Interlocking Modular Mat with Sponge Insert for Cushioned Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional modular floor mats tend to be rigid, leading to increased fatigue during long periods of standing, despite providing lateral support and comfort, as they lack a softer feel while maintaining interconnectivity and structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
An interlocking modular mat design featuring a sponge insert within a cavity formed by the mat body's top portion and peripheral structures, which extends beyond the bottom of the connectors, providing cushioning without compromising the mat's ability to interlock with adjacent mats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional modular floor mats are made rigid to provide lateral support and structural integrity, then the mat can withstand heavy traffic and harsh environments, but the mat increases fatigue during long periods of standing
Solution Approach 1:
The mat is divided into two distinct parts: a rigid mat body providing structural integrity and lateral support, and a separate sponge insert providing cushioning comfort. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The sponge insert is placed within a cavity formed by the mat body's peripheral structures, nesting the cushioning element inside the rigid structure. The sponge insert fits within the space defined by the top portion and peripheral structures of the mat body.
2Ease of operation
If a softer material is used to reduce fatigue and improve comfort, then the mat provides better cushioning support, but the mat loses structural integrity and interlocking capability
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the mat have different properties: the mat body is rigid for structural support and interlocking, while the sponge insert is soft for comfort. Each region is optimized for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The mat system is segmented into the rigid mat body and the separate sponge insert, allowing the soft cushioning material to be added without compromising the structural integrity of the main mat body.
3Ease of operation
If the sponge insert extends beyond the bottom of the connectors, then the cushioning effect is maximized, but the interlocking capability with adjacent mats may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sponge insert is extracted as a separate component from the mat body, allowing it to be optimally sized for comfort while the mat body maintains its interlocking structures. The sponge is inserted into a cavity but does not interfere with the connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The sponge insert is nested within the cavity formed by the mat body's peripheral structures, positioned so that it provides maximum cushioning while the mat body's connectors remain exposed and functional for interlocking with adjacent mats.
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 sponge insert enhances the cushioned feel of the modular mats while preserving their structural integrity and interlocking capability, reducing user fatigue and improving comfort without sacrificing the mats' ability to withstand heavy use.
Implementation Method 1
a sponge insert that enhances the cushioned feel of the modular mats while preserving their structural integrity
Data Source
AI summary
An interlocking modular mat having four sides has female connectors on two sides and male connectors on the other two sides so that the modular mat can interlock with an adjacent mat and its connectors. The modular mat is configured with a plurality of structures surrounding a periphery of a top portion of the mat. The plurality of structures in combination with an underside of the top portion of the mat form a cavity. A sponge insert is configured to fit in the cavity and have a height such that a portion of the sponge insert extends from a bottom side the mat body. With the sponge insert extending beyond the bottom side of the mat body, the sponge insert bottom face generally become the supporting bottom of the modular mat to provide a more cushioned feel for a mat user.