Decorative Floor Panel Joint With Watertight Snap Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flooring panels face challenges in coupling and creating a watertight connection, particularly when using plastic-based or mineral-based materials, which can be difficult to lock together effectively.
Innovation Solution
The panels feature coupling parts with upward and downward tongues and flanks that engage through a downward motion, forming inclined contact surfaces and recesses to create a watertight seal, with locking elements to enhance connection strength and prevent displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If panels are made from plastic-based or mineral-based materials, then alternative material options are provided, but coupling and locking the panels together becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is divided into separate male and female coupling parts with distinct functions. The male coupling part includes a tongue and locking element, while the female coupling part includes a groove and receptacle. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, making it easier to couple panels regardless of material type.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system acts as an intermediary mechanism between panels made of different materials (wood, plastic, mineral-based). The male and female coupling parts provide a universal interface that mediates the connection between diverse panel materials, enabling easy coupling without requiring material-specific connection methods.
2Stability of the object's composition
If panels are glued or nailed to the underlying floor, then stable connection is achieved, but installation becomes complicated and changes require breaking out panels
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system transitions from static permanent connections (glue, nails) to a dynamic reversible connection. The male coupling part can be inserted into and removed from the female coupling part, allowing panels to be installed easily and repositioned or replaced without damage. The locking element provides stability while maintaining reversibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system is self-locking through the interaction between the locking element on the male coupling part and the receptacle on the female coupling part. Once inserted, the locking element automatically engages with the receptacle to provide stable connection without requiring additional fastening operations like gluing or nailing.
3Ease of operation
If panels are installed loosely with tongue and groove coupling, then easy installation and expansion are achieved, but watertight connection is difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The male coupling part is nested within the female coupling part during installation. The tongue of the male coupling part fits into the groove of the female coupling part, and the locking element is received within the receptacle. This nested arrangement creates multiple levels of contact and sealing surfaces, ensuring watertight connection while maintaining easy installation.
Data Source
AI summary
The last decades has seen enormous advance in the market for flooring for floor covering. It is known to install floor panels on an underlying floor in various ways. The present invention relates to an improved panel, such as a floor panel, in particular a decorative floor panel. The invention also relates to a covering, in particular a floor covering, including multiple interconnected panels according to the invention.