Sectionable floor heating system
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical floor heating systems require the base substrate to be cut to size in a single direction, leading to increased installation time, material waste, and complexity due to the need to maintain electrical connections.
Innovation Solution
A flexible floor heating system with heating elements attached to a membrane, allowing the membrane to be cut in any direction without disrupting the electrical power supply to the heating elements, using a grid pattern with positively and negatively charged electrodes connected to an electrical power source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the base substrate is cut to size to accommodate corners or obstacles, then the heating system can be adapted to different floor layouts, but the electrical circuit is severed and heating functionality is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The base substrate is divided into multiple modular sections, each containing complete heating circuits. These sections can be individually cut and reconfigured without affecting the integrity of electrical circuits within each module, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and circuit reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating elements are arranged in a grid pattern with electrical connections established in both horizontal and vertical directions. This two-dimensional connectivity allows the substrate to be cut in any direction while maintaining complete electrical circuits through alternative pathways, enabling both adaptability and circuit integrity.
2Reliability
If the base substrate is cut in a single direction parallel to heating elements, then electrical connections are maintained, but installation time and material waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
By establishing electrical connectivity in both horizontal and vertical dimensions through the grid pattern, the system allows cuts in any direction without compromising circuit integrity. This eliminates the time-consuming constraint of single-direction cutting while maintaining reliable electrical connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating elements and electrical connections are pre-configured in a grid pattern during manufacturing, creating multiple redundant pathways before installation. This preliminary arrangement ensures that any cut during installation will not sever the circuit, reducing installation time and complexity.
3Reliability
If the base substrate is cut in a single direction, then electrical connections are maintained, but material waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The two-dimensional grid pattern of heating elements and electrical connections allows the substrate to be cut in any direction while maintaining complete circuits. This flexibility optimizes material utilization by allowing precise cutting to fit exact floor dimensions without excessive waste, while still ensuring electrical reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate is segmented into modular sections with complete heating circuits. These segments can be precisely cut and assembled to match floor dimensions, minimizing material waste while maintaining circuit integrity through the modular design.
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
This solution enables efficient installation by allowing the heating system to be cut to accommodate various floor layouts without breaking the electrical circuit, reducing installation time and material waste while maintaining heating functionality.
Implementation Method 1
electricity is supplied to the heating elements, which causes the heating elements to generate heat
Implementation Method 2
heat that is directed to the bottom surface of a finished floor installed above the heating system
Data Source
AI summary
A heating system for a floor is provided and includes a plurality of heating devices, where each of the heating devices includes a membrane, and a plurality of heating elements and at least one electrical coupling member attached to the membrane. At least one heating device coupling member is attached to the at least one electrical coupling member on adjacent heating devices of the plurality of heating devices, where the at least one heating device coupling member conveys electricity between the adjacent heating devices.