Adjustable Floor Slab Support System for Flatness and Fire Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing installation methods for raised floors require high mechanical resistance slabs, which are thicker and more costly than those used on uniformly distributed supports. Additionally, the use of metallic studs poses fire safety risks due to their lower temperature resistance and potential for gaseous emissions.

Innovation Solution

The use of carrier-type load-bearing elements made of materials that require time to set, such as concrete, which support the slab not only at its angles but also along its edges and central regions. Temporary support organs with adjustable stems and solidarization means are used to maintain the slab in position until the load-bearing elements can support the slab alone.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If slabs are supported only at corners by adjustable pads, then height adjustment and flatness are improved, but mechanical resistance requirements and slab thickness increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflatnessVSAvoidmechanical resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support system is segmented into multiple discrete adjustable pads positioned at corners and intermediate locations, allowing independent height adjustment at each support point to achieve flatness while distributing loads to reduce slab thickness requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Adjustable pads are pre-positioned and pre-adjusted to the correct heights before slab installation, ensuring that the slab is supported at the correct elevation from the start, which maintains flatness while allowing the use of thinner slabs with adequate but not excessive mechanical resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If metallic support pads are used, then ease of adjustment and installation are improved, but fire resistance and temperature stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of adjustmentVSAvoidfire resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The material parameter of the support pads is changed from metallic to non-metallic (such as high-strength polymer or composite materials) that maintain adequate mechanical properties and adjustability while providing superior fire resistance and temperature stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Support pads are made from composite materials that combine the adjustability and mechanical strength of traditional metallic pads with the fire resistance and temperature stability of non-metallic materials, achieving a balance of all required properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If concrete load-bearing elements are used instead of metallic pads, then fire resistance is improved, but installation time and complexity increase due to setting requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire resistanceVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Concrete load-bearing elements are pre-cast or pre-prepared in controlled conditions before installation, allowing them to achieve initial set strength beforehand, which reduces the waiting time during actual installation while maintaining fire resistance benefits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A temporary support system or shoring mechanism is used as an intermediary during installation to hold slabs in position while concrete elements are being installed and are gaining strength, enabling faster installation without compromising the fire-resistant concrete support structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3492667B1System for installing a floor element such as a slab and methods of installing a floor element using said system
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 WROBLESKI SERGE
  • EP3492667B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3492667B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3492667B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a system (1) for assisting in the installation of a floor element (D) onto at least one load-bearing element (P). The system (1) comprises several temporary support members (2), each comprising a rod (20) extending through a hole (3) in the thickness direction of the floor element (D) and equipped with a first temporary fastening means, and a second temporary fastening means (5) located in the through hole (3) and adapted to cooperate with the first means so as to temporarily secure it to the floor element (D). The end (22) of said rod (20) is thus adapted to bear against the ground so that said temporary support member (2) takes up the forces exerted by the floor element (D). The invention also relates to methods for installing a floor element (D) using this system (1).