Alternating Material Block Floor Panel Core

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing parquet floor panels have limited cost reduction potential despite advancements in surface treatment and glue technology, with a need for improved control over core properties such as strength and weight.

Innovation Solution

A floor panel design featuring a core composed of alternating first and second material blocks, where the first blocks are oriented perpendicular to the core's principal direction and the second blocks are parallel, differing in material properties like density and tensile strength, allowing for improved control over core properties and cost reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional low-grade wood blocks are used for the core, then cost is reduced, but control over core properties such as strength and weight is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol over core propertiesVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The core is divided into alternating first material blocks and second material blocks that differ substantially in material properties. This local differentiation allows specific regions to provide different functions - some blocks contribute to strength while others contribute to weight reduction or cost reduction, enabling precise control over overall core properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The core uses a composite structure combining different material blocks (first material blocks and second material blocks) with substantially different material properties. This composite approach allows the core to achieve a balance between strength, weight, and cost that cannot be obtained with a single uniform material

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If higher strength materials are used for the core, then structural integrity is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecore strengthVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

First material blocks and second material blocks are arranged alternately, with at least one block type providing superior strength properties. This localized strength distribution ensures structural integrity where needed while using less expensive materials in other regions, reducing overall cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The core is segmented into multiple discrete material blocks rather than using a single continuous material. This segmentation allows strategic placement of high-strength blocks at critical locations while using lower-cost materials in non-critical areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2872711B1Floor panel
Publication Date: 2021.10.27 GUSTAF KAHR
  • EP2872711B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2872711B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2872711B1 patent drawingFigure 6a~6c

AI summary

The present document discloses a core for inclusion in a building panel 1". The core presents a pair of substantially parallel major surfaces, and comprises a plurality of first material blocks 10', extending between said major surfaces and arranged with their respective principal directions substantially parallel with said major surfaces and extend 90° ± 45° to a principal direction of the core; and a plurality of second material blocks 11', extending between said major surfaces and being arranged alternatingly with said first material blocks along the principal direction of the core. The first material blocks and said second material blocks differ substantially with respect to at least one material property.