A panel and a heating system
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional underfloor heating systems are inefficient as they transport heat from beneath the floorboards or tiles, leading to significant energy loss and reduced heating effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A panel with a heat providing layer integrated into its construction, where the heat is generated by electric energy and efficiently distributed to the space above, minimizing energy loss and enhancing heating efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If heat is generated underneath the floorboards or tiles using traditional underfloor heating systems, then the heating system can provide warmth to the space, but significant energy is lost as heat is transported through the entire floor structure and away from the heated space
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the heat source underneath the floorboards or tiles (traditional approach), the patent inverts the arrangement by integrating the heat providing layer directly into the panel structure that forms the floor surface. This reverses the heat generation location from below to within/above the floor structure, eliminating the need for heat to travel through the entire floor thickness and reducing energy loss to the underside.
2Reliability
If electrical connecting means are arranged on the grooves and tongues of the quick coupling joints, then the panels can be mechanically coupled together, but the electrical connecting means experience small movements when pressure is applied, leading to wear and potential contact loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical connecting means from the mechanical coupling joints (grooves and tongues). By separating the electrical connection function from the mechanical coupling function, the electrical contacts are no longer subjected to the movements and stresses that occur during panel assembly and under load, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of mechanical coupling.
3Productivity
If the heat providing layer is integrated into the panel construction close to the space to be heated, then heating efficiency is enhanced and energy consumption is reduced, but the panel structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat providing layer with the panel structure by integrating it into the panel construction. This combination eliminates the need for separate heating systems installed beneath the floor, reducing overall system complexity while achieving high heating efficiency through direct heat provision to the occupied space.
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 solution provides efficient, precise, and reliable heating by integrating the heat source close to the space to be heated, reducing energy consumption and extending the lifespan of the heating system.
Implementation Method 1
a heat providing layer (102) attached to the base layer (101), the heat being created by electric energy
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
A panel comprising a heat providing layer is presented. The panel includes panel coupling means arranged for coupling the panel to adjacent panels. Longitudinal grooves are arranged in the panel along the whole length of the panel. In order to provide heat, at least one electrical end connector is arranged at one or more end panel coupling means. The electrical end connectors are arranged for being electrically connected to the heat providing layer, for being at least partly electrically conductive, and for at least partly protruding from the one or more end panel coupling means, thereby providing an electrical connection between the heat providing layer of the panel and a corresponding heat providing layer of at least one adjacent panel coupled to the panel. The invention also concerns a heating system comprising such a panel, the electrical end connector, and a method for installing such a heating system.