Modular Floor Construction Set With Inverted Assembly Holes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floor construction systems for substrates, such as terrace floors, are difficult to assemble and disassemble, require complex hole drilling, and do not allow for diverse floor patterns or easy replacement of individual elements, while also compromising the stability and aesthetics of wooden elements.

Innovation Solution

A modular construction set featuring cuboidal plate elements with identical assembly sections and connecting elements with base-supported assembly protrusions that allow for simple, repeatable assembly and disassembly without drilling, enabling the creation of diverse patterns and easy replacement of elements, while maintaining the stability and moisture protection of the floor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If holes are drilled in floor elements to assemble connecting members, then assembly is possible, but the holes are visible from the side of dilatation gaps which negatively impacts stability and aesthetics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidfloor element stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by drilling holes from the bottom side of floor elements rather than from the top side. This allows connecting members to be assembled through holes that are hidden on the underside, eliminating visible holes in the dilatation gaps while maintaining assembly functionality. The connecting members have L-shaped configurations that engage with the inverted holes to provide stable connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If complex shaped holes are drilled in floor elements for assembly, then connecting members can be assembled, but the drilling process becomes time-consuming and difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly capabilityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the connecting members into distinct components with standardized hole configurations. Each connecting member has predefined hole positions and shapes that can be easily drilled using standard drilling equipment, eliminating the need for complex custom drilling. This segmentation allows for rapid assembly while maintaining connection stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If identical floor elements are used in the system, then assembly is simplified, but diverse floor patterns cannot be produced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidfloor pattern diversity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates universal connecting members that can interface with multiple types of floor elements through standardized hole patterns. The connecting members serve multiple functions: they can connect identical elements, adjacent identical elements in different orientations, and potentially different types of floor elements. This universality enables both simple assembly and diverse pattern creation using the same component set.

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

4Ease of operation

If connecting members are used without a base, then assembly is simple, but wooden floor elements cannot be isolated from the substrate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidmoisture damage to substrate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a base component as an intermediary between the connecting members and the substrate. This base serves as a mediator that provides isolation functionality, preventing direct contact between wooden floor elements and the substrate, thereby protecting against moisture damage. The base integrates with the connecting member assembly process, maintaining simplicity while adding the protective function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2740858B1Construction set for covering substrate, in particular floor substrate
Publication Date: 2016.06.15 CHOJNOWSKI ADAM
  • EP2740858B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2740858B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2740858B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention refers to a construction set for covering a substrate, in particular a floor substrate, comprising plate structural elements for covering the substrate, and connecting elements for joining together the neighbouring plate elements, optionally while preserving a fixed distance between them to form a dilatation gap, characterized in that the connecting elements (4) comprise at least two, located on a base (5), assembly protrusions (6) seated in the neighbouring, connected plate elements (1) equipped on their substrate side with identical assembly sections (2) comprising at least one drilled assembly hole (3), and in the holes (3) there are seated, by means of the assembly protrusions (6), the connecting elements (4) joining the neighbouring plate elements (1).