Coated Planar Element for Optical Effects in Damp Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing planar elements are difficult to produce cost-effectively while achieving remarkable optical effects, and they often lack flexibility and durability for applications in damp or wet areas.
Innovation Solution
A planar element comprising a support substrate coated with a suitable material, such as acrylic, aluminum, or polyethylene, with a primer for adhesion, and a coating that can be applied via paint or film, allowing for design flexibility and durability, including back-lighting and printed images, to create visually appealing and durable surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If complex coating processes are used to achieve remarkable optical effects, then the visual quality is improved, but the production cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies various coatings including pigmented paints, metallic paints, pearlescent paints, and fluorescent paints to create different optical effects and visual appearances on the planar element surface, directly addressing the need for remarkable optical effects through color and light interaction changes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite coating structures including primer layers, intermediate coating layers with different optical properties, and top sealant layers. The support substrate itself may be composite materials like acrylic composite sheets or aluminum composite sheets, allowing achievement of optical effects through material composition rather than complex processes
2Reliability
If durable materials are selected for damp areas, then resistance to moisture and wear is improved, but the ease of manufacture and cost-effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects support substrates with appropriate thermal stability parameters (70-110°C) for damp area applications, and applies sealant coatings with specific protective properties to achieve moisture and wear resistance while maintaining cost-effectiveness through parameter optimization rather than using excessively expensive materials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite structures combining support substrates (acrylic, aluminum, polyethylene) with protective coatings and sealants to achieve durable moisture and wear resistance. The composite approach allows each layer to contribute specific protective properties while keeping individual material costs reasonable
3Strength
If thick support plates are used to ensure flexural strength, then the structural strength is improved, but the weight and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite support substrates such as acrylic composite sheets, aluminum composite sheets with plastic or mineral cores, and building panels with insulating cores. These composite structures achieve high flexural strength through material composition and layering while keeping individual layer thicknesses and overall weight reduced compared to solid plates of equivalent strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies coatings and sealants selectively to specific areas or surfaces of the support substrate where protection and optical effects are needed, rather than uniformly thickening the entire substrate. This allows achieving necessary strength and protective properties through localized enhancement rather than overall weight increase
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 enables easy, cost-effective production of planar elements that are durable, resistant to wear and moisture, and capable of producing impressive visual effects, suitable for use in damp areas like shower cubicles and swimming pools, with options for design and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
at least one coating (30) is applied on at least one area or side of the support substrate (10)... a primer (20) in order to ensure the adhesion of the applied material
Data Source
AI summary
A planar element as well as a method for producing such planar elements in such way that the planar element is easily and inexpensively to produce on the one hand and allows remarkable optical effects to be obtained on the other hand, it is proposed to apply at least one coating to at least one area or side of at least one support substrate, especially of at least one support plate.