Inductive Panel Heating for Rapid Surface Warmth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional underfloor heating systems, such as those using hot water pipes and electrical resistance heating mats, are inefficient in rapidly heating surfaces due to the need to heat the entire floor structure before a noticeable temperature change occurs, especially in materials with low thermal conductivity like laminate floors, and require complex electrical connections.
Innovation Solution
A heatable surface covering system comprising prefabricated panels with a carrier layer, decorative layer, and integrated heating layer, where an induction coil forms a web-shaped mat that generates an eddy current for inductive heating, allowing for rapid surface heating without direct electrical connections and integrating the heating layer close to the surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If hot water pipes are embedded in the screed for underfloor heating, then energy efficiency is sufficient, but the entire floor structure must be heated before the surface is significantly warmed, resulting in slow heating response
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the heating function from the deep embedded pipes and relocates it to a heating layer positioned directly beneath the floor covering. This extraction allows the heating element to be positioned where it can directly warm the surface without having to heat the entire floor structure, thereby maintaining energy efficiency while dramatically improving heating speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the spatial dimension of the heating element from deep vertical embedding (in the screed) to a horizontal positioning directly beneath the floor covering. This dimensional repositioning allows heat to be transferred directly to the surface material, eliminating the thermal mass barrier and enabling rapid surface heating while maintaining efficient energy transfer.
2Temperature
If heating mats with electrical resistance heating are embedded in tile adhesive or under laminate flooring, then surface heating is achieved, but the entire floor covering must be heated first, and loose installation reduces efficiency due to poor heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the heating layer with the floor covering structure itself, creating an integrated assembly where the heating elements are positioned within millimeters of the surface. This integration eliminates the loose installation problem and ensures optimal thermal contact, thereby achieving efficient energy transfer and rapid surface heating without wasting energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by positioning the heating layer specifically where it is most needed - directly beneath the floor covering at a distance optimized for heat transfer. This localized positioning ensures that energy is concentrated exactly where it produces maximum surface heating effect, improving overall heating efficiency.
3Temperature
If electrical resistance heating mats are used, then surface heating is achieved, but complex electrical connections and routing of heating wires are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical electrical connection system (wires, plugs, sockets) with an inductive heating system. The induction coil generates an alternating magnetic field that induces eddy currents in the conductive heating layer, eliminating the need for direct electrical connections to the heating elements and significantly reducing installation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary - the alternating magnetic field generated by the induction coil - to transfer energy to the heating layer. This magnetic field mediator allows energy transmission without direct electrical contact, simplifying the electrical connection system while maintaining effective heating.
4Speed
If the heating layer is integrated close to the surface of the floor covering, then rapid surface heating is achieved, but the heating elements are more vulnerable to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a nested structure where the conductive heating layer is embedded within the floor covering assembly, surrounded by protective layers including the floor covering itself and optionally a protective film. This nesting protects the heating elements from damage while maintaining their close proximity to the surface for rapid heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention provides beforehand cushioning by positioning the heating layer between the floor covering and the induction coil, creating a protective buffer zone. The floor covering and its layers serve as protective cushioning that shields the heating elements from external damage while allowing them to remain close to the surface for efficient heat transfer.
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
Enables fast and efficient surface heating with low energy consumption, reducing the need for complex electrical connections and protecting the heating elements from damage, suitable for quick temperature control in areas like bathrooms, and can be used in conjunction with conventional wall heating.
Implementation Method 1
an induction coil which can be laid under the floor covering panels, with which an eddy current can be generated in the heating layer by induction to heat the heating layer
Implementation Method 2
an induction coil which can be laid under the floor covering panels, with which an eddy current can be generated in the heating layer by induction to heat the heating layer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
The invention relates to a heatable surface covering, e.g. a heatable floor covering (2), in particular for heating rooms in buildings, consisting of at least - multiple prefabricated covering panels (3), e.g. floor covering panels (3), each having a substrate layer (5) and a decorative layer (6) and a heat layer (7) arranged there-between, and - at least one induction coil (8) which can be laid under the covering panels (3), and with which an eddy current for heating the heat layer (7) can be generated in the heat layer (7) via induction, wherein the induction coil (8) is integrated into a coil carrier layer (9) and forms a web-type induction mat (4), wherein the surface of the induction mat (4) is many times greater than the surface of the individual covering panels, e.g. floor covering panels (3), such that while laying the surface covering, e.g. the floor covering, a plurality of covering panels (3) can be laid on an induction mat (4).