Decorative Panel Digital Mechanical Texture Refraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decorative panels with embossed wood patterns fail to achieve an optimal imitation effect due to light refraction at the transparent layer, resulting in a glossy surface that obscures the print effect when viewed at small angles.
Innovation Solution
A decorative panel design incorporating a core with a digitally printed decorative layer and a mechanically created texture, combining digitally and mechanically applied embossing techniques to create a more realistic and detailed embossing structure, including bevels and grouts, with a transparent or translucent cover layer to enhance the appearance and protect the print.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a transparent layer is used to protect the decorative print layer, then the protective function is improved, but light refraction occurs at small viewing angles creating a glossy surface that obscures the print effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface qualities to different regions of the panel. The cover layer has a glossy region and a matte region, where the matte region specifically addresses the viewing angle problem by reducing light refraction effects, thereby improving print visibility while the glossy region maintains protective functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover layer is designed as a composite structure combining regions with different optical properties (glossy and matte). This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of protection (through the glossy region) and print visibility (through the matte region), resolving the contradiction between these two functions.
2Ease of manufacture
If only mechanical embossing is used to create texture, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the embossing detail and realism are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges digital printing technology with mechanical embossing processes. The digital print layer provides detailed decorative patterns and color information, while the mechanical embossing process creates physical texture. This combination achieves high embossing detail and realism while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through integrated production steps.
3Adaptability or versatility
If only digital printing is used to create decorative patterns, then design flexibility is high, but the three-dimensional embossing effect and depth perception are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines digital printing (providing design flexibility) with mechanical embossing (providing three-dimensional shape). The digital print layer delivers versatile decorative patterns, while the subsequent mechanical embossing process creates physical depth and texture, achieving both design flexibility and embossing depth through process integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional digital printing to three-dimensional embossed surfaces by adding a mechanical embossing step. This dimensional enhancement creates physical relief, depth perception, and tactile properties that complement the flat digital print, thereby achieving embossing depth while preserving design flexibility.
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 combination of digital and mechanical textures provides a more pronounced and realistic embossing effect, improving the visibility and depth perception of the decorative image, even at small angles, while the transparent cover layer protects the print and enhances the panel's durability.
Implementation Method 1
The decorative print layer is preferably realized by means of digital printing, being a method of printing from a digital-based (decorative) image directly to a media
Implementation Method 2
the upper side of the core and/or at least one layer of the decorative top structure comprises at least one mechanically created second texture
Implementation Method 3
if one looks at such floor panels at a relatively small angle, a light refraction at the transparent layer of synthetic matter is created, as a result of which only a glossy surface can be seen
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a decorative panel, in particular a floor panel, ceiling panel or wall panel. The invention also relates to a decorative panel covering, such as a decorative floor covering, decorative ceiling covering or decorative wall covering, including a plurality of panels according to the invention, wherein the panels are preferably interconnected.