Elastic Foam Decoupling Sheet Absorbs Floor Variations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decoupling sheets with non-woven textile cores fail to maintain the integrity of the attachment between the floor and floor covering over time, leading to separation and potential breakage due to floor variations, as the core material breaks, causing cracks in the finish.
Innovation Solution
A decoupling sheet with a multi-layer structure featuring a central core made of elastic foam material, such as latex, rubber, or elastic polymer, which absorbs floor movements through expansion or contraction, maintaining attachment integrity by using an open or closed cell structure to absorb stresses without detaching from the floor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-woven textile core is used in the decoupling sheet, then the sheet can absorb floor variations and prevent cracks in the floor covering, but the core material breaks over time causing the floor covering to separate from the floor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from non-woven textile to elastic foam material, which has different mechanical properties including higher durability and resistance to breaking under repeated deformation cycles, thereby extending the service life while maintaining the decoupling function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses elastic foam material that combines flexibility to absorb floor variations with sufficient strength to maintain attachment integrity over time, creating a composite solution that resolves the contradiction between softness for absorption and strength for durability
2Stability of the object's composition
If the floor covering is securely attached to the floor, then the structure remains stable, but floor variations cause cracks to appear in the floor covering finish
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a decoupling sheet as an intermediary element between the floor and floor covering, which absorbs floor variations through its elastic foam core, preventing these variations from being transmitted to the floor covering and causing cracks, while still maintaining secure attachment
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 elastic foam core effectively decouples floor movements from the floor covering, preventing cracks and maintaining attachment, providing a flexible yet firm support that absorbs stresses without detaching, ensuring the floor covering remains securely attached.
Implementation Method 1
said central core is made of an elastic foam material... the elastic foam material that makes up the central core absorbs said variations recognised as floor movements
Implementation Method 2
absorbs by deformation the aforementioned variations suffered by the floor
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a decoupling sheet that can be disposed between a floor covering and the floor and comprises a multi-layer structure that includes a central core and respective outer layers attached to larger surfaces of the central core, the central core being made of elastic foam material.