Self-draining Porcelain Stoneware Tile with Inclined Grooves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current porcelain stoneware tiles, despite their high technical performance, struggle to maintain non-slip characteristics in wet environments due to excess water accumulation, which creates an insulating film reducing adhesion and increasing the risk of slipping.
Innovation Solution
The development of self-draining porcelain stoneware tiles featuring a series of variable geometry grooves on their outer surface, designed to direct water drainage efficiently, with groove geometries such as triangular, trapezoidal, and semi-elliptical sections, and drainage directions that increase in height towards the edges or a central fulcrum, enhancing water discharge and preventing slipping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rough surface is created using special punches/moulds or by adding non-slip aggregates during glazing, then non-slip characteristics are improved, but excess water accumulates on the surface creating an insulating film that reduces adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tile surface into multiple functional zones: drainage grooves that channel water away, non-slip zones with aggregates for adhesion, and transition zones. This segmentation allows simultaneous water discharge and non-slip functionality without water accumulation interfering with the non-slip effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage grooves act as intermediary channels that actively remove excess water from the surface, preventing the formation of the insulating water film that would otherwise separate the foot from the non-slip aggregates. The grooves mediate between the wet environment and the non-slip surface.
2Reliability
If non-slip aggregates are added during glazing, then adhesion is improved, but water films form between the shoe/foot and aggregates causing aquaplaning effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts excess water from the surface through dedicated drainage grooves, removing the harmful insulating film before it can form between the foot and non-slip aggregates. This extraction prevents the aquaplaning effect while preserving the adhesion provided by the aggregates.
Solution Approach 2:
The tile surface structure itself provides the water removal function through its integrated drainage grooves, making the system self-regulating. The geometry of the grooves and the inclination of the surface automatically channel water away without requiring external intervention.
3Reliability
If the surface is made rough for non-slip effect, then friction is improved, but water discharge capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the surface into distinct drainage grooves and non-slip zones. The grooves are smooth-walled channels optimized for water flow, while the non-slip zones contain aggregates for friction. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the tile surface have different local qualities: the drainage grooves have smooth walls and specific cross-sectional geometries optimized for water conveyance, while the non-slip zones have rough textures with aggregates optimized for adhesion. Each local region is optimized for its specific function.
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 tiles effectively discharge water, maintaining non-slip properties even in wet conditions by creating an inclined drainage plane, thereby preventing aquaplaning and ensuring safe traction.
Implementation Method 1
The height h increases according to said drainage direction generating an inclined drainage plane in said groove
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns the production of draining porcelain stoneware tiles and method of production thereof. The invention concerns a tile with rectangular quadrilateral shape and edges with thickness (S), with a planar outer surface on which a series of variable geometry grooves are provided according to a drainage direction on the outer surface. The geometry of said groove can be triangular, trapezoidal or elliptical section. The vertexes of these embodiments form the bottom of said groove with height h, and said height h increases according to said drainage direction generating an inclined drainage plane of said groove. The invention also concerns a method of manufacturing a tile according to the invention; by moulding during the pressing phase of the ceramic powders with the use of punch/pad preformed with pattern according to the required geometry of the water drain grooves; by mechanical action by incision of the green pressed ceramic powder slab, dried or not, and not yet fired; or by incision of the fired tile.