy to lay, but they are not moisture-resistant and will swell when used outdoors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidmoisture resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a radiation-cured acrylate film coating to the carrier board, fundamentally changing the surface properties to achieve moisture resistance while preserving the ease of installation of laminate panels. The curing process transforms the material parameters to enable outdoor use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite structure combining the carrier board (MDF/HDF) with a radiation-cured acrylate film layer. This composite material system integrates the manufacturing advantages of laminate panels with the weather resistance properties of cured polymer coatings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If decor papers are used on laminate panels, then decorative flexibility is achieved, but the printing colors fade over time due to insufficient UV resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecorative flexibilityVSAvoidUV resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses polymerizable printing inks containing acrylate that can be radiation-cured, changing the chemical properties of the decorative layer to achieve UV resistance. This allows the decor to maintain its flexibility while gaining durability against fading.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite decorative system where polymerizable inks are integrated with the acrylate film coating. This combination provides both decorative flexibility and long-term UV resistance, solving the fading problem while maintaining design versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If acrylate or melamine resin surfaces are applied to laminate panels, then protective properties are improved, but they do not meet high demands of outdoor weathering without special modifications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotective propertiesVSAvoidoutdoor weathering resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms ordinary acrylate or melamine resin surfaces into weather-resistant coatings by applying radiation curing. This parameter change (from uncured to cured state) fundamentally improves outdoor weathering resistance while maintaining protective properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces traditional thermal curing or natural drying processes with radiation curing (UV or electron beam). This substitution enables rapid curing and achieves superior weather resistance without requiring special modifications to the resin system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If tropical woods are used for outdoor floorboards, then good weather-resistant properties are achieved, but they are relatively expensive and environmentally unfriendly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweather resistanceVSAvoidcost and environmental impact
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates artificial wood floor panels that copy the weather-resistant properties of tropical woods through radiation-cured acrylate film coatings. This copying approach achieves similar durability without the high cost and environmental concerns associated with tropical timber harvesting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses inexpensive carrier boards (MDF/HDF) that would normally have limited outdoor lifespan, but extends their service life through the radiation-cured protective film. This makes economical materials viable for outdoor use, replacing expensive tropical woods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 weather-resistant and durable outdoor floor panels with improved adhesion and UV resistance, allowing for flexible decorative options while maintaining the ease of installation of laminate panels, suitable for outdoor use on balconies and terraces.

Implementation Method 1

the decorative or protective layer is a radiation-cured film containing acrylate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerisation: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

using polymerizable printing inks for improved adhesion and UV resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerisation: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP2921296B1Floor panel for outdoors
Publication Date: 2020.08.19 XYLO TECH AG
  • EP2921296B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2921296B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to outdoor floor panels, the front of which is provided with a decorative or protective layer and which have tongue-and-groove coupling elements on their sides. The material of the carrier board is MDF or HDF board made of acetylated wood, a fiber cement board, or is based on polyvinyl chloride, and the decorative or protective layer consists of a radiation-cured acrylate-containing film or a polymer layer with a hardness gradient, wherein the hardness of the polymer layer decreases essentially continuously with increasing depth from the surface of the polymer layer.