Floor Panel Locking Structure for Low-Friction Vertical Snap Folding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertical snap folding systems for floor panels face challenges such as high displacement friction between long edges, unreliable vertical locking, and difficulty in installation, especially with thin and wide panels.
Innovation Solution
The development of new locking systems for both long and short edges, featuring a locking strip with a bendable locking element and a tongue that can be formed in one piece with the panel core, allowing for easy vertical snap folding without the need for tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a vertical snap folding locking system is used to connect floor panels, then the installation process should be simplified and tool-free, but high displacement friction between long edges prevents the short edge locking system from overcoming the friction and pulling panels together to the final locked position
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is divided into two independent but cooperating parts: a long edge locking system that provides low-friction displacement capability, and a short edge locking system that provides the locking force. This segmentation allows each part to specialize in one function while working together to solve the overall problem of tool-free installation despite high friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines two previously separate locking mechanisms (long edge angling system and short edge vertical snap system) into a unified vertical snap folding system where both edges work together during a single angling motion. This merging allows the low-friction long edge connection to enable the high-force short edge locking to succeed.
2Ease of operation
If the short edge locking system is designed with a small tongue for vertical snapping, then vertical locking is achieved, but the contact surfaces are very small and rounded or inclined, making the vertical locking unreliable and weak under heavy loads or swelling/shrinking
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system uses different geometries for different parts: the long edge features rounded guiding surfaces for easy displacement, while the short edge features flat locking surfaces for strong, reliable locking. This local differentiation of geometric properties allows each part to optimize for its specific function while working together as a unified system.
3Reliability
If the long edge locking system is designed with a tight fit to prevent gaps and moisture penetration, then connection quality is improved, but the friction between long edges increases, preventing automatic locking of the short edges
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is divided into two independent but cooperating parts: a long edge locking system that provides low-friction displacement capability, and a short edge locking system that provides the locking force. This segmentation allows each part to specialize in one function while working together to solve the overall problem of tool-free installation despite high friction.
4Ease of manufacture
If floor panels are thin and wide to reduce material usage and cost, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but the long edges cannot support the middle parts of the short edges and keep them in a vertically locked position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two previously separate locking mechanisms (long edge angling system and short edge vertical snap system) into a unified vertical snap folding system where both edges work together during a single angling motion. This merging allows the low-friction long edge connection to enable the high-force short edge locking to succeed.
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 reduces installation complexity by minimizing friction between long edges and enabling automatic locking of short edges with a lower pressing force, ensuring a strong and reliable vertical and horizontal locking system.
Implementation Method 1
The locking strip is bendable, to obtain a resilient bending during the vertical snap folding action, which bending facilitates the assembling of the tongue and the tongue groove
Implementation Method 2
a minimum of friction facilitating a displacement, by a spring back force from the bending of the short edge locking strip, of the new panel in the horizontal direction along the long edge during the vertical snap folding action
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
Floor panels (1, 1') are shown, which are provided with a mechanical locking system on long and short edges (5a, 5b, 4a, 4b) allowing installation with vertical snap folding that could be accomplished automatically without tools and where the short edge (4a, 4b) locking system comprises a tongue (10) made in one piece with the panel.