Method for inspecting sheet material and device for said method

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for inspecting a sheet material, in which the sheet material (1) is provided with shaped edge regions having a coupling portion (8), the method comprising at least a step of recording at least a first and a second portion (20-21) of the contour of the cross-section of a first of the shaped edge regions, the first and second portions (20-21) are recorded with one or more sensors (22-22A-23), the recording of the first portion (20) being performed from a first recording angle (A1) and the recording of the second portion (21) being performed from a second recording angle (A2) different from the first recording angle (A1), however, each recording is performed from one or more recording directions transverse to the longitudinal direction (L) of the corresponding edge (5). The invention also relates to a method for quality control of a sheet material (1) using such a detection method, and to a device (3) for the method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for testing panels, a method for quality control of panels by means of the testing method and a device for use in these methods. In the context of the invention, the main focus is on the testing of decorative panels intended for use as panels for suspended floor coverings. Other applications are not excluded, such as the use of panels glued to substrates or wall panels or ceiling panels. Background Art

[0002] WO 97 / 47834 discloses a decorative laminate flooring sheet provided with a profiled edge region at least at a first pair of opposite edges, the profiled edge region being provided with a coupling portion allowing two such sheets to be coupled to each other, wherein the coupling portion is substantially made as a tongue and a groove, wherein the groove is delimited at least by a top groove lip and a bottom groove lip, and wherein the tongue and groove are provided with a locking portion preventing the tongue and groove from being separated, wherein in the coupled state the locking can be achieved in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the coupled sheets and in a direction perpendicular to the coupling edge in the plane of the coupled sheets. Such a sheet is very suitable for use in floating floor coverings. WO '834 further discloses that the profile of the profiled edge region can be achieved by performing a continuous mechanical cutting operation of the sheets with the corresponding edges using a rotating milling tool. This involves a continuous milling process, i.e. a process in which the milling machine conveys the sheet in a feed direction so that the edge of the sheet passes through a rotating milling tool, which is fixed in position. During this process, wear of the milling tool, inaccuracies in the feed device and forces exerted by the milling tool on the edge of the sheet may lead to deviations in the profile.

[0003] According to the prior art, such plates are tested by performing an installation test in which the connecting parts of a plurality of such plates are inserted into each other, or by inserting a mold into the connecting part to be tested, or by performing a destructive test in which samples are taken transversely from the corresponding edge area and tested in the longitudinal direction of the corresponding edge area under a projector or other optical system. These methods of testing plates are inherently error-prone and highly dependent on the person performing the test. For example, in the installation test, there is no guarantee that there will be no errors in consistency, and when making the above-mentioned samples, the thickness of the samples and their thickness variations will have a significant impact on the test. In addition, the production of the samples takes a long time and the plates being tested will be destroyed. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention is primarily intended to provide an alternative method for inspecting sheet materials and therefore, according to various preferred embodiments, provides solutions to the problems associated with prior art methods.

[0005] To this end, according to a first independent aspect, the invention provides a method for detecting sheet materials, wherein the sheet materials are provided with profiled edge areas at least at a first pair of opposite edges, which profiled edge areas are provided with coupling portions allowing two such sheets to be connected to each other, wherein the coupling portions are substantially made as tongues and grooves, wherein the grooves are delimited at least by a top groove lip and a bottom groove lip, and wherein the tongues and grooves are provided with locking portions preventing the tongues and grooves from being separated, wherein, in the coupled state, locking is achieved in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the coupled sheet materials and in a direction lying in the plane of the coupled sheet materials and perpendicular to the coupling edges, wherein the method comprises at least the step of recording at least a first part and a second part of a profile of a cross-section of a first profiled edge area of ​​the profiled edge areas, wherein the first part and the second part are recorded by using one or more sensors, wherein the recording of the first part is performed from a first recording angle and the recording of the second part is performed from a second recording angle different from the first recording angle, but each recording is performed from one or more recording directions transverse to the longitudinal direction of the corresponding edge.

[0006] By applying two different recording angles, a complete image of the contour of the profiled edge area can be formed by detection transverse to the longitudinal direction, even if there is a post-cut profile or an undercut profile in the corresponding profile. For example, the above-mentioned locking portion can be formed by such a post-cut profile or an undercut profile. Of course, it is not necessary to form a complete image of the contour. For example, the detection and corresponding recording of the first part and the second part may be limited to the recording of the part of the first part and the second part in the above-mentioned connected state that contains one or more provided contact surfaces and / or locking surfaces. Accurate detection and recording of these surfaces is essential to achieve and maintain the correct connection of two such plates when they are in the connected state. Preferably, a sensor capable of forming an image / image of the first part and the second part of the profile of the cross section is used.

[0007] Preferably, by means of the first and second parts, at least such part of the profile is recorded, i.e., the part extending, preferably without interruption, from the surface provided as the contact surface acting in the vertical direction between the upper side of the tongue and the lower side of the top lip to the surface provided as the horizontal locking surface, e.g., the horizontal locking surface provided on the upper side of the bottom groove lip or on the lower side of the tongue. For example, by means of the first and second parts, at least such part of the profile can be recorded, i.e., the part extending, preferably without interruption, from the upper or decorative surface of the sheet to the surface provided as the horizontal locking surface, e.g., the horizontal locking surface provided on the upper side of the bottom groove lip or on the lower side of the tongue. More preferably, by means of the first and second parts, at least the part of the profile extending, preferably without interruption, from the upper or decorative surface of the sheet to the lower surface of the sheet is recorded by using the first and second parts.

[0008] The above-mentioned first and second parts of the profile may or may not overlap and / or may or may not be continuous. Preferably, the first and second parts overlap when connected. Preferably, the connection takes place on a part of the profile which has no surface provided as contact surface and / or locking surface. Preferably, the connection takes place on a part of the profile which, in the coupled state, has a free space defined between the cross section of the above-mentioned tongue and the cross section of the groove.

[0009] According to a particular embodiment, the first part and the second part comprise at least a common contact surface and / or locking surface, preferably a common vertically active contact surface, for example a vertically active contact surface between the bottom side of the tongue and the upper side of the bottom groove lip. In this way, the corresponding contact surfaces and / or locking surfaces can be registered in a more accurate manner.

[0010] The recording of the first and second parts mentioned above can be done in several possible ways.

[0011] According to a first possibility, the first part and the second part are recorded at least with the same first sensor. Preferably, the first sensor is rotatably arranged and the first and second recording angles are achieved by positioning the first sensor, for example by rotating it. The recording angle can be set motorized and / or manually, for example by rotating it. According to a variant, the first sensor can record at different angles, for example allowing recording (such as by means of one or more reflectors or mirrors) a medium (such as light in the case of an optical sensor) deflected at different angles. Preferably, the first sensor is rotatable at an angle of at least 45°, and preferably at an angle of at least 90°.

[0012] According to a second possibility, the first part and the second part are recorded at least by separate sensors. In this respect, the respective sensor is preferably fixed in position, or at least fixed in position when performing the recording. However, the respective sensor can be positioned between recordings, for example for setting up the recording. This setting can be motorized and / or manual.

[0013] Preferably, the recording direction is at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the corresponding edge. In this way, the recording can be easily repeated. For example, one or more sensors can be used that function in a plane at right angles to the longitudinal direction.

[0014] Preferably, the first and second portions of the profile are located in the same plane or are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction by a distance which is less than ten times the thickness of the sheet. This will ensure that the recordings of the first and second portions relate to the same or nearly the same cross-section of the corresponding profiled edge. In this way, the recordings can be easily analyzed and any judgments can be made based on observed deviations from the expected profile. In the usual methods for achieving the profiled edge region, and in particular where a rotary milling tool is used to achieve the profiled edge region, it is not expected that variation deviations will occur over a distance in the longitudinal direction which is less than ten times the thickness of the sheet, and therefore an accurate image can still be formed even when the multiple portions are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. If variation anomalies do occur over such short distances, it can be expected that these anomalies will be identified without the need to perform advanced detection techniques and / or that these anomalies will stand out when the images of the first and second portions are placed side by side.

[0015] Preferably, a sensor capable of distance measurement and / or profile measurement is used, such as a laser distance sensor or a laser profiler. Preferably, such a sensor is capable of measuring the distance to a plurality of points of the corresponding contour portion, preferably with a resolution of more than 10 points per millimeter or even more than 1000 points per millimeter at a constant recording angle. Such a sensor may be a sensor capable of line scanning the corresponding contour portion.

[0016] According to a specific example, one or more optical 2D triangulation position sensors and / or one or more sensors sold on the market under the name Keyence LJ-V7060, ie 2D triangulation position sensors, are used.

[0017] According to the invention, more than two recording angles are not excluded. Preferably, the method further comprises the following steps: recording the third portion of the above-mentioned profile, wherein the recording of the third portion is carried out from a third recording angle different from the above-mentioned first and second recording angles, but also from one or more recording directions transverse to the longitudinal direction of the corresponding edge, preferably from one or more recording directions at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the corresponding edge. The recording of the above-mentioned third portion can be carried out with the same sensor as the sensor used to record the first and / or second portion of the profile, or by a separate sensor. If the same sensor as the sensor used to record the first and / or second portion is used, preferably the sensor is a positionable or rotatable sensor, or the recording medium of the sensor can be deflected, as described above. The third portion can completely or partially overlap the first and / or second portion, or be substantially complementary to the first and second portions. The third recording angle can be located between the first and second recording angles. This is of great concern when it is necessary to overlap the first and second portions. According to a variant, the third recording angle can be greater than the first and / or second recording angles and / or opposite to the first and / or second recording angles.

[0018] Preferably, the above-mentioned first recorded angle is located in the plane of the plate, or the first recorded angle forms an angle of 15° or less with the plane.

[0019] Preferably, the second recording angle is perpendicular to the plane of the plate, or the second recording angle forms an angle with the vertical direction that is less than 45°, preferably less than 35°.

[0020] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the method comprises the following features:

[0021] - the first recorded angle is located in the plane of the sheet or forms an angle of 15° or less with the plane;

[0022] - the second recording angle is perpendicular to the plane of the sheet, or forms an angle with the vertical direction of less than 45°, and preferably less than 35°;

[0023] - the third recording angle (if present) is perpendicular to the plane of the sheet or forms an angle with the vertical direction of less than 45°, and preferably less than 35°, but the third recording direction comprises a vertical component opposite to the second recording direction.

[0024] Preferably, the bottom lip extends distally beyond the top lip, and the locking portion comprises a projection on the upper surface of the bottom lip and a recess at the underside of the tongue, wherein, in the coupled state, one of the locking surfaces acting in the horizontal direction is formed on the proximal surface of the projection and the other on the distal surface of the recess. With such a coupling portion and a locking portion, the method of the invention can function optimally. With such a coupling portion and a locking portion, for example, a backcut or undercut may occur near the proximal surface of the projection and / or near the distal surface of the recess. During recording from the first recording angle or from the second recording angle, such a backcut or undercut of the contour may be located in the shadow of the projection or in the underside of the tongue, respectively, so that by recording from only one recording angle, an incomplete image of the contour of the corresponding profiled edge area may be formed.

[0025] Preferably, the first portion and / or the second portion of the profile comprises at least one above-mentioned locking surface acting in the horizontal direction.

[0026] Preferably, the second recorded angle corresponds to or nearly corresponds to the average angle at which the horizontally acting locking surface extends on the first profiled edge region to be detected. Preferably, the second recorded angle deviates from the average angle by no more than 10°, or by no more than 5°.

[0027] Preferably, in the coupled state, a vertically active contact surface is formed on the upper side of the tongue and on the lower side of the top groove lip, wherein the vertically active contact surface is parallel to the plane of the sheet material, or wherein the vertically active contact surface forms an angle or average angle of 45° or less, preferably an angle or average angle of 15° or less with the plane of the sheet material. Such a vertically active contact surface may be located in the shadow of the bottom groove lip, of course in the case that the bottom groove lip extends beyond the top groove lip, so that an incomplete image of the contour of the corresponding profiled edge area can be formed from only one recorded angle.

[0028] Preferably, the first and / or second portion of the profile comprises at least one above-mentioned locking surface acting in the vertical direction.Preferably, the above-mentioned first registered angle deviates from the mean angle by at most 10°, or at most 5°.

[0029] Preferably, the above-mentioned first registered angle corresponds to or nearly corresponds to the average angle over which the above-mentioned contact surfaces acting in the vertical direction extend.

[0030] According to a most preferred embodiment, the first registered angle corresponds or nearly corresponds to the average angle over which the above-mentioned contact surfaces acting in the vertical direction extend, and the second registered angle corresponds or nearly corresponds to the average angle over which the above-mentioned locking surfaces acting in the horizontal direction extend.

[0031] Preferably, the above-mentioned first molded edge region comprises the above-mentioned groove.

[0032] Preferably, the method further comprises the step of recording at least a portion of the profile of the cross section of a second of the above-mentioned formed edge regions, for example at least a portion of the profile of the cross section of the formed edge region including the tongue-shaped portion. Preferably, when recording corresponding portions of the two formed edge regions, the recording angles at which the one or more sensors are active are the same or differ from each other by only 5° or less. This embodiment allows the use of the same device to detect the two formed edge regions. However, it is not excluded that a separate device (preferably the same or similar device) can be used to detect the relative second formed edge region. The one or more sensors for recording the second formed edge region can be part of the same device that includes the sensor for recording the first formed edge region. The recording of the first formed edge region and the second formed edge region can be performed simultaneously or almost simultaneously, and / or without repositioning the sheet to be detected.

[0033] Preferably, the sheet material is provided with profiled edge areas at least at the second pair of opposite edges, these profiled edge areas being provided with coupling portions allowing two such sheets to be coupled to each other, and wherein the method comprises the step of recording a portion of one or both profiled edge areas of the second pair of opposite edges. Preferably, when recording corresponding portions of the two profiled edge areas of the second pair of opposite edges, the recording angles at which the one or more sensors are active are the same or differ from each other by only 5° or less. Preferably, the corresponding recording angles are also the same or differ from the recording angles used to detect the one or both profiled edge areas of the first pair of opposite edges by only 5° or less. This embodiment allows the use of the same device to detect both pairs of profiled edge areas. However, the use of a separate device (preferably the same or similar device) to detect one or both profiled edge areas of the second pair of profiled edge areas is not excluded. The one or more sensors used to record one or both edge areas of the second pair of profiled edge areas may be part of the same or identical device including the sensors used to record one or both edge areas of the first pair of profiled edge areas. The recording of the first pair of profiled edge areas and the second pair of profiled edge areas may be performed simultaneously or almost simultaneously and / or without repositioning the sheet material to be detected.

[0034] The coupling portion of the second pair of opposite edges may also be substantially made as a tongue and a groove, the tongue and the groove being provided with a locking portion preventing the tongue and the groove from being separated. According to a variant, the second pair of opposite edges comprises a coupling portion substantially made as a male coupling portion and a female coupling portion, wherein the male coupling portion can be inserted into the female coupling portion by moving downward. These coupling portions may be coupling portions described in, for example, WO 2021 / 111210, WO 01 / 75247, EP2440724 or WO 2009 / 066153, which may be formed as one piece using sheet material, or may not be formed as one piece.

[0035] Preferably, when two such sheets are in a coupled state, at the second pair of opposite edges, locking between the corresponding edges also occurs in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the coupled sheets and in a direction lying in the plane of the coupled sheets and perpendicular to the coupled edges.

[0036] According to a particular embodiment, the first profiled edge region is movable relative to the one or more sensors in the longitudinal direction, preferably by motorized means. For example, the sensor is movably arranged, preferably the sensor is movably arranged when the sheet is fixed. In this way, the recording of the first part and / or the second part can be performed at different positions along the profiled edge region. The recording of the first part and the second part can be performed alternately, but preferably such that the second part is at a distance from the first part that is less than ten times the thickness of the sheet.

[0037] In order to achieve the same purpose as the first aspect, according to a second independent aspect, the present invention provides a method for quality control of a sheet material, wherein the sheet material is provided with a profiled edge area at least at a first pair of opposite edges, the profiled edge areas being provided with a coupling portion allowing two such sheets to be coupled to each other, wherein the coupling portion is substantially made as a tongue and a groove, wherein the groove is at least defined by a top groove lip and a bottom groove lip, and wherein the tongue and the groove are provided with a locking portion preventing the tongue and the groove from being separated, wherein, in the coupled state, locking can be achieved in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the coupled sheets and in a direction lying in the plane of the coupled sheets and perpendicular to the coupling edge, wherein the method comprises at least the following steps:

[0038] - inspecting the sheet material using the method according to the first independent aspect and / or preferred embodiments thereof, wherein at least a first part and a second part of a profile of a cross section of a first profiled edge region of the profiled edge region are recorded; and

[0039] - directly or indirectly comparing at least one of the above mentioned parts with a desired geometry of a corresponding part.

[0040] By using the detection method in the first independent aspect, quality control can be smoothly achieved without making samples corresponding to the edge area. Quality control can be performed completely non-destructively, and furthermore, it is less or not dependent on the personnel performing the quality control.

[0041] The method of the second independent aspect allows for a more reliable production of sheets with joined portions. It is therefore clear that, according to a specific independent aspect, the invention also relates to a method for manufacturing sheets, wherein a quality control having the features of the second independent aspect and / or its preferred embodiments is applied. Optionally, this may involve testing each sheet produced, or performing regularly or randomly scheduled sampling. For example, one or more profiled edge areas of one or more sheets may be tested every hour. The recorded results may be compared with the desired geometry of the corresponding portion of the recorded profiled edge area.

[0042] Preferably, the deviations obtained in the above-mentioned comparison step are stored and preferably form the basis for statistical process control, for example applied to the process of forming the corresponding profiled edge region.Static process control and / or monitoring can monitor or predict tool wear so that they can be replaced, for example, preventively.

[0043] Preferably, the deviation obtained in the above comparison step is used for automatic or non-automatic control of the process of forming the corresponding profiled edge region. In the case of forming the corresponding profiled edge region by mechanical cutting operation using multiple continuously rotating milling tools, the position of one or more rotating milling tools can be adjusted.

[0044] In order to achieve the same purpose as the first and second aspects, according to the third independent aspect, the present invention provides a device used in a method according to any one of the preceding aspects and / or its preferred embodiments, wherein the above-mentioned device at least includes the above-mentioned one or more sensors.

[0045] Preferably, the device is provided with means for clamping the corresponding sheet and / or means for aligning or positioning the corresponding sheet relative to the above-mentioned sensor. These means can be used alone or in combination to ensure more reproducible detection results.

[0046] Preferably, the device automatically performs the recording of the corresponding part of the contour, and / or the device comprises means for starting the step of recording the corresponding part of the contour, which means can be triggered by the user. This may include, for example, a button, a touch button, a contact part that can be triggered by sound or voice, a contact part that can be triggered by light or shadow, a contact part that can be triggered by wireless or wired remote control, etc.

[0047] Preferably, the device includes a handle, and / or the device is provided with a housing suitable for placement or mounting on a surface, such as a wall or table.

[0048] Preferably, the device comprises an indication device which is capable of providing information related to the quality and / or measurement result. The indication device may comprise, for example, a light indicator (such as a light beacon), and / or an acoustic indicator (such as a sound when a measurement is made), wherein the light and / or sound may be different for a well-performed measurement and a poorly-performed measurement, and / or for a measurement result that meets an applied tolerance and a measurement result that does not meet the applied tolerance.

[0049] Preferably, the device comprises one or more lighting elements, wherein the lighting elements are preferably capable of illuminating the corresponding profiled edge area in two or more directions, preferably transversely to the longitudinal direction of the corresponding profiled edge area or at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the corresponding profiled edge area. These directions preferably correspond to or almost correspond to the first and second registered angles, wherein any deviation between the corresponding direction and the corresponding registered angle is preferably 15° or less, or even 5° or less.

[0050] Preferably, the device comprises means for storing at least part of the recorded data, for reading at least part of the recorded data, for printing at least part of the recorded data, for displaying at least part of the recorded data and / or for transmitting at least part of the data to a computer or a computer network. Preferably, the device is provided for this purpose with an integral and possibly removable data carrier.

[0051] In the context of the present invention, the term "recording angle" means the average angle at which the corresponding sensor makes a recording. For sensors in which the recording medium hits the edge region point by point, the recording angle is the angle at which the recording medium hits the edge region in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the corresponding edge region. For sensors in which the recording medium hits the edge region at least linearly, the recording angle is the average angle at which the recording medium hits the edge region in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the relevant edge region.

[0052] It should also be noted that the above-mentioned method for detecting a sheet material or the method for quality control of a sheet material and the above-mentioned device can also be applied to sheets provided with profiled edge areas that are not tongue-shaped and groove-shaped. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that similar advantages can be achieved when only one of the opposite profiled edge areas comprises a coupling portion in the form of a tongue or groove, or when both opposite edge areas comprise the same type of coupling portion, such as two tongues or two grooves. It should also be appreciated that the device and / or method of the present invention can also be used to detect coupling portions that do not have a distinct tongue-shaped and groove shape. In addition to being made essentially as a tongue-shaped and groove, such coupling portions can also be made essentially as male and female coupling portions, wherein the male coupling portion can be inserted into the female coupling portion by moving downward. In the coupled state, the locking between the corresponding edges preferably occurs in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the coupled sheet material and in a direction located in the plane of the coupled sheet material and perpendicular to the coupling edge. Such male and female coupling portions preferably also include a locking surface that acts in the horizontal direction and a contact surface that acts in the vertical direction when in the coupled state. Locking can also be achieved using a back cut profile or an under cut profile.Therefore, similar detection and / or quality control techniques and directions as described in the context of said aspect of the invention also apply well here.

[0053] It is also understood that in the context of the present invention, the profiled edge area of ​​the sheet to be detected preferably extends continuously and constantly along substantially the entire longitudinal direction of the corresponding profiled edge area, for example possibly except for its ends. However, it is not excluded that the technology described herein can be used to detect or control local cutouts or profiled edge areas whose profile changes in the longitudinal direction of the profiled edge area, for example for controlling the longer pair of profiled edge areas of the sheet described in WO 2020 / 109961. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] In order to better illustrate the features of the present invention, some preferred embodiments will be described below with reference to the corresponding drawings, which are examples without any limiting features, in which:

[0055] Figure 1 A top view showing a step in the method for inspecting a plate according to the present invention;

[0056] Figure 2 and Figure 3 They are shown according to Figure 1 An enlarged cross section of line II-II and line III-III shown in FIG.

[0057] Figure 4 and Figure 5 With Figure 2 and Figure 3 A similar view shows a variation;

[0058] Figure 6 The figure shows the connection state of the two plates in the previous figure;

[0059] Figure 7 Shown by means of Figures 1 to 3 Records obtained by the method described in;

[0060] Figure 8 With Figure 2 A similar view shows a variation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] Figure 1 A top view is shown of a situation in which an operator 2 presents a sheet 1 to a device 3 for inspecting sheets 2. In this example, the sheet is an elongated rectangular sheet 1 provided with profiled edge areas at two pairs of opposite edges 4-5-6-7, provided with coupling portions 8 allowing two such sheets 1 to be coupled to each other. At the longer pair of opposite edges 4-5, the coupling portion 8 is substantially made as a tongue 9 and a groove 10.

[0062] Figure 2 and Figure 3 It is clearly shown that the groove 10 is bounded by at least a top groove lip 11 and a bottom groove lip 12 , wherein the bottom groove lip 12 extends distally beyond the top groove lip 11 .

[0063] Figure 4 and Figure 5 The edge 4 provided with a tongue 9 is shown.

[0064] Figure 6 As shown, the tongue 9 and the groove 10 are provided with a locking portion that prevents the tongue 9 and the groove 10 from being separated. The locking portion comprises a protrusion 13 on the upper surface of the bottom groove lip 12 and a recess 14 on the lower surface of the tongue 9, wherein, in this example, in the coupled state shown here, one of the locking surfaces 15-16 acting in the horizontal direction is formed on the proximal surface of the protrusion 13 and the other is formed on the distal surface of the recess 14.

[0065] Figure 4 It is also shown that in the coupled state, vertically active contact surfaces 17-18 are formed on the upper side of the tongue 9 and on the lower side of the above-mentioned top groove lip 11. In this example, these vertically active contact surfaces 17-18 are parallel to the plane 19 of the sheet 1.

[0066] In the coupled state, locking occurs in a vertical direction V perpendicular to the plane 19 of the coupling plate 1 and in a horizontal direction H lying in the plane 19 of the coupling plate 1 and perpendicular to the coupling edges 4 - 5 .

[0067] Figures 1 to 3 It is shown that by using the above-mentioned device 3, at least a first part 20 and a second part 21 of the profile of the cross section of the first profiled edge region (i.e. the edge region at the edge 5 with the groove 10) are recorded using two separate sensors 22-23 (i.e. a first sensor 22 and a second sensor 23). In this example, these sensors are optical sensors, more specifically 2D triangulation sensors. The recording of the first part 20 is carried out from a first recording angle A1, and the recording of the second part 21 is carried out from a second recording angle A2 different from the above-mentioned first recording angle. Both recordings are carried out from a recording direction transverse to the longitudinal direction L of the corresponding edge, and in this example, from a recording direction at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the corresponding edge.

[0068] In this example, the first registration angle A1 lies in the plane 19 of the sheet 1. The second registration direction forms a registration angle A2 of less than 45°, in this example of about 55°, with the plane 19 of the sheet 1. The first registration angle A1 corresponds here to the average angle B1 over which the above-mentioned contact surface 18 acting in the vertical direction on the underside of the top groove lip 11 extends. The second registration angle A2 corresponds here to the average angle B2 over which the above-mentioned locking surface 16 acting in the horizontal direction extends, i.e. in the uncoupled state.

[0069] Figure 4 and Figure 5 An alternative device 3 is shown, in which the same first sensor 22 is used to record the first part 20 and the second part 21 of the contour. For this purpose, the first sensor 22 is arranged rotatably. The above-mentioned first recording angle A1 and second recording angle A2 are then achieved by rotating the first sensor.

[0070] Figure 4 and Figure 5 It is also shown that a similar detection technique can be used to record the first part 20 and the second part 21 of the profiled edge area at the edge 4 provided with the tongue 9. This can of course also be used Figures 1 to 3 For this purpose, the device 3 can be provided with an additional sensor 22A for recording the aforementioned second portion 21, in the case of detecting the edge region at the edge 4 provided with the tongue 9. Due to the implementation of the rotatable arrangement at an angle D greater than 60°, and in this example even at an angle D greater than 90°, Figure 4 and Figure 5The device 3 shown in FIG. 2 allows detecting the edge region at the edge 4 where the tongue 9 is provided and the edge region at the edge 5 where the groove 10 is provided with only one sensor 22 .

[0071] It is also possible to record a third portion of the contour of the edge provided with the tongue 9 or the groove 10 using the above-mentioned third sensor 22A, wherein the recording of the third portion is then preferably performed from a third recording angle different from the above-mentioned first recording angle A1 and second recording angle A2, but preferably also from a recording direction transverse to the longitudinal direction L of the corresponding edge 4-5. It is also possible to record the third portion using only one sensor 22, for example a rotatable sensor 22, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 as shown in .

[0072] Figures 1 to 5 The device 3 is provided with means 24-25 for aligning or positioning the sheet 1 relative to the above-mentioned sensors 22-23-22A.

[0073] In this example, the means 24-25 comprise two pins which respectively form a stop surface for the edge 4 provided with the tongue 9 or for the edge 5 provided with the groove 10. The position of the stop surface can thus be adjusted by means of the screw 26.

[0074] Figures 1 to 5 The device 3 in the embodiment is also provided with a clamping device 27 for clamping a corresponding sheet 1. In this example, the clamping device 27 comprises a clamping portion 28 which can be pressed onto the surface 19 of the sheet 1 by means of a rod 29.

[0075] In this example, the device 3 is provided with a housing 30 suitable for placement on a surface such as a table.

[0076] The device is also equipped with an indicator device 31 in the form of an optical beacon, which can emit an optical signal depending on the quality of the recording. The detection results (eg recording data) can be read out using a computer 32.

[0077] Of course, one or both of the shorter pair of opposite edges 6 - 7 may also be similarly detected using the same or similar device 3 .

[0078] Figure 7 Shown by means of Figure 1 and Figure 2 The recorded data obtained by the device in 33. Figure 5The recording of a first part 20 and a second part 21 of the profile is shown. The recording of the first part 20 partially overlaps the recording of the second part 21. In this example, the undercut or back-cut part 34 of the groove 10 (adjacent to the proximal surface of the projection 13) is recorded at least partially by only one of the two recordings at a time. There is also an overlap at the transition area 35 between the first part 20 and the second part 21. The above-mentioned first part 20 comprises in this example the locking surface 16 of the groove 10 that acts in the horizontal direction. The above-mentioned second part 21 comprises in this example the contact surface 18 that acts in the vertical direction, which is located on the lower side of the top groove lip 11. The transition area 35 (or, in this example, the overlap) between the first part 20 and the second part 21 occurs at the height of the contact surfaces 17A-18A that act in the vertical direction between the lower side of the tongue 9 and the upper side of the bottom groove lip 12.

[0079] Figure 7 It is also shown that the acquired recorded data 33 can be compared with the desired geometry.In this example, a tolerance zone is indicated by a dashed line 36, which indicates the limits of approval and rejection in terms of quality control according to the second aspect.

[0080] Figure 8 An alternative device 3 for testing a sheet material 1 in an embodiment according to the first aspect is shown. In particular, the device is a device 3 provided with a handle 37. The device is also provided with means 27 for clamping the sheet material and indicator means 31, which can provide information related to the quality and / or the recording result. In this example, the means 27 act on the underside of the sheet material 1. In this example, the indicator means 31 is made as a screen facing away from the sheet material 1 to be tested. In this example, the screen is located on the upper side of the device 3 so that the operator 2 can read it in an ergonomic manner.

[0081] Figure 8 It is also shown that the device 3 is provided with means 38 for initiating the step of recording the corresponding portion 20-21 of the contour. In particular, the means is a button that can be activated by the operator 2.

[0082] Figure 8 The embodiment in allows to hold the device 3 in an ergonomic way, which is easy to carry or transport from one quality control station to another.

[0083] It should be noted that Figure 4It is also shown that the device 3 can include one or more lighting elements 39, wherein the lighting elements 39 are capable of illuminating the corresponding profiled edge area in two or more directions, preferably transversely to the longitudinal direction L of the corresponding profiled edge area. In this example, the lighting element 39 is integrally formed into the sensor 22 and is therefore also rotatably arranged. In this example, the lighting element 39 is annular around the sensor 22 itself.

[0084] The device 3 shown in the drawings is suitable for carrying out the particularly preferred embodiment mentioned in the introduction, in which:

[0085] - the first recorded angle is located in the plane 19 of the plate 1 or forms an angle A1 of 15° or less with the plane 19;

[0086] - the second recorded angle is perpendicular to the plane of the sheet or forms an angle E2 with the vertical direction that is less than 45°, and preferably less than 35°; and

[0087] The third recording angle is perpendicular to the plane 19 of the sheet 1 or forms an angle E3 with the vertical that is less than 45° and preferably less than 35°, but the third recording direction includes a perpendicular component opposite to the second recording direction.

[0088] The invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described as examples and shown in the drawings, but these methods and devices 3 can be implemented in various ways without exceeding the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for detecting a plate, wherein: The sheet (1) is provided with a profiled edge region at least at a first pair of opposite edges (4-5), the profiled edge region being provided with a coupling portion (8) allowing two sheets (1) to be connected to each other, wherein the coupling portion (8) is substantially made as a tongue (9) and a groove (10), wherein the groove (10) is delimited at least by a top groove lip (11) and a bottom groove lip (12), and wherein the tongue (9) and the groove (10) are equipped with a locking portion preventing the tongue (9) and the groove (10) from being separated, wherein, in the coupled state, a locking portion is enabled between the respective edges (4-5) along a direction (V) perpendicular to the plane (19) of the coupled sheets (1) and along a direction located at the interface of the coupled sheets (1). The method comprises at least one step of recording at least a first part (20) and a second part (21) of a profile of a cross section of a first shaped edge region in the shaped edge region, wherein the first part (20) and the second part (21) are recorded by using one or more sensors (22-22A-23), wherein the first part (20) is recorded from a first recording angle (A1) and the second part (21) is recorded from a second recording angle (A2) different from the first recording angle (A1), but each recording is performed from one or more recording directions transverse to the longitudinal direction (L) of the corresponding edge (5).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first part (20) and the second part (21) are recorded using at least one and the same first sensor (22).

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The first sensor (22) is rotatably positioned, and the first recording angle (A1) and the second recording angle (A2) are achieved by rotating the first sensor (22).

4. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first portion (20) and the second portion (21) are recorded at least by separate sensors (22-23).

5. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The recording direction is at right angles to the longitudinal direction (L) of the associated edge (5).

6. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first recorded angle (A1) is located in the plane (19) of the plate (1), or the first recorded angle forms an angle (A1) of 15° or less with the plane of the plate.

7. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The second recorded angle (A2) is perpendicular to the plane (19) of the sheet (1), or the second recorded angle forms an angle (A2) with the plane of the sheet that is less than 45°, and preferably less than 35°.

8. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The method further comprises the step of recording a third portion of the profile, wherein the recording of the third portion is performed from a third recording angle different from the first recording angle and the second recording angle, but the recording is also performed from one or more recording directions transverse to the longitudinal direction (L) of the corresponding edge (5).

9. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The bottom groove lip (12) extends beyond the top groove lip (11) in the distal direction, and the locking portion comprises a protrusion (13) located on the upper surface of the bottom lip (12) and a recess (14) located at the bottom of the tongue (9), wherein in the connected state, locking surfaces (15-16) acting in the horizontal direction are formed, one of the locking surfaces acting in the horizontal direction is formed on the proximal surface of the protrusion (13), and the other is formed on the distal surface of the recess (14).

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The second registered angle (A2) corresponds or nearly corresponds to the average angle over which the locking surface (16) extends on the first profiled edge region to be detected.

11. The method according to one of claims 9 and 10, characterized in that In the connected state, a contact surface (17-18) acting in the vertical direction is formed on the top of the tongue (9) and on the bottom of the top groove lip (11), wherein the contact surface (17-18) acting in the vertical direction is parallel to the plane (19) of the plate (1), or the contact surface acting in the vertical direction forms an average angle of 45° or less with the plane of the plate, preferably, an average angle of 15° or less.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The first registered angle (A1) corresponds or nearly corresponds to the average angle over which the contact surfaces (17-18) acting in the vertical direction extend.

13. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first profiled edge region comprises the groove (10).

14. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The method further comprises the step of recording at least a part of a profile of a cross section of a second of the profiled edge regions.

15. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The sheet (1) is provided with profiled edge regions at least at a second pair of opposing edges (6-7), these profiled edge regions being provided with connecting portions (8) allowing two of the sheets (1) to be connected together, and wherein the method further comprises the step of recording a portion of one or both profiled edge regions of the second pair of opposing edges.

16. A method for quality control of a sheet material, wherein: The sheet (1) is provided with a profiled edge region at least at a first pair of opposite edges (4-5), the profiled edge region being provided with a coupling portion (8) allowing two sheets (1) to be coupled together, wherein the coupling portion (8) is substantially made into a tongue (9) and a groove (10), wherein the groove (10) is limited by at least a top groove lip (11) and a bottom groove lip (12), and wherein the tongue (9) and the groove (10) are provided with a locking portion preventing the tongue (9) and the groove (10) from being separated, wherein, in a coupled state, locking is enabled along a direction (V) perpendicular to a plane (19) of the coupled sheets (1) and along a direction (H) located in the plane (19) of the coupled sheets (1) and perpendicular to the coupled edges (4-5), characterized in that the method comprises at least the following steps: - a testing step of testing the sheet (1) using the method according to one of claims 1 to 15, in which at least a first part (20) and a second part (21) of the profile of a cross section of a first profiled edge region in the profiled edge regions are recorded; and - a comparing step of directly or indirectly comparing at least one of said portions with a desired geometry of the portion.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The deviations obtained in the comparison step are stored and preferably form the basis for a statistical process control which is applied, for example, to the process of forming the respective profiled edge region.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that The deviations obtained in the comparison step are used for automatic or non-automatic control of the process for forming the corresponding profiled edge region.

19. A device for use in a method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The device (3) comprises at least the one or more sensors (22-23-22A).

20. The device according to claim 19, characterized in that The device (3) is equipped with means (27) for clamping the respective sheet (1) and / or means (24-25) for aligning or positioning the respective sheet (1) relative to the sensor (22-23-22A).

21. The device according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that The device (3) automatically performs the recording of the relevant portion of the contour and / or the device comprises activation means (38) for activating the step of recording the relevant portion of the contour, which activation means can be activated by the operator (2).

22. The device according to one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that The device (3) comprises a handle, and / or the device is equipped with a housing (30) suitable for placement or mounting on a surface, such as a wall or a table.

23. The device according to one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that The device comprises an indicator device (31) which is capable of providing information related to the quality and / or the measurement result.

24. The device according to one of claims 19 to 23, characterized in that The device comprises one or more lighting elements (39), wherein the lighting elements (39) preferably illuminate the respective profiled edge region in two or more directions, preferably the lighting elements illuminate transversely to the longitudinal direction (L) of the respective profiled edge region.

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