Telescopic Underfloor Side Wall Structure for Variable Screed Heights

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing underfloor installation components with rigid side walls, such as those made of sheet metal, face challenges in accommodating varying screed thicknesses without additional height adjustments, leading to potential denting and incomplete screed penetration, and existing adjustable solutions compromise installation cavity volume or stability.

Innovation Solution

The underfloor installation component features telescopically adjustable side wall sections connected by guide hooks, allowing for automatic height adjustment of the side wall relative to the base plate, ensuring stability and flexibility across different screed thicknesses without compromising the installation cavity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rigid side panels made of sheet metal are used, then lateral strength and resistance to screed pressure are improved, but adaptability to varying screed thicknesses deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral strengthVSAvoidadaptability to varying screed thicknesses
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The side wall is divided into multiple side wall parts that can be adjusted independently. Each side wall part can be positioned at different heights to accommodate varying screed thicknesses while maintaining rigid lateral strength through the sheet metal construction of individual segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The side wall structure transitions from a fixed rigid panel to a dynamic adjustable system. The side wall parts can be moved vertically along the base plate to adapt to different screed thicknesses, providing both rigidity when positioned and adaptability through movement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If side panels with maximum height are used, then adaptability to varying screed thicknesses is improved, but device complexity and need for on-site adjustment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to varying screed thicknessesVSAvoidcomplexity of height adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single maximum-height panel that requires cutting or complex adjustment mechanisms, the side wall is segmented into multiple standardized parts that can be combined in different configurations. This reduces on-site adjustment complexity while maintaining adaptability to various screed thicknesses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If foam formwork frame is used, then adaptability to lower side wall heights is improved, but installation cavity volume is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to lower side wall heightsVSAvoidinstallation cavity volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The side wall uses thin, adjustable metal segments rather than a bulky foam formwork frame. This segmentation allows the side wall to achieve lower heights without requiring excessive material width, thereby preserving maximum installation cavity volume while maintaining adaptability to different screed thicknesses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If flexible side skirts are used, then ease of installation is improved, but resistance to screed pressure and prevention of denting deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidresistance to screed pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The side wall uses rigid segmented panels instead of a single flexible skirt. Each segment can be independently positioned and secured, providing both ease of installation through modular assembly and superior resistance to screed pressure through the rigid sheet metal construction of each segment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4007097B1Underfloor installation component
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 OBO BETTERMANN HUNGARY KFT
  • EP4007097B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4007097B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4007097B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Described is an underfloor installation component 1 with a frame part 2 supported on a base plate 4 and a side wall 5 connected to the frame part 2 and extending between the frame part and the base plate, wherein the side wall 5 is composed of at least two side wall parts 7, 7.1; 8, 8.1; 9, 9.1 which are adjustable telescopically relative to each other in the vertical direction, of which one side wall part 9, 9.1 is connected to the frame part 2 and another side wall part 7, 7.1 is connected to the base plate 4, of which side wall parts 7, 7.1; 8, 8.1; 9, 9.1 a first side wall part 8, 8.1 with at least two guide hooks 10, 10.1 spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction to the adjustment direction and open in this direction; 14 on a second side wall part 7, 7.1; 8, 8.1; 9, 9.1, arranged in a section overlapping with the first side wall part 8, 8.1, with its guide hooks 10, 10.1, 14 each into a guide track 11, 11.1; 12, 12.1 of the second side wall part 7, 7.1; 8, 8.1; 9, 9.1 engaging, held and guided.