Floor Covering Corner Assembly for Staggered Joint Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor covering elements with hermaphroditic assembly means are limited to straight or offset installations by half a width, and their assembly is fragile due to right-angle joints, making them unsuitable for staggered joint installations and prone to waste when cut.
Innovation Solution
A floor covering element with hermaphroditic assembly means on four sides, including male and female corners and intermediate assembly means, allowing for various staggered joint installations and enhanced tensile strength through optimized dovetail designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hermaphroditic assembly means are configured for straight or half-width offset installation, then assembly simplicity is improved, but installation versatility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly means are segmented into three distinct types: corner assembly means for terminal elements, intermediate assembly means for internal elements, and junction assembly means for connecting different installation patterns. This segmentation allows each type to be optimized for its specific function while collectively providing versatile installation options including straight, offset, and staggered joint patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly means are designed with universal compatibility across multiple installation patterns. The corner, intermediate, and junction assembly means can be combined in various sequences to achieve straight installation, half-width offset installation, or staggered joint installation, allowing the same basic component design to serve multiple installation purposes
2Ease of manufacture
If right-angle joints are used for assembly, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but structural strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The corner assembly means incorporate asymmetric geometry with inclined faces rather than simple right angles. The inclination angles are specifically designed to distribute mechanical loads more effectively across the joint, increasing tensile and shear strength while maintaining manufacturability through standard molding or cutting processes
3Adaptability or versatility
If elements are cut to accommodate obstacles, then installation adaptability is improved, but material waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates pre-calculated standardized offcut lengths that are produced during normal installation and can be reused in subsequent rows or positions. By anticipating the need for varied lengths and designing the assembly means to accommodate different configurations, the system eliminates the need for additional cutting operations and maximizes material utilization
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a floor covering element, such as a tile or plank, comprising four sides having hermaphroditic assembly means (2) for assembly with other complementary and adjacent floor covering elements (1); According to the invention, the element (1) comprises: - two opposing male corners (3) having male assembly means capable of engaging simultaneously with complementary female assembly means of a female corner (4) of two complementary adjacent elements (1); - two opposing female corners (4) having female assembly means capable of engaging simultaneously with complementary male assembly means of a male corner (3) of two complementary adjacent elements (1); and the male corners (3) are in the form of a combination of male dovetails of two adjacent sides, connected to each other by an inclined portion, for example at 45°, with respect to one side.