Corner Installation Device for Floor Coverings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for laying floor and wall coverings at outgoing corners are prone to quality control issues with welding, risk of tearing, geometric deformations, and require multiple welds, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage from cleaning devices.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a rigid central part shaped like a quarter of a truncated cone and a flexible peripheral part with a triangular shape, extending from the central part, allowing for easy installation and sealing without specific tools, and minimizing the risk of damage from cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hot welding is performed in two stages to seal the V-shaped insert, then the sealing quality is improved, but the exposure time is increased and the risk of drum skin effect and tearing remains

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing qualityVSAvoidexposure time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into a rigid central part and a flexible peripheral part, allowing the welding operation to be performed in a single continuous stage rather than two separate stages. The pre-formed corner profile enables immediate sealing upon installation, eliminating the need for sequential welding operations and reducing overall exposure time while maintaining sealing quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The corner profile is pre-formed with the correct geometric shape and flexibility characteristics before installation. This preliminary preparation ensures that the welding operation can be completed in one stage with proper alignment and contact, eliminating the need for corrective adjustments during the welding process and reducing total exposure time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If welding is performed with a roller or nozzle, then the coating is sealed, but the coating deteriorates with burns, geometric deformations, and bulges

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesealingVSAvoidcoating deterioration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible peripheral part acts as an intermediary between the welding tool and the coating material. Its specialized geometry and material properties distribute the welding heat and pressure more evenly, preventing localized overheating that causes burns and deformations while still achieving effective sealing of the coating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The device changes the physical parameters of the welding interface by introducing a flexible intermediate layer with specific thermal and mechanical properties. This modifies the heat distribution and pressure application during welding, preventing coating deterioration while maintaining sealing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a V-shaped insert is welded to the floor covering, then the outgoing corner is sealed, but the sharp edges do not withstand shocks from cleaning devices causing tearing

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesealingVSAvoidresistance to shocks
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates a flexible peripheral part that replaces the traditional sharp-edged V-shaped insert. This flexible component maintains the sealing function while its inherent flexibility allows it to absorb and distribute impact forces from cleaning devices, preventing tearing and maintaining structural integrity under shock loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Shape

If the shell is made beforehand from a strip of floor covering, then the outgoing corner profile is formed, but the installation time is increased due to multiple welds and on-site production

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutgoing corner profileVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses a composite structure combining a rigid central part and a flexible peripheral part, each optimized for their specific function. This composite design allows the corner profile to be formed as an integrated unit rather than requiring assembly from multiple separate welds, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining the required geometric shape.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3167129B1Device for installing floor and wall coverings at projecting corners
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 GERFLOR
  • EP3167129B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3167129B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3167129B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for installing floor and wall coverings at projecting corners, characterised in that it comprises two parts, namely: a first part, known as the rigid central part, substantially in the form of a hollow tetrahedron or quarter of a truncated cone; and a second part, known as the flexible peripheral part, substantially in the form of a triangle that extends from the periphery of the central part (6), said peripheral part (7) being applied against the ground part and the wall part that are facing the device.