Acute-Angle Locking Strip for Building Panel Vertical Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical locking devices for building panels, particularly those used with Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT), Stone Plastic Composite (SPC), Solid Polymer Core (SPC), Expanded Polymer Core (EPC), and Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) panels, face challenges in withstanding vertical pressure effectively.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a set of building panels with a first mechanical locking device configured to lock the long edges of adjacent panels both horizontally and vertically, and a second mechanical locking device configured to lock the short edges. Both devices include a locking strip with a locking element that cooperates with a locking groove, featuring impact surfaces at acute angles to enhance vertical locking strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a mechanical locking device is formed in one piece with the floor panel to provide strong locking and fast installation, then the locking strength and installation speed are improved, but the device may be insufficient in withstanding vertical pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The locking surfaces are designed with specific geometric parameters including acute angles (α and β) that optimize the distribution of vertical forces. By changing the angular parameters of the locking surfaces, the system achieves both strong locking and improved resistance to vertical pressure, resolving the contradiction between locking strength and pressure resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device integrates multiple functional elements (locking strip, locking element, locking groove, and locking surfaces) into a composite structure formed in one piece with the panel. This composite design combines the advantages of integrated construction with optimized force distribution, achieving both fast installation and high resistance to vertical pressure
2Stability of the object's composition
If the locking element and locking groove are designed to lock panels horizontally, then the horizontal locking is improved, but the vertical locking strength is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The locking surfaces are oriented at acute angles relative to the horizontal plane, introducing a vertical dimension to the force distribution. This angular orientation allows the locking mechanism to effectively resist both horizontal displacement and vertical pressure, transforming a primarily horizontal locking system into one that provides balanced protection in multiple directions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The described mechanical locking system significantly improves the vertical locking strength and stability of the building panels, effectively addressing the limitations of existing systems by providing enhanced resistance to vertical pressure and ensuring secure assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The locking element comprises an impact surface extending from an outer surface of the locking element in a direction towards a back surface of the building panel, at an acute angle in relation to the horizontal plane. Further, the locking groove comprises an impact surface extending from an inner surface of the locking groove in a direction towards the back surface of the building panel, at an acute angle in relation to the horizontal plane and configured to cooperate with the impact surface of the locking element
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, 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, wherein the first mechanical locking device and/or the second mechanical locking device includes, at one of the first edge or second edge, and/or at one of the third edge or fourth edge, a locking strip extending from a respective edge in a direction away from the respective edge, wherein the locking strip includes a locking element having an impact surface.