Laminated Floor Panel Hook Locking Against Thermal Decoupling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Laminated floor panels experience significant mechanical stress and potential decoupling due to thermal expansion and contraction, especially at the short sides where they are coupled using a tongue and groove system, leading to issues with uniform moisture exposure.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a first hook on the second upward tongue that protrudes parallel to the second side, allowing it to hook into a clearance between the lower upward tongue block and the second upward tongue of an adjacent panel, forming a continuous upward tongue and enhancing coupling strength, while a second hook on the fourth downward tongue hooks into the upper downward tongue block of another panel, forming a continuous downward tongue, thereby reducing the adverse effects of thermal expansion and contraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If floor panels are coupled using a tongue and groove system, then the panels can be assembled without glue, but significant mechanical stress builds up at the sides during thermal expansion and contraction
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is divided into multiple independent coupling elements (tongues and grooves) distributed along the panel edges. Each tongue-groove pair acts as an independent coupling unit, allowing the system to accommodate thermal expansion through distributed deformation rather than concentrating stress at single coupling points.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple coupling mechanisms are combined within the same panel structure: tongue-groove couplings for lateral connection and hook elements for additional mechanical interlocking. This merging of coupling methods creates a composite coupling system that distributes and reduces mechanical stress during thermal expansion and contraction.
2Strength
If multiple tongues and grooves are used for coupling, then the coupling strength increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different coupling features are applied locally at different positions along the panel edges. Tongues and grooves are positioned at specific locations where coupling is most needed, while hook elements are added only where additional stress resistance is required. This localized application optimizes coupling strength without uniformly increasing complexity across the entire panel structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system employs asymmetric tongue and groove geometries where the tongue profile does not perfectly mirror the groove profile. This asymmetry allows for controlled movement and stress distribution during thermal expansion, reducing the need for overly complex symmetric coupling structures while maintaining adequate coupling strength.
3Device complexity
If the panel structure is simplified to reduce complexity, then manufacturing becomes easier, but the ability to resist thermal expansion stress decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling structure incorporates dynamic elements that allow controlled movement during thermal expansion. The tongue-groove interfaces are designed with clearance and flexibility to accommodate dimensional changes, while hook elements provide dynamic mechanical interlocking that engages during expansion but allows controlled separation during contraction, maintaining reliability without requiring overly complex rigid structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The hook elements act as intermediary components between the tongue-groove coupling system and the panel edges. These hooks provide an additional mechanical mediation layer that distributes thermal expansion stresses away from the primary tongue-groove interfaces, enhancing reliability without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.
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 configuration significantly reduces mechanical stress and decoupling issues by providing additional locking points and direct physical contact between panels, enhancing the stability and durability of the floor covering.
Implementation Method 1
A well known problem of floor coverings comprising laminated floor panels is related to thermal expansion or contraction, particularly when the floor panels are subjected to moisture in a non-uniform manner.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a floor panel and to a floor covering comprising a plurality of such floor panels. The present invention particularly relates to a laminated floor panel. The floor panel of the invention comprises a hook that protrudes from an upward tongue of one floor panel to engage a clearance between an upward tongue block and an upward tongue of an adjacent floor panel.