Foldable Locking Element for Floor Panel Vertical Joining
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for connecting and locking building boards, particularly floor panels, face challenges with high spring forces required for secure locking, which can lead to material damage and incomplete locking due to high elasticity needs and limited material selection, restricting applicability to thicker laminate floors.
Innovation Solution
A foldable locking element with a locking finger and closure is used, allowing for secure locking without high spring forces through form closure, where the locking finger engages on the underside of a projection and in a locking depression, using either plastic or metal and potentially adhered with pressure-sensitive adhesive.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high elasticity is used for the locking element to ensure secure locking, then locking reliability is improved, but pull-out forces are reduced and material damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is designed with a resilient locking lip that can dynamically deform during the locking process. The locking lip is compressed by the panel to be newly laid during the joining movement and springs out again when it overlaps with the undercut, providing adaptive locking force without requiring high static elasticity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the locking element, specifically designing the locking lip with optimized thickness (1.5 to 3 mm) and groove dimensions (2 to 3 mm width, 5 mm depth). These parameter changes allow the locking element to achieve reliable locking with reduced spring forces, preventing material damage while maintaining pull-out resistance
2Reliability
If high spring forces are used to ensure secure locking, then locking reliability is improved, but profile damage and chipping occur
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is designed to distribute forces beforehand through its geometric configuration. The resilient locking lip compresses gradually during the joining movement, cushioning the impact forces that would otherwise cause profile damage or chipping in the HDF or MDF base material
Solution Approach 2:
By optimizing the geometric parameters of the locking element and groove, the patent reduces the spring forces required for locking. This prevents excessive stresses on the profile shapings of the base board, avoiding chipping and incomplete locking that occur with high spring forces
3Reliability
If high elasticity is required for the locking element, then locking reliability is improved, but material selection is restricted and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach from requiring high material elasticity to optimizing geometric parameters. The locking element can be made from various materials including plastics or metals with lower elasticity, as long as the geometric parameters (thickness, groove dimensions) are optimized. This expands material selection flexibility while maintaining locking reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the entire locking element to have high elasticity, the patent applies local quality by designing only the locking lip with resilient properties. The rest of the locking element can be made from stiffer materials, providing versatility in material selection while maintaining reliable locking at the critical locking lip location
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 enables secure locking of building boards without requiring high spring forces, ensuring complete engagement and durability, while allowing for reproducible movements and adjustable positioning without damaging the profiles.
Implementation Method 1
the locking element is embodied in a foldable manner at a point distant from its outer end to form a locking finger, and is embodied in a foldable manner at a point distant from its inner end to form a closure
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for connecting and locking two building boards, in particular floor panels, on their longitudinal sides and/or transverse sides in the horizontal and vertical direction through an essentially vertical joining movement. The building boards have a top side and an underside. On their lateral edges (I, II) to be connected to one another are provided with profiles corresponding to one another, and a locking element is provided in the profile of the first building board, which locking element has an inner end and an outer end and is inserted with the inner end in a groove of the first building board, and which interacts with a locking depression provided in the profile of the second building board such that the two building boards are automatically locked in the vertical direction with the joining movement. The locking element is embodied in a foldable manner at a point distant from its outer end to form a locking finger, and is embodied in a foldable manner at a point distant from its inner end to form a closure. On the lateral edge (I) of the first building board between the top side and the groove a projection springing out outwards is provided. At the end of the joining movement the locking element is folded at both points and the locking finger with the outer end engages on the underside of the projection on the first building board and with its other end engages in the locking depression of the second building board. The closure thereby bears against the locking surface of the locking depression, whereby both building boards are locked in the vertical direction.