Raised Panel Flooring with Coplanar Drainage Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Storage facilities face challenges in protecting stored items from moisture damage due to seepage through cement floors and roofs, with existing solutions being either ineffective or economically unfeasible.

Innovation Solution

A temporary, reusable, and lightweight raised panel flooring system with molded projections and coplanar drainage channels that directs moisture away from stored items, provides a thermal barrier, and promotes air circulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If permanent basement subfloors are installed to prevent moisture damage, then protection against moisture is improved, but cost and installation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against moisture damageVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The subflooring system is divided into separate modular components: a subfloor panel, a moisture barrier layer, and a raised panel with drainage channels. These segmented components can be independently installed and removed, simplifying the overall installation process while maintaining effective moisture protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A moisture barrier layer is introduced as an intermediary component between the concrete subfloor and the raised panel. This intermediate layer actively prevents moisture transmission from the concrete substrate to the stored items, providing reliable protection without requiring complex permanent structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If planar subfloor surfaces are used to prevent moisture travel, then moisture barrier effectiveness is improved, but moisture accumulation and ponding occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture barrier effectivenessVSAvoidmoisture accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The subfloor surface is transformed from a two-dimensional planar surface to a three-dimensional structure with raised panels and drainage channels. This dimensional change creates slope and elevation variations that actively direct moisture away from stored items while maintaining the moisture barrier function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Drainage channels are extracted and integrated into the raised panel structure, providing dedicated pathways for moisture removal. This extraction of the drainage function from the general surface allows the moisture barrier to remain effective while actively managing moisture accumulation through controlled drainage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If temporary flooring solutions are used instead of permanent subfloors, then cost is reduced, but moisture protection reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidmoisture protection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses flexible moisture barrier layers and thin-walled raised panels that can be easily installed and removed. These flexible components provide effective moisture protection while maintaining the temporary, cost-effective nature of the flooring solution, eliminating the need for expensive permanent concrete or wood subfloors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flooring system combines multiple materials with complementary properties: concrete subfloor for structural support, flexible moisture barrier material for liquid protection, and raised panel materials for drainage and air circulation. This composite approach achieves reliable moisture protection at lower cost than traditional permanent solutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If raised panels with drainage channels are used to direct moisture away, then moisture damage prevention is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture damage preventionVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functions are merged into the raised panel structure: drainage channels are integrated directly into the panel, moisture barrier layers are combined with the panel assembly, and air circulation pathways are incorporated into the same structure. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall device while maintaining effective moisture damage prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Effectively prevents moisture accumulation and damage to stored items by directing moisture away and providing a thermal barrier, while being cost-effective and easy to install and remove.

Implementation Method 1

coplanar drainage channels that directs moisture away from stored items

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

provides a thermal barrier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

promotes air circulation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS12312819B2Raised panel

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 RAZE IT INC

AI summary

A raised panel for the purpose of protecting stored items from moisture damage and promoting air circulation for use in storage units is disclosed.