Modular Floor Covering With Replaceable Wear Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wooden floor and wall coverings are expensive, time-consuming to install and replace, and resource-intensive, often requiring the entire panel to be replaced even if only parts are damaged, which is inefficient from a resource conservation and environmental protection perspective.

Innovation Solution

A modular system comprising surface laying units with a wear layer and underground laying units, where the wear layer can be easily detached and replaced without damaging the connection structure, allowing for reversible and non-destructive connection to the subsurface, enabling flexible and resource-saving installation and renovation of parquet floors and other coverings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional wooden panels are used for floor or wall coverings, then the covering provides durability and aesthetic quality, but the installation and replacement require significant time, effort, and resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedurability of coveringVSAvoidinstallation and replacement time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wooden panel is divided into two separate components: a reusable base panel and a replaceable wear layer. The wear layer can be detached and replaced independently without removing the entire panel, enabling quick renewal of the covering while preserving the durable base structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wear layer is extracted as a separate, removable component from the base panel. This allows the wear layer to be taken off and replaced independently when worn or damaged, while the base panel remains in place and can be reused multiple times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Strength

If conventional wooden panels are used for floor or wall coverings, then the covering provides structural integrity, but the replacement of damaged panels requires replacing entire panels even when only parts are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrity of panelVSAvoidmaterial waste from full panel replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The panel system is segmented into a structural base panel and a surface wear layer. When the wear layer becomes damaged or worn, only that layer needs to be replaced while the intact base panel remains in use, significantly reducing material waste compared to replacing entire conventional panels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wear layer is designed to be discarded when worn or damaged, while the base panel is recovered and reused. This selective replacement approach minimizes material waste by preserving the structurally sound components of the original panel assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Shape

If conventional wooden panels are used for floor or wall coverings, then the covering provides aesthetic quality, but the renovation and replacement require significant effort and cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic quality of coveringVSAvoidease of renovation and replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The panel is segmented into a permanent base panel and a replaceable wear layer with aesthetic surface. This allows the aesthetic layer to be easily swapped out when desired or when worn, enabling simple renovation without complex demolition or reinstallation of the entire panel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wear layer is designed as a relatively thin, replaceable component that can be economically replaced when worn or damaged. This disposable-like approach to the aesthetic layer simplifies renovation processes while the expensive base panel continues to provide structural value.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP2710203B1Floor or wall covering system with laying units which can be combined in a modular manner
Publication Date: 2018.12.19 WEITZER HLDG
  • EP2710203B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2710203B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP2710203B1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

Surface laying unit (100) for laying with other surface laying units (100) on an underlying surface (300), wherein the surface laying unit (100) has a useful layer (102) and a connecting structure (104) which is provided directly on an underside of the useful layer (102) and which is designed for connecting to the underlying surface (300).