Bidirectional-heating prefabricated continuous composite flooring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current prefabricated flooring systems for outdoor and industrial environments lack mechanical strength, durability, and thermal conductivity, and existing heating solutions are either rigid, non-removable, or unsuitable for public use due to safety concerns and low voltage issues, failing to provide effective heating and safety in harsh weather conditions.

Innovation Solution

A bidirectional-heating prefabricated continuous composite flooring with a flexible, conductive base substrate and a laminar semi-conductive heating element operating at very low voltage (12-48 Volts), integrated within a sandwich structure for enhanced thermal comfort and safety, featuring high mechanical strength, flexibility, and ease of installation and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If low-strength materials like polystyrene and cork are used for thermal insulation, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulationVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials combining rigid foam insulation boards with high-strength cement conglomerate layers. The cement conglomerate provides mechanical strength while the foam core provides thermal insulation, resolving the contradiction between insulation performance and mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different layers of the flooring system have different material properties optimized for their specific functions: the cement conglomerate layers provide strength and durability where needed, while the foam core provides insulation where thermal protection is required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If high-strength modular systems are used, then mechanical strength is improved, but rigidity and fragility increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidrigidity and fragility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates flexible elements in the flooring system design, allowing the high-strength structure to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction without becoming overly rigid and fragile. The flexible components enable the system to adapt to environmental changes while maintaining strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Productivity

If prefabricated pipe-holder slabs are used, then installation speed is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The prefabricated slabs use composite construction with cement conglomerate providing high mechanical strength and foam insulation providing thermal protection. This composite approach allows rapid installation while achieving the mechanical strength required for industrial and outdoor applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Strength

If cement conglomerates and resinous conglomerates are used, then mechanical strength is improved, but thermal conductivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidthermal conductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The flooring system combines cement conglomerate layers with foam insulation cores. The cement conglomerate provides mechanical strength and durability, while the foam core provides thermal insulation, resolving the contradiction between strength and thermal conductivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses different materials in different layers: cement conglomerate where mechanical strength is needed and foam insulation where thermal protection is required, optimizing both properties simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

5Temperature

If heating systems are installed permanently, then heating effectiveness is improved, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating effectivenessVSAvoidremovability and adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed. The prefabricated nature of the flooring allows it to be installed and removed as needed, providing heating effectiveness when required while maintaining adaptability for different uses and locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 a safe, comfortable, and durable heating solution for outdoor and industrial environments, reducing the risk of accidents and improving user safety and thermal comfort, while being easily installable and removable, with reduced maintenance costs and aesthetic appeal.

Implementation Method 1

thermo-heating means, indicated as a whole with 3, arranged above the base substrate 2; a covering and protection layer 4, made of a conductive material, arranged above the thermo-heating means 3

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a flexible and/or elastically yielding base substrate 2, made of a conductive material... a covering and protection layer 4, made of a conductive material... having significant thermal-conductive capacity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3510201B1Bidirectional-heating prefabricated continuous composite flooring
Publication Date: 2022.07.06 ROSSO24 SRL
  • EP3510201B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3510201B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A bidirectional-heating prefabricated continuous composite paving (1; 100; 150), preferably deicing, which includes a layered artifact in turn composed of a flexible and/or elastically yielding base substrate (2), made of an at least partly conductive material and suitable to be placed on a reference surface, thermo-heating means (3), arranged above the base substrate (2) and a covering and protection layer (4; 103; 153), made of an at least partly conductive material, arranged above the thermo- heating means (3) in such a way as to form an overall sandwich structure and provided with an outer facing upwardly surface (4a) which provides for a heating and deicing walkable, bicycle and/or carriageable decking.