Acute-Angle Impact Surface Locking for Building Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical locking devices for building panels, such as floor panels, struggle to effectively withstand vertical pressure, which is a critical issue for panels used in applications like Luxury Vinyl Tile, Stone Plastic Composite, and Solid Polymer Core panels.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a set of building panels with a first and second mechanical locking device that includes a locking strip with a locking element extending perpendicular to the strip. The locking element and locking groove are configured with impact surfaces at acute angles to enhance vertical locking strength, allowing the panels to support vertical forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a mechanical locking device is formed in one piece with the building panel, then the locking strength and installation speed are improved, but the ability to withstand vertical pressure is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is designed with a specific geometric feature: an impact surface extending from the outer surface towards the back surface at an acute angle (15-45 degrees). This local geometric modification creates a mechanical interlocking effect that specifically addresses vertical pressure resistance while maintaining the overall one-piece integrated structure for strong locking and fast installation.
2Ease of manufacture
If the locking element has a simple structure, then the manufacturing is easier, but the vertical locking strength is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The impact surface is designed with a specific angle parameter (15-45 degrees relative to the horizontal plane). This parameter optimization allows the locking element to effectively transfer and resist vertical forces through mechanical interlocking with the locking groove, enhancing vertical locking strength without adding complex structural features that would complicate manufacturing.
Data Source
AI summary
A set of building panels such as floor panels, including similar or essentially identical building panels. Each building panel having a first mechanical locking device configured to horizontally and vertically lock a first edge of a building panel to a second edge of an adjacent building panel, where the first edge and the second edge preferably are the long edges of the building panels, and a second mechanical locking device configured to horizontally and vertically lock a third edge of a building panel to a fourth edge of an adjacent building panel, where the third edge and the fourth edge preferably are the short edges of the building panels. Each mechanical locking device includes a locking strip including a locking element configured to cooperate with a locking groove. Each locking element has an impact surface and each locking groove comprises an impact surface.