Entangled Filament Flooring Mat Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flooring mats lack improved acoustic and insulation properties, ventilation, and versatility for use under gypcrete or concrete, while also being resistant to moisture-related issues like mold and mildew.

Innovation Solution

A flooring mat comprising a first layer of vapor barrier, a second layer of textile pad, and a third layer of entangled filament structure with a three-dimensional patterned configuration, providing enhanced insulation, ventilation, and moisture resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional flooring mats are used, then installation is simple, but acoustic insulation and moisture resistance are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacoustic insulation and moisture resistanceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flooring mat employs a composite structure combining three distinct layers: a vapor barrier layer (polyethylene or polypropylene), a textile pad layer (polyester or polyolefin fibers), and an entangled filament structure layer (polymer filaments). This multi-material composite approach delivers superior acoustic insulation and moisture resistance while maintaining manageable complexity through integrated layering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Each layer of the flooring mat is designed with specific localized properties: the vapor barrier layer provides moisture resistance, the textile pad layer offers softness and additional insulation, and the entangled filament structure provides acoustic absorption and ventilation. This local optimization of material properties throughout the structure achieves comprehensive performance enhancement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If dense flooring mat structure is used, then insulation properties improve, but ventilation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation propertiesVSAvoidventilation deficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The entangled filament structure layer is designed with inherent porosity and open spaces between the polymer filaments, allowing air circulation and ventilation while maintaining effective acoustic and thermal insulation. This porous structure prevents moisture buildup and mold growth while preserving insulation performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The flooring mat utilizes a three-dimensional entangled filament structure rather than a flat dense layer, creating vertical and lateral air pathways that enable ventilation throughout the material thickness while maintaining insulation properties through the three-dimensional configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Stability of the object's composition

If rigid flooring mat is used, then structural stability improves, but flexibility and ease of installation decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidflexibility and ease of installation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The combination of flexible polymer materials in all three layers, particularly the entangled filament structure with its flexible interwoven polymer filaments, creates a flooring mat that is both structurally stable and dynamically flexible, allowing easy cutting, shaping, and installation while maintaining compositional integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The vapor barrier layer and textile pad layer are designed as flexible thin film structures that conform to subfloor irregularities and allow the mat to be easily cut and shaped during installation, while the entangled filament structure provides underlying structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 enhances acoustic insulation, reduces thermal heat flux, and improves ventilation, while being flexible and easy to install, cut, and shape, thereby addressing the limitations of existing mats in terms of sound absorption and moisture resistance.

Implementation Method 1

reduces thermal heat flux

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

a first layer, a second layer that includes a textile pad, and a third layer having an entangled filament structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVapor barrier: Semipermeable Membrane

Data Source

PatentEP3581733B1Flooring mat with entangled filament structure
Publication Date: 2023.03.08 LOW & BONAR INC
  • EP3581733B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

A flooring mat that includes a first layer that includes a vapor barrier, a second layer that includes a textile pad, and a third layer having an entangled filament structure. The second layer is disposed between the first layer and the third layer. The flooring mat may be provided between a subfloor and a surface layer of a flooring structure.