Printed Concrete Surface Composition for Flow and Curing Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for printing on concrete elements, particularly uncured wet concrete, fail to achieve desired patterns and adhesion due to inadequate flow control and compatibility with curing conditions, as seen in DE 10 2006 014 900 A1, which does not address the exact printing composition or adhesion to cured concrete.

Innovation Solution

A printing composition comprising a binder A with siloxane and silane is applied to uncured concrete, allowing it to flow in desired directions and adhere well to the concrete, while being compatible with curing processes, using methods like inkjet printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If printing composition is applied to uncured wet concrete to enable flowing patterns, then pattern formation capability is improved, but adhesion to cured concrete deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepattern formationVSAvoidadhesion to cured concrete
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the binder by incorporating specific siloxane and silane compounds. These chemical parameter changes enable the binder to maintain flowability during application while developing strong adhesion properties after curing, thus resolving the contradiction between pattern formation capability and adhesion reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite binder system combining siloxane and silane components. This composite material approach allows the printing composition to exhibit dual characteristics: fluidity for pattern formation before curing and strong adhesion after curing, effectively resolving the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If printing composition flows extensively in horizontal and vertical directions to create patterns, then pattern diversity is improved, but control over final structure deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepattern diversityVSAvoidcontrol over final structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic binder system where the siloxane and silane components provide controlled flow characteristics. The binder maintains fluidity during application to allow pattern diversity while progressively setting during curing to ensure precise control over the final structure, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Shape

If printing is performed on uncured concrete to enable flowing patterns, then pattern formation is improved, but compatibility with thermal curing deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepattern formationVSAvoidcompatibility with thermal curing
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the thermal stability parameters of the printing composition by selecting specific siloxane and silane compounds that are compatible with thermal curing processes. These parameter changes ensure that the pattern-forming composition remains stable during thermal curing, resolving the contradiction between pattern formation and curing compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enables new patterns and structures on concrete by ensuring excellent adhesion and thermal stability of the printed design, overcoming limitations of previous methods.

Implementation Method 1

The silane gels during the subsequent curing of the concrete and ensures the excellent adhesion of the material to the concrete

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGel: Gel

Implementation Method 2

the printing composition flows in the horizontal and/or vertical direction with respect to the surface in the concrete

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow:

Data Source

PatentUS12492152B2Method for producing a printed concrete element
Publication Date: 2025.12.09 METTEN STEIN DESIGN GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A method for producing a printed concrete element, in particular a printed concrete block, a printed concrete slab or a printed concrete step, is described, comprising at least the following steps:filling concrete into a mold to form a concrete element;printing at least one surface area of the concrete element with a printing composition comprising a binder A and a dye B, the binder A containing at least one siloxane and at least one silane; andcuring the concrete element after printing.