Floor Panel Locking Mechanism for Stable Hook-and-Loop Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor panels with hook and loop fasteners lack sufficient stability in their connection, leading to potential instability and noise issues when used in flooring applications.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates additional locking means such as sloping walls, sharp edges, and trapezoidal grooves on the side surfaces of the floor panels, which deform linearly under compressive force to enhance stability and include Velcro elements for sound insulation, allowing for secure and noise-reducing connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hook and loop fasteners are used to connect floor panels, then ease of assembly is improved, but connection stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two different connection mechanisms: Velcro elements for easy assembly and blocking means with additional locking means for stability. The blocking means includes a groove with groove bottom wider than clear width, a lip that tapers to form a recess, and abutment surfaces with steps that create additional locking features, merging the benefits of both connection types.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into multiple functional components: Velcro elements for initial attachment, blocking means with grooves and lips for structural connection, and additional locking means with abutment surfaces and steps for stabilization. Each segment performs a specific function to collectively solve the contradiction between ease of assembly and connection stability.
2Device complexity
If simple blocking means are used, then device complexity is reduced, but connection stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking means is segmented into distinct functional elements: the groove with its wider bottom, the tapered lip forming a recess, and the abutment surfaces with steps. This segmentation allows each element to contribute to stability without requiring an overly complex overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The additional locking means utilize the vertical dimension with abutment surfaces reaching up to steps in the core layer, creating stabilization in multiple dimensions rather than relying solely on horizontal blocking, thereby improving stability without proportionally increasing horizontal 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
The enhanced locking mechanism provides a stable and durable connection between floor panels, reducing play and noise, while maintaining ease of assembly and disassembly, and can be used for various surface coverings including floors, walls, and ceilings.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pair of Velcro elements which adhere to one another and are arranged on the same side surfaces of the floor panel and with which the floor panel can be secured at least perpendicularly to the adjacent floor panel
Implementation Method 2
the lip of one blocking means tapers in the direction of the lower layer in such a way that a wall section and the leg carrying the lip form a recess into which the head piece engages, the recess has a base which is wider than the clear width of the recess
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4
AI summary
The panel (100) has two blocking units (50, 60) that are compatible to each other and formed at front-sided narrow side surfaces of the panel. A pair of hook-and-loop fastener-elements fixes the panel opposite to adjacent floor panel perpendicular to an installation plane. A set of additional locking units cooperates with another set of additional locking units and provided in material of the panel. The additional locking units stabilize a connection that is formed in an installation condition by the hook-and-loop fastener elements.