Floating Floor Exchange Panel with Segmented Connecting Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floating floor coverings face difficulties in replacing individual panels without significant effort, often requiring disassembly and reassembly, which can lead to installation inaccuracies and permanent impairment of the floor covering.
Innovation Solution
A replacement panel system comprising a panel body and a connecting element, where the first connecting profile is formed by the connecting element, allowing for mechanical locking with adjacent standard panels through a vertical movement, enabling easy and accurate replacement without damaging adjacent panels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard panels are connected with locking profiles to form a floating floor covering, then the floor covering achieves high quality and stability, but replacing individual panels becomes extremely difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The replacement panel is divided into two separate components: a panel body and a connecting element. The connecting element can be independently attached to standard panels, and the panel body is subsequently connected to this element. This segmentation allows the replacement panel to be installed in parts rather than as a single unit, enabling easy replacement while maintaining the locking connection stability of the original floor covering.
2Ease of repair
If standard panels are disassembled and reassembled to replace a damaged panel, then the damaged panel can be removed, but installation inaccuracies lead to permanent impairment of the floor covering
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element is pre-attached to the standard panels before the panel body is connected. This preliminary action creates a stable base structure that guides the subsequent connection of the panel body, ensuring proper alignment and positioning. By preparing the connecting element in advance, the system eliminates the need for complex disassembly and reassembly operations that compromise installation accuracy.
3Strength
If connecting profiles are designed to lock standard panels together vertically and horizontally, then high-quality floors are obtained, but the locked panels cannot be easily separated for replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element serves as an intermediary component between the panel body and the standard panels. It provides connection interfaces that engage with the locking profiles of adjacent standard panels, allowing the panel body to be securely locked in place while maintaining the ability to separate connections by simply detaching the connecting element. This intermediary approach preserves both strong locking connections and ease of panel replacement.
4Ease of manufacture
If a replacement panel is inserted from above into a gap in the floor covering, then integration is possible, but the connecting profiles cannot be locked with adjacent standard panels or only to a limited extent
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the replacement panel into a panel body and a connecting element, the system allows the connecting element to be first engaged with the locking profiles of adjacent standard panels from above. This segmentation enables the connection function to be performed independently of the panel body insertion, ensuring reliable locking connections while maintaining easy integration from above.
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
Facilitates the replacement of individual panels with minimal disruption to the existing floor covering, ensuring precise and secure connection, thus maintaining the integrity and appearance of the floor while reducing installation errors.
Implementation Method 1
the connecting element and the panel body have corresponding locking profiles that can be mechanically locked to one another by a substantially vertical movement of the panel body
Data Source
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AI summary
The system (1) has multiple similar standard panels (6) and an exchange panel (3). The exchange panel has a panel body (11) and a connecting element (12). The connection profile (13) of the exchange panel is partially formed by the connecting element. The connecting element and the panel body have corresponding locking profiles, which are mechanically locked with each other by the vertical movement of the panel body. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a repair kit for forming a multi-part exchange panel for the exchange of a panel of a floating floor covering; and (2) a method for exchanging a standard panel of a floating floor covering by an exchange panel.