Floor Assembly Spacing Block Reduces Lumber Use

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional flooring systems require laborious and time-intensive placement of floor joists, necessitating large amounts of lumber and on-site measurement, which increases material and labor costs.

Innovation Solution

A floor assembly featuring a base panel with a depression and a spacing block, where the spacing block separates the base panel from the floor panel, reducing material costs and simplifying the placement process by providing a predetermined location for the spacing block, potentially using recycled materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional floor joists are used, then structural support is provided, but material costs and labor time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidquantity of lumber

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent recovers and reuses wood scraps and manufacturing byproducts as spacing blocks, converting waste materials into functional components that maintain floor assembly spacing and structure, thereby reducing the need for new lumber

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs simple, inexpensive spacing blocks made from recycled materials rather than traditional permanent floor joists, achieving the necessary spacing function with lower-cost, less durable materials suitable for this specific application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Productivity

If floor joists are placed manually, then structural support is achieved, but labor time and measurement requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuild timeVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spacing blocks are pre-cut to precise dimensions during manufacturing, with predetermined locations marked on the base panel, eliminating the need for on-site measurement and placement calculations, thereby accelerating installation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The floor assembly is segmented into modular components (base panel, spacing blocks, floor panels) that can be independently manufactured and assembled, simplifying the construction process and improving productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If traditional floor assembly methods are used, then panels are supported, but vibration and moisture issues occur between panels

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidvibration and moisture issues

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spacing blocks serve as intermediary elements positioned between the base panel and floor panel, creating physical separation that reduces vibration transmission and prevents direct moisture contact between panels, thereby improving reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20240287797A1Floor assembly and method of forming thereof

Publication Date: 2024.08.29 GREEN CANOPY NODE TECH INC

AI summary

A floor assembly includes a base panel including a depression, a spacing block at least partially disposed in the depression, and a floor panel spaced apart from the base panel by the spacing block.