L-Shaped Flooring Panel Overlap System for Seam Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flooring systems with floating installations face issues of open seams due to improper alignment of panels, leading to optical defects and functionality problems, and are prone to damage under high traffic and dynamic loading conditions due to inadequate connection strength.
Innovation Solution
A flooring system with a multilayered composite structure featuring L-shaped panel sections and receiving sections, where the bottom layer is made of a rigid polymeric material, providing enhanced connection strength through adhesive application in cut out sections and vertical support passageways, allowing for secure and flexible installation without mastic or adhesive on the floor base.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If floating installation of flooring panels is used, then ease of installation is improved, but connection strength deteriorates leading to open seams and damage under traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into distinct components: L-shaped receiving sections integrated into the bottom layer, separate adhesive elements, and vertical supports. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall connection strength without compromising installation ease.
Solution Approach 2:
Adhesive elements serve as intermediaries between the L-shaped receiving sections and the vertical supports. These adhesive elements fill the gap between the receiving sections and provide the necessary bonding strength, enabling secure connections while maintaining the floating installation method.
2Strength
If adhesive is applied to connect panels, then connection strength is improved, but flexibility to conform to surface irregularities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Adhesive elements are applied locally only in specific regions where the L-shaped receiving sections make contact with the vertical supports, rather than covering the entire panel surface. This localized adhesive application provides connection strength at critical points while preserving the overall flexibility of the panel to conform to surface irregularities.
Solution Approach 2:
The L-shaped receiving sections are pre-formed as integral parts of the bottom layer during manufacturing, creating predetermined connection points that guide the placement of adhesive elements and vertical supports. This preliminary structuring ensures that adhesive is applied only where needed for connection, maintaining flexibility elsewhere.
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 solution ensures secure and flexible connections between flooring panels, preventing open seams and damage from high traffic and dynamic loads, while maintaining flexibility to conform to surface irregularities.
Implementation Method 1
An adhesive is applied to inner surfaces of the cut out section and vertical support receiving passageway
Data Source
AI summary
A flooring system employing an improved overlap system for floating installation of flooring panels. Each floor panel having a floor panel body, L-shaped panel sections and L-shaped panel receiving sections. The floor panel body is a multilayered composite structure having a bottom layer. The L-shaped panel sections are prepared on adjacent sides of the floor panel body and include a base section, a vertical support and a cut out section which is formed between the vertical support and the floor panel body. The L-shaped panel receiving sections are prepared on opposite sides of the L-shaped panel sections. The bottom layer of the floor panel has a thickness that is equal to or greater than a height of the L-shaped panel sections and depth of the L-shaped panel receiving sections. Each L-shaped panel receiving section includes a downward facing protrusion and a vertical support receiving passageway, which may engage a cut out section and receive a vertical support from another floor panel respectively. An adhesive is also applied to inner surfaces of the cut out section and vertical support receiving passageway.