Bending Lignocellulosic Floor Elements for Impact Noise Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current insulation materials for impact noise in floating floors are not environmentally sustainable and require large quantities, while existing solutions fail to achieve optimal sound insulation due to inadequate dynamic stiffness and mass, leading to insufficient impact noise reduction.

Innovation Solution

The use of lignocellulosic strips, preferably wooden, with geometric configurations that allow bending or curving under pressure, integrated with spacers and movement limiters, to form an elastic response mechanism for impact noise insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional insulation materials like expanded polystyrene or mineral wool are used, then impact noise insulation is achieved, but environmental sustainability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact noise insulationVSAvoidenvironmental sustainability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from synthetic insulation materials to compressed newspaper material, transforming waste paper into an effective acoustic insulation medium that maintains performance while improving environmental sustainability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention recovers discarded newspaper material that would otherwise be waste, giving it a new functional life as acoustic insulation in floating floors, thereby addressing both insulation requirements and environmental sustainability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Object-affected harmful factors

If large quantities of insulation material are used, then impact noise insulation is improved, but material usage and environmental burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact noise insulationVSAvoidmaterial usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the density and compression parameters of the newspaper material, achieving effective insulation with a compacted form that requires less volume while maintaining or improving acoustic performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite structure where compressed newspaper material works in conjunction with the floating floor layers above and the structural floor below, optimizing the overall insulation system efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If elastic insulation elements with low dynamic stiffness are used, then resonant frequency is reduced for better sound insulation, but load-bearing capacity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresonant frequencyVSAvoidload-bearing capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the compression parameter of the newspaper material to achieve an optimal balance between dynamic stiffness and load-bearing capacity, ensuring both acoustic performance and structural integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The compressed newspaper material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides acoustic insulation, supports vertical loads from the floating floor layers, and maintains the required elastic properties for reducing resonant frequency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effective impact noise insulation comparable to mineral wool, while being environmentally friendly and reducing material usage, achieving resonant frequencies suitable for improved sound protection.

Implementation Method 1

The strips are made of a lignocellulosic material and are adapted for shape change upon pressure on the floor element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4621158A1A floor element for protection against impact noise
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 UNIVERZA NA PRIMORSKEM
  • EP4621158A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4621158A1 patent drawingFigure 4~7a
  • EP4621158A1 patent drawingFigure 7b~8b

AI summary

The invention belongs to the field of building elements intended for installation in floors/floorings/horizontal floor constructions as an insulating layer designed to limit the transmission of impact sound from the walking layer to the rest of the building. The floor element for impact noise protection according to the invention comprises an insulating layer, which has at least one strip made of lignocellulosic material. Strips are arranged in a geometric configuration that achieves an elastic response through bending when the floor element is loaded; specifically, the strips are curved or bent convexly or concavely, wherein pressure on the floor element causes their local straightening or reduced curvature, or the strips are straight, but pressure on the floor element initiates their bending.