Resilient Floorboard Edge Assembly With Partial Mechanical Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assembling resilient floorboards with mechanical locking systems, such as angling-angling, angling-snapping, and vertical folding, are difficult due to the boards' tendency to bend and increased friction, requiring excessive force for connection.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves bending only a part of the floorboard edge using a raising device, combined with a mechanical locking system featuring resiliently bendable locking strips with protruding elements and guiding surfaces, reduces the force needed for assembly by minimizing friction and contact areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If known assembly methods (angling-angling, angling-snapping, vertical folding) are used for resilient floorboards, then mechanical locking connection is achieved, but excessive force is required due to board bending and increased friction
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is divided into separate components: a locking element with locking legs and a locking strip with locking grooves. This segmentation allows the locking elements to engage independently without requiring the entire edge to be forced simultaneously, reducing the overall assembly force needed while maintaining reliable locking connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking strip acts as an intermediary component between adjacent floorboards. It provides a controlled interface for locking engagement, distributing the connection forces and reducing friction through its specific geometry with inclined locking grooves that guide the locking elements into place.
2Reliability
If resilient floorboards are assembled using conventional methods, then edge connection is achieved, but the entire edge must be locked requiring excessive force
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system uses discrete locking elements spaced along the edge rather than requiring continuous edge engagement. Each locking element can engage independently with its corresponding locking groove, allowing progressive assembly without forcing the entire edge simultaneously, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining reliable edge connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows locking engagement to proceed progressively along the edge rather than requiring complete edge engagement at once. The inclined locking grooves enable partial engagement to occur naturally during assembly, reducing the operational difficulty while achieving full edge connection reliability.
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 method significantly reduces the assembly force required and simplifies the connection process by allowing partial edge locking, making it easier to install resilient floorboards with reduced friction and increased locking strength.
Implementation Method 1
The resiliently bendable locking strip facilitates the connection of the floorboards
Implementation Method 2
The bending is preferably achieved by raising an outer part of said edge preferably by positioning of a raising device, e.g. a wedge
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A method of assembling resilient floorboards is disclosed that includes the step of bending an edge of a floorboard during the assembling. The bending reduces the force required for connection of the edge to another edge of a juxtaposed floorboard.