Fleece Layer Interior Cladding for Wear Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing interior cladding components for floors, walls, and ceilings face challenges in achieving a natural surface appearance with improved resistance to mechanical wear and durability, particularly under high loads, due to limitations in surface structure synchronization and material brittleness.

Innovation Solution

An interior fitting comprising a base body with a fleece layer, where the fleece layer is applied with a decoration on its surface, providing enhanced mechanical resistance and elasticity, and optionally combined with a protective layer and intermediate layers for improved durability and aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a paper layer is used for decoration and impregnated with resin, then the mechanical resistance and durability are improved, but the paper becomes brittle and loses its natural surface appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical resistanceVSAvoidbrittleness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from paper to fleece, which has inherently different physical properties including higher elasticity and lower brittleness. This material substitution allows the decorative layer to maintain flexibility and natural appearance while still providing mechanical resistance when combined with the base body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Shape

If a printed paper layer is applied to achieve decoration, then the visual design is improved, but the base body structure becomes visible (telegraphing) reducing the natural appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface appearanceVSAvoidbase body telegraphing
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The fleece layer provides uniform light diffusion across the surface, creating a consistent optical property that masks underlying base body structures. This local optical quality enhancement prevents telegraphing while maintaining the decorative appearance throughout the entire surface area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the paper layer is impregnated with resin to improve durability, then the mechanical strength increases, but the production complexity increases due to precise growth matching requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidproduction process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a fleece layer that can be applied and impregnated without requiring precise pre-matching of growth characteristics. The fleece's inherent properties allow it to accommodate the impregnation process and pressing operation without needing complex synchronization, simplifying the production process while maintaining durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If a protective layer is applied to protect the colored layer from UV radiation and mechanical damage, then the durability is improved, but the natural surface appearance is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface protectionVSAvoidnatural surface appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The fleece material itself provides inherent UV resistance and mechanical durability properties, reducing or eliminating the need for an additional protective coating. This material parameter change maintains the natural surface appearance while still providing the required protection against environmental factors and mechanical damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 achieves a natural surface appearance with increased resistance to mechanical wear, improved impact and scratching resistance, and enhanced fire behavior, while reducing material costs and preventing base body telegraphing, thus addressing the durability and appearance challenges of existing components.

Implementation Method 1

a structure is introduced into a side of the base body facing the nonwoven layer through the nonwoven layer by means of a pressing plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP2616250B1Interior fitting component for cladding and process for producing an interior fitting component
Publication Date: 2016.04.27 SCHULTE GUIDO
  • EP2616250B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2616250B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Interior fitting component for cladding a floor region, wall region or ceiling region and process for producing an interior fitting component (1a) which comprises a base (2) and a non-woven layer (3), while, at least in regions, at least one decorative element (6), more particularly one upper decorative element (6) and one lower decorative element (4) has been applied to a side of the non-woven layer (3) that faces away from the base (2). The non-woven layer (3) has preferably been provided with a protective layer (5a, 5b) made of a resin or of a coating material, where the protective layer (5a, 5b) has been applied on one side of the non-woven layer (3) or the non-woven layer (3) has been saturated at least to some extent or entirely with the protective layer (5a, 5b). The decorative element (6) preferably consists of UV-curable ink and is applied by means of a digital ink-jet printing process.