Interlocking Floor Panel Structure for Watertight Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing panel connection methods, particularly in flooring, face challenges in coupling and creating a watertight connection, especially with plastic-based and mineral-based panels, which can be difficult to lock together effectively.
Innovation Solution
A panel design featuring upward and downward coupling parts with inclined locking elements and contact surfaces, allowing for a downward or angling motion to secure panels together, forming a watertight seal and reducing material deformation during coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If panels are coupled using traditional tongue and groove methods with gluing, then the floor panels can be installed loosely onto the subflooring allowing expansion and shrinkage, but it is difficult to create a watertight connection between the panels
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is divided into distinct functional elements: an upward tongue with upward groove for horizontal insertion, and locking elements (outward bulge and recess) for vertical securing. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function efficiently while contributing to the overall watertight seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The downward tongue of one panel is inserted into the upward groove of the adjacent panel, creating a nested configuration. The locking elements then engage to secure this nested arrangement, providing both mechanical strength and watertight sealing in a compact structure.
2Strength
If panels are attached to the underlying floor by gluing or nailing, then the connection is secure, but the installation process becomes complicated and subsequent changes require breaking out the floor panels
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is designed to be self-securing through the interaction of locking elements. The downward motion causes the outward bulge to engage with the recess, automatically locking the panels together without requiring external adhesives or fasteners, thereby simplifying installation while maintaining strong connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling parts are pre-formed during panel manufacturing with precise geometries for the tongues, grooves, and locking elements. This preliminary preparation ensures that during installation, the panels can be quickly coupled together through simple downward motion without requiring complex on-site assembly procedures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If panels are made from plastic-based or mineral-based materials, then alternative flooring options are available, but it becomes difficult to couple and lock panels together effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism design accommodates different material properties by adjusting geometric parameters rather than relying on material-specific characteristics. The tongue and groove dimensions, locking element shapes, and contact surface orientations are optimized to work effectively with plastic-based and mineral-based materials, enabling versatile material selection without compromising coupling effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
The last decades have seen enormous advance in the market for flooring for floor covering. It is known to install floor panels on an underlying floor in various ways. The present invention relates to an improved panel, such as a floor panel, in particular a decorative floor panel. The invention also relates to a covering, in particular a floor covering, including multiple interconnected panels according to the invention.