Floor Covering Locking Mechanism for Secure Panel Joining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor coverings face challenges in secure mechanical connection and assembly, particularly with spring-based locking systems that require significant force and space for proper engagement, leading to potential damage and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A floor covering system featuring elements with profiles for vertical or pivoting joining, utilizing a spring element that pivots behind a locking edge without needing to overcome spring force, and additional locking strips for secure horizontal displacement, reducing material requirements and assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spring elements are used for locking floor panels, then secure mechanical connection is achieved, but significant force and space are required for proper engagement
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of pushing the spring element backward to engage the locking edge (conventional approach), the patent inverts the engagement sequence: the spring element's free end is guided along the locking edge during downward movement, and locking occurs as the spring element naturally pivots forward due to its elastic recovery, eliminating the need for backward pushing force
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a guide surface as an intermediary between the spring element and locking edge. This guide surface ensures proper alignment and controlled engagement of the spring element with the locking edge during assembly, reducing the force and space requirements by providing a controlled interaction path
2Reliability
If spring elements are pushed back before locking, then engagement is achieved, but sufficient clearance space is required behind the spring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional spring engagement sequence by eliminating the backward pushing step. The spring element engages the locking edge directly during downward movement, and its elastic recovery naturally drives the locking action forward, eliminating the need for clearance space behind the spring for backward movement
3Ease of manufacture
If hammer blows are applied to lock panels, then connection is achieved, but damage to floor panels can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hammer blow mechanical system with an elastic spring-based locking system. The spring element's elastic recovery provides the necessary locking force through controlled pivoting motion, eliminating the need for external hammer blows and associated panel damage risks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the force application parameter from high-impact hammer blows to controlled elastic spring force. The spring element gradually exerts force during downward movement and locking, providing a controlled, damage-free assembly process compared to the sudden high-force hammer blows
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 secure, efficient locking with minimal effort, reducing material loss and processing costs, while providing tactile and acoustic feedback for easy assembly and enhanced durability through elastic materials and pinch joints.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring element which is articulated to one of the elements and can be pivoted during the joining movement behind a locking edge
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a covering consisting of elements that can be mechanically interconnected, at least one of the elements being a panel (1, 1a - 1d, 2, 2a - 2d) with the following characteristics: a) the sides (6) of the elements (1, 1a - 1d, 2, 2a - 2d) facing one another have a corresponding profiled section that can be used to interlock adjoining elements (1, 1a - 1d, 2, 2a - 2d) by means of a substantially vertical or pivoting connection movement in a horizontal and vertical direction; b) the interlocking can be achieved by at least one tongue element (11, 11a - 11d) that is hinged on one of the elements (1, 1a - 1d, 2, 2a - 2d) and that can be pivoted behind a locking edge (17) of the other element (1, 1a - 1d) during the connection movement, said edge extending substantially in a horizontal direction; c) during the connection of adjoining elements (1, 1a - 1d, 2, 2a - 2d), the tongue element (11, 11a - 11d) slides down a supporting surface (19) of the adjoining element (1, 1a - 1d), said surface lying opposite the locking edge (17). The supporting surface (19) that points towards the locking edge (17) is inclined in relation to a displacement plane (V) and causes a horizontal displacement of the tongue element (11, 11a - 11d) behind the locking edge (17) and/or the supporting surface (19) runs parallel to the displacement plane (V) and the free end (20) of the tongue element (11d) is inclined in relation to the displacement plane (V), thus causing a horizontal displacement of the tongue element (11d) behind the locking edge (17) during the connection of the adjoining elements (1d, 2d).