Height-Adjustable Bearing With Spherical Cap for Floor Coverings

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing height-adjustable support bearings for floor coverings are complex, cost-intensive, and limited in pivoting angle, leading to moisture accumulation and unevenness issues in outdoor areas.

Innovation Solution

A height-adjustable support bearing with a base body and a support element that can be variably tilted, featuring a spherical cap-shaped concave underside for secure clamping and a convex drainage surface on top to prevent moisture accumulation, allowing for large angular adjustments and efficient dehumidification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a bearing element is pivotably arranged on a base body to compensate for unevenness, then the ability to specify slope and compensate for subsoil unevenness is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to compensate for unevennessVSAvoidconstruction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing element features a spherical cap-shaped underside that contacts a corresponding spherical surface on the base body, enabling smooth pivoting and inclination adjustment. This curved geometry allows the support element to be variably inclined to compensate for subsoil unevenness while maintaining simple construction without complex mechanical joints or fastening mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Reliability

If the support element is designed with a large bearing area, then the reliability of supporting floor covering elements is improved, but the tendency to accumulate moisture increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport reliabilityVSAvoidmoisture accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The upper side of the bearing element features a convexly curved drainage surface that prevents moisture accumulation by directing water away from the bearing contact areas. This curved geometry maintains a large bearing area for reliable support while eliminating depressions where water could collect, thus preventing damp spots and damage to floor covering materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The convex drainage surface converts the potential harm of moisture accumulation into beneficial drainage functionality. By shaping the surface to naturally direct water flow, the design transforms what would be a harmful accumulation zone into an active drainage system that protects the floor covering elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Device complexity

If the maximum pivoting angle is limited in existing designs, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different subsoil inclinations is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepivoting mechanism simplicityVSAvoidpivoting angle range

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The spherical cap-shaped bearing surface on the underside of the support element contacts a corresponding spherical surface on the base body, enabling the support element to be variably inclined over large angular ranges. This geometry naturally accommodates wide pivoting movements without requiring complex mechanical constraints or limits, providing both simplicity and high adaptability to different subsoil inclinations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

Enables simple and variable inclination of the support element over a wide range, reducing moisture penetration and ensuring stable, level flooring while minimizing material and production costs.

Implementation Method 1

the support element having on an underside a bearing surface that is configured in the shape of a spherical cap and concave at least along an annular peripheral line

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpherical contact surface: Geometry

Data Source

PatentEP3405626B1Height-adjustable supporting bearing

Publication Date: 2019.11.20 ARDEX ANLAGEN GMBH

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5

AI summary

A height-adjustable supporting bearing (1) for floor covering elements which can be laid on a subsurface has a basic body (2), which is designed to be height-adjustable, and a support element (3) which is arranged on the basic body (2) in a variably tiltable manner, wherein the support element (3) has, on an underside (13), a bearing surface (14) which is zonally configured to be spherical cap-shaped and concave at least along an annular circumferential line and by means of which the support element (3) is supported on the basic body (2), wherein the support element (3) has, on an upper side (15), at least one support surface (17) for a floor covering element, and wherein the upper side (15) of the support element (3) is designed to be free of depressions. The support element (3) has, on the underside (13), a bearing surface (14) which is configured to be spherical cap-shaped and concave. The end region (11) of the basic body (2) has a bearing supporting surface (12) which is zonally configured to be spherical cap-shaped and convex at least along an annular circumferential line. The support element (3) has, on the underside (13), an engagement element (20, 27) which projects towards the basic body (2), said engagement element engaging with a cutout (21) in the basic body (2) and producing a captive connection between the support element (3) and the basic body (2) that counteracts a relative displacement.