Elastic Fabric Decorative Panel for Curved Surface Backlighting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing decorative panels are rigid, costly to ship, unsuitable for curved surfaces, lack effective diffuse backlighting, have inadequate fixing techniques, and are not easily cuttable or drillable, and are too thick and heavy for certain applications.

Innovation Solution

A decorative panel composed of a flexible transparent polycarbonate slab with a printable polyester film and a glass fiber mesh, using adhesive layers for attachment, allowing for flexibility, reduced shipping costs, effective backlighting, durable mounting, on-site cutting and drilling, and minimal thickness and weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional rigid materials are used for decorative panels, then structural strength is improved, but flexibility and adaptability to curved surfaces deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidflexibility for curved surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite structure consisting of a rigid support panel combined with a flexible decorative layer. The support panel provides structural strength while the flexible layer enables adaptation to curved surfaces. This composite approach allows the decorative panel to simultaneously achieve both structural integrity and surface adaptability that neither material could provide alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Area of stationary object

If large-size panels are used for decoration, then coverage area is improved, but shipping costs deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidshipping costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the large decorative panel into smaller modular segments or layers that can be separately transported and assembled on-site. The flexible decorative layer can be rolled or folded for compact shipping, then unrolled and adhered to the support panel structure, reducing transportation costs while maintaining the ability to cover large areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional panel materials are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but capability for effective diffuse backlighting deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddiffuse backlighting effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a diffuse backlighting layer with porous or translucent properties between the support panel and decorative layer. This layer diffuses light uniformly across the panel surface while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes. The porous structure allows light to pass through and scatter, creating effective diffuse backlighting without complex optical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

4Ease of operation

If traditional adhesive techniques are used, then application simplicity is improved, but durability of attachment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication simplicityVSAvoiddurability of attachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite adhesive system combining multiple adhesive layers with different properties. One layer provides initial bonding strength for easy application, while another layer provides long-term durability and resistance to environmental factors. This multi-layer adhesive approach maintains application simplicity while significantly improving attachment durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

5Stability of the object's composition

If thick rigid panels are used, then structural stability is improved, but weight and thickness for specific applications deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidweight and thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates the structural function from the decorative function into distinct layers. The support panel provides necessary structural stability with minimal thickness, while the decorative layer adds aesthetic value without significant weight. This segmentation allows the panel to achieve structural stability with reduced overall weight and thickness compared to traditional monolithic panels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 panel is suitable for curved surfaces, reduces shipping costs, provides effective diffuse backlighting, ensures durable attachment, can be easily customized, and is lightweight for versatile applications including boat decorations.

Implementation Method 1

a layer of technical elastic fabric associated with at least one portion of a face of the slab and adapted to be fixed by gluing to a surface to be decorated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

at least one slab made of flexible polymeric material... provides an effective diffuse backlighting

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission and diffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP3960954B1Decorative panel comprising an elastic fabric for the decoration of surfaces
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 TECNOGRAFICA SPA
  • EP3960954B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3960954B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3960954B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The decorative panel (1) for the decoration of surfaces comprises a slab (2) made of flexible polymeric material provided with and/or associated with a decorative element (4), and a layer of technical elastic fabric (3) associated with at least one portion of said slab (2) and adapted to be fixed by gluing to a surface to be decorated.