Composite Panel Illuminated Wood Veneer Fragments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing composite panels for decorative cladding lack attractive optical light effects, and the use of expensive materials for the cover layer increases costs while providing limited design flexibility.

Innovation Solution

The composite panel features a cover layer made of broken wood veneer fragments glued to a carrier layer with translucent joints, filled with transparent epoxy resin, and integrated LED lighting strips, allowing for attractive optical effects and cost-effective production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If expensive materials are used for the cover layer, then the panel provides good decorative appearance, but the production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecorative appearanceVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses broken wood veneer fragments as the cover layer material, which is a cheap and readily available material compared to traditional expensive cover layers. The fragments are glued to the carrier layer to create the decorative surface, achieving good aesthetic appearance at low cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure combining wood veneer fragments with a transparent plate and epoxy resin filling. This composite approach allows the use of inexpensive wood veneer while achieving the desired decorative effect through the combination of materials, particularly the translucent joints filled with epoxy resin that create optical effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Illumination intensity

If a transparent cover layer is used to allow light penetration, then optical light effects are achieved, but the structural strength is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical light effectsVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure where a transparent plate (acrylic or glass) is combined with wood veneer fragments and epoxy resin. This composite construction maintains structural strength while allowing light penetration through the transparent components, enabling optical light effects to be achieved without compromising the panel's structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Illumination intensity

If wood veneer is broken into irregular fragments and glued at irregular distances, then translucent joints are formed for light effects, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetranslucent light effectsVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the wood veneer cover layer into irregular fragments rather than using complete sheets. These segments are glued at irregular distances to create translucent joints that allow light effects. The segmentation approach, while requiring some manual work, is relatively simple and allows for creative design flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This solution creates visually appealing light effects by using readily available and affordable wood veneer, combined with transparent epoxy resin and LED lighting, enhancing the panel's aesthetic value without increasing material costs.

Implementation Method 1

the joints remaining between the fragments forming translucent partial areas... the translucent partial areas are filled with transparent, optionally colored material, preferably with epoxy resin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission through transparent material: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

the base plate is provided with lighting means which are arranged in a row along one or more strip-shaped areas... the light from the illuminants passes through the millings to the cover layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3061889B1Composite panel which can be illuminated
Publication Date: 2018.01.31 ALFRED SEEHAFER GES M B H HOLZ UND KUNST VERARBEITUNG
  • EP3061889B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3061889B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3061889B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

1. A composite panel for the decorative cladding of visible surfaces of buildings, furniture, decorative objects, presentation equipment or the like, comprising a carrier layer (10) to be attached to the surface to be clad, which is connected to a cover layer (11) facing away from the surface and visible in the finished state of the cladding, is improved to create a particularly attractive decorative effect by the fact that the cover layer (11) has transparent, optionally colored sections (5) and the carrier layer (10) is provided with lighting (6) whose light passes through the transparent, optionally colored sections (5) of the cover layer (11), so that a luminous pattern is perceptible to the viewer.