Set of panels comprising a mechanical locking device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical locking devices for furniture panels are difficult to disassemble, as the tools required for unlocking often get stuck or are hard to insert due to production tolerances and design limitations.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with an edge groove and tongue groove configuration, where the groove surfaces are offset to facilitate tool insertion, and a bevel or rounding at the tongue groove opening prevents the flexible tongue from getting stuck, allowing for easier disassembly by providing a larger crosscut area and guiding the tool effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the locking device uses a tight-fitting tongue groove configuration to ensure secure locking, then the locking strength is improved, but the tool insertion becomes difficult and the flexible tongue may get stuck during disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue groove is segmented into multiple functional zones: a widened insertion zone at the opening for easy tool access, a transition zone with gradual narrowing, and a locked zone for secure tongue retention. This segmentation allows the groove to provide both easy tool insertion and strong locking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-sectional dimensions of the tongue groove are varied along its length. The groove has a larger cross-section at the opening to facilitate tool insertion, and a smaller cross-section deeper in the groove to securely hold the flexible tongue. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and locking strength.
2Ease of manufacture
If the tongue groove has a uniform cross-section to simplify manufacturing, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the flexible tongue may get stuck and disassembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue groove is pre-formed with a rounded bottom and varied cross-section during the molding process. This preliminary action ensures that the flexible tongue can smoothly exit the groove during disassembly without getting stuck, while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through integrated molding.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom of the tongue groove is rounded rather than sharp, and the walls are smoothly curved. This curvature prevents the flexible tongue from catching or getting stuck during disassembly, improving reliability while the overall groove shape remains simple to manufacture.
3Ease of operation
If the groove surfaces are offset by a larger distance to facilitate tool insertion, then the ease of operation is improved, but the locking stability in the second direction may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The groove surfaces are offset locally at the opening by a first distance to facilitate tool insertion, while maintaining proper alignment and stability in the locking direction through the overall groove geometry and the engagement surfaces deeper in the groove. This local quality change resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and locking stability.
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 simplifies the disassembly process by ensuring the tool can be easily inserted and the flexible tongue can move out of the tongue groove, reducing the risk of getting stuck and making the process more efficient.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible tongue is arranged in the insertion groove. Said flexible tongue is configured to cooperate with the tongue groove for locking together the first edge and the second edge
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A set of panels including a first panel (6), having a first edge and a first main plane, a second panel (4), having a second edge and a second main plane, essentially perpendicular to the first, and a locking device (60) for locking the first edge to the second edge. The locking device (60) comprises an edge groove (21) at the first edge and a tongue groove (10) at the second edge. A flexible tongue (30), configured to cooperate with the tongue groove (10), is arranged in an insertion groove (20) at a first side of the edge groove (21), for locking the first and second edges in a first direction (D1), perpendicular to the first main plane. Said edge groove (21) comprises a first and second groove surface (51, 53), arranged at either side of the insertion groove (20), configured to cooperate with a first and second edge surface (52, 54), arranged at said second edge and at either side of the tongue groove (10), for locking the first and second edges in a second direction (D2), perpendicular to the second main plane. Said locking device (60) is configured to be unlocked by inserting a tool (90) in the tongue groove (10). To facilitate disassembly, the first groove surface (51) is arranged offset in the second direction (D2) relative second groove surface (53) by a first distance (41).