WO2007111418A1

WO2007111418A1 - Adiabatic plate and the hot floor using the same

Info

Publication number: WO2007111418A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/001011
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ho Young Lee
Original assignee: Ho Young Lee
Priority date: 2006-03-02
Filing date: 2007-02-27
Publication date: 2007-10-04

Abstract

An adiabatic plate used for heating a room is disclosed. The adiabatic plate (100) of the present invention includes a plurality of support member receiving holes (10), which are formed at predetermined positions through the adiabatic plate (100) for installation of support members (50) in the adiabatic plate such that the adiabatic plate withstands an external load or impact. The adiabatic plate (100) may further include a receiving groove (20), which receives at least one of a heating element, a wire for the heating element, a control or measurement device including a temperature control device, or a part pertaining to the heating element. Furthermore, the present invention provides a hot floor panel using the adiabatic plate.

Description

Description ADIABATIC PLATE AND THE HOT FLOOR USING THE SAME

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to adiabatic plates for insulating heating elements for heating rooms and, more in detail, to an adiabatic plate, which facilitates installation and maintenance thereof and which can efficiently insulate a heating element. Particularly, the adiabatic plate of the present invention can be conveniently used in a hot floor panel, efficiently insulate the hot floor panel, and reliably support a top plate of the hot floor panel, and which is convenient to use.

[2] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a hot floor panel using the adiabatic plate. Background Art

[3] Generally, for constructing a system of heating a floor of a room, an oil or gas boiler is provided outside the room and a pipe connected to the boiler is arranged under the floor, or, in the case of use of electricity, the floor of the room is constructed with a heating panel including an electric heating wire, an electric panel or a planar heating element.

[4] To conduct the piping work after the boiler has been installed, an adiabatic plate is laid on a base surface, and a heating pipe, such as an XL pipe or a bronze pipe, is arranged on the adiabatic plate. At this time, after the adiabatic plate has been laid, the heating pipe is arranged on and fixed to the adiabatic plate using a wire mesh or the like. Thereafter, gravel is laid around the heating pipe, and it is covered with cement. Subsequently, a finishing work is conducted using a flooring material, solid wood flooring or the like. However, in the conventional technique, the piping work is relatively complex. In addition, because vibration or impact applied to the upper surface of the floor is directly transmitted to the adiabatic plate and the base surface, the entire floor trembles and thus becomes weak. To prevent the above problems, it is preferable that a hard adiabatic plate be used. However, adiabatic plates made of material such as polystyrene foam, which has low strength but has high adiabatic efficiency, are widely used to ensure superior adiabatic efficiency. If an adiabatic plate having high strength is laid under the heating pipe or the heating element to increase durability against impact or vibration, in place of an adiabatic plate such as polystyrene foam having high adiabatic efficiency, high costs for heating the room are incurred due to heat loss. To avoid such a disadvantage, an expensive adiabatic plate, which has superior adiabatic efficiency despite having high strength, must be used.

[5] Meanwhile, in the case of the floor heating system using the electric heating element or heating panel, polystyrene foam or foamed adiabatic material is also used to reduce heat loss. In this case, the above-mentioned problems also occur.

[6] As such, the adiabatic plate made of material such as polystyrene foam has superior adiabatic efficiency and can be easily handled. However, due to its low strength, it easily vibrates or is twisted by impact or load, thus being unstable.

[7] Furthermore, in the case of the conventional adiabatic plate made of material such as polystyrene foam, it is difficult to solve a problem of noise transmission between floors. Therefore, additional cost and effort for preventing noise is required. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[8] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an adiabatic plate for heating a room which can be easily installed or used and can use any existing heating element and reduce vibration and deformation.

[9] Another object of the present invention is to provide an adiabatic plate which can reduce noise transmitted between the floors.

[10] A further object of the present invention is to provide a hot floor panel using the adiabatic plate. Technical Solution

[11] In an aspect, the present invention provides an adiabatic plate used for heating a room, including: a plurality of support member receiving holes formed at predetermined positions through the adiabatic plate for installation of support members in the adiabatic plate such that the adiabatic plate withstands an external load or impact; or the plurality of support member receiving holes, and a receiving groove to receive at least one of a heating element, a wire for the heating element, a control or measurement device including a temperature control device, or a part pertaining to the heating element.

[12] The adiabatic plate of the present invention minimizes a heat loss of the heating element and makes it possible for the heating element to heat a top plate. In another aspect, the present invention provides a hot floor panel, including: the adiabatic plate; a heating element placed in the receiving groove of the adiabatic plate or attached on the adiabatic plate; a hard support member inserted into each of the support member receiving holes of the adiabatic plate; and a top plate attached on the heating element or the adiabatic plate.

[13] The adiabatic plate of the present invention is constructed such that it is able to withstand load or impact using the support member and minimize a heat loss of the heating element, so that the heating element can efficiently heat an object. Furthermore, the present invention facilitates installation of the heating element.

[14] Here, a heating pipe for a typical boiler, or a heating element, which converts electric energy into thermal energy, for example, a linear or planar type electric heating element, or a electric heating element having a thin layer structure provided with a mesh or a net type heating part, can be used as the heating element for the adiabatic plate of the present invention.

[15] In the case where the heating element is the heating pipe for heating the room, the adiabatic plate has space for receiving the heating pipe and receiving holes for receiving the support members. As such, the adiabatic plate of the present invention has a structure such that the heating pipe for heating the floor of the room using an outside boiler or the like can be used as the heating element. In this case, unlike a conventional basic adiabatic polystyrene foam plate, because heat of the heating pipe can be concentrated to the objective portion of the floor, the heat efficiency can be enhanced.

[16] Meanwhile, in the case of the heating element, which converts electric energy into thermal energy, the shape thereof is simple but a separate space for receiving wiring may be required. Therefore, the adiabatic plate has the space for installation of the support members, which disperse load and absorb impact, and, as necessary, has one or more separate spaces for wiring and installation of an additional electric control device such as a temperature control device for electric safety. As such, the adiabatic plate of the present invention has a single body structure having the space for wiring and installation of the additional device as well as the space for installation of the support members.

[17] Furthermore, the adiabatic plate of the present invention is constructed such that the heating part of the heating element, other than part facing the object to be heated, can be maximally insulated. Furthermore, because load or impact applied to the floor, which is the object to be heated, is transmitted to the base surface through the support members, the load or impact is not directly transmitted to the adiabatic plate. Therefore, the adiabatic plate is prevented from being deformed by the load or impact, so that the lifetime thereof is extended, and a range, within which the thickness of the adiabatic plate can be adjusted, is increased. In addition, the support members serve to evenly disperse load or impact, applied to the floor, to the base surface, thus reducing vibration or impact generated when a person walks or moves on the floor.

[18] As such, because the adiabatic plate of the present invention has the space for receiving the hard support members, which are evenly distributed at appropriate positions to withstand and disperse load applied thereto, and the space for piping, wiring or installation of the additional devices, the adiabatic plate is made of adiabatic material having superior processability or plasticity to easily form the above- mentioned space as well as having high adiabatic efficiency. For example, existing adiabatic material, such as polystyrene foam, foamed urethane, etc., may be used as the material of the adiabatic plate.

[19] In the present invention, for finishing work, cement may be applied on the adiabatic plate, or a top plate, which is not easily bent, that is, is relatively hard, may be laid on the adiabatic plate. In the both cases, because load or impact is prevented from being directly applied to the adiabatic plate, the lifetime of the adiabatic plate can be extended.

[20] Meanwhile, the adiabatic plate of the present invention may be used in the hot floor panel using the electric heating element or the like. The hot floor panel is a single independent panel comprising the above-mentioned construction and heats the room using heat of the heating element. Furthermore, the hot floor panel may be manufactured into various sizes, and several hot floor panels may be arranged in the same manner as that of typical tiles.

[21] In the hot floor panel, a top plate is disposed at the uppermost position. The top plate may comprise any floor sheet, which can be cut to a desired size, for example, a sheet made of ceramic material, such as artificial stone, a tile, natural stone or stone that radiates far infrared rays; a wood sheet, such as natural wood sheet, an artificial wood sheet or laminate flooring sheet; or a chemical floor sheet, such as a papered floor sheet or a sheet made of PVC. In the case of the top plate made of ceramic, if a pattern is formed on the upper surface of the top plate using a printing method, in the same manner as that of the typical tile, it can be used without a separate flooring finish. Furthermore, thanks to characteristics of the ceramic, the ceramic top plate can evenly generate and accumulate heat, thus ensuring agreeable heating, in the same manner as that of a hot floor of a Korean traditional in-floor heating system. In addition, the ceramic top plate can radiate a large amount of far infrared rays. Moreover, in the case where a plurality of protrusions or acupressure parts is provided on the upper surface of the top plate, an acupressure effect can be exhibited. Meanwhile, the wood floor sheet may be used as a high-quality floor sheet for home use. In the case where the wood floor sheet is used, the constructability can be increased, and agreeable touch feel can be ensured. Furthermore, another type floor sheet manufactured by combination of the ceramic floor sheet and the wood floor sheet may be used as the top plate.

[22] The heating element is placed under the top plate. Preferably, various kinds of heating elements, which can convert electric energy into thermal energy, for example, a linear or planar type heating element, or a heating element having a thin layer structure provided with a mesh or a net type heating part, may be used as the heating element. Particularly, because a thin planar, mesh or net type heating element generates few electromagnetic waves unlike a conventional electric heating coil, it has no negative influence on the health of the user's body. Furthermore, the thin planar, mesh or net type heating element facilitates a process of constructing the floor heating system. The heating element of the present invention having the thin layer structure can be easily cut to a size corresponding to the ceramic plate, in the same manner as that of a conventional planar heating element. The ceramic plate and the heating element can be adhered to each other by bonding. Furthermore, the linear, planar, mesh or net type heating element, may be directly printed on the ceramic plate, or the heating part of the heating element may be directly attached to the ceramic plate. Here, because such heating element uses electricity and is thus not resistant to water, when wiring, waterproofness must be ensured.

[23] The adiabatic plate is placed under the heating element. The adiabatic plate can efficiently insulate heat of the heating element such that the floor can be efficiently heated. Furthermore, the adiabatic plate is constructed such that it can withstand load applied to the hot floor panel.

[24] In addition, the adiabatic plate of the present invention may be made of various adiabatic materials.

Advantageous Effects

[25] The adiabatic plate according to the present invention facilitates the construction of a floor heating system and increases the adiabatic efficiency. [26] Furthermore, the adiabatic plate of the present invention is able to reliably hold a heating element and has enhanced durability. [27] In addition, the adiabatic plate of the present invention can withstand external vibration, load and impact, thus extending the lifetime thereof and being comfortable to a user. [28] As well, the adiabatic plate and the hot floor panel according to the present invention can reduce impact and vibration, thus mitigating noise transmitted between floors. [29] The hot floor panel using the adiabatic plate according to the present invention can be easily manufactured and have increased heating efficiency. [30] The hot floor panel according to the present invention can be easily constructed and produced as a single unit, which has a predetermined size, in the same manner as that of a typical floor sheet having a heating function. [31] Furthermore, because the hot floor panels of the present invention can be assembled with each other in the same manner as a method of assembling ceramic floor sheets or wood sheets, the process of installing the hot floor panels is simplified. [32] In addition, when it is desired to repair the heating floor, because only a desired panel can be replaced with a new one, the maintenance and repair works are conveniently performed.

[33] As well, in the hot floor panel according to the present invention, because the top plate is configured such that a coupling protrusion and a coupling seat thereof are formed by coupling two floor sheets, the workability is enhanced.

[34] Moreover, in the present invention, the heating efficiency of the top plate, which are manufactured by coupling a soft floor sheet having a relatively low heat conductivity to a hard floor sheet having a relatively high heat conductivity, can be increased by adjusting the thicknesses of the soft floor sheet and the hard floor sheet. Furthermore, the hard floor sheet such as the ceramic floor sheet, which is mainly used for high- traffic areas, may be used for light-traffic areas to increase heating efficiency, thus saving costs required for heating the room.

[35] Unlike the conventional floor sheets, which have been classified into a floor sheet for high-traffic and a floor sheet for light-traffic areas, the hot floor panel of the present invention can be used both for heavy and light-traffic areas by adjusting the thickness of the soft floor sheet.

[36] In addition, unlike the conventional technique, in which ceramic floor sheets are arranged at predetermined intervals to prevent the ceramic floor sheets from being damaged due to high brittleness thereof, have poor appearance, and are excessively sensitive to heat, in the hot floor panel according to the present invention, because the top plate can be provided with the soft floor sheet, a burn injury to the user can be prevented, and a user's comfort is ensured.

[37] As well, the hot floor panel of the present invention has an advantage of superior heat transfer efficiency of ceramic material and an advantage of soft and natural feel of wood material, so that natural feel can be ensured while achieving superior heating efficiency.

[38] The hot floor panel of the present invention can exhibit the positive characteristics of the soft floor sheet despite using a reduced amount of material compared to the expensive soft floor sheet. Therefore, the present invention can reduce costs of manufacturing the hot floor panel.

[39] Furthermore, the hot floor panel of the present invention is advantageous in that an electric wire is reliably prevented from being exposed to water.

[40] Meanwhile, in the case where the soft floor sheet is relatively thin, there is a disadvantage in that, with the passage of time, it may be deformed by absorbing water. However, in the present invention, because the soft floor sheet is adhered to the hard floor sheet, the floor panel is prevented from being deformed for a long period.

[41] The hot floor panel of the present invention can be easily constructed and produced as a single unit, which has a predetermined size, in the same manner as that of a tile or slate having an electric heating function.

[42] Furthermore, in the present invention, because the heating element is directly adhered to the tile or slate, the heating efficiency is increased, and the tile or slate can supplement the weak points in the heating element having relatively low strength.

[43] In addition, in the hot floor panel of the present invention, because the tile (ceramic) or slate has a relatively high far infrared ray radiating efficiency, unlike the typical wood sheet, it is beneficial for the user's health. As well, the hot floor panel may be constructed such that the tile or slate is exposed outside, so that a danger of fire is reduced.

[44] Moreover, when it is desired to repair the heating floor, because only a desired panel can be replaced with a new one, the maintenance and repair are convenient.

[45] In addition, the hot floor panels of the present invention can be easily arranged using the coupling protrusions and the coupling seats, which are formed on the ceramic plates or by coupling between the ceramic plates and the adiabatic plates. Thus, the hot floor panels can be reliably assembled with each other, and thereby preventing an electric leakage or short circuit due to permeation of water through the coupling agent.

[46] In the case where the planar heating element made of vinyl is laid on the base surface, there is a danger of an electric leakage attributable to moisture formed under the lower surface thereof. However, in the present invention, because several pieces of panels are laid on the base surface to form ventilation passages, moisture is easily removed through the passages between the panels. Furthermore, reliable water- proofness of the heating element is ensured. Thus, there is no danger of an electric leakage.

[47] Moreover, the hot floor panel of the present invention may be provided with acupressure parts, thus exhibiting acupressure effect. Brief Description of the Drawings

[48] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of an adiabatic plate 100 according to the present invention, wherein Fig. Ia is a perspective view thereof, and Fig. Ib is a sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. Ia;

[49] Fig. 2 shows another embodiment of an adiabatic plate 100 according to the present invention, wherein Fig. 2a is a perspective view thereof, Fig. 2b is a sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 2a, and Fig. 2c is a sectional view taken along line B-B of Fig. 2a;

[50] Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 2, showing a heating pipe 80 arranged in the adiabatic plate 100, and a filling material 90 charged in the adiabatic plate 100;

[51] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a further embodiment of an adiabatic plate according to the present invention; [52] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing yet another embodiment of an adiabatic plate according to the present invention; [53] Figs. 6a, 6b and 6c are sectional views showing three examples of a structure in which a support member is inserted into a support member receiving hole of the adiabatic plate according to the present invention; [54] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the several adiabatic plates coupled to each other to form a structure such that a single heating pipe is arranged in the adiabatic plates; [55] Fig. 8 shows still another embodiment of an adiabatic plate according to the present invention, wherein Fig. 8a is a front view, and Fig. 8b is a bottom view; [56] Fig. 9 illustrates a hot floor panel 900 using the adiabatic plate according to the present invention, wherein Fig. 9a is a perspective view, and Fig. 9b is a front view; [57] Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing other examples of support members used in the adiabatic plate of the hot floor panel 900 according to the present invention; [58] Fig. 11 illustrates a hot floor panel 100 that differs from that of Fig. 9 according to the present invention, wherein Fig. 1 Ia is a perspective view, and Fig. 1 Ib is a sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 11a; [59] Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a planar heating element 300 used as an example of a heating element for the hot floor panel 900 according to the present invention; [60] Fig. 13 shows a ceramic plate, which is a top plate of the hot floor panel of the present invention and is provided with coupling protrusions and coupling seats formed only in the lower ends of the edges of the ceramic plate by molding, wherein Fig. 13a is a perspective view, Fig. 13b is a sectional view taken along line B-B Fig. 13a, and

Fig. 13c is a sectional view taken along line C-C Fig. 13a; [61] Fig. 14 shows another ceramic plate 200 having two pairs of coupling protrusions

220 and coupling seats 230 formed on the entire edges thereof, wherein Fig. 14a is a perspective view, and Fig. 14b is a plan view;

[62] Figs. 15a through 15d are perspective views, a sectional view and a plan view illustrating assembly structures of the ceramic plates of the hot floor panel according to the present invention; [63] Figs. 16a through 16c are a perspective view and sectional views showing an example of a structure in which a soft floor sheet is coupled to a ceramic plate of the hot floor panel according to the present invention; [64] Figs. 17a through 17c show another example of a structure in which a soft floor sheet 290 is layered on a ceramic plate 280 according to the present invention, wherein

Fig. 17a is a perspective view, and Figs. 17b and 17c are sectional views taken along lines B-B' and C-C of Fig. 17a, respectively; [65] Figs. 18a through 18c show another example of a structure in which a soft floor sheet 290 is layered on a ceramic plate 280 according to the present invention, wherein

Fig. 18a is a perspective view, and Figs. 18b and 18c are sectional views taken along lines B-B' and C-C of Fig. 18a, respectively; [66] Figs. 19a through 19c show another example of a structure in which a soft floor sheet 290 is layered on a ceramic plate 280 according to the present invention, wherein

Fig. 19a is a perspective view, and Figs. 19b and 19c are sectional views taken along lines B-B' and C-C of Fig. 19a, respectively; [67] Fig. 20 shows a hot floor panel, in which coupling protrusions and coupling seats are formed by misaligned-coupling between an adiabatic plate and a top plate, wherein

Fig. 20a is a perspective view, Fig. 20b is a plan view, and Fig. 20c is a sectional view; [68] Fig. 21 is a perspective view illustrating an assembly of another embodiment of a hot floor panel according to the present invention; [69] Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing a further embodiment of a hot floor panel according to the present invention; [70] Fig. 23 is a perspective view showing yet another embodiment of a hot floor panel according to the present invention; [71] Figs. 24a and 24b are partially broken perspective views showing an embodiment of an electric connection device for the hot floor panel according to the present invention; [72] Figs. 25a and 25b are partially broken perspective views showing another embodiment of an electric connection device according to the present invention; [73] Figs. 26a and 26b are partially broken perspective views showing a further embodiment of an electric connection device according to the present invention; [74] Figs. 27a and 27b are partially broken perspective views showing yet another embodiment of an electric connection device according to the present invention; [75] Figs. 28a through 28c are enlarged sectional views showing an example of a compression ring used in the present invention; [76] Fig. 29 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a hot floor panel according to the present invention, wherein Fig. 29a is a perspective view, and Fig. 29b is a front view; [77] Fig. 30 is a front sectional view corresponding to Fig. 29, but illustrating of another formation of large protrusions 213 and small protrusions 215 on tiles 212 of a ceramic plate 200; [78] Fig. 31 shows an example of coupling among the top plate, the adiabatic plate, the support members and the heating element according to the present invention; and [79] Fig. 32 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 31a to show the coupling of the elements illustrated in Fig. 31. Mode for the Invention

[80] Hereinafter, a hot floor panel according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings, lengths and thicknesses of elements may be exaggerated to more clearly and conveniently illustrate the present invention. Furthermore, reference should now be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used throughout the different drawings to designate the same or similar components.

[81] Fig. Ia shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an adiabatic plate 100 according to the present invention, and Fig. Ib is a sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. Ia. A plurality of cylindrical support member receiving holes 10 is formed in the adiabatic plate 100 of the present invention. Furthermore, two rectangular support member receiving holes 11 are formed at respective left and right positions in the adiabatic plate 100. Here, the support member receiving holes may have various shapes. Support members are inserted into the respective support member receiving holes 10 and 11. Furthermore, the sizes, shapes and arrangement of the support member receiving holes may be variously changed depending on the size of the adiabatic plate and the shapes of the support members. In addition, it is preferable that the support member receiving holes be arranged in various structures such that the adiabatic plate can withstand load or impact applied thereto. In this embodiment, the support members are not separately shown in the drawing.

[82] Fig. 2 shows another embodiment of an adiabatic plate 100 according to the present invention. This embodiment pertains to an adiabatic plate 100 that uses a heating pipe, such as an XL pipe or copper pipe, which has been used in a typical boiler system, as a heating element. Fig. 2a is a perspective view of this embodiment. Fig. 2b is a sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 2a. Fig. 2c is a sectional view taken along line B-B of Fig. 2a. Hereinafter, this embodiment will be explained in detail with reference to Fig. 2.

[83] In this embodiment, pipe receiving grooves 20, each of which has a predetermined depth, and into which heating pipes are seated, are formed in the adiabatic plate 100 into a lattice structure. Furthermore, support member receiving holes 10, which receive respective support members, are evenly formed in the adiabatic plate without overlapping the pipe receiving grooves 20. Furthermore, in the lattice structure, curved parts 21 are formed in portions, at which the pipe receiving grooves 20 cross each other, such that the pipes can be easily arranged in curved lines. In addition, fastening grooves 22, each of which has a depth greater than that of the pipe receiving groove 20, are formed in the pipe receiving grooves 20 in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal directions of the pipe receiving grooves 20. The fastening grooves may not be perpendicular to the pipe receiving grooves, that is, may cross the pipe receiving grooves at various angles. However, it is most preferable that the fastening grooves be perpendicular to the pipe receiving grooves, because work efficiency is optimized.

[84] Meanwhile, preferably, the adiabatic plate 100, having the support member receiving holes 10 and the pipe receiving grooves 20, is formed by injection molding or molding using polystyrene foam or other insulation substances. Furthermore, the pipe receiving grooves 20, the fastening grooves 22 and the curved parts 21 are constructed such that the existing heating pipes, such as XL pipes, copper pipes, stainless pipes, etc., can be still used. As shown in the drawing, although the pipe receiving grooves 20 are formed into the lattice shape, some of the pipe receiving grooves may not be used in a pipe arrangement, and the pipe receiving grooves 20 may be formed into a zigzag shape, as illustrated in other embodiments, which will be described later herein. That is, for mere convenience of the pipe arrangement, the pipe receiving grooves 20 are formed in a lattice shape. Furthermore, the curved parts 21 serve to merely define space for bending the heating pipe, therefore they may not be provided in the adiabatic plate 100. The fastening grooves 22 are used to additionally fix the arranged heating pipe to the adiabatic plate 100. In detail, when cement or other filling material is applied into the support member receiving holes 10 and to the upper surface of the adiabatic plate 100, it is charged into the fastening grooves 22, thereby the heating pipe can be additionally fixed to the adiabatic plate 100.

[85] As such, a substance, which has stiffness higher than that of the adiabatic plate 100, is charged into or inserted into each support member receiving hole 10, thus preventing the adiabatic plate 100 from being deformed by an external load or impact.

[86] Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 2, showing a heating pipe 80 arranged in the adiabatic plate 100, and a filling material 90 charged in the adiabatic plate 100. As shown in the drawing, the heating pipe 80 is arranged along the pipe receiving grooves 20. After the heating pipe 80 has been placed in the pipe receiving grooves 20, the filling material 90 such as cement is charged into the support member receiving holes 10, the fastening holes 22 and remaining parts of the pipe receiving grooves 20. In addition, the filling material 90 is further applied to the upper surface of the adiabatic plate to a predetermined thickness. Therefore, the heating pipe is fixed to the adiabatic plate and the filling material 90, which is applied to the upper surface of the adiabatic plate, by the filling material 90 such as cement, which is charged into the fastening holes 22.

[87] The width and depth of each pipe receiving groove 20 may be changed depending on the thickness of the heating pipe. Preferably, the pipe receiving groove 20 has a depth sufficient to completely insert the heating pipe into the adiabatic plate and has a width slightly less than the heating pipe such that the heating pipe is forcibly fitted into the pipe receiving groove 20. In detail, it is preferable that the width of the pipe receiving groove 20 be less than the thickness of the heating pipe by approximately lmm to 2mm, so that the heating pipe is fitted into the pipe receiving groove 20 using slight force. Typically, because the adiabatic plate made of polystyrene foam has elasticity, even though the width of the pipe receiving groove is less than the thickness of the heating pipe, the pipe can be forcibly inserted into the receiving groove. Moreover, in the case of the heating pipe such as the XL pipe having elasticity, when conducting the pipe arrangement, an operation of holding the heating pipe is required. Therefore, to fit the heating pipe into the adiabatic plate facilitates the pipe arrangement process.

[88] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a further embodiment of an adiabatic plate according to the present invention. Unlike the adiabatic plate illustrated in Fig. 2, in the adiabatic plate 100 according to this embodiment, a pipe receiving groove 20 is formed into a shape such that a heating pipe is inserted into the adiabatic plate 100 in a zigzag manner. Furthermore, a plurality of support member receiving holes 10 is formed in the adiabatic plate without overlapping the pipe receiving grooves 20. As such, the adiabatic plate 100 of this embodiment has a simple structure which makes it possible to merely insert the heating pipe thereinto. Furthermore, the pipe receiving groove 20 is formed such that the adiabatic plate 100 can be connected at a left upper position and a right lower position thereof to other adiabatic plates 100 to arrange a single pipe in the adiabatic plates 100.

[89] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing yet another embodiment of an adiabatic plate according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a plurality of pipe receiving grooves 20 is formed in the adiabatic plate 100 in one direction. A plurality of support member receiving holes 10 is formed at predetermined positions in the adiabatic plate 100. Furthermore, fastening grooves 22 are formed in the adiabatic plate in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of each pipe receiving groove 20. Unlike the adiabatic plate 100 of Fig. 2 and the adiabatic plate 100 of Fig. 4, the adiabatic plate 100 of this embodiment is preferably used along with the adiabatic plate 100 of Fig. 2 rather than being used independently. For example, the adiabatic plate 100 of this embodiment may be interposed between the adiabatic plates of Fig. 2 to support a medial portion of a relatively long heating pipe. For this, the adiabatic plate of this embodiment has a relatively simple structure.

[90] Fig. 6 is sectional views showing three examples of a structure in which a support member is inserted into a support member receiving hole of the adiabatic plate according to the present invention. As shown in Fig. 6a, a support member 50 is fitted into a support member receiving hole 10 of the adiabatic plate 100. The support member 50 serves to absorb load or impact applied to a top plate 200 placed on the adiabatic plate 100. The support member 50 is made of hardening material, such as epoxy or cement, or hard rubber appropriate to withstand load or impact. In other words, material, which has stiffness higher than that of the adiabatic plate and is able to absorb an impact and prevent vibration, is used for the support member.

[91] As shown in Fig. 6b, the support member 50 may comprise an upper elastic part 51, a support body 52 and a lower elastic part 53. The upper elastic part 51 is made of elastic material such as silicone rubber appropriate to absorb an impact and serves to first absorb load or impact applied to the top plate 200 placed on the adiabatic plate 100. The support body 52 is made of the same material as that of the support member 50 of Fig. 6a and serves to withstand a relatively large load or impact applied to the adiabatic plate 100 and the entire hot floor panel. The lower elastic part 53 serves to finally absorb the load or impact to be transmitted from the support body 52 to a base surface (not shown), on which the adiabatic plate 100 is placed. Here, if the elastic parts 51 and 53 are too thick, deformation of the adiabatic plate 100 or the hot floor panel may be induced. If they are too thin, the efficiency of absorbing impact is reduced. Hence, the elastic parts 51 and 53 must be set to appropriate thicknesses.

[92] Fig. 6c shows an adiabatic plate 100 having a structure such that a lower surface thereof serves as the lower elastic part 53 of Fig. 6b. As shown in the drawing, a support member receiving hole 100 does not completely pass through the adiabatic plate such that the lower surface of the adiabatic plate remains. Preferably, the lower surface of the adiabatic plate has a thickness of an approximately 2mm. That is, because the adiabatic plate is made of material such as polystyrene foam, which is softer and has elasticity superior than the support member 50, the part of the adiabatic plate can serve as the elastic part. Furthermore, in this case, any one of the support members of Fig. 6a and Fig. 6b can be inserted into the support member receiving hole 10.

[93] The examples illustrated in Fig. 6 can be applied to the support member receiving holes and the support members of the all embodiments of the adiabatic plate of the present invention. That is, in other embodiments, although the support member receiving hole is illustrated as completely passing through the adiabatic plate, it will be easily appreciated that the adiabatic plate may have the structures illustrated in Fig. 6.

[94] Meanwhile, the support member 50 may be manufactured through a separate process and be inserted into the support member receiving hole 10. Furthermore, a spring having respectively strong elasticity or a spring provided with a stop rod, which limits a change in length of the spring, (for example, a rod that limits the length to which the spring is maximally compressed) may be used as the support member 50. As such, the support members 50 serve to absorb load or vibration applied to the hot floor panel and help to reduce noise transmitted between the floors in structures, such as apartment buildings. In the case where the support members of the present invention are used, preferably, the thickness of the adiabatic plate could be increased to solve problems pertaining to heating efficiency, vibration, load and noise. The support members 50 may be inserted into the adiabatic plate 100 when the pipe arrangement process is conducted, but it is more efficient to conduct the pipe arrangement process after the support members 50 have been previously inserted into the adiabatic plate. In other words, the support member 50 may be previously manufactured through a separate process to have a structure such that it comprises the elastic part having superior elasticity and the support body having stiffness higher than the elastic body or, alternatively, to have other various structures.

[95] The top plate may be made of filling or finish material such as cement described above. Alternatively, as the top plate, a separate finish made of ceramic may be attached to the adiabatic plate. Although the support member 50 having the separate elastic parts has been explained for illustrative purpose, the support member 50 may be made of a single substance such as hard rubber, so long as it can sufficiently absorb load or impact applied to the adiabatic plate.

[96] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the several adiabatic plates 100 coupled to each other to form a structure such that a single heating pipe is arranged in the adiabatic plates. In Fig. 7, nine sheets of adiabatic plates 100 are placed to arrange a single heating pipe. Furthermore, pipe receiving grooves 20 are formed in the nine adiabatic plates 100 such that the heating pipe can be arranged in a zigzag manner, and support member receiving holes 10 are formed at predetermined positions in the adiabatic plates 100. In detail, preferably, adiabatic plates, which have a structure such that a heating pipe is bent and arranged therein in the same manner as that in the adiabatic plate 100 of Fig. 2, are used as six adiabatic plates 100 including three disposed at the upper positions in the drawing and three disposed at the lower positions. The adiabatic plates of Fig. 5 are preferably used as the adiabatic plates, which are disposed at medial positions. As such, Fig. 7 schematically shows the structure in which the several adiabatic plates are coupled to each other such that the single heating pipe can be arranged in the adiabatic plates.

[97] Although the adiabatic plate according to the present invention has been illustrated as being used when a heating pipe is used as a heating element, that is, as being used for a typical heating pipe arrangement, it may be used in the same manner as a hot floor panel having an independent structure, which will be explained herein below.

[98] In the adiabatic plates described above, the fastening grooves or the curved parts other than the pipe receiving grooves and the support member receiving holes may not be provided. In the case where the fastening grooves or the curved parts are formed along with the adiabatic plate when the adiabatic plate is formed using polystyrene foam or foamed urethane by injection molding, there is an advantage in that usefulness of the adiabatic plate is increased.

[99] Fig. 8 illustrates an adiabatic plate to be used in the case where a heating element, which uses electric energy and has various structures, such as a linear type, a planar type, a mesh type, or a net type structure, is used. In this embodiment of Fig. 8, support member receiving holes and seats for wiring and a temperature control unit are formed in the adiabatic plate. Fig. 8a is a plan view of this adiabatic plate, and Fig. 8b is a bottom view thereof. As shown in Fig. 8, the support member receiving holes 10 are formed through the adiabatic plate 100 at four corners and at the central portion thereof. Furthermore, rectangular through holes 35 for wiring are formed in the adiabatic plate 100 at left and right positions, that is, on opposite sides of the central portion of the adiabatic plate 100. When viewing the plan view of Fig. 8a, a thin planar electric heating element is attached to the upper surface of the adiabatic plate. The wires of the heating element extend to the lower surface of the adiabatic plate through the wiring through holes 35. In addition, in the case where a thermo coupler or a bimetal strip is used as a temperature control unit, a temperature control unit seat 37, which has a size and a depth appropriate to receive the temperature control unit, is formed in the adiabatic plate. The temperature control unit serves to detect the temperature of the heating element and prevent the heating element from being overheated. It is preferable that the temperature control unit be attached to the upper surface of the adiabatic plate to which the heating element is attached, because it is efficient for the temperature control unit to directly contact the heating element. As shown in the bottom view of Fig. 8b, wiring grooves 38 are formed in the lower surface of the adiabatic plate to depths ranging from 3mm to 5mm, such that the wires of the heating element, which extend to the lower surface of the adiabatic plate through the through holes 35, can extend outside the adiabatic plate. Of course, the depth of each wiring groove may be changed depending on the thickness of the wire of the heating element. For example, if a relatively thin wire is used, the depth of the wiring groove is reduced, and, if a relatively thick wire is used, the depth of the wiring groove is increased. The wires of the heating element, which extend to the lower surface of the adiabatic plate 100 through the through holes, are arranged along the respective wiring grooves 38 and extend outside through respective support member receiving holes 13, which are formed adjacent to ends of the wiring grooves. As described above, because the wires pass through the associated support member receiving holes 13, when support members are formed in the support member receiving holes 13, the wires are reliably fixed to the adiabatic plate.

[100] Furthermore, coating holes 16 are formed at positions adjacent to the four respective corners of the lower surface of the adiabatic plate 30. When a planar heating element is used, the coating holes 16 are used as spaces for waterproofing and insulating parts of electrodes of the heating element that remain after some of the electrodes is removed.

[101] The sizes or shapes of the support member receiving holes 10, the wiring grooves

38, the temperature control unit seat 37, the coating holes 37 and the wiring through holes 35 may be changed depending on the kind of heating element. For example, Fig. 8 illustrates the case in which a typical planar heating element, having a structure such that the wires extend from the electrodes formed at the medial portions of the element, is used so that the rectangular through holes 35 are formed at left and right positions, that is, on opposite sides of the central portion of the adiabatic plate. However, in the case of a linear heating element, the through holes 35 may be formed at positions adjacent to the edges of the adiabatic plate. As such, in response to the characteristics of the heating element, the through holes 35 may be formed at any positions appropriate for wiring of the heating element. Furthermore, the other holes or grooves may be modified as necessary. For example, the wiring grooves may also be curved and formed adjacent to the edges of the adiabatic plate. In addition, preferably, the support member receiving holes 10 are formed at positions so as not to directly contact the heating element, in order to increase the utilization area of the adiabatic plate.

[102] Meanwhile, preferably, the adiabatic plate has a thickness of approximately 10mm, in consideration of the adiabatic efficiency thereof and the overall thickness of the hot floor panel.

[103] Furthermore, although the adiabatic plate of the present invention is illustrated as being manufactured using polystyrene foam for ease of formation of the receiving holes and grooves and the through holes, it is preferable that the adiabatic plate be manufactured using foamed adiabatic material. As well as the foamed adiabatic material, the adiabatic plate may be manufactured using adiabatic castable or cement molding agent such that the receiving holes and grooves and the through holes are formed in the adiabatic plate.

[104] In addition, the support members may be formed by hardening adiabatic castable or cement molding agent. Alternatively, the support members, which are previously manufactured using plastic or rubber, may be inserted into the respective receiving holes.

[105] Figs. 9a and 9b respectively are a perspective view and a front view illustrating a hot floor panel 900 using the adiabatic plate according to the present invention. The perspective view of Fig. 9a shows the hot floor panel turned upside down. The hot floor panel 900 uses a heating element, which converts electric energy into thermal energy, and, more particularly, uses the adiabatic plate 100 of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 8.

[106] As shown in Figs. 9a and 9b, a top plate 200 has a predetermined size, and any floor sheet can be used as the top plate. As the most typical structure, ceramic substances such as tiles or wood panels, which can be easily assembled to a desired size, may be used as the top plate. In the case where ceramic substances are used as the top plate 200, various patterns or figures can be formed on the upper surface of the top plate 200 in the same manner as that of typical tiles or potteries. Thus, there is a characteristic in that an operation of finishing a floor heating system construction can be conducted merely by constructing the hot floor panel of the present invention without using a separate finish. A heating element 300 is placed under the lower surface of the top plate 200. Therefore, the lower surface of the top plate 200 is preferably formed as even as possible.

[107] The thin linear or planar heating element described above may be used as the heating element 300, which is placed under the lower surface of the top plate 200. Furthermore, various heating elements, having thin layer structures, heating parts of which have mesh or net shapes, may be used. The heating element 300 may be attached to the lower surface of the top plate by various methods using bonding agent, such as epoxy, silicone, etc., or silicone mortar. In particular, in the case where epoxy or silicone is applied to the lower surface of the top plate 200, the lower surface of the top plate can be maintained even, and superior heat transfer efficiency and waterproof effect can be ensured. External power is applied to the heating element 300 through wires 35. In this embodiment, the typical planar heating element, in which carbon plates are connected in parallel to each other between opposite electrodes, is used. In this case, four wires 350 are used. Furthermore, because the heating element 300 is not resistant to moisture, after the wires 350 are coupled to the heating element by soldering or other method, the junctions therebetween are preferably wound using insulating tapes in order to ensure insulation and waterproofness.

[108] The adiabatic plate 100 is attached to the lower surface of the heating element 300.

The adiabatic plate 100 includes rigid support members 130, which serves as support frames and have a heat insulation function. The adiabatic plate 100 may be attached to the heating element 300 by bonding or cement molding. In Fig. 9, the support members 130 are formed in support member receiving holes, the shapes of which differ from those of the support member receiving holes 10 of Fig. 8. In detail, in this embodiment, the support members 130, having shapes different from the support members 50 described above, comprise four supports 130a, which are disposed at respective corners of the adiabatic plate, four supports 130b, which are disposed adjacent to respective edges of the adiabatic plate between the four supports 130a disposed at the corners, and a support 130c, which is disposed at the center of the adiabatic plate. Furthermore, each support member receiving hole has a shape corresponding to each support member 130. Sealing parts 133, through which the respective wires 350 extend outside for external wiring, and which hold the respective wires 350 and ensure water- proofness and insulation between the wires 350 and the heating element 300, are integrally formed in the respective supports 130a. The sealing parts 133 may not be formed, but it is preferable that they be used to ensure superior insulation and waterproof ability. Furthermore, preferably, each support member 130 is made of material such as epoxy or cement, which becomes rigid after having hardened and can withstand external load. In addition, plastic or rubber having high stiffness may be used as the material of the support member 130. As well, some of the support members or the all support members may be made of synthetic rubber, silicone or urethane to mitigate impact and enhance the vibration-absorbing ability.

[109] As can be appreciated from the drawings provided above, the shape of each support member is not important, that is, the support member can be formed to have various shapes, as long as it can sufficiently withstand load and impact.

[110] Meanwhile, as a method of forming the support members 130, the adiabatic plate

100 is attached to the heating element 300 and, thereafter, epoxy or cement molding agent is charged into the support member receiving holes formed in the adiabatic plate and is hardened, thus forming the support members. Alternatively, the adiabatic plate 100 may be attached to the heating element 300, after epoxy or cement molding agent has been charged into and hardened in the support member receiving holes of the adiabatic plate 100. However, the method of directly forming the support members 130 on the heating element 300 can be advantageous to the support member forming and bonding processes. In the case where rigid material such as plastic is used to form the support members, the support members may be previously manufactured through a separate process and fitted into the adiabatic plate, and, subsequently, the support members, along with the adiabatic plate, may be attached to the heating element 300.

[I l l] In the hot floor panel 900 of Fig. 9, the top plate 200 is larger than the heating element 300 and the adiabatic plate 100. The reason for this is that, although the heating element 300 of the hot floor panel 900 is heated at a temperature of 8O⁰C or less and the heating element 300 is slightly smaller than the top plate 200, thanks to the characteristics of the top plate 200, heat can be evenly transmitted to a degree sufficient to heat the room, and it is preferable that a passage 150 for wiring be formed in the hot floor panel, because the hot floor panel requires separate space for wiring unlike a typical electric panel. Here, in the case of a thin heating element such as the planar heating element, for safety, it is desirable that the heating element is heated at a temperature of 8O⁰C or less. Furthermore, in the case of the method of heating the room by heating the floor of the room, the floor easily absorbs moisture. Thus, it is preferable that the top plate be formed larger than the heating element and the adiabatic plate to form space such that the moisture can be easily removed without affecting the heating element 300.

[112] In addition, the heating element 300 is preferably constructed such that heating parts thereof are disposed inside the supports 130a and 130b. Particularly, in the case of the planar heating element, it is preferable that the carbon plates rather than the electrodes are disposed inside the supports 130a and 130b. Meanwhile, in the case of the top plate 200 made of ceramic, the support members 130 may be formed along with the top plate 200 when it is formed by plastic molding. In particular, the supports disposed adjacent to the edges of the adiabatic plate may be formed along with the top plate 200 using the same ceramic material as that of the top plate 200 through a single process when the top plate 200 is formed by molding. If the heating element 300 is shaped such that it is attached to portions of the adiabatic plate other than the central support 130c, the central support 130c may also be formed along with the top plate 200 by plastic molding. In this case, as necessary, additional wires may be arranged through an adiabatic material part. However, it is preferable that the sealing parts 133 be formed through a separate process, and the sealing parts be formed using epoxy or cement molding agent.

[113] In the present invention, the support members and the support member receiving holes may be formed into various shapes corresponding to each other and may be arranged in various manners. The support members are made of various materials appropriate to support the top plate.

[114] Furthermore, it is preferable that an area of portions of the support members 130 which directly contact the heating parts of the heating element 300 be as small as possible to increase heating efficiency and to prevent the heating element from being damaged. In addition, in the present invention, the support members 130 are not limited to any special shape or arrangement, as long as they can evenly disperse and efficiently absorb the load of the hot floor panel 900.

[115] In Fig. 8, the single adiabatic plate has been illustrated as being used as the hot floor panel, which uses an electric heating element. However, as shown in Figs. 2 through 7, several adiabatic plates may be used to construct a floor heating system using an electric heating element. In this case, wiring grooves, other receiving holes or grooves including support member receiving holes may be formed in each adiabatic plate. Furthermore, it is preferable that the adiabatic plates, which are previously provided with the support members, are used.

[116] Of course, the adiabatic plates, receiving the heating pipes, illustrated in Figs. 2 through 7, may also be used in the same manner as the hot floor panel. In this case, each heating pipe is previously arranged in and fixed to each adiabatic plate by bonding. Thereafter, support members are also previously inserted into each adiabatic plate, as illustrated in Fig. 6. Subsequently, top plates are attached to the respective adiabatic plates, thus forming hot floor panels. Here, when the hot floor panels are coupled to each other, the heating pipes arranged in the adiabatic plates of the hot floor panels must be coupled to each other through a separate process. Furthermore, a separate piping process must be conducted such that the heating pipes are coupled to an outside boiler.

[117] Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate other embodiments of the adiabatic plate and the support member according to the present invention.

[118] Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing other examples of support members used in the adiabatic plate of the hot floor panel 900 according to the present invention. Fig. 10a shows an adiabatic plate having support members 103 similar to that of Fig. 9, having no supports 130b. Fig. 10b shows an adiabatic plate having a circular or elliptical central support 140, unlike the central support 130c of Fig. 9. Fig. 10c shows an adiabatic plate having circular or elliptical supports 145 constituting the support members, unlike the supports 130a, 130b and 130c of Fig. 9. The shapes and arrangement of the support members 130 correspond to those of the support member receiving holes and are not limited to special shapes or arrangement, as long as they can evenly disperse and efficiently absorb the load of the hot floor panel 900 of the present invention.

[119] Fig. 1 Ia is a perspective view illustrating a hot floor panel 100 that differs from that of Fig. 9, and Fig. 1 Ib is a sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 11a. The perspective view of Fig. 11a shows the hot floor panel turned upside down. The embodiment of Fig. 11 uses an adiabatic plate 100 that differs from that of Fig. 9. In detail, unlike the adiabatic plate of Fig. 9, the adiabatic plate 100 of the embodiment of Fig. 11 is made of polystyrene foam and has no spaces for rectangular supports 130a and 130b disposed adjacent to the edges of the adiabatic plate 100 of Fig. 9. Therefore, the entire size of the adiabatic plate 100 may be smaller than the adiabatic plate of Fig. 9. Furthermore, the adiabatic plate 100 of Fig. 11 has a space for a central support, in the same manner as that for the central support 130c of Fig. 7. In addition, in this embodiment, a support member 132 is integrally formed into a single body, and is not partially formed into several bodies. In detail, the support member 132 includes an outside support 132a, which is disposed along the outer edge of the adiabatic plate 100, a support surface 132b, which forms a lower surface of the adiabatic plate 100, and a cross-shaped support 132c, which is disposed at the central portion of the adiabatic plate 100. Here, the elements constituting the support member 132 are integrally coupled to each other but are not independent. To form the support member 132, the adiabatic plate 100 having a cross-shaped slot at the central portion thereof is attached to a heating element 300 and, thereafter, liquefied adiabatic material such as castable liquefied material is charged into a mold, which is placed such that it surrounds the adiabatic plate. Subsequently, the liquefied adiabatic material is hardened, thus forming the support member. Of course, as well as adiabatic castable, liquefied material such as cement molding agent may be used to form the support member. The support 132a supports a top plate 200 at a position adjacent to the outer edges of the adiabatic plate 100 like the support 130a of the prior embodiment, and the central support 132c supports the top plate 200 at the central portion of the adiabatic plate 100 like the support 130c of the prior embodiment, thus they generally serve to support the hot floor panel 900. The support surface 132b forms a thin layer under the lower surface of the adiabatic plate 100. The entire support surface 132b is directly attached to a base or a base surface, on which the hot floor panel 900 is placed. Therefore, work of attaching the support surface 132b made of castable or cement molding agent to a typical cement base is easier than work using polystyrene foam or other adiabatic part. Furthermore, the attaching force is also superior. As such, it is preferable that the support member 132 be formed using adiabatic castable liquefied material, which is commonly available, to ensure superior adiabatic efficiency. Of course, the shape of the central support 132c is determined depending on the shape of the support member receiving hole of the adiabatic plate 100 and may have various shapes, as described above. In the same manner as other embodiments, soft adiabatic material as well as polystyrene foam or isopink may be used to form the adiabatic plate 100 of this embodiment.

[120] Furthermore, in the embodiment of Fig. 9, adiabatic castable liquefied material, cement molding agent or epoxy may be further applied to the adiabatic plate 100 to form a coated layer such that the adiabatic plate can be easily attached to the cement base. In this case, thanks to the adiabatic castable liquefied material, the adiabatic efficiency can be further enhanced. The embodiment of Fig. 11 must be regarded as a modification of the other embodiments of the present invention, therefore the corresponding elements of the adiabatic plates of the other embodiments of the present invention may also be modified in the manner similar to the embodiment of Fig. 11, and the remaining elements may be embodied in the same or similar manner.

[121] Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a planar heating element 300 used as an example of a heating element for the hot floor panel 900 according to the present invention. In the planar heating element 300 according to present invention, a PET or a retort pouch film is used as an upper film 321 and a lower film 324, in the same manner as that of typical heating elements, which are manufactured and sold. Furthermore, between the films 321 and 324, carbon plates 322 are connected in parallel with each other between electrodes 323. The carbon plates 322 and the electrodes 323 are printed on the film 321 or 324 and coated with the films 321 and 324 made of PET, thus being waterproofed. Here, for wiring, a wire 323 must be connected to the electrodes 323. Typically, the wire is connected to the electrodes by soldering. In this case, because the soldered portion is poorly resistant to moisture, waterproofing treatment must be conducted. It is preferable that the soldered portion be waterproofed using a waterproofing and insulating tape 329.

[122] In the case where the soldered portion is waterproofed using the insulating tape 329 and is sealed by the sealing part 133, which serves as a support, as shown in Fig. 9, the waterproofing and insulating ability can be further enhanced. As such, because the planar heating element 300 can be reliably waterproofed by waterproofing and insulating the soldered portion, a separate waterproofing process for the heating element is not required.

[123] Although the typical planar heating element has been illustrated as being used as the heating element of the present invention, a linear heating element or various other heating elements, having thin layer structures, heating parts of which have mesh or net shapes, may be used as the heating element of the present invention, if it is protected and waterproofed by films in the same manner as that of the planar heating element. Furthermore, the structure such that the junction between the planar heating element and the wire is waterproofed using the waterproofing and insulating tape 329 may be applied to other heating elements in the same or similar manner.

[124] Meanwhile, in the case where the heating part of the heating element is directly printed or attached to the lower surface of the top plate, the heating part and the electrodes must be insulated and waterproofed. Here, if the entire area of the lower surface of the top plate is coated with epoxy, silicone or a film, the adiabatic plate can be attached to the lower surface of the top plate. Thus, work of waterproofing the heating element and work of attaching the adiabatic plate to the heating element can be conducted through a single process. In addition, in the case where the heating element is directly printed or attached to the lower surface of the top plate, if the top plate made of ceramic is used, the support members may be formed through a simultaneous plastic molding process. That is, in this case, the heating element is printed or attached to portions of the lower surface of the ceramic top plate other than the support members and, thereafter, the printed heating element is waterproofed and insulated using epoxy and the adiabatic plate is simultaneously attached to the heating element.

[125] Meanwhile, in the present invention, a top plate of a hot floor panel may have coupling protrusions for assembly with other hot floor panels. In the case of the top plate made of wood that can be easily processed, various coupling protrusions and coupling seats for receiving respective coupling protrusions can be easily formed. However, in the case of the top plate made of ceramic, it is difficult to form coupling protrusions and coupling seats. Due to the characteristics of ceramic, the ceramic top plate has high stiffness or hardness and high brittleness, so that processability thereof is very low. Even if a molding process is used, it is not easy to form portions corresponding to the coupling protrusions and seats in a mold and to conduct the molding process.

[126] First, the case of the top plate made of ceramic material will be explained herein below.

[127] In the present invention, the ceramic top plate is manufactured by molding using ceramic material, in the same manner as that of a process of manufacturing a typical tile. The process of molding a ceramic material is conducted using a mold under relatively high pressure. Therefore, it is very inconvenient to manufacture a mold for a structure, having a recess formed in the edge thereof, and to conduct the process of molding the structure. In other words, it is very difficult to manufacture the mold and conduct the molding process, such that, while the ceramic material is vertically compressed at high pressure, the edges thereof are horizontally compressed at the same high pressure.

[128] Fig. 13a is a perspective view showing a ceramic plate, which is a top plate of the hot floor panel of the present invention and is provided with coupling protrusions and coupling seats formed only in the lower ends of the edges of the ceramic plate by molding. Fig. 13b is a sectional view taken along line B-B Fig. 13a, and Fig. 13c is a sectional view taken along line C-C Fig. 13a.

[129] As shown in the drawings, two pairs of coupling protrusions 220 and coupling seats

230 are formed in the lower ends of the edges of the ceramic plate 200. As described above, because it is very difficult that each coupling seat is formed into a complete groove shape, that is, a "U" shape, by manufacturing the mold and conducting the molding process, the coupling seat is formed into an "L" shape, as shown in Fig. 13c. In this case, the coupling protrusions and the coupling seats can be formed by applying pressure only in a vertical direction with respect to the mold. Here, the coupling protrusions and the coupling seats may have any shapes, as long as they can be formed only by vertical pressure. In other words, they may have various shapes, for example, trapezoidal shapes or triangular shapes.

[130] Figs. 14a and 14b respectively are a perspective view and a plan view showing another ceramic plate having two pairs of coupling protrusions 220 and coupling seats 230 formed on the entire edges thereof. Unlike the ceramic plate of Fig. 13, the ceramic plate is configured such that it seems to be divided into upper and lower parts, and coupling protrusions and coupling seats are formed on the entire edges of the ceramic plate by steps defined by the upper and lower parts of the ceramic plate. In other words, unlike the ceramic plate of Fig. 13, in which the coupling protrusions and the coupling seats are partially formed on the edges of the ceramic plate, the coupling protrusions 220 and the coupling seats 230 are formed on the entire edges of the ceramic plate.

[131] In Figs. 13 and 14, two pairs of coupling protrusions and coupling seats are formed, but, depending on a floor construction method, one pair of a coupling protrusion and a coupling seat may be formed in each ceramic plate, in the same manner as that of laminate flooring sheets, which are commonly available on the market. Furthermore, the coupling protrusions and the coupling seats may be formed on the upper ends of the edges of the ceramic plate, as long as they are symmetrical to each other. The floor can be constructed merely by assembling the several ceramic plates such that the coupling protrusions and seats correspond to each other. In addition, coupling protrusions and seats of Fig. 13 may be additionally formed on the ceramic plate of Fig. 14, such that the coupling protrusions and seats are formed into a double structure.

[132] Figs. 15a through 15d are perspective views, a sectional view and a plan view illustrating the assembly structures of the ceramic plates of the hot floor panel of the present invention. Fig. 15b is a sectional view taken along line D-D' of Fig. 15a. Fig. 15c is a plan view showing two ceramic plates placed on the line D-D' of Fig. 15a. Fig. 15d is a perspective view illustrating the assembly structure of another type ceramic plate. This embodiment is provided to illustrate the use of a separate coupling agent.

[133] Referring to Figs. 15a through 15c, several ceramic plates 200a, 200b, 200c and

20Od are placed such that they are in close contact with each other, and the ceramic plates are bonded to each other using the coupling agent. In detail, as shown in Fig. 15b, the first and second ceramic plates 200a and 200b are coupled to each other such that a coupling protrusion 220 of the first ceramic plate 200a engages with a coupling seat 230 of the second ceramic plate 200b. The coupling agent 240 is charged into a space defined by a difference between the length, to which the coupling protrusion 220 protrudes, and the depth of the coupling hole 230, that is, into a gap G2, thus bonding the first and second ceramic plates 200a and 200b to each other.

[134] Here, because the coupling protrusion 200a of the first ceramic plate 200a and the coupling seat 230b of the second ceramic plate 200b are formed at positions corresponding to each other and extend the same width, when the coupling protrusion 220a engages with the coupling seat 230b, the first and second ceramic plates 200a and 200b can be placed parallel to each other without being misaligned. Furthermore, because the length, to which the coupling protrusion 220a protrudes from the first ceramic plate 200a, and the depth of the coupling seat 230b of the second ceramic plate 200b are constant, the gap G2 defined therebetween is also constant. Therefore, several ceramic plates can be arranged correctly.

[135] Fig. 15d illustrates the ceramic plates 200a, 200b, 200c and 20Od, which are longer and narrower than the ceramic plate of Fig. 15a. In this case, coupling protrusions 220 and coupling seats 230 are formed only on entire longitudinal edges of the ceramic plates without being formed on narrow edges of the opposite ends thereof. Furthermore, the ceramic plates are arranged such that they are staggered with each other. Therefore, even though the coupling protrusions and seats are not formed on the opposite ends of the ceramic plate, the ceramic plates are prevented from moving in transverse directions. In this case, the ceramic plate 200a, which is disposed on the finish end of the floor, is shorter than the other ceramic plates 200b, 200c and 20Od.

[136] As such, in the present invention, the ceramic plate is constructed such that the protruding length of each coupling protrusion and the depth of each coupling seat differ from each other, and the several ceramic plates are coupled to each other such that the coupling protrusions and seats of the adjacent ceramic plates engage with each other. The coupling agent is charged into the gap defined between each coupling protrusion and each coupling seat which engage with each other, thus bonding the adjacent ceramic plates to each other. Therefore, unlike the conventional technique, the coupling agent is saved. In addition, the present invention can solve conventional problems, in that the ceramic plates are not parallel to each other or are twisted relative to each other. Furthermore, in the case where figured wood plates are attached to the ceramic plates, the plates are prevented from being coupled to each other in an incorrect orientation. In addition, in the case where the hot floor panels using electric heating elements are arranged for the construction of a floor, an electric connection device, which is electrically connected to the heating parts of the heating elements and is placed below the ceramic panels, is prevented from being shorted by water permeated into gaps between the ceramic plates.

[137] Although the hot floor panel, which uses the ceramic plate as the top plate, has been illustrated with respect to Figs. 13 through 15, a soft wood floor sheet may be attached to the upper surface of the hard ceramic plate such that coupling protrusions and coupling seats are formed.

[138] The hard ceramic plates are mainly used in offices or factories, while wood floor sheets, such as laminate flooring sheets, nature wood floor sheets, artificial wood floor sheets, etc., are widely used as soft floor sheets for home use, thanks to a comfortable feel and environmentally-friendly characteristics thereof. However, compared to the ceramic plate, the wood floor panel is expensive, and the heat transfer efficiency thereof is relatively low. Therefore, it may not be suitable to use the wood floor sheet as a top plate of a hot floor panel. However, of course, only a soft floor sheet may be used as a top plate, as illustrated herein below.

[139] Figs. 16 through 19 illustrate several embodiments which are constructed such that a hard floor sheet and a soft floor sheet are coupled to each other to form a single top plate.

[140] In the present invention, for achieving attractive finish or comfortable feeling, a natural or artificial figured wood sheet or decorative tile(e.g. deco tile of LG Decotile Company) may be attached to an upper surface of a ceramic plate using an bonding agent, such as epoxy, silicone, vinyl acetate, etc., and, in the case of an artificial wood sheet, it may be attached to the ceramic plate by thermocompression bonding. In this case, compared to the case of the use of only wood panel, the heating efficiency is increased, and there are advantages in that comfort is improved. As representative examples of the soft floor sheet, there are a chemical floor sheet made of PVC or MMA resin, a natural wood sheet, an artificial wood sheet (such as a veneer board), a laminate flooring sheet, a decorative tile, and a reinforced paper board, which is manufactured by compressing several sheets of paper or is made of paper pulp. As such, the material of the soft floor sheet is not limited to special material, as long as it can be formed into a sheet shape and the stiffness thereof is lower than that of the ceramic plate.

[141] These embodiments are provided to illustrate modifications of the hot floor panel

900 such that a ceramic plate, such as a tile, which is a hard floor sheet that is mainly used for heavy walk using shoes, can be used for light walk.

[142] Furthermore, the soft floor sheet may be layered on and attached to the ceramic plate such that coupling protrusions and coupling seats illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14 are formed by steps between the soft floor sheet and the ceramic plate.

[143] Figs. 16a through 16c are a perspective view and sectional views showing an example of a structure in which a soft floor sheet is coupled to a ceramic plate of the hot floor panel according to the present invention. Here, Figs. 16b and 16c respectively are sectional views taken along lines B-B' and C-C of Fig. 16a.

[144] Referring to Fig. 16, in this embodiment, a top plate 200 includes a ceramic plate

280, and a soft floor sheet 290 layered on the ceramic plate 280. A coupling protrusion 250 and a preliminary coupling seat 260 having an "L" shape are formed in the ceramic plate 280. This embodiment is constructed such that the top plates are staggered with each other, in the same manner as that of Fig. 15d, thus a coupling protrusion and a coupling seat are not formed on the opposite ends of the top plate with respect to the longitudinal direction thereof.

[145] In the embodiment of Fig. 16, even if the soft floor sheet 290 has a thickness of approximately 0.3mm, when it is coupled to the ceramic plate, the coupling seat can be appropriately defined. If the thickness of the soft floor sheet is 5mm or more, the heating efficiency is reduced. In this embodiment, a relatively thin soft floor sheet 290 is used. If the soft floor sheet is too thin, the heating efficiency is increased but effects resulting from the characteristics of the soft floor sheet made of material such as wood may be reduced. When the ceramic plates 280 provided with the soft floor sheets are coupled to each other, the coupling protrusions 250 are inserted into the corresponding coupling seats 260. Here, each ceramic plate may be manufactured such that the size of the coupling protrusion 250 is the same as that of the preliminary coupling seat 260. However, in this embodiment, because the soft floor sheets 290 are brought into contact with each other when the ceramic plates 280 are coupled, the coupling protrusion 250 may be smaller than the preliminary coupling seat 260.

[146] Furthermore, because there is a probability of damage to the ceramic plates 280 attributable to contact therebetween, it is preferable that the contact area therebetween be as small as possible. For this, the ceramic plate may be manufactured such that a lower surface 251 of the coupling protrusion 250 does not contact a bottom 261 of the corresponding coupling seat 260, or, if paint or organic matter is applied to the lower surface 251 of the coupling protrusion 250 or the bottom 261 of the corresponding coupling seat 260, the ceramic plate is prevented from being damaged by contact with the adjacent ceramic plate.

[147] When the hot floor panels 900 are arranged on the base, junctions therebetween can be precisely and clearly treated by processing the soft floor sheets made of material such as wood rather than processing the ceramic plates 280 made of hard ceramic that is not easily processed.

[148] Figs. 17a through 17c show another example of a structure in which a soft floor sheet 290 is layered on a ceramic plate 280, in which Figs. 17b and 17c respectively are sectional views taken along lines B-B' and C-C of Fig. 17a.

[149] Referring to Fig. 17, unlike the embodiment of Fig. 16, a coupling protrusion 295 and a preliminary coupling seat 296 are formed in the soft floor sheet 290 such that they are symmetrical with each other. In the case where the thickness of the soft floor sheet 290 is approximately 5mm, although it is difficult to form a coupling seat having a groove shape, the preliminary coupling seat 296 can be easily formed. As such, in the case where the soft floor sheet 290 is relatively thick, this embodiment can be realized.

[150] Figs. 18a through 18c show another example of a structure in which a soft floor sheet 290 is coupled to the ceramic plate 280. Here, Figs. 18b and 18c respectively are sectional views taken along lines B-B' and C-C of Fig. 18a.

[151] Referring to Fig. 18, this embodiment has a medium type structure between the embodiments of Figs. 16 and 17. In detail, coupling protrusions 250 and 296 and preliminary coupling seats 260 and 296 are formed on both the soft floor sheet 290 and the ceramic plate 280. This embodiment is preferably used in the case where the thickness of the soft floor sheet 290 is approximately 2.5mm and the overall thickness of the ceramic plate 280 and the soft floor sheet is limited. That is, when it is difficult to completely form the coupling protrusion and seat only using either one of the ceramic plate 280 or the soft floor sheet 290, this embodiment is used.

[152] The embodiments of Figs. 16 through 18 mainly pertain to floor sheets, such as wood floor sheets, which are relatively narrow. However, in the case where the floor sheet has an approximately square shape, it is preferable that coupling protrusions be formed on two edges of the floor sheet and preliminary coupling seats be also formed on the corresponding remaining two edges thereof.

[153] Figs. 19a through 19c show another example of a structure in which a soft floor sheet 290 is coupled to the ceramic plate 280. Figs. 19b and 19c respectively are sectional views taken along lines B-B' and C-C of Fig. 19a.

[154] Unlike the above embodiments, in which one coupling protrusion and one coupling seat are formed on each floor sheet so that the floor sheets are constructed such that they are staggered with each other, in the ceramic plate 280 of Fig. 19, two coupling protrusions are formed on respective edges thereof and two preliminary coupling seats are formed on respective edges corresponding to the coupling protrusions, so that the ceramic plates are constructed in the same manner as the construction of typical square tiles. In this embodiment, the coupling protrusions 250 and the preliminary coupling seats 260 are illustrated as being formed on the ceramic plate 280.

[155] As shown in the drawing, the two coupling protrusions 250 are formed on the two adjacent edges of the ceramic plate 280, and the two coupling preliminary seats 260, into which coupling protrusions 250 of other ceramic plates are inserted, are formed on the other two edges of the ceramic plate 280. Therefore, when a floor is constructed, the adjacent ceramic plates engage with each other at the four edges thereof, so that the ceramic plates can be reliably coupled to each other.

[156] In Fig. 19, although two pairs of coupling protrusions and preliminary coupling seats have been illustrated as being formed on the ceramic plate 280, as shown in Figs. 17 and 18, the coupling protrusions and the preliminary coupling seats may be formed on the soft floor sheet 290 or on both the ceramic plate 280 and the soft floor sheet 290.

[157] In the above embodiments, it is preferable that the soft floor sheet be layered on the ceramic plate such that the coupling seat can completely receive the corresponding coupling protrusion. In other words, as shown in the drawings, preferably, the soft floor sheet is layered on the ceramic plate such that the coupling seat has a "U" shape. Furthermore, it is preferable that the hot floor panels are constructed on the base such that the soft floor sheets precisely engage together. Thus, preferably, the size of the soft floor sheet is the same as or is greater than that of the ceramic plate.

[158] In addition, in the above embodiments, although each of the coupling protrusions and seats has been illustrated as being formed on the overall length of an edge of the ceramic plate or the soft floor sheet, it may be partially formed on the edge, that is, it may be formed in the same manner as the coupling protrusions and seats of Fig. 13.

[159] In the hot floor panel of the present invention, the coupling protrusions and seats facilitate the construction of the floor and enhance durability and strength of the floor panels such that the floor is prevented from being deformed or twisted. Furthermore, the coupling protrusions and seats may have various structures, as illustrated below.

[160] In addition, in the hot floor panel of the present invention, coupling protrusions and coupling seats like those of Fig. 13 may be formed by coupling the adiabatic plate 100 and the top plate 200 such that they are misaligned.

[161] Fig. 20 shows a hot floor panel, in which coupling protrusions and coupling seats are formed by misaligned-coupling between an adiabatic plate and a top plate. Figs. 20a through 20c are a perspective view, a plan view and a sectional view of the hot floor panel. Here, Fig. 20c is a sectional view taken along line F-F' of Fig. 20b.

[162] Referring to Fig. 20, the coupling protrusions 240 and coupling seats 250 are determined by relative positions between the adiabatic plate 100 and the top plate 200. In detail, the coupling protrusions 240 and the coupling seats 250 are formed by overlapping the adiabatic plate 100 and the top plate 200 such that they are misaligned. Of portions other than the overlapped portions, portions of the adiabatic plate 100 which protrude from the top plate serve as the coupling protrusions 240, and spaces, defined by the adiabatic plate 100 and portions of the top plate 200 which protrudes from the adiabatic plate 100, serve as the coupling seats 250 (referring to Figs. 20a and 20c).

[163] Here, heating elements 300a and 300b may be provided such that they exist within a portion of the adiabatic plate 100 that corresponds to the overlapped portion between the adiabatic plate 100 and the top plate 200, but, as necessary, the heating elements 300 may be provided, regardless of the area of the overlapped portion.

[164] As shown in Fig. 20c, when the hot floor panels, each of which has the top plate

200a, 200b, are coupled to each other, if the top plates 200a and 200b are made of ceramic, it is preferable that the adiabatic plates 100a and 100b are slightly larger than the top plates 200a and 200b to engage the adiabatic plates 100a and 100b with each other such that the top plates 200a and 200b do not contact each other. That is, depending on a difference in sizes between the adiabatic plates 100a and 100b and the top plates 200a and 200b, the size of a gap (in other words, a joint spacing) between the top plates 200a and 200b is determined.

[165] If the top plate 200 is made of wood, the top plates 200a and 200b may be slightly larger than the adiabatic plates 100a and 100b, such that the joint spacing can be minimized.

[166] Furthermore, the embodiment of Fig. 20 may be used in the same manner as the embodiment of Fig. 19, in which the top plate is manufactured by coupling a soft floor sheet to a hard ceramic sheet. That is, the hot floor panel may be constructed to have a shape such that the center of the hard ceramic plate 280 is formed away from the center of the adiabatic plate 100 and the soft floor sheet 290. Then, the coupling protrusions and the coupling seats can be naturally formed on the hot floor panel provided with the ceramic plate 280 having a typical rectangular shape.

[167] In addition, the hot floor panel of Fig. 20 may be constructed such that preliminary protrusions and seats shown in Fig. 13 are formed in the adiabatic plate 100 and the top plate is coupled to the adiabatic plate in the same manner as that of Fig. 19. In this case, the coupling protrusions and seats can be formed into complete protrusion shapes and complete groove shapes.

[168] Hereinafter, hot floor panels 900, in which soft floor sheets made of wood are used as top plates 200, will be explained. The soft floor sheet is characterized in that, because it can be easily processed, a coupling protrusion and a coupling seat can be directly formed in the floor sheet. Of course, for a hard floor sheet such as a sheet made of inorganic matter, if the processability thereof is adequate, a coupling protrusion and a coupling seat can be directly formed in the hard floor sheet, as described below.

[169] Fig. 21 is a perspective view illustrating an assembly of another embodiment of a hot floor panel according to the present invention. In Fig. 21, a laminate flooring sheet is used as a top plate. In this embodiment, a narrow laminate flooring sheet may be used as a top plate 200 or, alternatively, two or more laminate flooring sheets may be used as a single top plate 200. In other words, in the case of the laminate flooring sheet, because a coupling protrusion 221 thereof can be firmly fitted into a coupling seat 232, two or more laminate flooring sheets, which are coupled to each other, may be used as a single top plate 200. In this case, one or at least two adiabatic plates 100 may be used, and they may be longitudinally arranged in series. Meanwhile, in the present invention, the adiabatic plate 100 may be constructed using several central supports 132b, 132c to extend the length thereof. However, in the case of the adiabatic plate made of polystyrene foam, if it is too long, because the handling thereof becomes difficult, several adiabatic plates 100 may be used in a single hot floor panel 900. In this embodiment, preferably, the area of the adiabatic plate 100 is less than that of the top plate 200, such that space for wiring can be defined and adjacent top plates can be firmly coupled to each other. In other words, the hot floor panels are assembled with each other by coupling between the top plates without contact between the adiabatic plates.

[170] Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing assembly of another embodiment of a hot floor panel according to the present invention. In the embodiment of Fig. 22, the hot floor panels are staggered with each other. In each floor panel, one pair of a coupling protrusion 221a and a coupling seat 223 is formed in each top plate 200. Unlike the coupling protrusion 221 and the coupling seat 232 of Fig. 21, the coupling protrusion 221a and the coupling seat 223 have simple shapes, and the coupling protrusions and the coupling seats of the adjacent top plates may be coupled to each other such that they are misaligned. Such method of coupling the narrow hot floor panels is one of typical methods of constructing floor and falls within the bounds of the floor panel coupling methods of the present invention. Furthermore, it is preferable that the hot floor panels having the coupling protrusions and seats of Fig. 21 be also coupled to each other by this coupling method. In addition, as shown in Figs. 21 and 22, the coupling protrusions and the coupling seats of the top plates of the present invention may be modified into various shapes, and all conventional coupling methods can be applied to the coupling therebetween.

[171] Fig. 23 is a perspective view showing assembly of another embodiment of a hot floor panel according to the present invention. Unlike the embodiment of Fig. 22, in this embodiment, two pairs of coupling protrusions 221a and coupling seats 232a are formed in each top plate 200. Each coupling protrusion 221a and each coupling seat 232a have the same structure as those of Fig. 22 and, of course, may have the same structure as those of Fig. 21. In the case of this embodiment, compared to embodiments of Figs. 21 and 22, because the number of coupling protrusions and coupling seats is increased, the number of manufacturing processes may be increased. Preferably, this embodiment is suitable for a hot floor panel, which is not narrow, that is, has a square shape. Furthermore, this embodiment may also be applied to the top plate of Fig. 21 or 22 to increase coupling force between the hot floor panels.

[172] As well, in the case of floor sheets such as the laminate flooring sheets having the coupling protrusions 221 and the coupling seats 232 of Fig. 21, because the coupling force therebetween is relatively strong, several floor sheets may be used as a single top plate and a single adiabatic plate 100 may be attached to the lower surface of the top plate. Here, if the floor sheet has two pairs of coupling protrusions 221 and coupling seats 232 in the same manner of Fig. 23, the coupling force between the floor sheets can be further increased. The floor sheets having two pairs of coupling protrusions and seats may be assembled by a method in which some of the floor sheets are coupled to each other in one direction to form a set of assembled floor sheets, and several sets of assembled floor sheets are thereafter coupled to each other. Furthermore, the floor sheets having two pairs of coupling protrusions and seats may be assembled by either of the assembly methods illustrated in Figs. 22 and 23. If the floor sheets are assembled by the staggering method of Fig. 22, a separate small piece of a floor sheet is disposed at an end of each set of assembled floor sheets.

[173] In the present invention, various kinds of wood floor sheets including laminate flooring sheets, which have various decorative patterns, may be used as the top plate. In this case, comfort is ensured, and, although the heating efficiency is low compared to the ceramic plate, because the wood floor sheet has advantages peculiar to natural wood, it is suitable for home use.

[174] Furthermore, the top plates and/or the adiabatic plates may be coupled in various arrangements of nxm to form a single hot floor.

[175] As described above, in the hot floor panel of the present invention, various floor sheets may be attached to the adiabatic plate by various methods. Those skilled in the art will easily appreciate that various modifications of the hot floor panel is possible. These modifications must be regarded as falling within the bounds of the technical bounds of the present invention.

[176] Meanwhile, when the hot floor of the present invention is constructed, it is preferable that an electric connection device be used for electric connection between adjacent hot floor panels. However, the electric connection device for enabling electric connection between the hot floor panels is located in a place which is easily exposed to moisture or a high-humidity environment. Furthermore, in the case where many hot floor panels are used, a possibility of danger induced by an electric leakage or a short circuit is increased. Therefore, it is very important to isolate the electric connection device from water. Thus, it is preferable that the hot floor panel of the present invention use the following electric connection device, which can be reliably isolated from water.

[177] Figs. 24 through 28 illustrate an electric connection device used in the hot floor panel according to the present invention. Figs. 24a and 24b are views showing an embodiment of an electric connection device for the hot floor panel of the present invention. Referring to Figs. 24a and 24b, the electric connection device 800 of the present invention includes a plug P and a socket S. Each of the plug P and the socket S is electrically connected to a wire or cable C.

[178] Here, the plug P includes a male terminal 810, which is electrically connected to the wire or cable C, and a male terminal covering 820, which covers portion of the male terminal 810 for protecting and insulating it.

[179] An uneven surface part T, which includes prominences (fi) and depressions ([H]), is provided on an end of the male terminal covering 820 from which the male terminal 810 protrudes outwards.

[180] Furthermore, a waterproof lubricant G is charged into the depressions ([H]). Each prominence (fi) may have a height such that it is level with the surface of the male terminal covering 820, or, alternatively, such that the prominence (fi) protrudes from the surface of the male terminal covering 820.

[181] In addition, the plug P further includes an assistant protrusion E, which is provided on the male terminal covering 820 at a predetermined position, in detail, at a position adjacent to the wire or cable C. The assistant protrusion E serves to make it convenient for a user to couple the plug P to the socket S using his/her hand or a coupling tool. The male terminal 810 is made of a metal substance, which is a conductor. The male terminal covering 820 is made of insulating material such as rubber. Meanwhile, the socket S includes a male terminal 830, which is electrically connected to the wire or cable C, and a female terminal covering 840, which covers portion of the female terminal 840 for protecting and insulating it.

[182] The socket S further includes a protective covering 850, which extends a predetermined length from the female terminal covering 840. Preferably, the protective covering 850 has a length appropriate to cover the male terminal covering 820 of the plug P.

[183] The female terminal covering 840 and the protective covering 850 may be integrally formed using the same material through a single process or may be independently formed using different materials through individual processes.

[184] Preferably, the protective covering 850 is made of elastic material such as rubber having appropriate restoring force such that, even though the inner or outer diameter thereof is changed by external force, it can be returned to the original state using the restoring force.

[185] In addition, the protective covering 850 has an inner diameter equal to or less than the outer diameter of the male terminal covering 820 of the plug P, so that, when the plug P is inserted into the socket S (see, Fig. 24b), the protective covering 850 covers the male terminal covering 820 and is brought into close contact with the surface of the male terminal covering 820 using its restoring force. At this time, ends of the prominences (fi) of the uneven surface part T formed on the end of the male terminal covering 820 are bent and are brought into close contact with the inner surface of the protective covering 850. Simultaneously, the waterproof lubricant, which is charged in the depressions ([H]), seals gaps between the depressions ([H]) and the protective covering 850.

[186] Furthermore, compressing rings 870, 872 and 874 are fitted at predetermined positions over the outer surface of the protective covering 850, so that the protective covering 850 can be brought into contact with the male terminal covering 820 more reliably.

[187] The compressing ring 870, which is disposed adjacent to an end of the socket S, compresses the protective covering 850 and the male terminal covering 820 such that they are brought into close contact with each other, and thus serves to prevent water from permeating therebetween. The compressing ring 872, which is disposed at a medial position of the socket S, compresses part of the protective covering 850 to the uneven surface part T of the male terminal covering 820 and thus serves to maintain the uneven surface part T in the compressed state, as shown in an enlarged view of Fig. 24b. The compressing ring 874, which is disposed on a proximal end of the socket S, serves to compress and hold the female terminal 830 of the socket and the male terminal 810.

[188] Therefore, outside water or moisture is prevented from permeating between the protective covering 850 and the male terminal covering 820 and reaching a contact surface 860 between the male terminal 810 and the female terminal 830.

[189] As such, the present invention can reliably prevent permeation of water or moisture using the compressing rings 870, 872 and 874, the uneven surface part T and the waterproof lubricant charged into the depressions ([H]).

[190] Here, the compressing rings 870, 872 and 874 may have structures illustrated in

Figs. 28a through 28c.

[191] Furthermore, although the electric connection device 800 shown in Fig. 24 has been described as having the single male terminal 810 and the single female terminal 830, as necessary, it may have at least two male terminals 810 and at least two female terminals 830, that is, several male and female terminals.

[192] Figs. 28a through 28c are views illustrating an example of the compression ring used in the present invention, showing an enlargement of a portion corresponding to portion A of Fig. 24a. Here, although the structure of only the compression ring designated by the reference numeral 870 of Figs. 24a and 24b is illustrated in Figs. 28a through 28c, it may be applied to the other compression rings designated by the reference numerals 872 and 874 in the same or similar manner.

[193] Referring to Fig. 28a, the compression ring 870 of Fig. 28a may be seated into a ring seating groove 852, which is formed at a predetermined position in the protective covering 850. The ring seating groove 852 serves to prevent the compression ring 870 from moving to an incorrect position.

[194] Preferably, the inner diameter of the compression ring 870 is less than the outer diameter of the protective covering 850. In particular, it is preferable that a sum of a difference between the inner diameter of the compression ring 870 and the outer diameter of the protective covering 850 (that is, a value after the outer diameter of the protective covering 850 is subtracted from the inner diameter of the compression ring 870) and double the depth of the ring seating groove 852 be zero or negative.

[195] Therefore, the compression ring 870 can reduce the inner diameter of the protective covering 850 such that the protective covering 850 is further brought into close contact with the male terminal covering 820.

[196] Referring to Fig. 28b, two or more compression rings 870, each having the same structure as that of Fig. 28a, may be provided at predetermined positions on the protective covering 850. That is, because two or more compression rings 870, each having the same structure as that of Fig. 28a, are provided, the protective covering is more strongly pushed to the male terminal covering, compared to when using the single compression ring 870. Hence, the sealing ability of the protective covering 850 can be further enhanced.

[197] Referring to Fig. 28c, the compression ring 870 may be formed by a part of the protective covering 850 which is made of the same material as the protective covering at the same time but is different in thickness from the remaining part of the protective covering. In detail, because the protective covering 850 is an elastic body, depending on the thickness, the elastic force thereof varies. Therefore, if the thickness of a part of the protective covering is increased, the elastic force thereof is also increased compared to that of the remaining part. Using this principle, the compression ring 870 may be formed by increasing a thickness of a part of the protective covering 850, such that the protective covering 850 can be compressed to the male terminal covering 820.

[198] Furthermore, because the inner surface of the protective covering 850 is coated with waterproof lubricant, the protective covering 850 can be easily fitted over the male terminal covering 820, and water or moisture is prevented from permeating between the protective covering 850 and the male terminal covering 820.

[199] Here, although the electric connection device 800 shown in Figs. 24a and 24b has been described as having the single male terminal 810 and the single female terminal 830, as necessary, it may have at least two male terminals 810 and at least two female terminals 830, that is, several male and female terminals.

[200] Figs. 25a and 25b are views showing another embodiment of an electric connection device according to the present invention.

[201] This embodiment will be explained with reference to Figs. 25a and 25b, focusing on the differences between it and the embodiment of Fig. 24. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 25a, a male terminal covering 820 of a male terminal 810 is sectioned into a front part F, a middle part M and a rear part R. The front part F is a part of the male terminal covering, an outer diameter of which is almost equal to an inner diameter of a protective covering 850 of a socket S. The rear part R is a part of the male terminal covering, an outer diameter of which is greater than the inner diameter of the protective covering 850 of the socket S. The middle part M is a part of the male terminal covering 820, an outer diameter of which is gradually increased from the outer diameter of the front part F to the outer diameter of the rear part R.

[202] Furthermore, an uneven surface part T, which includes prominences (fi) and depressions ([H]), is provided on the front part F, that is, on an end of the male terminal covering 820 from which the male terminal 810 protrudes outwards.

[203] When the plug P is inserted into the socket S (see, Fig. 25b), because the male terminal covering 820 is constructed such that the part (that is, the front part F), which first enters the protective covering 850, has the relatively small diameter and the part (that is, the rear part R), which later enters the protective covering 850, has the relatively large diameter, the plug P can be easily inserted into the socket S. In addition, because the outer diameter of the rear part R of the male terminal covering 820 is larger than the inner diameter of the protective covering 850, the protective covering 850 can be more strongly fitted to the male terminal covering 820. Furthermore, because the protective covering 850 is brought into close contact with the male terminal covering by its restoring force when it is fitted over the male terminal covering 820, ends of the prominences (fi) of the uneven surface part T formed on the front part F, that is, on the end of the male terminal covering 820 are bent and are brought into close contact with the inner surface of the protective covering 850. Simultaneously, waterproof lubricant, which is charged in the depressions ([H]), seals gaps defined between the depressions ([H]) and the protective covering 850.

[204] Figs. 26a and 26b are views showing a further embodiment of an electric connection device according to the present invention.

[205] This embodiment will be explained with reference to Figs. 26a and 26b, focusing on the differences between it and the embodiments of Figs. 24 and 25. In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 26a and 26b, a covering depression 822 is formed at a predetermined position around a rear part R of the male terminal covering. Here, the male terminal covering 820 of Figs. 24a and 24b having a covering depression 822 may substitute for the male terminal covering 820 of this embodiment.

[206] Preferably, the covering depression 822 is formed at a position corresponding to the position, at which the compression ring 870 is disposed. Here, the compression ring 870 may have either one of the structures of Figs. 28a through 28c.

[207] In the same manner, because the male terminal covering 820 is constructed such that the part (that is, the front part F), which first enters the protective covering 850 when the plug P is inserted into the socket S, has the relatively small diameter and the part (that is, the rear part R), which later enters the protective covering 850, has the relatively large diameter, the plug P can be easily inserted into the socket S. In addition, because the outer diameter of the rear part R of the male terminal covering 820 is larger than the inner diameter of the protective covering 850, the protective covering 850 can be more strongly compressed to the male terminal covering 820.

[208] Furthermore, because the compressing ring 870 is disposed at the position corresponding to the covering depression 822, the plug P is prevented from being undesirably removed from the socket S and, in addition, it is able to solve a problem, in which, with the passage of time for which the protective covering 850 and the compression ring 870 are fitted over the male terminal covering 820 having the diameter larger than the inner diameters thereof, the restoring force of the protective covering 850 and the compression ring 870 is reduced and the sealing ability is thus reduced.

[209] Therefore, compared to the embodiment of Figs. 25a and 25b, this embodiment can more reliably prevent outside water or moisture from permeating between the protective covering 850 and the male terminal covering 820 and reaching a contact surface 260 between the male terminal 810 and the female terminal 830.

[210] Figs. 27a and 27b are views showing yet another embodiment of an electric connection device according to the present invention.

[211] This embodiment will be explained with reference to Figs. 27a and 27b, focusing on the differences between it and the embodiments of Figs. 24 and 26. In this embodiment, an uneven surface part T, which includes prominences (fi) and depressions ([H]), is provided on an end of the male terminal covering 820 from which the male terminal 810 protrudes outwards. The uneven surface part T has a shape such that the diameter thereof is increased from an end thereof, that is, from the end adjacent to the protruded male terminal 810 to the other end.

[212] Here, the associated part of the protective covering 850 is reduced in thickness in a direction away from a female terminal 830. In other words, the protective covering 850 is constructed such that the part corresponding to the uneven surface part T of the plug P is gradually reduced in thickness and the remaining part maintains a constant thickness (in other words, a space, into which the plug P is inserted, is gradually increased in diameter and the remaining portion thereof maintains a constant diameter).

[213] Because the protective covering 850 has the inner diameter equal to or less than the outer diameter of the male terminal covering 820 of the plug P, when the plug P is inserted into the socket S (see, Fig. 27b), the protective covering 850 covers the male terminal covering 820 and is brought into close contact with the male terminal covering by its restoring force. Thus, ends of the prominences (fi) of the uneven surface part T formed on the end of the male terminal covering 820 are bent and are brought into close contact with the inner surface of the protective covering 850. Simultaneously, waterproof lubricant, which is charged in the depressions ([H]), seals gaps defined between the depressions ([H]) and the protective covering 850.

[214] Particularly, the uneven surface part T has the shape such that the diameter thereof is increased in one direction, and the protective covering 850 of the socket S has the shape such that the space, defined by the part thereof corresponding to the uneven surface part, is increased in diameter. Therefore, when the plug P is inserted into the socket S, the prominences (fi) of the uneven surface part T can be easily bent, and waterproof lubricant, which is charged in the depressions ([H]), can efficiently seal gaps defined between the depressions ([H]) and the protective covering 850.

[215] Here, a compressing ring 870, which is disposed adjacent to an end of the socket S, compresses the protective covering 850 and the male terminal covering 820 such that they are brought into close contact with each other, and thus serves to prevent water from permeating therebetween. A compressing ring 872, which is disposed at a medial position of the socket S, compresses part of the protective covering 850 to the uneven surface part T of the male terminal covering 820 and thus serves to maintain the uneven surface part T in the compressed state, as shown in an enlarged view of Fig. 27b. A compressing ring 874, which is disposed on a proximal end of the socket S, serves to compress and hold the female terminal 830 of the socket and the male terminal 810.

[216] Fig. 29 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a hot floor panel according to the present invention. Fig. 29a is a perspective view, and Fig. 29b is a front view. As shown in the drawings, in this embodiment, a ceramic plate 200 includes a base plate 211, a heat transfer adhesive layer 217, an acupressure part, which forms a top layer and has large protrusions 213 and small protrusions 215, and tiles 212. This ceramic plate 200 makes it possible for a user to make use of acupressure protrusions, and also serves as a critical part of the hot floor panel. For this, several protrusions are provided on the ceramic plate.

[217] The base plate 211 may have the same construction as that of the ceramic plate 200 illustrated in the prior embodiments. The tiles 212, and the large protrusions 213 and the small protrusions 215, which serve as the acupressure part, are adhered on the base plate by the heat transfer adhesive layer 217. Here, the base plate of this embodiment may have a thickness less than that of the ceramic plates, used in the prior embodiments, to reduce the thickness of the entire ceramic plate.

[218] The heat transfer adhesive layer 217 serves to transfer heat from a heating element

300 to the large protrusions 213, the small protrusions 215 and the tiles 212 through the base plate 211. The heat transfer adhesive layer 217 may be manufactured by melting thermosetting resin, such as epoxy resin, phenol resin, etc., which is not melt even at a temperature of 8O⁰C, or a bonding agent, which is heat-resistant. The heat transfer adhesive layer 217 is preferably made of epoxy resin such that it can be firmly adhered to the ceramic plate 200. In particular, it is preferable that epoxy resin having superior adhesive strength to stone or ceramic material be used.

[219] The ceramic plate 200 is a part which directly contacts the feet of the user, and to which load and impact is directly applied. The size of each tile of the ceramic plate may be changed depending on the material of the tile. Preferably, it is appropriate to use relatively small tiles of 25x25mm, which are commonly available on the market. As such, the size of the tile is determined by the material thereof.

[220] Furthermore, the tiles 212, and the large protrusions 213 and the small protrusions

215, which serve as the acupressure part, must have appropriate heat conductivity to prevent injury such as burn injury to the user. Furthermore, preferably, they are made of material which radiates far infrared rays to promote the health of the user. To achieve the above-mentioned purposes, the large protrusions 213 and the small protrusions 215, which serve as the acupressure part, are preferably made of substances such as pea gravel, which is granular stone that has relatively high density of 2.4 to 2.8 specific gravity and has far- infrared radiating efficiency. As such, because such pea gravel has a size appropriate for acupressure, it can be used as the acupressure part. Furthermore, the large protrusions and the small protrusions may be made of jade or natural stones, which have high far-infrared radiating efficiency. In addition, the acupressure part may comprise acupressure balls that are manufactured by mixing and forming ceramic, germanium and elvan granules, which radiate far-infrared rays and anions and are able to conduct heat, into a ball shape.

[221] Each large protrusion 213 protrudes from the tiles 212 by approximately 5mm to

10mm, such that, when the foot of the user is placed thereon, appropriate acupressure force is applied to the foot.

[222] Meanwhile, after the process of fixing the acupressure part 213, which radiates far infrared rays, has been completed, thermoplastic resin, such as PVC, PE(LDPE, HDPE), PP, PS, ABS, PA(polyamide; nylon), PET, etc., or thermosetting transparent synthetic resin, such as phenol resin, urea resin, epoxy resin, etc, is applied to the surface of the ceramic plate 210, thus forming a surface treatment layer for finishing treatment. Of course, the surface treatment layer may be used only when it is necessary. In other words, the surface treatment of the ceramic plate may be realized by itself.

[223] In this embodiment having the above-mentioned construction, heat energy generated by the heating element 20 is transferred to the tiles 212, the large protrusions 213 and the small protrusions 215. Here, because the tiles 212 are made of ceramic, they mostly convert heat energy into far-infrared waves. In addition, because the acupressure part, which is made of material such as pea gravel or jade and serves as the far infrared ray radiating element, is a granular stone having high density, it has relatively high far- infrared radiating efficiency. Therefore, a large amount of far infrared rays can be radiated onto the feet of the user.

[224] Furthermore, when the user places his/her foot onto the large protrusion 213, which is made of material, such as jade or pea gravel, and serves as the far- infrared ray radiating element, the large protrusion 213 presses the foot's sole by a depth ranging from 5mm to 10mm and radiates far- infrared rays thereto. Then, the far- infrared rays stimulate capillary vessels of the foot and thus promote blood circulation and cell creation, thereby accelerating the metabolism of the user's body.

[225] Moreover, in the present invention, the acupressure part can press several portions of the foot sole, so that the acupressure effect is increased. In particular, because nerves are concentrated in the foot sole, the acupressure part can appropriately stimulate acupuncture points, which are connected to the organs of the user's body.

[226] Meanwhile, because the large protrusions 213 directly contact and are adhered to the heat transfer adhesive layer 217, it is preferable that a separate bonding agent such as silicone be applied to contact surfaces therebetween. Such bonding agent can be effectively used to prevent the acupressure part from being undesirably removed by contraction and expansion due to a change in temperature. In addition, it is preferable that the small protrusions 215 be previously adhered or coupled to the tiles 212. The large protrusions 213 and the small protrusions 215, which serve as the far infrared ray radiating elements, may be made of the same or similar materials. In this embodiment, the several large protrusions 213, which are used for acupressure of the foot sole, are preferably provided to correspond to the shape of the foot sole. Here, the large protrusions 213 are preferably disposed at dispersed positions, rather than at positions adjacent to each other, such that they can evenly press several portions of the foot sole.

[227] Fig. 30 is a front sectional view corresponding to Fig. 29, but illustrating of another formation of large protrusions 213 and small protrusions 215 on tiles 212 of a ceramic plate 200. In this case, the large protrusions 213 and the small protrusions 215 are adhered to the upper surface of the tiles 212 by an adhesive layer 219 formed by material such as silicone. For this, the tiles 212 are machined or formed by molding, such that seats for adhesion of the protrusions are formed in the upper surfaces of the tiles 212. The general construction of this embodiment other than the tiles is the same as or similar to the other hot floor panels.

[228] In the embodiments of Figs. 29 and 30, it is preferable that the large protrusions 213 be alternately arranged with respect to the tiles 212. Furthermore, each of the tiles 212 may be used without having the small protrusion 215. In addition, in place of the tiles 212, planar natural stones or inorganic matter, which can generate far infrared rays, may be used. Moreover, the arrangement of the large protrusions 213 in the tiles 212 may be variously modified.

[229] Fig. 31 shows an example of coupling among the top plate, the adiabatic plate, the support members and the heating element according to the present invention. Fig. 31a illustrates the support members 130, which are previously coupled to the top plate 200. Fig. 31b illustrates the coupling between the heating element 300 and the adiabatic plate 100.

[230] As shown in Fig. 31a, the support members 130, which are made of material such as rubber or plastic having appropriate elasticity and strength, are previously provided on the perimeter and the central portion of the top plate 200. As shown in Fig. 31b, the adiabatic plate 100, in which perimeter holes 14 and central holes 15 that are larger than the support members 130 are formed to receive the respective support members 130 therein, are previously attached to the heating element 300, which has holes to prevent interference with the central support members.

[231] Fig. 32 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 31a to show the coupling of the elements illustrated in Fig. 31. As shown in Fig. 32, the adiabatic plate 100 and the heating element 300, which have the support member receiving holes 15, are coupled to the top plate 200 and the support members 130. For convenience of assembly, the diameter of each hole 15 is larger than that of each support member 130.

[232] Furthermore, referring to Fig. 32, because the length of the support member 130 is greater than the thickness of the adiabatic plate 100, the support member extends outside the adiabatic plate, thus preventing load or impact from being applied to the adiabatic plate. In this case, preferably, the support members are made of rubber or plastic having appropriate elasticity such that they can absorb vibrations.

[233] In the case where the support members made of material such as metal having high stiffness are used, unlike that shown in Fig. 32, the support members may be constructed such that the length thereof is slightly less than the thickness of the adiabatic plate to absorb vibrations using the elastic force of the adiabatic plate. In this case, the holes 14 and 15 may be formed through the adiabatic plate or, alternatively, the holes may not completely pass through the adiabatic plate.

[234] In addition, unlike the case of Fig. 32, the adiabatic plate may be attached to the top plate, after the support members have been fitted into the adiabatic plate. In this case, preferably, the holes 14 and 15 have sizes appropriate to fit the support member thereinto.

[235] As described above, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the adiabatic plate and the hot floor panel according to the present invention can be variously modified, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Such modifications must be regarded as falling within the technical bounds of the claims of the present invention. Industrial Applicability

[236] The adiabatic plate and the hot floor panel according to the present invention can be used in dwellings, apartment buildings, offices and factories for heating rooms.

[237] Furthermore, the hot floor panel of the present invention can solve the problems of an electric leakage and a short circuit, thus being suitable for a panel for heating a room.

Claims

[1] An adiabatic plate used for heating a room, comprising: a plurality of support member receiving holes formed at predetermined positions through the adiabatic plate for installation of support members in the adiabatic plate such that the adiabatic plate withstands an external load or impact; or the plurality of support member receiving holes, and a receiving groove to receive at least one of a heating element, a wire for the heating element, a control or measurement device including a temperature control device, or a part pertaining to the heating element.

[2] The adiabatic plate according to claim 1, wherein the heating element comprises an electric heating element to convert electric energy into thermal energy, or a heating pipe.

[3] The adiabatic plate according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adiabatic plate is made of polystyrene foam, isopink or foamed adiabatic material.

[4] The adiabatic plate according to claims 1 through 3, wherein a fastening groove, having a depth greater than a depth of the receiving groove, is formed in the receiving grooves in a direction crossing the receiving groove to fasten the heating element.

[5] The adiabatic plate according to claim 4, wherein the receiving groove comprises a plurality of receiving grooves formed into a lattice shape, and curved parts are formed in portions, at which the receiving grooves cross each other, for bending of the heating element.

[6] The adiabatic plate according to any one of claims 1 through 5, wherein the adiabatic plate further comprises a support member inserted into each of the support member receiving holes.

[7] The adiabatic plate according to claim 6, wherein the support member comprises an elastic part having high elasticity, and a support body having a strength higher than the elastic part.

[8] The adiabatic plate according to claim 6, wherein the support member comprises a spring, or a spring and a stop rod to limit a deformation of the spring in a longitudinal direction.

[9] The adiabatic plate according to any one of claims 1 through 8, wherein the support member is provided in the adiabatic plate to form one layer, or is formed to have a shape such that support member covers the entire adiabatic plate.

[10] The adiabatic plate according to any one of claims 1 through 9, wherein the support member is formed by hardening liquefied material, including adiabatic castable or cement molding agent having an adiabatic ability, thus having a pre- determined degree of stiffness.

[11] The adiabatic plate according to any one of claims 1 through 9, wherein a length of the support member is greater or less than a thickness of the adiabatic plate.

[12] The adiabatic plate according to any one of claims 1 through 11, wherein, when the length of the support member is less than the thickness of the adiabatic plate, the support member receiving hole is formed in the adiabatic plate without passing through the adiabatic plate.

[13] The adiabatic plate according to any one of claims 1 through 12, wherein the support member is made of any one or a composite of rubber, plastic, metal and wood, such that the support member has a strength higher than the adiabatic plate.

[14] A hot floor panel, comprising: the adiabatic plate of any one of claims 1 through 13; a heating element placed in the receiving groove of the adiabatic plate or attached on the adiabatic plate; a hard support member inserted into each of the support member receiving holes of the adiabatic plate; and a top plate attached on the heating element or the adiabatic plate.

[15] The hot floor panel according to claim 14, wherein the support member comprises an elastic part having high elasticity, and a support body having a strength higher than the elastic part.

[16] The hot floor panel according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the heating element comprises a linear or planar type heating element, or a heating element having a thin layer structure provided with a mesh or a net type heating part, wherein the heating element is attached to a lower surface of the top plate, or the heating part is directly printed or attached to the lower surface of the top plate to perform a heating function.

[17] The hot floor panel according to any one of claims 14 through 16, wherein the heating element is waterproofed with epoxy, silicone or cement molding agent, or a lower surface of the adiabatic plate or a lower surface of the top plate or both are adhered to the heating element using epoxy, silicone or cement molding agent.

[18] The hot floor panel according to any one of claims 14 through 17, wherein a contact part between the heating element and a wire is waterproofed with the support member of any one of claims 1 through 3.

[19] The hot floor panel according to any one of claims 14 through 18, wherein the top plate and the support member are integrated with each other.

[20] The hot floor panel according to any one of claims 14 through 19, wherein the adiabatic plate is made of polystyrene foam, isopink or foamed adiabatic material.

[21] The hot floor panel according to any one of claims 14 through 20, wherein the top plate comprise a plate body, and a coupling protrusion and a coupling seat, which are provided on edges of the plate body, the coupling protrusion has a predetermined thickness from a lower surface of the top plate, and has a predetermined length, to which the coupling protrusion protrudes from the plate body outwards, and the coupling seat has a predetermined height from the lower surface of the top plate, and has a predetermined depth, to which the coupling seat is recessed from the associated edge of the plate body inwards.

[22] The hot floor panel according to claim 21, wherein the protruded length of the coupling protrusion is greater than the recessed depth of the coupling seat.

[23] The hot floor panel according to claims 14 through 22, wherein the top plate is provided by attaching a soft floor sheet on a relatively hard floor sheet.

[24] The hot floor panel according to claim 23, wherein a coupling protrusion and a preliminary coupling seat are formed on at least one of the hard floor sheet and the soft floor sheet, wherein the preliminary coupling seat forms a coupling seat, corresponding to the coupling protrusion, by coupling of the soft floor sheet and the hard floor sheet.

[25] The hot floor panel according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the soft floor sheet comprises a wood floor sheet, including a natural wood sheet, an artificial wood sheet and a laminate flooring sheet, a chemical floor sheet, a paper floor sheet or a decorative tile.

[26] The hot floor panel according to any one of claims 21 through 25, wherein the coupling protrusion and the coupling seat comprise one pair or two pairs of coupling protrusions and coupling seats.

[27] The hot floor panel according to any one of claims 23 through 26, wherein the coupling protrusion and the coupling seat are formed in the hard floor sheet, and a paint or organic matter is applied to the coupling protrusion and the coupling seat to prevent damage to the hard floor sheet attributable to contact between the adjacent hard floor sheets.

[28] The hot floor panel according to any one of claims 23 through 27, wherein the hard floor sheet and the soft floor sheet are adhered to each other using epoxy or silicone, or are attached to each other by thermocompression bonding.

[29] The hot floor panel according to any one of claims 23 through 28, wherein the soft floor sheet has a thickness ranging from 0.3 mm to 5 mm.

[30] The hot floor panel according to any one of claims 23 through 29, wherein the adiabatic plate is coupled to the top plate such that two edges of the top plate protrude from the adiabatic plate to form protrusion parts and two remaining edges define receiving parts corresponding to the protrusion parts, so that, when hot floor panels are coupled to each other, the protrusions parts close spaces defined between the top plate and other top plates.

[31] The hot floor panel according to claim 30, wherein the adiabatic plate has a shape equal to a shape of the top plate, and the adiabatic plate and the top plate are coupled into a misaligned shape, thus forming the protrusion parts and the receiving parts.

[32] The hot floor panel according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the adiabatic plate is larger than the top plate, so that, when the hot floor panel is coupled to another hot floor panel, a joint spacing is defined between the top plates by contact between the hot floor panels.

[33] The hot floor panel according to any one of claims 30 through 32, wherein an electric wiring space for the heating element is defined in the receiving parts.

[34] The hot floor panel according to any one of claims 14 through 22 and 29 through

33, wherein the top plate comprises: a base plate; a heat transfer adhesive layer provided on the base plate; and a tile and an acupressure part adhered to the heat transfer adhesive layer, so that the top plate has an acupressure function.

[35] The hot floor panel according to claim 34, wherein the acupressure part comprises a large protrusion and a small protrusion and is adhered to the heat transfer adhesive layer or the tile.

[36] The hot floor panel according to claim 34 or 35, wherein the acupressure is adhered to the heat transfer adhesive layer or the tile using a bonding agent including silicone.

[37] The hot floor panel according to any one of claims 14 through 36, wherein the support member is provided in the adiabatic plate to form one layer or is formed to have a shape such that support member covers the entire adiabatic plate.

[38] The hot floor panel according to any one of claims 14 through 37, wherein the support member is formed by hardening liquefied material, including adiabatic castable or cement molding agent having an adiabatic ability, thus having a predetermined degree of stiffness.

[39] The hot floor panel according to any one of claims 14 through 38, further comprising an electric connection device including: a plug, having a male terminal, a male terminal covering, which covers the male terminal, and an uneven surface part provided on an end of the male terminal covering; and a socket, having a female terminal corresponding to the male terminal, a female terminal covering, which covers the female terminal, and a protective covering extending a predetermined length from the female terminal covering to cover the male terminal covering, with a compression ring fitted at a predetermined position over a surface of the protective covering. [40] The hot floor panel according to claim 39, wherein the uneven surface part is filled with waterproof lubricant. [41] The hot floor panel according to claim 39 or 40, wherein prominences of the uneven surface part are increased in diameter in a direction away from the male terminal. [42] The hot floor panel according to any one of claims 39 through 41, wherein an inner surface of the protective covering or/and a surface of the male terminal covering are coated with waterproof lubricant. [43] The hot floor panel according to any one of claims 14 through 42, wherein at least two top plates, at least two adiabatic plates or at least two top plates and adiabatic plates are coupled to each other in an nxm arrangement, thus forming a single hot floor panel.