Aligned-Fiber Solid-Wood Ceiling Structure for Load Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ceiling structures for buildings, particularly those in higher constructions, often rely on concrete or steel due to the rarity of wood-based structures that can support loads, despite the need for sustainable use of renewable resources like wood.

Innovation Solution

A wood-based ceiling structure comprising a middle layer and cover layers with aligned wood fiber directions, connected by intermediate layers, forming a sandwich configuration that enhances structural strength and stiffness without additional metal supports.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If concrete or steel is used for ceiling structures in higher buildings to ensure load-bearing capacity, then structural strength is improved, but sustainability and use of renewable resources deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidsustainability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite wood structure consisting of multiple layers (cover layers, intermediate layers, and a core layer) made from different wood materials and configurations. This composite approach enables the wooden ceiling structure to achieve concrete-level load-bearing capacity while maintaining sustainability. The cover layers provide compressive strength, the intermediate layers provide tensile strength, and the core layer provides structural stability, creating a composite material system that resolves the contradiction between strength and sustainability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If traditional wooden ceiling structures are used, then sustainability is improved, but structural strength and load-bearing capacity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesustainabilityVSAvoidload-bearing capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the ceiling structure into functionally distinct segments: cover layers for compressive load bearing, intermediate layers for tensile load bearing and connection, and a core layer for structural stability. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function, enabling the overall wooden structure to achieve concrete-level strength while maintaining sustainability through full wood construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If ceiling structure thickness is reduced for economical construction, then ease of manufacture and cost are improved, but structural strength and stiffness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction economyVSAvoidstructural stiffness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by giving different layers specific properties optimized for their functions: the cover layers have high compressive strength, the intermediate layers have high tensile strength and connection capability, and the core layer has high stability. This localized optimization of material properties within each layer enables the structure to achieve high strength-to-thickness ratio, maintaining structural stiffness while enabling thinner, more economical construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Strength

If multiple layers are added to enhance structural strength, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidlayer configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functional requirements into an integrated multi-layer wood structure where cover layers, intermediate layers, and core layer work together as a unified system. The layers are combined through material-to-material connection without requiring additional metal fasteners or complex joining mechanisms, thus achieving high load-bearing capacity while controlling manufacturing complexity through direct wood-to-wood bonding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4245940B1Ceiling structure and method for producing a ceiling structure
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 H R W VOLLHOLZWANDSYSTEM OBB GMBH
  • EP4245940B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4245940B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4245940B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a ceiling structure (10) for forming a ceiling, in particular a roof truss section, a room ceiling or a room floor of a building, the ceiling structure (10) comprising: - a middle layer (20) comprising solid wood; - a pair of cover layers (30), wherein the cover layers (30; 31; 32) of the pair of cover layers (30) comprise solid wood, and wherein the cover layers (30; 31; 32) of the pair of cover layers (30) are arranged in a sandwich-like manner around the middle layer (20); and - at least one pair of intermediate layers (40), wherein at least one intermediate layer (40; 41; 42) of the at least one pair of intermediate layers (40) is arranged between the middle layer (20) and a top layer (30; 31; 32) of the pair of top layers (30) and connects the middle layer (20) to the respective top layer (30; 31; 32) in a materially bonded manner; - wherein a wood fiber direction (FRm) of the middle layer (20) substantially corresponds to a wood fiber direction (FRd1; FRd2) of the top layers (30; 31;32) of the pair of cover layers (30) corresponds, such that the middle layer (20) and the cover layers (30; 31; 32) of the pair of cover layers (30) interact structurally in the same direction. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing such a cover structure (10).