Elastomeric Floor Covering with Thermoplastic Particles
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Solution Overview
Problem
The incorporation of thermoplastic particles into elastomeric floor coverings is challenging due to the need for adhesion agents, which increase costs and complexity, especially when using non-cross-linking particles.
Innovation Solution
Using thermoplastic materials with matching monomers in both the elastomeric matrix and particles, such as styrene and butadiene, to enhance adhesion, and optionally employing adhesion agents for further improvement, while selecting materials for desirable properties like non-slip, sound insulation, and low electrostatic charging, and incorporating fillers to maintain transparency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesion agents are used to incorporate thermoplastic particles into the elastomeric matrix, then the adhesion of particles is improved, but the production costs and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses particles made from the same or compatible elastomeric material as the matrix, ensuring homogeneous composition and natural adhesion without requiring additional adhesion agents. This resolves the contradiction by achieving good particle incorporation through material compatibility rather than complex chemical treatments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple thermoplastic particles that can be easily incorporated through basic heat treatment and mechanical pressure, replacing the need for expensive and complex adhesion agent applications. This simplifies the process while maintaining effective particle incorporation.
2Reliability
If adhesion agents are used to incorporate thermoplastic particles into the elastomeric matrix, then the adhesion of particles is improved, but the production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By using particles made from the same or compatible elastomeric material as the matrix, the patent achieves natural adhesion through homogeneous composition, eliminating the need for expensive adhesion agents and reducing production costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simple thermoplastic particles that can be easily incorporated through basic heat treatment and mechanical pressure, replacing the need for expensive adhesion agents and simplifying the manufacturing process.
3Illumination intensity
If transparent thermoplastic elastomer is used for particles, then the floor covering becomes partially transparent, but the hardness uniformity across the surface is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies transparent thermoplastic elastomer particles selectively in certain areas of the floor covering, allowing transparency where desired while maintaining uniform hardness in other areas. This local application resolves the contradiction by allowing different optical properties in different zones without compromising overall structural uniformity.
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 ensures firm and cost-effective incorporation of particles into the matrix, maintaining desired properties like non-slip, sound insulation, and low electrostatic charging, while allowing for transparent and partially translucent designs with angle-dependent color variations using effect pigments.
Implementation Method 1
at high temperatures above the softening temperature and/or the melting temperature, have properties comparable to those of a thermoplastic
Implementation Method 2
At high temperatures, the cross-linking points of the thermoplastic elastomer are reversibly detached so that the material can be processed by means of thermoplastic shaping methods
Implementation Method 3
The identical monomers of the two components have good adhesive properties relative to each other, resulting in an especially good adhesion of the particles in the matrix
Implementation Method 4
Effect pigments give the floor covering angle-dependent variations in the color tone or gloss. They are usually made of metallic particles having specific optical properties
Data Source
AI summary
A floor covering including one of a sheet-shaped or plate-shaped matrix made of an elastomeric material. The matrix is provided with particles made of a thermoplastic material, where the elastomeric material of the matrix and the thermoplastic material of the particles each have at least one matching monomer.