Heated Floor Panel With Impact Layer for Heating Element Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heated floor panels in aircraft lack sufficient impact protection against punctures, chips, and scratches, as they are not adequately designed to withstand the rigors of foot traffic and dropped objects, compromising their structural integrity and the safety of cabin temperature maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A composite heated floor panel assembly is designed with structural layers for reinforcement, a core layer for shear stress absorption, and an impact layer with fibers or wires and high toughness elastomeric resin to enhance blunt force resistance, along with a heating layer protected from damage by strategic placement within the assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If heated floor panels are designed with basic structural integrity to support weight, then they can support people and objects, but they lack sufficient impact protection against punctures, chips, and scratches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple layers with different properties: a structural layer for load-bearing, a core layer for shear stress absorption, and an impact layer with high-toughness elastomeric resin for blunt force resistance. This multi-material composite structure resolves the contradiction by providing enhanced impact protection while maintaining weight support capability through the synergistic combination of materials rather than using a single complex material system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the floor panel into distinct functional layers: structural layer, core layer, and impact layer. Each layer is optimized for its specific function, allowing the panel to achieve comprehensive protection against different types of forces (weight, shear stress, impact) without requiring each layer to be overly complex. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by distributing structural requirements across specialized simpler layers
2Use of energy by moving object
If the heating layer is placed closer to the top surface for better heating efficiency, then heating performance improves, but the heating element becomes more vulnerable to impact damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different protective conditions for different parts of the panel. The impact layer provides localized protection specifically for the heating element area, while allowing the heating layer to maintain its optimal position for thermal efficiency. This resolves the contradiction by providing targeted protection where needed (at the heating element location) without compromising overall heating performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by placing the high-toughness elastomeric resin impact layer between the top surface and the heating element in advance. This impact layer acts as a pre-positioned protective barrier that absorbs blunt force before it can reach the heating element, resolving the contradiction by providing proactive protection rather than reactive measures
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 composite structure significantly increases impact resistance and durability, protecting the heating element while maintaining structural integrity and cabin temperature control, even under extreme temperatures and heavy usage.
Implementation Method 1
at least one core layer for absorbing shear stress
Implementation Method 2
at least one impact layer for absorbing blunt force
Implementation Method 3
a heating layer containing a heating element
Data Source
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AI summary
A heated floor panel assembly with an impact layer is made to absorb blunt force and protect a heating element inside the assembly. The assembly further includes a plurality of structural layers (16, 20) made of a reinforced polymer matrix, one or more core layer (18) with a honeycomb or foam structure for absorbing shear stress, and a heating layer (22) containing the heating element. The impact layer (24) is a composite layer with a resin impregnated fiber matrix.