Floor Mat Bar Latching Structure for Noise-Free Multi-Mat Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floor mat arrangements fail to securely connect multiple mats without slipping or making noise, and existing solutions either compromise the mat's stability or introduce noise due to ground contact.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves using rod spacer elements with locking parts that maintain constant rod spacing, allowing mats to be connected in the longitudinal direction without slipping, using swivel or slip-on couplings that do not contact the ground, ensuring stability and noise reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mats are connected using existing connection methods, then multiple mats can be joined together, but the mats slip laterally and make noise during use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidnoise and lateral movement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking part is inserted into the rod spacer element, creating a nested structure where the locking mechanism is housed within the existing spacer component. This nesting allows the locking part to engage with the rod spacer element internally, preventing lateral movement of mats while maintaining a compact structure that does not extend to the ground, thus eliminating noise generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The rod spacer element serves as an intermediary component between the support bars and the locking mechanism. By maintaining constant rod spacing through the spacer element and engaging the locking part with it, the system achieves stable mat connection without direct ground contact, thereby preventing both lateral slippage and noise generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If locking mechanisms contact the ground for stability, then connection strength is improved, but noise is generated during use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism operates in a different dimension - instead of contacting the ground horizontally for stability, the locking part engages vertically with the rod spacer element. This dimensional shift allows the locking mechanism to achieve strong connections through vertical engagement while remaining elevated above the ground, thus preventing noise generation from ground contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If rod spacing is not maintained, then connection simplicity is improved, but lateral movement occurs between mats

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection simplicityVSAvoidrod spacing stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The rod spacer element is pre-installed on the support bars to establish constant rod spacing before the mats are connected. This preliminary action of positioning and securing the spacer elements ensures that when the locking parts are subsequently engaged, the rod spacing is already stabilized, preventing lateral movement while keeping the overall connection process simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2215958B1Device for forming an assembly of floor mats composed of at least two mats
Publication Date: 2012.05.09 ARWEI BAUZUBEHOER GMBH
  • EP2215958B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP2215958B1 patent drawingFigure 6
  • EP2215958B1 patent drawingFigure 7~10

AI summary

The device has a cross connector element (3) interconnecting three support bars (2) of each left and right mat (1). The support bars aligned parallel to each other with longitudinal axes of the mats and lie next to each other. Cleaning lining and/or strips (5) are provided on upper sides of each mat. A bar spacing element (7) is formed at both outer ends of the support bars in a bar longitudinal direction. The mats are coupled with each other by a latching device (9) that bridges other two spacing elements from top in a bar gap (8).