Multilayer Lining Plate with Machinable Perimeter for Dimensional Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vinyl floor coverings exhibit poor dimensional stability due to heat and temperature changes, leading to expansion, deformation, and detachment from support surfaces, making them unsuitable for installations with marked temperature variations, and the introduction of rigid or semi-rigid materials complicates panel connection and adaptation to irregular surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A multilayer lining plate comprising a ductile machinable main layer made of materials like MDF, wood-plastic composite, or PVC, combined with a flexible decorative layer, where the main layer includes magnesium oxide, fibrocement, or mortar with perlite and vermiculite, allowing for machined connecting profiles and adaptation to irregular surfaces through inclined individual parts that can bend and rotate, ensuring stability and connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If vinyl material is used for floor coverings, then aesthetic appearance and ease of cleaning are improved, but dimensional stability under temperature changes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearance and ease of cleaningVSAvoiddimensional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining vinyl material with a stable support structure (MDF, HDF, or particle board substrate). This composite construction allows the vinyl layer to provide aesthetic and cleaning benefits while the rigid substrate maintains dimensional stability under temperature and humidity variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid or semi-rigid materials are introduced to improve dimensional stability, then stability is improved, but adaptability to irregular surfaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional stabilityVSAvoidadaptation to irregular surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a layered structure where different materials serve different functions: the rigid substrate (MDF, HDF, or particle board) provides dimensional stability in the core, while the vinyl layer on the surface maintains flexibility and ductility to adapt to irregular floor surfaces. This spatial differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between rigidity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If rigid materials are used for the main layer, then dimensional stability is improved, but ease of connection and machining deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional stabilityVSAvoidconnection and machining
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials where a rigid substrate (MDF, HDF, or particle board) is combined with a vinyl layer. The rigid substrate provides dimensional stability while remaining machinable and suitable for connecting profiles, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP2960397B1Multilayer lining plate for horizontal support surfaces and method of manufacturing same
Publication Date: 2019.07.10 EURO TRADE FLOORING
  • EP2960397B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2960397B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7
  • EP2960397B1 patent drawingFigure 8~10

AI summary

A multilayer lining plate (100) for essentially horizontal support surfaces such as floors or floor coverings, comprising a main layer (1), including at least one part made of a rigid or semi-rigid material, and a ductile or flexible upper decorative layer (2). The lining plate comprises in the perimeter of the main layer (1) a ductile machinable portion (3) that can be machined to form a connecting profile for the connection of the plate with other plates. The machinable portion (3) is preferably made of medium-density fiberboard (MDF), a wood-plastic composite (WPC) material or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and the main layer is of magnesium oxide, fibrocement or mortar with perlite and vermiculite.