Polyurethane-Coated Fiberglass Textile for High-Traffic Wall Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Textile fiberglass materials used in high-traffic areas suffer from mechanical stress damage, such as in hospitals and airports, due to their inadequate mechanical strength and susceptibility to wear and tear from constant contact and movement.

Innovation Solution

A flat, textile fiberglass material with polyurethane coatings on both sides, which provides high mechanical stability, breathability, and resistance to damage, achieved through a staged coating process using rotary screen printing and roller application methods, ensuring the glass fibers are completely enveloped and stabilized.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If textile fiberglass material is used in high-traffic areas, then it provides fire resistance and hygienic properties, but it suffers from mechanical stress damage due to constant contact and movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire resistance and hygienic propertiesVSAvoidmechanical strength under stress
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a polyurethane coating layer on top of the textile fiberglass material, creating a composite structure that combines the fire resistance and hygienic properties of the fiberglass base with the high mechanical strength and abrasion resistance of the polyurethane coating. This composite approach allows the material to withstand mechanical stresses in high-traffic areas while maintaining its inherent safety properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The polyurethane coating forms a flexible protective film on the fiberglass surface. This thin film structure provides enhanced mechanical protection against scratches, impacts, and wear from constant contact, while still allowing the underlying fiberglass material to maintain its structural integrity and functional properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Strength

If vinyl wallpaper is used for high-load surfaces, then it provides good mechanical resistance, but its tensile strength is only half that of glass fiber wallpaper and it suffers from outgassing of additives and plasticizers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical resistanceVSAvoidoutgassing of additives and plasticizers
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material composition parameters by using polyurethane coating instead of vinyl materials. This substitution eliminates the outgassing problem associated with plasticizers and additives while maintaining or enhancing mechanical resistance. The polyurethane coating provides superior tensile strength compared to vinyl wallpaper while being free from harmful volatile organic compounds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The polyurethane coating can be applied as a durable layer that protects the underlying fiberglass material, effectively creating a long-lasting protective system. The coating enhances the overall durability and service life of the wallcovering system, making it suitable for high-traffic areas where longevity is critical.

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

3Ease of operation

If glass fiber wallpaper is subjected to high mechanical stress in high-traffic areas, then it provides fire resistance and ease of handling, but damage to the fabric surface occurs due to constant contact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of handlingVSAvoiddamage to fabric surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The polyurethane coating is applied in advance to protect the fiberglass fabric surface from mechanical damage. This protective layer acts as a cushion against scratches, impacts, and wear from constant contact in high-traffic areas, preventing damage before it occurs to the underlying material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The polyurethane coating forms a flexible protective film that absorbs and distributes mechanical stresses, protecting the fiberglass fabric from direct contact damage while maintaining the material's ease of handling and installation properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP2322711B1Laminar textile fibreglass material
Publication Date: 2011.12.21 VITRULAN TEXTILE GLASS GMBH
  • EP2322711B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2322711B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2322711B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The material has a visible side and a rear side, where the visible side forms a front side. The visible- and rear sides have coatings (5) made of polyurethane. The coating in the visible side has smaller dry mass than the coating of the rear side based on dry mass of the polyurethane in gram per square meter. The material contains R-glass, M-glass, corrosion resistive E-glass (ECR-Glass), D-glass, alkaline resistant (AR)-glass, E-glass, C-glass and fibers e.g. polyester-, Kevlar(RTM: Para-aramid synthetic fiber)- and carbon fibers. An independent claim is also included for a method for producing a flat, textile glass fiber material.