Floor Panel Locking with Oblique Spring Elements

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floor panel locking systems, particularly with low panel thicknesses, suffer from insufficient rigidity and height offsets due to small vertically directed forces, leading to poor quality appearance under alternating loads and requiring tight manufacturing tolerances.

Innovation Solution

The floor panel features obliquely arranged spring elements on its side edges, which engage and snap behind locking edges for secure horizontal and vertical locking, allowing for elastic deflection and pivoting movements to accommodate unevenness and soft subsoil, simplifying panel laying and increasing rigidity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the locking surface is dimensioned very small to enable transverse locking, then the locking can be achieved in tight spaces, but the ability to absorb vertically directed forces is severely limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking capabilityVSAvoidvertical force absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The locking surface is divided into multiple individual locking elements (projections and recesses) distributed across the side edges. This segmentation allows the total locking capacity to be distributed across multiple small elements, each contributing to vertical force absorption while maintaining the overall compact design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking elements are nested within the panel structure itself, with projections and recesses formed as integral parts of the panel sides. This nesting eliminates the need for separate locking components while maintaining effective locking functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Length of moving object

If conventional locking systems are used with low panel thicknesses, then the panels can be made thinner and more compact, but the rigidity becomes insufficient and height offsets occur under alternating loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanel thicknessVSAvoidrigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The spring elements are pre-loaded within the locking mechanism, creating preliminary compressive forces that maintain constant contact between locking surfaces. This preliminary action ensures that even thin panels maintain rigid connections under alternating loads without requiring increased thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism utilizes elastic deformation of spring elements to create variable stiffness characteristics. The spring elements remain relatively rigid during normal service but can deflect to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and subfloor unevenness, effectively maintaining rigidity in thin panel constructions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If tight manufacturing tolerances are applied to ensure connection stability, then height offsets are minimized, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidtolerance requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The spring elements are designed with sufficient elastic travel capacity to compensate for expected manufacturing tolerances and subfloor variations before engagement. This beforehand cushioning allows the locking mechanism to absorb dimensional variations without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring elements provide continuous feedback through their elastic deformation, automatically adjusting to maintain optimal contact pressure between locking surfaces. This self-adjusting mechanism compensates for dimensional variations in real-time during panel installation and service.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 solution enhances locking security and rigidity, allowing for effective transmission of vertical forces and reducing manufacturing complexity, while maintaining a high-quality appearance by minimizing height offsets and tolerances.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the hook elements is a spring element which deviates in the horizontal direction during the joining movement and then snaps behind a locking edge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2213812B1Panelling, in particular floor panelling

Publication Date: 2012.03.07 FLOORING TECH LTD

Figure 1
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 3~4

AI summary

The floor panels (1, 2) have two identical panels interconnected and interlocked by vertical joining movement in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction (V). One of two projections (5, 7) is deviated during the joining movement in the horizontal direction, and snaps into a locking edge that extends in the horizontal direction to vertically lock the identical panels. Hook elements (4) are segmented for forming a set of parallel interspaced spring elements. The spring elements are diagonally arranged at an angle with respect to a longitudinal direction (L). An independent claim is also included for a method for connecting and locking floor panels.