Interlocking Floor Panel Coupling to Prevent Creaking Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Floor panels with coupling parts tend to produce undesired creaking noises due to minor movements and deformations, despite the use of sliding agents like paraffin, which increases production costs without fully addressing the issue.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating relative position support portions in the coupling parts that engage each other to prevent mutual shifting of contact surfaces, creating a fixation that reduces the risk of noise production by generating tension and reactive compression forces, even without sliding agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If sliding agents like paraffin are applied on coupling parts, then the risk of creaking noises is reduced, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for sliding agents by redesigning the coupling part profiles. The relative position support portions are designed with complementary geometries that inherently prevent mutual shifting through shape compatibility, removing the harmful dependency on additional substances like paraffin while maintaining noise reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling parts are segmented into distinct functional zones: contact portions for primary locking and relative position support portions for preventing mutual shifting. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function without requiring sliding agents, addressing the noise problem through structural division rather than chemical additives
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sliding agents are applied on coupling parts, then noise reduction is achieved, but the application is complex and requires additional production steps
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling parts are designed to be self-servicing through their geometric profiles. The relative position support portions automatically prevent mutual shifting through their interlocking shapes during installation and use, eliminating the need for external sliding agents and the complex application processes they require
3Strength
If the coupling parts are designed with contact surfaces that engage under compression, then structural integrity is maintained, but minor movements cause chafing and noises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a new dimensional aspect to the coupling design by introducing relative position support portions that constrain movement in directions beyond the primary compression engagement. This multi-dimensional constraint prevents the minor mutual movements that cause chafing and noises while preserving the compression-based structural integrity
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 solution effectively minimizes creaking noises by ensuring that contact surfaces do not shift relative to each other, even during minor movements, thereby reducing noise occurrence and maintaining the structural integrity of the floor panels.
Implementation Method 1
both said contact portions are situated such that the floor panels, in coupled condition, are laterally forced towards each other with a tension force, causing the contact surfaces to be engaged in compression
Implementation Method 2
provided on an elastically compressible underfloor, which either is installed beforehand, or is present below the floor panels in a prefabricated manner
Data Source
AI summary
Floor panel in a board shape having at least at two opposite edges coupling parts enabling several of the panels to be coupled to each other, wherein the coupling parts have contact portions forcing the floor panels in the coupled condition with a tension force at least laterally towards each other. The coupling parts also include support portions, which, in the coupled condition of floor panels, create a fixation in the mutual position of the contact portions cooperating under tension.