Polymer Concrete Heating Element Production with Embedded Heating Mat

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heating systems require significant investment for boilers and infrastructure, whereas electric heating elements offer a more cost-effective and flexible alternative, but existing methods for producing decorative heating elements are complex and resource-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a mold with a release agent, a color layer, and polymer concrete to embed a heating mat, allowing for the creation of heating elements of any shape with embedded electrical connections, enabling easy installation and vandal-proof design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional heating systems are installed, then heating function is provided, but significant investment in boiler and infrastructure is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating functionVSAvoidinvestment in boiler and infrastructure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the heating function from complex conventional heating systems (boiler, fuel storage, heating water pipes) and implements it through a simple electric heating element that can be directly integrated into interior design surfaces, eliminating the need for extensive infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating element serves multiple functions: it provides heating, acts as a decorative interior design element, and can be integrated into various surfaces (walls, ceilings, floors), replacing the need for separate heating infrastructure and decorative elements

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

2Shape

If existing methods for producing decorative heating elements are used, then heating elements with decorative elements are created, but the production process is complex and resource-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecorative elementsVSAvoidproduction process
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the heating element production with decorative surface creation by applying the heating element to a support structure that is then covered with decorative material (stone, wood, metal, plastic), combining functional and aesthetic production in a single integrated process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating element is pre-applied to the support structure before the decorative material is added, allowing the decorative material to be simply applied over the pre-positioned heating element, simplifying the overall production process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method allows for the production of aesthetically pleasing, versatile, and resource-efficient heating elements that are 100% recyclable, offering even heat distribution and vandal-proof design with the ability to be mounted vertically or horizontally without additional drilling.

Implementation Method 1

electric heating element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

even heat distribution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3931495B1Method for producing a heating element
Publication Date: 2023.04.05 HELIOLITH EU
  • EP3931495B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3931495B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3931495B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing a heating element comprising the following steps: a) providing an arbitrarily shaped mould (1), for example from metal, e.g. aluminium, steel or glass-fibre-reinforced plastic; b) adding a release agent (2) to the mould; c) leaving the release agent (2) to dwell in the mould (1) for 30 to 60 minutes, heating as appropriate; d) adding a coat of paint (3) to the release agent (2); e) adding a first quantity of polymer concrete (5) to a thickness corresponding to around half the thickness of the finished product, causing air to escape; f) adding the heating mat (4), which has electrical connections, when the polymer concrete (5) is viscous, the heating mat (4) then sinking into the polymer concrete (5) and being embedded in the polymer concrete (5), with the electrical connections for the heating mat (4) protruding from the polymer concrete (5); g) adding a second quantity of polymer concrete (5) to the ultimate thickness of the heating element; h) adding a casting (7) with threaded sleeves (6) or bolts before the polymer concrete (5) has cured; i) removing the mould (1) provided in step a).