MDF Underfloor Heating Board With Built-In Fall for Wet Rooms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing underfloor heating installation in wet rooms is slow and difficult due to long drying times required for self-levelling compounds and challenges in achieving the desired floor slope, which hampers efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

An underfloor heating board with grooves on its underside to accommodate hydronic heating, made of MDF, featuring a built-in fall and flexible tubes that are easily inserted and securely retained, eliminating the need for additional heat transfer means and reducing installation time and material usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If self-levelling compound is applied to install underfloor heating in wet rooms, then the floor slope can be achieved and heating can be embedded, but long drying times are required which halts installation and reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefloor slope accuracyVSAvoidinstallation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The floor is divided into modular heating boards with integrated grooves for heating pipes. Each board is a self-contained unit that can be installed independently, eliminating the need for continuous self-levelling compound application and allowing parallel installation processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The grooves for heating pipes and the fall structure are pre-formed in the heating boards during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for on-site creation of these features, significantly reducing installation time and improving productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If self-levelling compound is used to create floor slope, then the desired fall can be achieved, but it is difficult to achieve exactly the desired fall and requires additional material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefloor fall precisionVSAvoidmaterial consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The floor slope is achieved through modular boards with built-in fall structures rather than a continuous layer of self-levelling compound. This segmentation allows for more precise control of the fall gradient and reduces material consumption by eliminating excess compound

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fall gradient is controlled by changing the geometric parameters of the built-in fall structure in the heating boards rather than varying the thickness of self-levelling compound. This provides more precise and repeatable control over the fall gradient

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If additional heat transfer means such as metal sheets are used in grooves, then heat distribution can be improved, but installation time increases and material consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat distributionVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The heating boards are designed to perform multiple functions: they provide structural support, contain built-in fall structures for drainage, and incorporate grooves for heating pipes with sufficient thermal mass for heat distribution. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate metal heat transfer sheets

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The function of additional heat transfer means is extracted from the system by designing the heating boards themselves to provide adequate heat distribution through their material properties and construction, eliminating unnecessary components and simplifying installation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Facilitates faster and more efficient installation with even heat distribution, reduced material consumption, and minimized drying time, while ensuring effective water drainage and comfortable heating without the need for additional heat transfer materials.

Implementation Method 1

the heat is distributed efficiently

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2977686B1Underfloor heating board
Publication Date: 2018.03.28 DALAB DALA GOLVSYST
  • EP2977686B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2977686B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2977686B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to an underfloor heating board (1) for installation in a wet room, comprising a board (1) with grooves (2), wherein the grooves (2) are adapted to accommodate tubes (4) for hydronic heating (4), said underfloor heating board (1) also comprises a built-in fall on a top side (1A) of said underfloor heating board (1) wherein said underfloor heating board (1) is a MDF board and wherein said grooves (2) are arranged on an underside (1B) of said underfloor heating board (1) and comprises an opening (9), said opening (9) being smaller than a diameter (D) of the groove (2). The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing said underfloor heating board.