Floor Panel with Equal-Height Profiles for Liquid Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor coverings made from interconnected panels have insufficient resistance to liquids, leading to deformation when water penetrates through the abutting edges, particularly at corners, due to inadequate sealing.
Innovation Solution
The panels feature longitudinally and short-side profiles arranged at the same height with vertically aligned locking elements, including projections and recesses, forming continuous sealing lips at corners to prevent water penetration, along with dust pockets and hydrophobic impregnation to enhance sealing efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If panels are interconnected with traditional profiles at different heights, then mechanical locking is achieved, but liquid resistance is insufficient and water penetrates through butt joints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies equipotentiality by arranging all locking profiles (longitudinal and transverse) at the same height level, creating a uniform sealing plane. This eliminates height differences that previously allowed water to penetrate along the butt joints, as the locking elements now form a continuous barrier at a single elevation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the longitudinal and transverse locking profiles into a unified system where both operate at the same height. This integration creates a continuous sealing effect around the panel corners, preventing water penetration that occurred when profiles were at different elevations.
2Ease of operation
If panels use traditional mechanical locking profiles, then panels can be interconnected, but deformation occurs when water penetrates the panel interior
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning all locking profiles at the same height, the patent creates a uniform structural plane that prevents water from entering along the joints. This eliminates the cause of interior moisture accumulation that led to panel deformation, while preserving the mechanical locking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by designing the equal-height profile system to prevent water penetration before it can cause deformation. The sealing effect is built into the structure itself, counteracting the harmful effect of water ingress before it reaches the panel interior.
3Ease of operation
If panels have profiles at different heights for mechanical locking, then joining movement is enabled, but sealing efficacy is reduced allowing liquid accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the scissors-like pivoting joining movement by keeping the longitudinal profiles functional, while simultaneously improving sealing efficacy by ensuring all profiles operate at the same height. This creates both a functional joint and an effective seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the mechanical locking function with the sealing function by aligning all profiles at the same height. The longitudinal and transverse profiles work together as an integrated system that provides both joining movement capability and liquidtight sealing.
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
This design significantly improves liquid resistance, preventing water from entering the panels and reducing deformation, allowing the panels to be used in areas previously unsuitable for wood-based materials like bathrooms.
Implementation Method 1
a first dust pocket (16) is formed at least in regions... which has a depth of between 0.01 and 0.10 mm
Implementation Method 2
forming continuous sealing lips at corners to prevent water penetration
Implementation Method 3
hydrophobic impregnation to enhance sealing efficacy
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a panel and a covering formed therefrom, in particular a floor covering, which is formed from a plurality of interconnected panels according to the invention. The panels have a rectangular base body, with a profile for mechanically connecting two identical panels formed on each edge of the base body. A longitudinal profile, comprising a longitudinal tongue side and a longitudinal groove side, is formed in pairs on the long side of each of the opposite edges of the panels. On the other two opposite edges, the panel comprises a short-side profile, which has a short tongue side and a short groove side, respectively. A characteristic feature of the present panels according to the invention is that the respective longitudinal and short-side profiles are arranged vertically at the same height.