A mineral-based panel comprising grooves

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mineral-based boards, such as magnesium oxide and cement boards, are heavy and lack robust locking systems, necessitating improvements for reduced weight, material content, and cost-effective production while maintaining properties like dimensional stability and sound insulation.

Innovation Solution

A mineral-based panel with grooves and a locking system, comprising a mineral-based core and polymer-based layers, where grooves are formed to reduce weight and enhance sound properties, and a locking system is integrated for improved stability and installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If grooves are added to the mineral-based panel, then weight and material content are reduced, but structural integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanel weightVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the porous materials principle by incorporating grooves into the mineral-based panel that create a controlled porous structure. These grooves reduce the overall material content and weight of the panel while maintaining structural integrity through the strategic design of the groove pattern and depth, allowing the panel to achieve weight reduction without compromising its load-bearing capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the panel structure into distinct regions through the grooves. This segmentation creates multiple zones within the panel that can independently contribute to structural support, allowing the grooves to remove material while the remaining segments maintain the necessary strength and stability for floor panel applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If grooves are added to the mineral-based panel, then sound properties are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound insulationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The groove structure segments the panel into multiple zones that create sound-absorbing cavities and pathways. This segmentation approach improves sound insulation by disrupting sound wave propagation while the grooves can be integrated into existing panel manufacturing processes, minimizing the increase in manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a locking system is integrated into the panel, then installation stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation stabilityVSAvoidlocking system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the locking system with the panel structure itself, integrating the locking mechanism directly into the panel edges rather than using separate, standalone locking components. This merging approach provides robust installation stability while minimizing the increase in device complexity by combining multiple functions into a unified structural design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - providing mechanical interlocking between panels, ensuring vertical alignment, and preventing lateral movement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby improving installation stability without proportionally increasing device complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3947849B1A mineral-based panel comprising grooves
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 CERALOC INNOVATION AB
  • EP3947849B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP3947849B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2e
  • EP3947849B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3g

AI summary

There is disclosed a mineral-based floor panel (1) comprising a mineral-based core, wherein the panel comprises at least one groove (19). The at least one groove (19) may be provided in a rear side (4) of the panel. There is also disclosed other such mineral-based panels, such as a building panel, a wall panel, a ceiling panel or a furniture panel. There is also disclosed a method for forming such grooves (19) in a mineral-based panel.Furthermore, there is disclosed a mineral-based panel (1) comprising a mineral-based core and polymer-based lower layer(s)attached to the core. A locking system of the panel comprises a strip extending horizontally beyond an upper portion of the panel, wherein at least a horizontal portion of the strip is entirely formed in the polymer-based lower layer(s).