Joint Filling Profile Segmentation for Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing joint filling profiles for floor panels face issues such as limited service life due to mechanical and thermal loads, unwanted detachment, and crack formation, particularly in industrial applications, where the direct connection between the joint sealing compound and floor panels leads to uneven expansion and stress distribution.

Innovation Solution

A joint filling profile design featuring a double-layer arrangement of separating materials, including a metal foil and a fleece, which decouples the profile body and vertical web, along with a reinforcement mat to absorb stresses and prevent cracking, allowing for independent expansion without direct connection to the substrate, thereby enhancing durability and preventing detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the joint sealing compound is directly connected to the floor panels, then the joint filling profile has good initial adhesion, but it causes unwanted detachment under expansion loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion strengthVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the joint filling profile into distinct functional zones: a first section with direct connection to the substrate for anchoring, and a second section without direct connection for free expansion. This segmentation allows the profile to simultaneously achieve strong adhesion where needed and free movement where expansion occurs, resolving the contradiction between initial adhesion and long-term reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the joint width is increased to accommodate expansion, then the profile has more expansion capacity, but it increases the risk of detachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexpansion capacityVSAvoiddetachment resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the profile into connected and unconnected sections, the patent enables the joint filling profile to accommodate larger joint widths and expansion capacities without increasing detachment risk. The unconnected second section provides the necessary expansion space while the connected first section maintains anchoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary approach by creating a transition zone between the directly connected and completely unconnected areas. This gradual transition allows the profile to adapt to expansion while maintaining structural integrity, mediating between the need for expansion capacity and detachment resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the joint filling profile is made as a single piece, then the structure is simple, but it causes cracks in the transition area due to different material thicknesses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidcrack resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the previously single-piece profile into distinct first and second sections with different connection characteristics. This segmentation eliminates the crack-prone transition area between different thicknesses by creating a clear boundary where the unconnected second section begins, improving crack resistance while maintaining reasonable structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Stability of the object's composition

If the joint filling profile is fully connected to the substrate, then it has high structural stability, but it prevents free expansion causing lens-shaped indentations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidexpansion freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the profile into a connected first section for stability and an unconnected second section for expansion freedom, the patent resolves the contradiction between structural stability and expansion freedom. The segmented design allows each section to perform its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 significantly extends the service life of the joint filling profile by preventing cracking and detachment, ensuring the profile body can stretch freely without adhesion constraints, maintaining structural integrity under mechanical and thermal loads.

Implementation Method 1

the joint filling profile has increased elasticity without the risk of detachment from the substrate, since in the areas in which there is no direct connection between the joint sealing compound on the one hand and the floor panels on the other hand, expansion of the material forming the joint sealing compound is permitted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3702531B1Joint filling profile
Publication Date: 2023.07.12 WIEGRINK BETEILIGUNGS
  • EP3702531B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3702531B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3702531B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a joint filling profile for forming a joint seal between floor slabs (3, 4), comprising a vertical leg (6) projecting into the joint (2) and a profile body (7) formed from a joint sealing compound (9) and located in a joint widening (5), wherein the vertical leg (6) and the profile body (7) are separated from each other by means of a first separating material (8), wherein at least a second separating material (22) is arranged between the vertical leg (6) and the profile body (7) and/or that at least one reinforcing mat (16, 17) is arranged within the profile body (7), wherein the second separating material (22) and/or the reinforcing mat (16, 17) is arranged to overlap at least partially with the first separating material (8).