Laminate Panel Relief Geometry for Low-Gloss Wood Appearance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laminate panel surfaces with relief structures exhibit excessive light reflection and a synthetic appearance, failing to accurately imitate natural wood textures.

Innovation Solution

The laminate panel features elongate recesses with inclined flanks and controlled cross-sectional geometry, minimizing light reflection and enhancing the appearance to resemble brushed wooden panels, achieved through machining treatments and controlled etching processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a press platen with protrusions is used to form relief in the laminate surface, then a relief structure is obtained, but the recesses leave a synthetic impression due to excessive light reflection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelief structureVSAvoidlight reflection
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating non-uniform recess geometries with varying depths and cross-sectional shapes. Different regions of the recesses have different properties - some areas are deeper, some wider, creating local variations that disrupt uniform light reflection and reduce the synthetic appearance while maintaining the overall relief structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetry by designing recesses with irregular, non-symmetric cross-sections and varying depths. The relief structures are not uniform cylinders or cones but have asymmetric profiles that scatter light in multiple directions, preventing the excessive specular reflection that creates a synthetic look while preserving the wood pore imitation function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Manufacturing precision

If etching techniques are used to create protrusions on the press platen, then relief structures are formed, but the surface relief still leaves a synthetic impression

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelief formationVSAvoidsynthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the recesses - varying depth, width, cross-sectional shape, and distribution patterns. These parameter variations transform the uniform, synthetic appearance into a more natural, varied texture that better imitates real wood pores while maintaining the precision of the etching manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 reduces glossy reflections and provides a more natural wood-like appearance by minimizing direct light incidence and reflection, achieving a truer imitation of varnished wood panels with reduced synthetic impressions.

Implementation Method 1

The interaction of depth and inclined flanks leads to a mirroring reflection of perpendicular or approximately perpendicular incident light. Due to the geometry of the invention, the possibility is minimized that light will incide directly on the bottom.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4159469B1Laminate panel and method for manufacturing a laminate panel
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 UNILIN BVBA
  • EP4159469B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4159469B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP4159469B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Laminate panel, which consists at least of a substrate (2) on the basis of PVC, PP or PU, a printed decor (4) and a transparent synthetic material layer (5) on the basis of PVC, PP or PU, wherein the synthetic material layer (5) is provided with a relief with elongate recesses (19), characterized in that the recesses (19) have a cross-section with inclined flank portions (21), the inclination (A-B) of which is more than 60° and less than 90°, and that the maximum depth (T) over which said flank portions (21) extend is larger than the maximum distance (D1) between the respective flank portions (21), measured in transverse direction and parallel to the plane (18) of said panel (1).