Flexible Tongue Mechanical Locking for Perpendicular Panel Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture assembly methods, particularly for connecting panels perpendicularly, are complicated, time-consuming, and often result in weak connections, especially when using soft core materials like particleboard, and require expensive and complex plastic snapping connections.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical locking system with a flexible tongue that can be inserted into a groove, allowing panels to be connected perpendicularly with a snap action, featuring a separate and flexible tongue that displaces inwardly and outwardly during locking, providing a strong and rigid connection without loose parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional connection devices with grooves and holes are used to connect panels perpendicularly, then the connection can be achieved, but the assembly process becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system merges the tongue and groove features directly into the panel edges themselves, eliminating the need for separate connection devices. The first panel has a groove formed in its edge and the second panel has a tongue formed in its edge, allowing direct mechanical interlocking without additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The panels are designed to be self-locking through their own structural features. The flexible tongue on one panel automatically engages with the groove on the perpendicular panel through a snap-action, allowing the panels to lock themselves without requiring separate assembly tools or devices.
2Strength
If plastic snapping connections are used to connect panels, then assembly can be simplified, but the connection strength and rigidity become insufficient especially with soft core materials
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system uses composite construction where a flexible outer shell (for snap-action) is combined with a rigid inner core (for strength). This allows the tongue to be flexible enough for easy insertion while maintaining sufficient structural strength to provide a rigid connection, even with soft core materials like particleboard.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the tongue have different mechanical properties - the outer shell is made flexible to enable snap-action engagement, while the inner core maintains rigidity to provide connection strength. This local differentiation of material properties allows the tongue to simultaneously achieve ease of assembly and connection strength.
3Ease of operation
If flexible tongues are used for locking, then assembly can be simplified without loose parts, but the connection rigidity and strength are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue is constructed as a composite with an outer flexible shell and an inner rigid core. The flexible shell enables easy snap-action assembly without loose parts, while the rigid inner core provides the necessary connection stability and rigidity to prevent panel movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The tongue is divided into functionally distinct segments - an outer shell portion that provides flexibility for engagement and an inner core portion that provides structural rigidity. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally while working together as a unified locking mechanism.
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 system enables cost-effective, simple, and robust perpendicular panel connections, suitable for various materials, including particleboard, with improved strength and rigidity, eliminating the need for additional assembly components.
Implementation Method 1
The separate and flexible tongue is insertable into the tongue groove for connecting said panels to each other... The flexible tongue is preferably displaceable inwardly towards a bottom of the insertion groove and outwardly into the tongue groove during locking
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
There is provided a set of furniture components formed as rectangular panels comprising a first panel (1) and a second panel (2), wherein an edge (16) of the second panel is insertable into a groove (6) of the first panel. A separate and flexible tongue (3) is arranged in an insertion groove (4) of the groove and the edge comprises a tongue groove (5). The separate and flexible tongue is insertable into the tongue groove for locking the panels to each other in a first direction, which is perpendicular to a main plane (MP) of the first panel. Moreover, the edge of the second panel is configured to cooperate with the groove of the first panel for locking the panels to each other in a second direction, which is parallel to the main plane of the first panel. A groove portion of the groove (6) and/or the edge (16) comprise(s) a separate material (24, 25).