Rigid Multilayer Tile Composite Structure for Dimensional Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional building materials, such as wood flooring and PVC tiles, face issues with moisture sensitivity, dimensional instability, and environmental concerns due to the use of adhesives and plasticizers, while wood-plastic composites lack strength and durability.

Innovation Solution

A rigid multilayer tile structure comprising a foam cushion layer and a reinforcing layer, formed without adhesives, using polymer resins and minimal plasticizers, which provides lightweight, high strength, and excellent soundproofing properties, and is environmentally friendly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If wood flooring materials are used, then natural aesthetic appearance is achieved, but moisture resistance and dimensional stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoiddimensional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite structure combining a rigid core layer (MDF/HDF) with foam layers and HPM sheets. This composite material approach allows the tile to achieve both the aesthetic appearance of wood and the dimensional stability of engineered materials, resolving the contradiction between natural look and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If laminated flooring materials are used, then surface strength is improved, but moisture resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface strengthVSAvoidmoisture resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a multi-layer composite structure where the rigid core provides surface strength while the foam layers and HPM sheets provide moisture resistance. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of both surface strength and moisture resistance that cannot be obtained with single materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If PVC tiles are used, then moisture resistance is improved, but hardness and strength deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture resistanceVSAvoidhardness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines PVC-based HPM sheets (providing moisture resistance) with MDF/HDF rigid core layers (providing hardness and strength). This composite structure allows the tile to achieve both moisture resistance from PVC and structural strength from wood-based materials, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Strength

If adhesive bonding is used for layer lamination, then bonding strength is improved, but environmental friendliness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidenvironmental friendliness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes adhesive bonding from the layer lamination process, instead using mechanical interlocking and friction-based bonding between layers. This extraction of the harmful adhesive element maintains bonding strength through alternative mechanisms while significantly improving environmental friendliness by eliminating VOC emissions from adhesives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

5Weight of moving object

If foam cushion layer is added, then weight is reduced and cushioning feeling is improved, but surface strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveweightVSAvoidsurface strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a lightweight foam cushion layer with a rigid MDF/HDF core layer and HPM surface layers. This composite structure allows the foam to provide weight reduction and cushioning while the rigid layers maintain surface strength, resolving the contradiction between lightness and strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3281783B1Rigid multilayer tile and production method thereof
Publication Date: 2023.07.05 NOX CORP
  • EP3281783B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3281783B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3281783B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Disclosed herein are a rigid tile including a foam cushion layer and a reinforcing layer, and a production method thereof.