Floor Decoupling Device with Resilient Partition Strip

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional floor constructions fail to adequately reduce impact sound and airborne sound transmission between adjacent flooring sections and lack mechanical stability, particularly with prefabricated screed elements that tend to buckle and sink into insulation layers due to insufficient load transfer and poor acoustic decoupling at expansion joints.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a base plate with recesses for decoupling elements, which are made of flexible materials to reduce sound transmission and improve mechanical stability by supporting flooring sections, including a combination of first, second, and third decoupling elements that can accommodate underfloor heating and provide footfall insulation, enhancing the structural integrity and sound insulation between adjacent screed sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional solid fastening brackets are used to fix screed sections, then mechanical stability is improved, but sound transmission between adjacent flooring sections increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidsound transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A resilient partition strip made of sound-absorbing material is introduced as an intermediary element between adjacent screed sections. This strip is integrated into a profile structure that provides mechanical fixation while the resilient material absorbs sound waves, preventing their propagation along the floor construction plane.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The profile structure combines rigid elements (for mechanical stability and fixation) with resilient sound-absorbing material (for acoustic decoupling). This composite construction allows the same component to fulfill both structural and acoustic functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If expansion joints are used to prevent crack formation in screed, then structural integrity is improved, but acoustic decoupling between flooring sections is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidsound transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the functions of expansion joints (structural) and sound insulation (acoustic) into a single integrated profile structure. The profile provides both the mechanical separation needed to prevent cracks and the acoustic decoupling to reduce sound transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The profile structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as an expansion joint to prevent cracking, provides mechanical fixation for screed sections, and incorporates resilient material to achieve acoustic decoupling and sound absorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If prefabricated screed elements are used to improve construction efficiency, then productivity is improved, but mechanical stability deteriorates due to buckling and tilting on impact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction efficiencyVSAvoidmechanical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The profile structure with integrated fastening elements and resilient material is prepared in advance and positioned between screed sections before final assembly. This preliminary arrangement ensures proper acoustic decoupling and mechanical support are in place before the screed elements are fixed, preventing subsequent buckling and tilting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Object-generated harmful factors

If resilient partition strips are used to reduce sound transmission, then sound insulation is improved, but mechanical support for screed elements is insufficient causing sinking into insulation layer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound transmissionVSAvoidmechanical support
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The profile structure provides localized rigid support elements at specific positions (such as at the ends or edges of screed sections) while maintaining resilient sound-absorbing material in other areas. This local differentiation allows the structure to provide both mechanical support where needed and acoustic decoupling where required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 device effectively reduces sound transmission and enhances mechanical stability by decoupling adjacent flooring sections, preventing buckling and sinking of screed elements, while maintaining structural integrity and improving footfall insulation, thus meeting stringent sound transmission norms like DIN 4109-1:2018-01.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient partition strip at expansion joints in the screed layer... to decrease the sound transmission to neighbouring rooms

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 2

The fastening bracket is of a solid material and allows the propagation of sound waves along the plane of the surface of the floor construction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3927909B1Device to be arranged in a floor construction
Publication Date: 2024.04.03 KNAUF GIPS KG
  • EP3927909B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3927909B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

Device (1) to be arranged in a floor construction in between a first flooring section and a second flooring section, the device (1) comprising a base plate (2) capable of supporting the first and second flooring section and attached to the base plate (2) a first decoupling element (3) capable of decreasing the sound transmission between the first and second flooring section.