Movable Cassette Floor Element for Sound Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional prefabricated ceiling elements for multi-story residential buildings face issues with poor sound insulation, complex transport due to size and weight, and limited reusability, necessitating special transport and assembly methods.

Innovation Solution

A prefabricated ceiling element with a movable cassette containing bulk material for sound insulation, supported by a load-bearing structure, allowing for easy transport and conversion to a mezzanine floor with improved sound and thermal insulation properties, and enabling quick installation without on-site assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional prefabricated ceiling elements are used, then construction time is reduced due to prefabrication, but sound insulation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction timeVSAvoidsound insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ceiling element is divided into separate functional components: a supporting structure and a movable cassette containing bulk material for sound insulation. This segmentation allows the sound insulation function to be independently optimized while maintaining the prefabricated nature of the overall element, thus resolving the contradiction between quick installation and sound insulation performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ceiling element combines different materials and structures - the supporting structure (likely metal or composite) with a cassette containing bulk sound insulation material. This composite approach integrates both structural support and sound insulation functions in a single prefabricated unit, achieving both quick installation and effective sound insulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If ceiling elements are transported vertically to avoid damage, then transport safety is improved, but transport complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport safetyVSAvoidtransport complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ceiling element is segmented into a supporting structure and a movable cassette that can be independently handled. During transport, the cassette can be positioned or secured separately, simplifying the transport process and allowing horizontal stacking without complex vertical stacking requirements, thus reducing transport complexity while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cassette is designed to be movable relative to the supporting structure, allowing it to be positioned in different configurations during transport and installation. This dynamic design enables flexible transport arrangements, such as horizontal stacking or secured positions, reducing the need for complex vertical stacking procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If ceiling elements are made larger for better coverage, then installation efficiency is improved, but ease of transport deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation efficiencyVSAvoidease of transport
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ceiling element is segmented into a supporting structure and a movable cassette. This segmentation allows the overall element to achieve large coverage area while the cassette portion can be independently handled, positioned, or even removed if needed, maintaining ease of transport and installation despite the large overall size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The movable cassette design allows the ceiling element to adapt during installation - the cassette can be positioned after the supporting structure is installed, or adjusted to fit different spaces. This dynamic capability maintains ease of installation even for large ceiling elements that would otherwise be difficult to transport and position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 provides enhanced sound and thermal insulation, facilitates easy transport and installation, and allows for customizable properties tailored to specific requirements, with potential for reuse and recycling.

Implementation Method 1

The closed cassette contains bulk material for sound insulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 2

bulk material for sound insulation and encloses the bulk material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscous damping: Viscous Damping

Implementation Method 3

bulk material for sound insulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4392624B1Floor element comprising bulk material
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 NOKERA PATENTS AG
  • EP4392624B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4392624B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A floor element (1), which can be transported in prefabricated form, for use in a dry construction as an intermediate floor in a multi-storey housing. The floor element (1) comprises a supporting structure (2a, 2b) and a closed cassette (3). The supporting structure (2a, 2b) is capable of supporting the floor element (1) in a state ready for use in which the closed cassette (3) is arranged movably relative to the supporting structure (2a, 2b) and above the supporting structure (2a, 2b). The closed cassette (3) comprises and encloses bulk material (4) for the purpose of sound insulation, wherein the bulk material (4) is arranged movably in the cassette (3) in the state of the floor element (1) ready for use. The floor element (1) can comprise a transport securing means fastening (11) which permits a transport securing means (12) to be fastened to the floor element (1). As a result, a transport configuration of the floor element (1) can be produced, in which the cassette (3) is fixed relative to the supporting structure (2a, 2b). Release of the transport securing means (12) transfers the floor element (1) from the transport configuration into a use configuration.