Protective mat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective mats are either too heavy and unwieldy for universal use in industrial environments or lack the necessary heat and chemical resistance, making them unsuitable for diverse applications, including potentially explosive areas.
Innovation Solution
A protective mat comprising a first and second cover layer made of electrically conductive material, connected via electrically conductive elements, with a heat-resistant intermediate layer of woven or knitted glass and ceramic fibers, ensuring mechanical stability, heat resistance, and electrical conductivity to prevent electrostatic ignition in explosive atmospheres.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a refractory mat is used for heat resistance, then heat resistance is improved, but weight increases and the mat becomes heavy and unwieldy
Solution Approach 1:
The protective mat uses a composite structure with a heat-resistant base fabric (containing heat-resistant fibers) combined with a polymer coating layer. This composite material approach provides the necessary heat resistance while keeping the overall weight manageable, resolving the contradiction between heat resistance and weight.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a protective mat is designed for universal use in diverse industrial applications, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective mat is designed with multiple functional layers that provide simultaneous protection against heat, chemicals, and static electricity. The base fabric with heat-resistant fibers provides thermal protection, the polymer coating provides chemical resistance, and the conductive material provides static dissipation. This multi-functional design allows a single mat to serve multiple purposes in diverse industrial applications without requiring multiple specialized mats.
Solution Approach 2:
The mat combines different materials with complementary properties in a single integrated structure: heat-resistant fibers for thermal protection, polymer coating for chemical resistance, and conductive material for static dissipation. This composite approach achieves universality while managing complexity through integrated design rather than separate components.
3Reliability
If the cover layers are made electrically conductive to prevent electrostatic ignition, then safety in explosive atmospheres is improved, but the material selection becomes more restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical conductivity is implemented specifically in the cover layers where it is most needed for safety, while the intermediate heat-resistant layer maintains its thermal protection function. This localized application of conductive material allows the mat to meet safety requirements in explosive atmospheres while preserving material versatility in other functional layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective mat uses composite materials where the cover layers incorporate conductive materials (such as carbon-black-containing polymers or metal-coated fabrics) to provide electrical conductivity for static dissipation, while the intermediate layer uses heat-resistant fibers for thermal protection. This composite structure achieves both safety requirements and material versatility.
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 mat provides a versatile, lightweight, and easy-to-handle solution for various industrial applications, including welding and chemical exposure, while maintaining electrical conductivity to prevent static ignition and chemical resistance to acidic and alkaline splashes.
Implementation Method 1
an intermediate layer (2) made of a heat-resistant material arranged between the first cover layer (1) and the second cover layer (3)
Implementation Method 2
The first cover layer (1) and the second cover layer (3) are made from an electrically conductive material and are connected to one another via electrically conductive connecting elements (4)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a protective mat comprising a first top layer, a second top layer, and an intermediate layer made of a heat-resistant material arranged between the first and second top layers. The first and second top layers are made of an electrically conductive material and are connected to each other via electrically conductive connecting elements.