Elastic Micro-Network Coating for Microporous Floor Hygiene
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Porous floor materials face complex maintenance and hygiene challenges due to their porosity, leading to high operational costs and unsatisfactory performance in meeting requirements such as slip resistance, chemical resistance, and durability, especially in high-traffic areas like hospitals and old people's homes.
Innovation Solution
A water-dilutable 2-component epoxy system consisting of a primer and a polymer dispersion with an emulsifiable isocyanate resin is applied in chronological order to create a permanently elastic, stable micro-network on microporous floors, providing a durable and hygienic protective film.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If porous floor materials are used, then aesthetic appeal and comfort are improved, but maintenance complexity and hygiene performance deteriorate due to rapid liquid penetration and absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible protective film system consisting of multiple coating layers that seal the porous floor surface. This thin film barrier prevents liquid penetration while maintaining the aesthetic appearance and tactile comfort of the porous material, thereby improving hygiene performance without sacrificing ease of maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite protective system combining multiple coating components (primer, base coating, top coating) with different functional properties. The primer penetrates and stabilizes the porous substrate, the base coating provides bulk protection, and the top coating delivers surface-level hygiene and chemical resistance, creating a composite solution that addresses both maintenance ease and hygiene reliability
2Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional polyurethanes and acrylates are applied for protection, then temporary protection is achieved, but durability and service life deteriorate requiring reapplication every six months
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a primer coating before the main protective coating to pre-stabilize and prepare the porous floor substrate. This preliminary action ensures optimal adhesion and penetration, creating a stable foundation that enhances the durability and long-term reliability of the subsequent protective layers, extending service life beyond conventional coatings
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a multi-layer composite coating system where each layer serves a specific function: the primer provides deep penetration and stabilization, the base coating delivers bulk protective properties, and the top coating provides enhanced surface durability and chemical resistance. This composite approach achieves superior long-term protective performance and extended service life compared to single-coat conventional systems
3Reliability
If multiple coats of conventional coatings are applied, then coverage is improved, but maintenance complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the protective system into functionally segmented layers: a primer layer for substrate stabilization, a base coating layer for bulk protection, and a top coating layer for surface performance. Each segment addresses specific requirements, allowing for optimized application procedures and simplified maintenance compared to applying multiple coats of a single conventional coating product
4Object-affected harmful factors
If porous floor materials are used in high-traffic areas, then aesthetic appeal is maintained, but stain resistance and chemical resistance deteriorate due to liquid absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible protective film system that seals the porous surface, creating a barrier that prevents stains and chemicals from penetrating into the floor material. The film maintains the aesthetic appearance and surface characteristics of the porous floor while providing excellent stain and chemical resistance in high-traffic areas
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enhances the surface properties of the porous floor material by applying protective coatings that provide localized protection where it is most needed - at the surface level where stains and chemicals contact the floor. The primer penetrates locally into the porous structure to stabilize it, while the top coating provides a protective barrier with enhanced stain and chemical resistance
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 system significantly reduces maintenance efforts, meets high hygiene standards, and extends the service life of floors by creating a hard-wearing, dirt-repellent, and easy-to-clean surface, with a 5-20 year service life and 50% reduction in life cycle costs compared to conventional protection systems.
Implementation Method 1
a water-based polymer dispersion with a pH between 6 and 9, crosslinked with an emulsifiable isocyanate resin
Implementation Method 2
crosslinked with an emulsifiable isocyanate resin
Implementation Method 3
A water-dilutable 2-component epoxy primer
Implementation Method 4
epoxy primer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
This system product is used for the protective treatment of microporous floors and flooring materials, such as parquet, all types of wood, linoleum, rubber, PVC, polyurethane, epoxy, natural stone, limestone, concrete, anhydrite, cementitious screed, and others. The system product is a water-based coating consisting of at least two base components, A and B: A is a water-based two-component epoxy primer, and B is an aqueous polymer dispersion with a pH value between 6 and 9, cross-linked with an emulsifiable isocyanate resin. The system product is applied by cleaning the floor using standard cleaning agents and techniques.The following steps then follow: a) Surface grinding of the soil or soil material to restore microporosity, b) Priming with component A, c) Stabilizing the soil or soil material by applying component B of the system product by rolling or brushing, thus forming a permanently elastic micro-network; d) Protective treatment of the soil or soil material by applying component B of the system product once or several times by rolling or brushing to create a permanently elastic thin film on the material surface.