Anti-noise Floor Panel with Variable Stiffness Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing soundproofing solutions for floors, such as using sound-absorbing foam under tiles or bitumen-based panels, are time-consuming, unsuitable for renovations, create thickness issues, and pose indoor contamination risks due to bitumen and mineral granule detachment.

Innovation Solution

An anti-noise panel comprising a non-bituminous plastic layer filled with mineral filler, sandwiched between layers of non-woven fabric and/or cork and/or recycled rubber, with varying dynamic stiffness, to absorb and damp different sound frequencies, ensuring quick installation and safe indoor use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a screed of at least 5 cm of mortar and/or cement is used to cover sound-absorbing foam, then noise transmission is reduced, but the time for making the floor increases to at least twenty days for complete solidification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise transmission reductionVSAvoidfloor making time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the floor construction into separate functional layers: a pre-manufactured panel containing the sound-absorbing foam core, and a separate finishing layer. This segmentation allows the soundproofing function to be achieved without requiring a thick, time-consuming screed, thus reducing both the time for floor making and maintaining noise transmission reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sound-absorbing foam is pre-installed within the panel structure before the final floor surface is applied. This preliminary action ensures that noise transmission reduction is achieved without waiting for a thick screed to solidify, thereby reducing the overall floor making time while maintaining acoustic performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a screed of at least 5 cm of mortar and/or cement is used, then noise transmission is reduced, but the thickness creates an inconvenient step at perimeter edges and requires door cutting or replacing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise transmission reductionVSAvoidperimeter accessibility and door compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the soundproofing function into a separate, thin panel that can be installed without adding significant thickness to the floor assembly. This allows the sound transmission reduction to be achieved while maintaining perimeter accessibility and avoiding the need for door modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the thickness parameter of the soundproofing layer from at least 5 cm (screed) to a much thinner panel structure, thereby maintaining noise transmission reduction while eliminating the creation of inconvenient steps at perimeter edges and avoiding door cutting or replacing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If bitumen-based panels are used for soundproofing, then noise reduction is achieved, but indoor contamination risks arise due to bitumen and mineral granule detachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise reductionVSAvoidindoor contamination from bitumen and granules
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the harmful bitumen and loose mineral granules from the panel composition, replacing them with alternative materials that provide equivalent sound absorption without the contamination risk. This maintains noise reduction performance while eliminating indoor contamination hazards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful properties of bitumen-based panels (granule detachment and contamination) into a beneficial alternative formulation using bound mineral fillers in a plastic matrix, which provides the same sound absorption function without releasing contaminants into the indoor environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Reliability

If known anti-noise panels with mineral granules are used, then noise reduction is achieved, but the granules detach during movement and handling, soiling the room and transport environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise reductionVSAvoidgranule detachment and soiling
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the loose mineral granules from the panel structure and replaces them with mineral fillers that are chemically or physically bound within a plastic matrix. This maintains the noise reduction capability while eliminating the detachment and soiling problem during movement and handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite material structure where mineral fillers are embedded within a plastic matrix, creating a unified panel that provides sound absorption without the mineral components detaching. This composite approach maintains noise reduction performance while preventing granule detachment and associated soiling issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 panel effectively reduces both aerial and footfall noise, is suitable for renovations, can be installed in under a day, and is safe for indoor use without releasing contaminants, with a reduced thickness and weight for easy transport and installation.

Implementation Method 1

a first layer (2) of non-bituminous plastic material, filled with a mineral filler, adapted to absorb the noise

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 2

a second layer (4) and a third layer (5) having different dynamic stiffness, so as to damp, respectively, different sound frequencies

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3810416B1Anti-noise panel for floors
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 IWIS INSULATION WATERPROOFING IND SYST
  • EP3810416B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3810416B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an anti-noise panel (1) for floors, characterized by comprising a first layer (2) of non-bituminous plastic material, filled with a mineral filler, adapted to absorb the noise, enclosed between a second layer (4) and a third layer (5) having different dynamic stiffness, so as to damp, respectively, different sound frequencies.