Extruded Floorboard with Snap Connection and Water Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floorboard connection systems fail to provide a reliable and efficient method for aligning and connecting adjacent floorboards in a common plane while effectively managing water drainage and allowing for easy detachment.
Innovation Solution
A floorboard with a rectangular tubular hollow profile featuring cantilevered webs on its edges, including a drip ledge and water drainage channel, which allows for pivoting and snapping connections between adjacent boards, ensuring vertical alignment and efficient water drainage through a combination of offset water drainage channels and snap channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a spring clamp connection system is used to join adjacent floorboards, then vertical alignment is achieved, but the connection is difficult to detach
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate functional elements: an upper connecting element for alignment and a lower connecting element for secure attachment. The upper element features a spring-loaded clamp mechanism that provides vertical alignment during installation, while the lower element provides a snap-fit connection for secure attachment and easy detachment. This segmentation allows each element to specialize in one function, resolving the contradiction between stable alignment and easy detachment.
2Strength
If multiple projecting webs are used for connection, then connection strength is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The upper and lower connecting elements are merged into a single integrated component that performs both alignment and connection functions. Instead of using separate upper and lower webs as distinct parts, the invention combines them into one piece with an upper portion featuring a spring clamp and a lower portion featuring a snap-fit mechanism. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining connection strength through the combined action of both functional regions.
3Ease of manufacture
If a flat rectangular hollow tube profile is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but water drainage capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection elements extend in multiple spatial dimensions beyond the simple flat rectangular profile. The upper connecting element projects upward from the top surface with vertical spring-loaded arms, while the lower connecting element projects downward from the bottom surface with snap-fit features. This multi-dimensional configuration maintains the simple extruded hollow tube profile for manufacturing while creating dedicated pathways and channels for water drainage in both upward and downward directions, preventing water accumulation.
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
Enables secure and detachable connection of floorboards while maintaining vertical alignment and effective water drainage, ensuring the tops and bottoms are flush and allowing for easy installation and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The middle web is curved in an arc shape in a transverse direction of the floorboard... The middle web is elastically designed as a vertically springy web... resiliently presses the snap bead into the snap groove
Implementation Method 2
The drip edge and the water drainage channel run lengthwise along the floorboard... Water that runs across the top of the floorboard, perpendicular to its surface, flows over the drip edge into the drainage channel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
AI summary
The invention proposes to form an extruded floorboard (1) having a flat rectangular hollow tube profile (25) with snap connection arrangements (12, 13) on both sides, so that floorboards (1) can be connected to each other to form a plank floor by pivoting into a plane.