Angled-Impact Locking Device for Stronger Building Panel Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical locking devices for building panels, such as floor panels, lack sufficient strength and durability, particularly in withstanding vertical pressure and loads during conventional use.
Innovation Solution
The design of building panels incorporates a first mechanical locking device with a locking tongue and tongue groove that extend partially or entirely outward/inward from the joint seam, featuring acute-angled upper impact surfaces to enhance vertical locking strength, allowing panels to be assembled without glue and providing stability through cooperative support surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional mechanical locking devices are used for building panels, then assembly is simple, but vertical locking strength and durability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The locking tongue and tongue groove extend outwardly and inwardly from the joint seam in a direction parallel to the front surface, creating a three-dimensional interlocking structure that engages in both horizontal and vertical directions. This multi-dimensional engagement significantly enhances vertical locking strength while maintaining assembly simplicity through the floating installation method.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper impact surfaces of both the locking tongue and tongue groove are configured at acute angles in relation to the horizontal plane. These angled surfaces provide mechanical advantage during vertical loading, allowing the locking device to withstand conventional loads and impacts more effectively through geometric force distribution.
2Productivity
If glue is used to join building panels, then bonding strength is high, but installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical bonding system (glue) with a purely mechanical locking system consisting of locking tongues, tongue grooves, and impact surfaces. This mechanical system provides sufficient joint strength for floating installations while eliminating the waiting time required for glue to dry or cure, significantly improving assembly productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device is designed to be self-locking through its geometric configuration. The acute-angled upper impact surfaces automatically engage and lock the panels together during assembly without requiring additional fastening steps or materials, enabling rapid glue-free installation while maintaining joint strength.
3Force
If locking surfaces are positioned within the joint seam plane, then assembly is straightforward, but vertical load resistance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The locking tongue extends outwardly from the joint seam plane and the tongue groove extends inwardly, creating a multi-dimensional engagement that provides both horizontal guidance and vertical load resistance. This three-dimensional configuration allows the locking device to withstand vertical loads effectively while maintaining straightforward assembly through floating installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The acute-angled upper impact surfaces of the locking tongue and tongue groove are positioned to engage during vertical loading. These angled surfaces provide mechanical advantage and increase vertical load resistance while being integrated into the locking device structure in a way that does not complicate the assembly process.
Data Source
AI summary
A set of building panels including similar or essentially identical building panels. Each building panel includes 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. The first mechanical locking device includes, at the second edge, a locking tongue configured to be received in a tongue groove arranged in the first edge. The locking tongue has, in an upper portion, an impact surface extending at an acute angle in relation to the horizontal plane and the tongue groove has, in an upper portion, an impact surface extending in an acute angle in relation to the horizontal plane, configured to cooperate with the impact surface of the locking tongue in an assembled position, when a force, acting, at least partially, in a vertical direction, is applied to at least one of the building panels.