Surface-Compressed Solid Wood Flooring for Under-Floor Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid wood flooring for under-floor heating faces challenges in achieving high density and dimensional stability due to variability in wood density, leading to issues with surface hardness and heat/moisture-induced dimensional changes, which results in gaps and increased treatment costs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving surface compression with primary and secondary stabilization treatments using controlled temperature and pressure, combined with steam or air, to enhance the density and stability of solid wood flooring, reducing thickness swelling and dimensional changes while meeting national standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional overall compression method is used to increase wood density and hardness, then surface hardness is improved, but wood volume loss increases and treatment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the compression process into two distinct stages: surface compression (affecting only the outer layer) and overall compression (affecting the entire board). This segmentation allows the surface hardness to be improved through surface compression while minimizing overall volume loss, as the surface layer is compressed separately from the core material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different compression forces to different parts of the wood board. The surface layer receives higher compression pressure to achieve the required hardness (≥0.65 g/cm³), while the core maintains lower compression to preserve volume and reduce treatment cost. This local differentiation of compression quality resolves the contradiction between surface hardness improvement and volume loss.
2Strength
If high compression ratio is used to improve wood properties, then density and hardness are improved, but treatment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies compression selectively rather than uniformly across the entire board. Surface compression is applied at high pressure to achieve the required surface density, while the core receives minimal or no compression. This partial action approach achieves the necessary density improvement at the surface without incurring the high costs associated with compressing the entire board volume.
3Strength
If surface compression with heat-moisture treatment is used to improve surface hardness, then surface density is improved, but thickness swelling occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs surface compression with heat-moisture treatment as a preliminary step before the main drying and stabilization processes. By pre-compressing the surface layer while it is in a heat-moisture softened state, the wood fibers are realigned and densified before subsequent drying occurs, which prevents excessive thickness swelling during the drying phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic cycles of compression, heat treatment, and drying. The surface compression is applied intermittently with heat-moisture treatment cycles, allowing the wood to alternate between compression and relaxation phases. This periodic action enables gradual densification while managing internal stresses that would otherwise cause thickness swelling.
4Temperature
If high-temperature heat treatment or carbonization treatment is used to improve dimensional stability, then heat resistance is improved, but length and width dimensional changes remain large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the heat treatment parameters (temperature, duration, moisture content) to achieve a balance between heat resistance and dimensional stability. By carefully controlling these parameters during surface compression and subsequent drying, the wood undergoes controlled modifications that improve heat resistance while minimizing dimensional changes in length and width directions.
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 method produces ultra-stable solid wood flooring with improved dimensional stability by over 90%, reduced set-recovery after water absorption, and enhanced moisture and heat resistance, exceeding the specified standards and reducing treatment costs.
Implementation Method 1
putting the solid wood into the hot pressing plate at 100-200℃, and quickly closing the hot pressing plate
Implementation Method 2
compressing the solid wood at 3-8 MPa to a set thickness of 12-20 mm and a surface density of 0.70 g/cm³ or more
Implementation Method 3
subjecting the compressed enhanced solid wood to secondary stabilization treatment by controlling a pressure and temperature of steam or a mixture of steam and air in the heat treatment tank
Implementation Method 4
controlling a pressure and temperature of steam or a mixture of steam and air in the heat treatment tank
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing an ultra-stable and enhanced solid wood flooring for under-floor heating via surface compression technique includes: subjecting, while subjecting a solid wood to surface compression and enhancement, the solid wood to primary stabilization treatment by controlling a temperature of a hot pressing plate to obtain a compressed enhanced solid wood; putting the compressed enhanced solid wood into a heat treatment tank; and subjecting the compressed enhanced solid wood to secondary stabilization treatment by controlling a pressure and a temperature of steam or air in the heat treatment tank and a treatment time to obtain a finished product. The ultra-stable surface-compressed enhanced solid wood flooring produced by the method features high dimensional stability, low set-recovery after water absorption, and desired moisture and heat resistance.