Heatable Covering Panels With Reinforced Conductive Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heatable covering systems for floors, ceilings, and walls with electric conductive layers are prone to crack formation, affecting both aesthetics and the reliability of the heating system, and this issue worsens with increasing layer thickness.

Innovation Solution

The system incorporates covering panels with an electrical conductive layer and an enforcement layer, where the enforcement layer is embedded within the conductive layer, utilizing materials with osmosis and capillary effects to absorb moisture and prevent cracking, allowing for thicker, more uniform conductive layers and improved tensile force absorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electrical conductive layer is made thicker to improve heating performance and reduce crack formation, then the heat output and reliability are improved, but the tendency to crack formation increases due to stress accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of electric heating meansVSAvoidcrack formation in conductive layer

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining the electrical conductive layer with a reinforcement layer made of different materials (fibers, mesh, or fabric embedded in a matrix material). This composite structure allows the conductive layer to be thicker while the reinforcement layer prevents crack formation by distributing and absorbing tensile forces, thus resolving the contradiction between improved heating performance and reduced crack tendency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical and mechanical parameters of the conductive layer by incorporating a reinforcement layer with specific tensile strength and elasticity. This allows the conductive layer to maintain higher thickness for better heat output while the reinforcement layer's mechanical properties prevent stress accumulation and crack formation, resolving the contradiction between heat output and crack resistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the electrical conductive layer thickness is increased to improve heating performance, then the heat output is improved, but the crack formation tendency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat outputVSAvoidcrack formation

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials by embedding a reinforcement layer (fibers, mesh, or fabric) within or alongside the electrical conductive layer. This allows the conductive layer to achieve greater thickness for improved heat output while the reinforcement layer's structural integrity prevents crack formation, thus resolving the contradiction between power output and structural stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement layer acts as a preemptive cushioning structure that absorbs and distributes tensile forces before they can cause crack formation. This allows the conductive layer to be thicker and generate more heat without the usual risk of cracking, resolving the contradiction between heat output and crack prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Manufacturing precision

If the electrical conductive layer is made thicker to ensure uniform heating, then the heating uniformity is improved, but the crack formation increases due to internal stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity of heatingVSAvoidcrack formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining the electrical conductive layer with a reinforcement layer that has superior mechanical properties. This allows the conductive layer to be applied at optimal thickness for uniform heating while the reinforcement layer prevents internal stress accumulation and crack formation, resolving the contradiction between heating uniformity and structural integrity

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

This configuration significantly reduces crack formation, maintains high electrical conductivity, and enables the use of thicker conductive layers, ensuring uniform heating and enhanced durability of the heating system.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing materials with osmosis and capillary effects to absorb moisture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOsmosis: Osmosis

Implementation Method 2

utilizing materials with osmosis and capillary effects to absorb moisture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS10119709B2Heatable covering system

Publication Date: 2018.11.06 LIGNUM TECH AG

AI summary

The present invention relates to a heatable covering system for floors, ceilings and walls and to a method producing a heatable covering system. The covering system comprises covering panels which comprise at least on one longitudinal edge coupling means in order to be able to join covering panels with each other, wherein the covering panels are provided with electric heating means, built by at least one electrical conductive layer and a therein embedded enforcement layer, and which comprise electric contacting means.