Floor Panel Locking With Displaceable Tongue to Prevent Edge Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical locking systems for floor panels, particularly those using flexible tongues, face challenges such as separation of short edges during installation, which can prevent further connection and damage the locking system, especially in panels with small thickness or smooth surfaces like HDF, and require complex installation methods.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical locking system with a displaceable tongue that snaps into a tongue groove in a single direction, reducing or eliminating separation forces during vertical folding, allowing for easier installation and disconnection with a simple angling action, and adaptable for various panel types and sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a flexible tongue is used in the locking system, then vertical locking strength is improved, but separation pressure on short edges increases causing edge separation
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is divided into two independent parts: a flexible tongue for vertical locking and a separate pressing element for horizontal pressing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, eliminating the edge separation problem while maintaining strong vertical locking.
Solution Approach 2:
A separate pressing element is introduced as an intermediary component to apply horizontal pressing force on the short edges. This mediator prevents edge separation without requiring the flexible tongue to perform dual functions, thus resolving the contradiction between locking strength and edge stability.
2Reliability
If a strong flexible tongue is used to ensure high quality vertical connection, then vertical locking is improved, but installation complexity increases requiring three simultaneous actions
Solution Approach 1:
The installation process is segmented into independent steps: first angling the long edges to achieve vertical locking with the flexible tongue, then separately pressing the short edges horizontally with the pressing element. This segmentation eliminates the need for three simultaneous actions, making installation straightforward and sequential.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible tongue automatically performs the vertical locking function when the long edges are angled together, requiring no additional manual intervention. The pressing element then independently handles the horizontal pressing of short edges, allowing each component to serve its function autonomously without complex coordinated actions.
3Ease of operation
If the tongue is displaced inwardly during initial locking phase, then vertical locking is achieved, but separation pressure pushes short edges apart creating gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The locking process is segmented into two independent phases: vertical locking through flexible tongue displacement and horizontal pressing through the separate pressing element. This segmentation ensures that the tongue's inward displacement for vertical locking does not cause edge separation, as the pressing element independently maintains horizontal contact between short edges throughout the process.
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 enables straightforward installation and disconnection of floor panels without sideways pressure, reduces the risk of edge separation, and allows for stronger vertical locking, making the system more reliable and easier to use.
Implementation Method 1
A mechanical locking system with a displaceable tongue that snaps into a tongue groove in a single direction
Implementation Method 2
A pressing element integrated with the displaceable tongue or the panel, configured to press the short edges horizontally against each other
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
Floor panels (1, 1') are shown, which are provided with a mechanical locking system on long (5a, 5b) and short edges (4a, 4b) allowing installation with angling of long edges and where the short edge locking system has a displaceable tongue that is displaceable essentially in one direction from an inner unlocked position to a final locked position.