Elastic Coupling Element for Floor Tile Fixation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor systems for substrates, such as parking roofs or tiled floors, face issues like vertical movement leading to noise, varying tile thickness causing unevenness, and structural weaknesses under heavy loads, which result in tile breakage and rattling sounds.
Innovation Solution
A coupling element with a variable dimension in the plane direction, featuring an elastic design with a recess having a curved wall that increases force transversely as load increases, providing both horizontal and vertical fixation while allowing some vertical movement to prevent breakage, and adjustable elements to compensate for tile thickness variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If tiles are rigidly fixed to prevent vertical movement, then rattling sound is prevented, but tiles may break under heavy load due to lack of movement freedom
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element changes its physical state from rigid to elastic under load. The elastic material allows the coupling element to deform and absorb stress, enabling tiles to move slightly without breaking while still preventing rattling sounds through the elastic damping effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines rigid tiles with an elastic coupling element made of elastomer or rubber material. This composite approach allows the rigid tiles to maintain structural integrity while the elastic coupling element provides movement freedom and noise damping simultaneously.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual levelling with roofing felt is used to compensate for tile thickness variations, then even tile placement is achieved, but the process becomes expensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically compensates for tile thickness variations through the elastic coupling element's ability to deform. The coupling element self-adjusts to accommodate different tile heights without requiring manual intervention, eliminating the need for time-consuming levelling processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic coupling element changes its dimensional parameters under load to accommodate variations in tile thickness. This dynamic adjustment provides automatic levelling without manual intervention, reducing both time and cost.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid fixation system is used to enclose tiles in their specific position, then relative movement is prevented, but the system becomes unsuitable for relatively heavy loading
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation system transitions from rigid to dynamic. The elastic coupling element allows controlled movement and deformation under heavy load while maintaining tile position stability during normal operation. This dynamic behavior enables the system to handle heavy loads without compromising stability.
4Strength
If the coupling element is made elastic to allow vertical movement, then tile breakage is prevented, but the tiles may still rattle or make hollow sound
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element's elasticity parameters are specifically selected to provide both movement freedom and damping. The material properties are tuned to allow sufficient vertical movement to prevent breakage while the elastic damping characteristics suppress rattling sounds.
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 effectively prevents rattling sounds, ensures even tile placement, and enhances structural robustness by providing a gradually increasing vertical force under load, allowing tiles to return to their initial position after the load is removed, while being cost-effective and suitable for heavy loads.
Implementation Method 1
the coupling element is at least partially elastic, wherein the engaging surface comprises a recess with a curved wall having at least an axis of curvature in the plane of the tiles for producing, in co-action with the coupling element, a force transversely of the plane of the tiles which gradually increases as load increases
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~6
Figure 7
AI summary
The present invention provides an assembly and a method for forming a floor on a substrate, comprising a number of tiles arranged in a plane and having a top side, a bottom side and side surfaces. A coupling element is arranged between adjacent tiles and has a dimension which is variable in the direction of the plane. The coupling element is adapted to engage on an engaging surface coupled to the side surface of a tile. The engaging surface comprises a recess with a gradually sloping wall for producing, in co-action with the coupling element, a force transversely of the plane of the tiles which gradually increases as load increases. The corners of the tiles are optionally provided with an adjusting element which is provided with an upright strip which connects to the respective corner of the tile and in which the recess is arranged.